THE AFL has today confirmed the final squads set to take part in Saturday’s annual Under 17 Futures match. 46 of the nation’s brightest 2008-born prospects will take centre stage at the MCG on AFL Grand Final day, representing teams named after recently retired champions Travis Boak and Sam Docherty.

>> SCROLL to see the full squads

Three changes have been made to the initial squad released last month. Vic Metro pair Lachlan Hicks and Tate Hodgson are unavailable along with Tasmanian wingman Hugh McCallum. They make way for South Australian key defender Mitchell Harris, and Victorian midfielders Jordan Knapp and Ethan Drever.

All selected players are eligible for next year’s AFL Draft. They were nominated by respective state programs, national selectors, and AFL club recruiters. The exhibition match acts as somewhat of an audition for selection in the 2026 AFL National Academy, which will be finalised later in the year.

The squad features 16 All-Australians from last year’s Under 16 National Championships, including Pool A and B best and fairests, Dougie Cochrane and Matthew Owen. Cochrane is already being touted as a pick one contender. His father Stuart played 104 games between North Melbourne and Port Adelaide.

Around a third of the squad has already featured at the Under 18 National Championships. That includes Carlton father-son hopeful Cody Walker, who also looms as a top prospect. The match will be broadcast live via the AFL website and app, set to get underway at 9:35am local time.

Stay tuned to Rookie Me Central, where we’ll publish Scouting Notes on every player to take the field.

TEAM BOAK

TEAM DOCHERTY