THE 2022 AFL Academy was announced last week, and we have gone into detail about each of the individual players who are in the next year’s AFL Draft crop.

Will Ashcroft

Sandringham Dragons | Vic Metro
183 cm | 74 kg
Midfielder

The Brisbane father-son candidate, whose father Marcus played in the sides 2000’s three-peat, is an early top five contender that has performed well in his limited opportunities through 2021, showing his class and athleticism through the midfield when representing Vic Metro in the U17s matches against Vic Country, able to gather 33 disposals, 12 clearances and two goals in a stand out performance at GMHBA Stadium earlier in the year, showcasing his well rounded and well developed midfield craft.

Jackson Broadbent

Peel Thunder | WA
205 cm | 92 kg
Ruck

Having already had a taste for senior WAFL football at just 16-years-old, Broadbent heads into 2022 as the premier Ruck prospect. Broadbent has impressed onlookers with his strength in the ruck and follow up work at ground level and around the ground, seeing him earn comparisons to West Coast premiership star Dean Cox. Broadbent was called up to the WA U19’s side on Grand Final day, taking the number one ruck mantle and arguably beating his older opponents in the contest.

Jedd Busslinger

East Perth | WA
195 cm | 83 kg
Tall Defender

An intercepting tall defender that likes to take the game on with his kicking and rebounding run from the defensive half, Busslinger controls the airways well, utilising his positioning, leap and marking strength to cut off opposition attacks and then launch his own quickly. Busslinger was consistent in his performance for the WA U17’s side, remaining accountable for his opponents but also pushing off and taking marks in front of contests in the defensive half to ensure no easy goals were let through.

Jhye Clark

Geelong Falcons | Vic Country
180 cm | 76 kg
Midfielder

The hard working, in-and-under specialist from Geelong couldn’t have done much more from his limited opportunities this season, being recognised as the best player for Vic Country in the U17s series and impressing in his six NAB League performances, Clark proved himself to be a consistent performer at all levels. Despite being a mostly contested player, Clark is clean with his ball use by foot and hand, and is also strong above his head for a player his size, making him an interesting all round player heading into 2022.

Lachlan Cowan

Tasmania Devils | Allies
187 cm | 78 kg
General Defender/ Midfielder

A consistent performer out of the back half who has shown a bit of potential through the midfield at times, Cowan is a constant danger all around the ground with his tendency to push up aggressively and go for daring kicks into the forward half. Cowan utilises his speed, positioning and booming kick to full effect offensively, forcing his opponents up the ground with him, and looking to hit the scoreboard if they don’t.

Adam D’Aloia

WWT Eagles | SA
184 cm | 84 kg
Midfielder

Arguably the best performed 2022 draft prospect to date, D’Aloia is a hard at it contested ball winner who seems to know where the footy is. Averaging 25 disposals across 10 U18s SANFL games in 2021, it is obvious that D’Aloia can accumulate at ease, doing well to win first possession at stoppages and flicking the ball to outside runners. Already well developed physically, don’t be surprised to see the youngster make the step up to senior level at some point in 2022.

Jaspa Fletcher

Sherwood Magpies/ Brisbane Lions Academy | QLD
179 cm | 72 kg
Midfielder

Another Brisbane Lions Father-son prospect, Fletcher is a clean and composed user of the footy, usually filling a role on the wing but also proving to be effective through a more inside role, where his evasion skills are on full display. Fletcher has also demonstrated a solid work rate in his appearances, working hard to be an option out of defense for his teammates, then driving forward with his run and carry.

Sam Gilbey

Claremont | WA
185 cm | 67 kg
General Defender

A rangy defender with plenty of impressive athletic traits, Gilbey uses his speed and deadly left foot to hurt opposition on the rebound, which is well complemented by his aerial capabilities and positioning in the defensive half of the ground. Gilbey tends to take the game on bravely, backing his own abilities to get the ball forward quickly, but rarely bites off more than he can chew.

Jason Gillbee

Bendigo Pioneers | NSW/ACT
191 cm
Wing

The NSW product is a rangy and raw tall winger, managing six appearances for the Pioneers in the NAB League the season just gone, Gillbee is another of just a few with U19s experience heading into 2022. A two running prospect who holds his space well, can take a grab overhead and possesses a long kick, Gillbee is sure to draw eyes all of next year.

Jed Hagan

East Fremantle | WA
174 cm | 71 kg
Midfielder/ Small Defender

The small utility is not one to let his size limit his impact on the game, Hagan has had a well decorated junior career which was capped off by being the only 2022 prospect to be named in any of the initial U19 state teams, where he slotted in seamlessly with his composure and decision making in the defensive half, looking to be one of the better users of the ball from WA for most of the Champs.

Elijah Hewett

Swan Districts | WA
186 cm | 82 kg
Midfielder

An endurance beast and big body through the midfield, expect Hewett to be highly spoken about in 2022 as another player that looks set to play some senior games at some stage. The hard working midfielder does his best work on the inside of the contest, winning first possession at stoppages or a contested ball and feeding it out to runners, but also capable of tucking the ball under his arm and going for a run forward, generally using it well by foot, often able to hit the scoreboard throughout games.

Oliver Hollands

Murray Bushrangers | Vic Country
182 cm | 70 kg
Midfielder

The last name will no doubt be familiar to many footy fans, with brother Elijah currently on Gold Coast’s list and father Ben having played for Richmond, Hollands is an exciting midfield prospect, with his mix of athleticism, clean disposal and accumulation sure to catch the eyes of many through 2022. Having played three games for Murray Bushrangers already, and averaging 17 disposals, he will be one of few heading into 2022 with NAB League experience under his belt.

