THE AFL has today released a list of 22 players eligible for the 2019 NAB AFL Draft in its level one academy intake for 2017.

The league also introduced a ‘development list’ of tall draft prospects, in a move that was signalled to clubs earlier this year – with eight prospects named.

“In addition to the NAB AFL Academy level one group, the AFL has introduced a new development list to meet the needs of the industry comprising of taller players aiming to play in the ruck or key positions in the AFL,” the League’s national and international talent manager Kevin Sheehan said.

Vic Metro are well represented in the AFL Academy list, with seven players included. Under 16 Kevin Sheehan Medalist Noah Anderson headlines the group, after a standout carnival winning the best player award.

NAB AFL Under 16 Championships: Divison One report 

The midfielder one of a number of players touted as potential top five selections for the 2019 draft, alongside teammate Matthew Rowell.

Dandenong Stingrays Under 16 Hayden Young recently made his TAC Cup debut and won the Vic Country’s Under 16 MVP in the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, and is another player to watch closely over the next few seasons.

Included in the squad is Hewago Paul Oea, who showed some promising signs for Queensland in the NAB AFL Under 16 Division Two Championships and recently played for Papua New Guinea in their International Cup triumph.

NAB AFL Under 16 Championships: Divison Two report 

Alan McLean medalist Liam Delahunty (NSW-ACT) is also in the squad.

The level one academy will come together for its first camp in Melbourne in December, with the level two squad, featuring players eligible for the 2018 draft, to be released later in the year following the NAB AFL Under 17 All Stars game at the MCG on Grand Final day.

Level one NAB AFL Academy

NSW/ACT: Liam Delahunty (Coolamon), Josh Rayner (Willoughby/Mossman)

Queensland: Connor Budarick (Labrador), Hewago Paul Oea (Papua New Guinea/Port Moresby)

South Australia: Kysaiah Pickett (Woodville-West Torrens/Port Districts), Dylan Stephens (Norwood/Walkerville), Cameron Taheny (Norwood/Eastern Ranges)

Vic Country: Sam Flanders (Gippsland Power/Fish Creek), Brodie Kemp (Bendigo Pioneers/Echuca), Caleb Serong (Gippsland Power/Warragul), Cooper Stephens (Geelong Falcons/Colac), Hayden Young (Dandenong Stingrays/Somerville)

Vic Metro: Noah Anderson (Oakleigh Chargers/Boroondara), Emerson Jeka (Western Jets/Altona), Jack Mahoney (Sandringham Dragons/St Kevin’s College), Fischer McAsey (Sandringham Dragons/East Brighton), Jamieson Rossiter (Eastern Ranges/Rowville/Rowville Sports Academy), Matt Rowell (Oakleigh Chargers/Boroondara), Dylan Williams (Oakleigh Chargers/Surrey Park)

Western Australia: Rhai Arn Cox (East Perth/Mt Lawley), Luke Jackson (East Fremantle/Bullcreek Leeming), Devon Robertson (Perth/Aquinas College)

Development list: Jack Buller (WA/Claremont/Christchurch Grammar), Matthew Conroy (QLD/Townsville/Gold Coast academy), Andrew Courtney (Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons/Beaumaris), Anthony Davis (WA/Claremont/Hale), Aaron Gundry (Vic Country/Bendigo Pioneers/Sandhurst), Harry Ireland (Tasmania/Hobart City), Bigoa Nyuon (Vic Country/Dandenong Stingrays/Rowville Sports academy), Jeremy O’Sullivan (Vic Metro/Calder Cannons/St Bernard’s)