National Academy prospects hit the track with AFL clubs
THE 2026 National Academy members are set to be unleashed unto AFL clubs in the coming weeks, as preseason training ramps up. Some have already spent time at their designated clubs in the new year, with several prospects also being aligned via academies and father-son eligibility.
>> PROFILED: 2026 AFL National Academy squad
An early win for North Melbourne supporters has seen father-son candidate Aidan McCartney delegated to spend time with the Roos. The son of GWS Head of Football, Jason is also tied to the Sydney Swans Academy, so will have a decision to make as to which link he chooses to persue.
One player who has already confirmed his allegiance is Cody Walker. The son of Andrew was part of Richmond’s Next Generation Academy (NGA), but as early as last year declared his intention to join Carlton via father-son rules. He has already spent much of the preseason at Princes Park.
Walker will be joined by Northern Knights tall Lewis Houndsome, while the latter’s club teammates Harry Van Hattum and Tate Hodgson lace up to train at Collingwood. Hodgson missed all of last season due to stress fractures, but remains highly rated after his All-Australian Under 16 campaign in 2024.
Other club teammates set to train together include Claremont pair Heath Mellody and Benji van Rooyen at Fremantle, and Geelong Falcons duo Jack Pickett and Noah Williams at the Cats. Gippsland Power also have multiple players in the academy, but Wil Malady is injured and will miss his preseason stint.
Along with Walker and McCartney, newly approved Port Adelaide NGA member Dougie Cochrane is among the club-tied talents training at their aligned teams. Cochrane will be joined at Alberton by Kodah Edwards, while fellow South Australians Jack Gordon, Ethan Herbert, and Gabriel Patterson head to Adelaide.
Northern Academy talents Caylen Murray (Brisbane), Archie Hill (Gold Coast), and Ethan Matthews (GWS) will feel right at home in their respective colours, while NGA prospects Tanner Armstrong (Richmond) and Garrison Kenh (West Coast) also head to familiar surroundings.
FULL TRAINING LIST
Adelaide: Jack Gordon, Ethan Herbert, Gabriel Patterson
Brisbane: Caylen Murray
Carlton: Lewis Houndsome, Cody Walker
Collingwood: Tate Hodgson, Harry Van Hattum
Essendon: Nil.
Fremantle: Heath Mellody, Benji van Rooyen
Geelong: Jack Pickett, Noah Williams
Gold Coast: Archie Hill
Greater Western Sydney: Ethan Matthews
Hawthorn: Harrison Chapman
Melbourne: Xavier Ladbrook, Darcy Szerszyn
North Melbourne: Aidan McCartney
Port Adelaide: Dougie Cochrane, Kodah Edwards
Richmond: Tanner Armstrong
St Kilda: Arki Butler
Sydney: Nil.
West Coast: Garrison Kenh, Koby LeCras
Western Bulldogs: Nil.
National Academy prospects hit the track with AFL clubs
THE 2026 National Academy members are set to be unleashed unto AFL clubs in the coming weeks, as preseason training ramps up. Some have already spent time at their designated clubs in the new year, with several prospects also being aligned via academies and father-son eligibility. >> PROFILED: 2026 AFL National Academy squad An early […]
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