The AFL has today confirmed the NAB AFL Academy team that will represent Australia against Collingwood VFL on Saturday May 21 at Frankston’s Skybus Stadium.

Thirty players were originally announced in the 2022 NAB AFL Academy last December, with a further four players since added to the squad.

This is the 25th annual intake of the NAB AFL Academy, with this year’s squad including a selection of the best 18-year-olds across the country who will be eligible for the 2022 NAB AFL Draft, and nine 17-year-olds eligible for the 2023 NAB AFL Draft.

The players selected in the NAB AFL Academy have participated in an accelerated Australian Football and personal development program, established to best prepare them for elite competitions.

That included a high-performance training camp that was held in April.

The NAB AFL Academy match against Collingwood VFL will be held at Frankston’s Skybus Stadium at 3.00pm on Saturday. Only the 25 top-age players in the 2022 NAB AFL Academy will play in the match.

The squad will have a training session at The Hanger, the home of Essendon Football Club, at 2pm on Friday May 20, with a jumper presentation event to be held that night.

National Academy Manager and Coach Tarkyn Lockyer said Saturday’s match would showcase the elite talent within the NAB 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,” Lockyer 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.

“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.”

Lockyer will be assisted by South Australia Under-18 Head Coach and Academy Manager Tony Bamford, GWS Development Coach and AFLW Player Alicia Eva and Vic Metro and Oakleigh Chargers Head Coach Jason Davenport.

HOW TO WATCH: A live stream of the match between the NAB AFL Academy and Collingwood VFL will be available on the AFL website.

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


The NAB AFL Draft is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL. 

The NAB AFL Rising Stars Program comprises the following elements:
 
• NAB AFL/W Rising Star
• NAB AFL/W Draft
• NAB AFL/W Draft Combine
• NAB AFL/W Academy
• NAB AFL/W Under-18 Championships
• NAB AFL/W Under-16 Championships
 
NAB has proudly supported footy for over a decade, providing boys and girls with a clear pathway from NAB AFL Auskick to the big time.