PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Max Michalanney of South Australia kicks the ball during the 2021 U19 Championship match between Western Australia and South Australia at Optus Stadium on September 25, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The AFL has confirmed on the NAB AFL Academy team to take on the Collingwood VFL side on Saturday, May 21 at Frankston's Skybus Stadium, which will showcase this year's top draft talent.

Originally named in December, a further four players have been added to the initial thirty. This year marking the 25th annual intake of the NAB AFL Academy and comprises players eligible for the 2022 and 2023 drafts.

In all, there are nine 17-year-olds eligible for the 2023 NAB AFL Draft, with the remainder of the squad set to nominate for this year's edition.

Having "participated in an accelerated Australian Football and personal development program", the players will be keen to see how well prepared they are for elite competitions.

With the match set to start at 3pm on Saturday, only the top 25 top-age prospects will be able to take part. National Academy Manager and Coach Tarkyn Lockyer was keen for fans to see the elite talent within the AFL Academy.

"The players selected in the 2022 NAB AFL Academy represent the future of the AFL and have been selected as recognition for their football potential," he said.

“Selection into the squad is great recognition for all the players and continues to highlight the AFL as the first-choice sport for our most talented athletes. It is extremely pleasing to have all states and territories represented within the squad.

NAB Academy coach Tarkyn Lockyer addressing the media at Trevor Barker Oval, 2021 (Photo: Mitchell Keating - Zero Digital Media)

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“Saturday’s game against Collingwood VFL will provide our most talented young footballers the opportunity to compete against a senior team and display their talent ahead of the 2022 NAB AFL Draft.

“I congratulate all players who have been named in the NAB AFL Academy and I cannot wait to see them in action on Saturday.”

The match will give viewers the chance to see much-talked-about top prospect Will Ashcroft. The son of former Brisbane great Marcus, the teenager has been making waves in the academy for the past 18 months.

Similarly, former Essendon player Alwyn Davey's son Alwyn Davey Jnr has been getting rave reviews. The explosive speedster, whose twin brother Jayden is out with a knee reconstruction this year, could add something positive after a poor year for Bombers fans.

One to watch for Crows fans is Max Michalanney, who has also been named in the squad. The son of Norwood legend Jim, Michalanney is tied to the Crows and is eligible to be selected as a father-son prospect.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 31: (L-R) Mitch Szybowski of the Stingrays, Will Ashcroft of the Dragons and Elijah Tsatas of the Chargers pose for a photograph during a NAB League Boys Media Opportunity at RSEA Park on March 31, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

The squad also contains Oliver Hollands, the younger brother of highly touted Gold Coast youngster Elijah, who's edging ever closer to his AFL debut.

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Fans will also get a better look at the exciting top-end talents available in this year's draft. Besides Ashcroft, the likes of Jhye Clark, Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw and Elijah Tsatas will strut their stuff. All four are Victorian-based prospects.

Outside of Victoria, exciting big men Jackson Broadbent, Jedd Busslinger and Harry Lemmey will be able to showcase their ability for those looking for key position players.

2022 AFL Academy - Australia U18 Team

# NAME SURNAME DOB STATE ACADEMY/TEAM COMMUNITY CLUB
2 Jed HAGAN 15-10-2004 WA East Fremantle Brigades
3 Will ASHCROFT 06-04-2004 VIC M Sandringham Dragons Old Brighton Grammarians
4 Jhye CLARK 23-07-2004 VIC C Geelong Falcons Queenscliff
7 George WARDLAW 18-07-2004 VIC M Oakleigh Chargers St Peters
8 Oliver HOLLANDS 16-01-2004 VIC C Murray Bushrangers Wodonga
9 Harry SHEEZEL 13-10-2004 VIC M Sandringham Dragons Ajax
10 Jaspa FLETCHER 24-02-2004 QLD Brisbane Lions Sherwood Districts
12 Elijah HEWETT 27-05-2004 WA Swan Districts Caversham
14 Alwyn DAVEY 26-02-2004 NT Oakleigh Chargers Palmerston Magpies
17 Mitch SZYBKOWSKI 09-01-2004 VIC C Dandenong Stingrays Beaconsfield
18 Anthony MUNKARA 03-10-2004 NT NT Thunder /
West Adelaide
Tiwi Bombers
19 Elijah TSATAS 18-10-2004 VIC M Oakleigh Chargers Surrey Park
20 Adam D'ALOIA 9-04-2004 SA Woodville-West Torrens Henley
21 Lachlan COWAN 01-12-2004 TAS Tasmania Devils North Launceston
22 Sam GILBEY 14-05-2004 WA Claremont West Coast
24 Luke TEAL 20-05-2004 VIC M Oakleigh Chargers Glen Iris
25 Jason GILLBEE 15-05-2004 NSW/ACT Bendigo Pioneers Balranald
27 Max MICHALANNEY 26-02-2004 SA Norwood Glenunga
29 Matthew JEFFERSON 08-03-2004 VIC M Oakleigh Chargers Ashburton
30 Jedd BUSSLINGER 11-03-2004 WA East Perth Coolbinia
33 Harry LEMMEY 30-01-2004 SA West Adelaide Blackwood
34 Aaron CADMAN 03-03-2004 VIC C GWV Rebels Darley
38 Henry HUSTWAITE 20-07-2004 VIC C Dandenong Stingrays Rosebud
39 Tom SCULLY 02-11-2004 SA West Adelaide Lockleys
40 Jackson BROADBENT 02-12-2004 WA Peel Thunder Collie Eagles