Matthew Jefferson

Oakleigh Chargers | Vic Metro
193 cm | 79 kg
Tall Utility

The athletic tall is best performed as a forward so far, but has played in the backline showing some promise in some of his APS matches. As a forward, Jefferson is able to leave opponents in the dust on the lead, easily gaining separation and holding marks well on the lead but also very capable with holding contested marks as well. Jefferson is a reliable set shop, but also looks to pass the ball off to teammates in better scoring positions, meaning that even if he isn’t kicking the goals himself he’s generally securing them well.

Harry Lemmey

West Adelaide | SA
199 cm | 93 kg
Tall Forward

The leading key position prospect heading into 2022, Lemmey has caught the eyes of everyone that has watched him, making an impact at senior SANFL and state U19’s level with ease. Lemmey is almost impossible to stop on the lead, with his smarts allowing him to get separation on opponents, and his long arms mixed with his marking prowess meaning that once he gets that space it’s difficult for opponents to make up. Lemmey’s set shot routine is also extremely reliable, seeing him kick goals at post height from outside 50 regularly.

Max Michalanny

Norwood | SA
193 cm | 73kg
General Defender

An Adelaide father-son prospect, who is eligible given his father Jim played 211 games for Norwood, Michalanny is an uncompromising defender who can play on both talls and smalls, with his marking and positioning making him an intercepting threat aerially as well. Michalanny mixes that aerial proficiency with composed and clean ball use out of the defensive half, a promising skillset that saw him earn MVP honours for the SA U17s side.

Anthony Munkara

Wanderers | NT
190cm
Utility

Whilst not as exposed as other players that made the squad, the little that has been seen of Munkara suggests he is going to be a highly touted prospect in 2022. With his athleticism and evasion two key features of his game, as well as his pinpoint kicking around the ground and ability to impact the scoreboard regularly, Munkara will be looking to add to the list of successful footballers from the Tiwi Islands.

Harry Sheezel

Sandringham Dragons | Vic Metro
183 cm | 73 kg
General Forward

The exciting forward prospect will be one fans love to watch in the coming years, with his natural craft inside 50 allowing him to hit the scoreboard regularly or create goals for his teammates, Sheezel’s flair and leading patterns are big parts of his game. Managing five goals from three games in the NAB League, and three goals in the first Metro vs Country U17s game, expect big scoreboard hauls to be a constant from the youngster in 2022.

Mitch Szybkowski

Dandenong Stingrays | Vic Country
185 cm | 80 kg
Midfielder

The strong-bodied Dandenong midfielder is yet another inside specialist in the academy, where he does well to win first possession out of stoppages and follow up with pinpoint hands to his outside runners, but equally as capable of bursting away from his opponents and kicking a penetrating ball forward, utilising his power well. Szybkowski accumulates well around the ground, positioning smartly to get marks out of defensive 50 and then powering forward to keep his side moving quickly.

Luke Teal

Oakleigh Chargers | Vic Metro
188 cm | 78 kg
General Defender/ Midfielder

An impressive defender with the potential to make an impact as a bigger bodied midfielder, Teal is a general in the defensive half with how he remains accountable for opponents and throws himself at every contest. Teal is a very good mark over head for his size, impressing at times with how often he wins contested marks even when outnumbered. Teal uses the ball well, and looks particularly impressive with his quick hands in close when running through the midfield.

Elijah Tsatas

Oakleigh Chargers | Vic Metro
184 cm | 76 kg
Midfielder/ General Defender

A superbly athletic player with arguably the best acceleration in the 2022 draft pool, Tsatas is a dynamic midfielder that’s able to impact just as well on the inside as he is on the outside, with clean disposal, smart positioning and an attacking mindset, there’s not much that Tsatas can’t do. Not only able to play inside or outside, Tsatas can impact well on the flanks as well, where his natural flair can shine as he looks to take the game on with his speed and evasiveness

George Wardlaw

Oakleigh Chargers | Vic Metro
181 cm | 80 kg
Midfielder

Yet another contested ball specialist in the academy squad, Wardlaw stands out amongst his peers with repeated efforts and genuine refusal to be stopped from winning the ball. Wardlaw is constantly at the bottom of packs attempting to win possession and fire out quick and sharp handballs to his outside runners, but is also capable of being more of an outside receiver himself with his workrate being a big strength. The most eye catching aspect of Wardlaw’s game is his ability to stand up in tackles, rarely being brought to ground before firing out a clean disposal to a teammate.

2023 Eligible Inclusions:

The 2022 AFL Academy squad sees the return of bottom-aged talents being included, and the names that need to wait an extra 12 months to be drafted are just as exciting as the draft aged talents. Three well performed Key Position talents in Daniel Curtin, Jed Walter and Will Patton are amongst those in the squad, with both Curtin and Patton representing their states in U17s duties and being amongst the bests in the first SA and WA clash, and Walter having already represented Gold Coast Suns in the NAB league this season.

Walter is not the only Northern Academy prospect in the squad, with Sydney linked Lachlan Cabor impressing enough as a defender and midfielder to be featured. Zane Duursma, Harley Reid and Ryley Sanders are a trio of exciting midfield talents, with all representing their respective clubs at NAB league level and featuring heavily in their states U17s games.

Two well performed forwards in the U17s championships in Nick Watson and Jack Delean also feature in the squad, with Watson enjoying a four-goal performance against Vic Country in Bendigo, and Delean kicking three and four goals in his two appearances at U17s Champs level.