2026 AFL Academy squad announced
THE 2026 AFL Academy squad has been announced, featuring 25 of the nation’s brightest 2008-born prospects. A total of 13 Under 16 All-Australians from last year have been inducted to the elite program, including captain of said side, Cody Walker, a father-son candidate set to land at Carlton.
>> SCROLL to see the full squad
Walker is one of seven club-tied talents to have made the cut. Fellow Richmond Next Generation Academy (NGA) member Tanner Armstrong has been included, along with North Academy stars Archie Hill (Gold Coast), Ethan Matthews (GWS), Aidan McCartney (Sydney), and Caylen Murray (Brisbane). West Coast also has first dibs on NGA prospect Garrison Kenh.
There could well be an eighth member on that list, with early pick one contender Dougie Cochrane pending AFL approval to be added to Port Adelaide’s Indigenous Academy. His elder brother Tom is a rookie at the Power, where father Stuart played 54 AFL games from 2003-2005.
Walker and Armstrong are among a seven-strong group of Vic Country representatives to make the squad. Vic Metro and South Australia boast five members each, followed by Western Australia on four, and NSW/ACT and Queensland on two each. No players from Tasmania or the Northern Territory were selected this year.
The group of 25 will travel to New Zealand for a high performance camp from December 10-14, before spending a week in Melbourne during April of 2026. It will be the Academy’s first international trip since 2018. The program will them culminate in two matches against VFL opposition.
>> ANNOUNCED: 2026 AFLW Academy squad
2026 AFL ACADEMY SQUAD
| PLAYER | STATE | STATE LEAGUE CLUB | COMMUNITY CLUB |
| Tanner Armstrong | VIC C | Murray Bushrangers | Shepparton United |
| Arki Butler | VIC M | Sandringham Dragons | Beaumaris |
| Harrison Chapman | VIC M | Eastern Ranges | Boronia |
| Dougie Cochrane | SA | Central District | Port District |
| Kodah Edwards | SA | South Adelaide | Willunga |
| Jack Gordon | SA | Central District | Port District |
| Ethan Herbert | SA | North Adelaide | Walkerville |
| Archie Hill | QLD | Gold Coast Suns Academy | Broadbeach |
| Tate Hodgson | VIC M | Northern Knights | Park Orchards NRP |
| Lewis Houndsome | VIC M | Northern Knights | Yarrambat |
| Garrison Kenh | WA | East Perth | Ellenbrook |
| Xavier Ladbrook | VIC C | Gippsland Power | Nar Nar Goon |
| Koby LeCras | WA | West Perth | Manning |
| Wil Malady | VIC C | Gippsland Power | Bairnsdale |
| Ethan Matthews | NSW/ACT | GWS GIANTS Academy | Ingleburn |
| Aidan McCartney | NSW/ACT | Sydney Swans Academy | Willoughby |
| Heath Mellody | WA | Claremont | Wembley Downs |
| Caylen Murray | QLD | Brisbane Lions Academy | Maroochydore |
| Gabriel Patterson | SA | Glenelg | Plympton |
| Jack Pickett | VIC C | Geelong Falcons | Torquay |
| Darcy Szerszyn | VIC C | Dandenong Stingrays | Seaford |
| Harry Van Hattum | VIC M | Northern Knights | St Mary’s |
| Benji van Rooyen | WA | Claremont | Wembley Downs |
| Cody Walker | VIC C | Bendigo Pioneers | Echuca |
| Noah Williams | VIC C | Geelong Falcons | St Joseph’s |
2026 AFL Academy squad announced
THE 2026 AFL Academy squad has been announced, featuring 25 of the nation’s brightest 2008-born prospects. A total of 13 Under 16 All-Australians from last year have been inducted to the elite program, including captain of said side, Cody Walker, a father-son candidate set to land at Carlton. >> SCROLL to see the full squad […]
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