Gippsland Power small forward Marlon Neocleous was on his team's bus to Bendigo on Thursday when he got a call informing him he would be a late call-up to the AFL Academy side.
His Gippsland side had a Friday morning match Bendigo, more than three hours away from his home in Traralgon, where the Caulfield Grammar boarder returned to due to school holidays.
After congratulations from teammates, he was dropped off at Officer on Melbourne's south eastern outskirts and promptly returned home to prepare for a game that many thought he should always have been playing in.
“He's been really solid playing more midfield than he did last year but we're mindful of the fact he's one of the better small forwards in the competition so he can tear a game apart like he did in three or four minutes on (in Round 3),” Gippsland Power coach Kris Pendlebury told Zero Hanger.
“He has maximum impact when the ball's in his area. He's the ultimate professional who gives himself every chance to play well.”
Discussing the squad immediately following its release last year, one industry insider overlooked his omission, so certain was he that he must have been on the list.
The prevailing belief was that a three-goal, 20-disposal game in the 2025 Under-17s Futures game last year sealed a spot he likely already had a grasp on - but he was ultimately overlooked.
He represented Vic Country as a bottom-ager last year and is viewed as one of the most talented and entertaining players in the crop.
Those around Neocleous believe he would have used the omission to fuel him in pre-season and after dynamic moments in the first fortnight, the Nick Watson-like small forward exploded with 20 disposals and four goals last week.
“Running patterns when he's in the midfield is the next thing we've been working on with him because all the boys in there naturally are used to being the go-tos at local level so sacrificing at times and understanding when to run defensive so we can share the load in the midfield,” Pendlebury added.
Neocleous will be one of three Gippslanders to feature in the match, alongside Xavier Ladbrook and Wil Malady.
A mobile tall utility, Ladbrook is a raw and intriguing prospect who has started the year well in the backline.
“I've been working with him on positioning - I want him to start in front and cut angles left and right as opposed to being back shoulder and he's doing that really well,” Pendlebury said.
“His defensive work across the first three rounds has been really strong. I think (in Round 3), he showcased the offensive side to his game, his running and creating width and length with ball in hand; he's such a strong runner that forwards won't be able to go with him down the field.
“I think he's one of the better kicks and with his speed and agility, he gives himself enough time to make really good decisions.”
A 190cm forward who also represented Vic Country last year, Malady, who boards at Caulfield Grammar with Neocleous, kicked six goals against Murray Bushrangers in Round 1 and has taken a step forward after a promising bottom-aged campaign.
“He's a focal point for us no doubt but the thing that has surprised me the most about him has been his leadership,” Pendlebury.
“In Round 1, he ran out and gave the backs a stern talking to which I was all for because he's really well respected within the playing group.
“As well as his offensive talent, it's probably his buy-in defensively - little things that don't come as naturally to him as taking marks and kicking goals so I think that part of his game is rounding out really nicely.”
The AFL Academy is set to take on North Melbourne's VFL side at Arden Street Oval at 12.30pm on Sunday, followed by a clash against Richmond VFL at Ikon Park on Saturday 18 April.
Northern Territory small forward Sonny Smiler and Sturt defender Kale Matthews-Hampton were previously confirmed as other late additions.
South Australian prospect Gabe Paterson and Murray's Tanner Armstrong are expected to play despite missing last week with minor injuries.
Plenty of eyes will be on how Carlton father-son prospect Cody Walker handles the step up against VFL opponents, after a strong start to the Talent League season.
Sandringham's Arki Butler and South Australian pair Kodah Edwards and Ethan Herbert will also have plenty of eyes on them after big starts to 2026.
