A few familiar surnames headline the AFL Academy squad for 2022, with the league selecting the top range of the game's next generation.
Potential No.1 Pick and Brisbane father-son prospect Will Ashcroft was among the seven Vic Metro representatives named in the 30-man squad, which included nine bottom-aged players.
Oliver Hollands is another recognised name to be among the selected squad, with the promising Murray Bushranger in line for next year's draft.
Norwood's Max Michaelanny joins Ashcroft in potentially being selected as a father-son prospect, with his father, Jim, having played over 200 SANFL games with the Redlegs prior to the Crows joining the national competition.
Gippsland Power's Zane Duursma, younger brother of Port Adelaide jet Xavier, is among the younger batch of prospects who will be eyeing the 2023 National Draft.
National Academy Manager Tarkyn Lockyer expressed his excitement in the next wave of AFL draft prospects.
"It is really exciting to announce the squads for the 2022 NAB AFL & AFLW Academies. Selection into these squads is great recognition for all of the players and continues to highlight the AFL and AFLW as the first choice sport for our most talented athletes," Lockyer said.
"Members of the NAB AFL and AFLW Academy will be given the opportunity to develop themselves as people and players under the guidance of expert coaching, high performance and wellbeing staff.
"The program is aligned with the National Talent Pathways philosophy of ‘Developing Better People, Better Players’ by using a holistic development approach to focus on the growth of the individual, on and off the field, and their ability to contribute to a team environment.
"The program content will be delivered through a mixture of face-to-face and online modules. Each of the squads will also get the opportunity to showcase their talents in a high-performance camp and representative game."
Six players in the squad hail from Western Australia, while five South Australians have been selected, along with two from Queensland, two from New South Wales/ACT, two from Tasmania and one from theNorthern Territory.
2022 AFL Academy Squad:
Will Ashcroft, Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons
Jackson Broadbent, Western Australia/Peel Thunder
Jedd Busslinger, Western Australia/East Perth
Jhye Clark, Vic Country/Geelong Falcons
Lachlan Cowan, Tasmania/Tasmania Devils
Adam D'Aloia, South Australia/Woodville-West Torrens
Jaspa Fletcher, Queensland/Sherwood Magpies/Brisbane Lions Academy
Sam Gilbey, Western Australia/Claremont
Jason Gillbee, New South Wales/Bendigo Pioneers/GWS Giants
Jed Hagan, Western Australia/East Fremantle
Elijah Hewitt, Western Australia/Swan Districts
Oliver Hollands, Vic Country/Murray Bushrangers
Matthew Jefferson, Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers
Harry Lemmey, South Australia/West Adelaide
Max Michaelanny, South Australia/Norwood
Anthony Munkara, Northern Territory/Wanderers/NT Thunder
Harry Sheezel, Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons
Mitch Szybkowski, Vic Country/Dandenong Stingrays
Luke Teal, Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers
Elijah Tsatas, Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers
George Wardlaw, Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers
Bottom Age Squad Members
Lachlan Cabor, New South Sales/Shellharbour/Sydney Swans Academy
Daniel Curtin, Western Australia/Claremont
Jack Delean, South Australia/South Adelaide
Zane Duursma, Vic Country/Gippsland Power
Will Patton, South Australia/West Adelaide
Harley Reid, Vic Country/Bendigo Pioneers
Ryley Sanders, Tasmania/Tasmania Devils
Jed Walter, Queensland/Palm Beach Currumbin/Gold Coast Suns Academy
Nick Watson, Vic Metro/Eastern Ranges
