AFL Draft: The promising Next Generation Academy talents linked to Geelong

Geelong has some academy talents to look forward to, and one of them is a well-known name in the region. See the three prospects the Cats can pounce on.

Which prospects do the Cats have to look forward to in the future? Picture: Alan Barber

Geelong is yet to hit the jackpot from its Next Generation Academy program like other AFL clubs, but there is some promising talent on the horizon.

Cats NGA coach Paul Hood is impressed by the emerging prospects in the program aged 15-17, saying it is their strongest current cohort.

Clubs have priority access to NGA prospects – players of First Nations and multicultural descent inside their respective zones – inside the first 40 selections on draft.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE CATS NGA PROSPECTS TO WATCH

Western Bulldogs NGA graduate Jamarra Ugle-Hagan received a pick one from bid back in 2020 but the AFL has tightened the rules since, with top-10 draftees Mac Andrew (Melbourne NGA) and Cam Mackenzie (St Kilda) being snapped up by Melbourne and Hawthorn in recent years.

The club took NGA prospect Ted Clohesy as a Category B rookie last year, with the big-bodied midfielder averaging 16 disposals, 5.3 tackles and 88 SuperCoach points in the VFL in 2023.

Geelong’s Victorian NGA zone stretches from Lara in the east to Terang in the west and Skipton (north) to Cape Otway (south), with the club also having access to NGA products in East Arnhem land in the Northern Territory.

Ted Clohesy before being drafted last year. Picture: Mark Wilson

Geelong's Victorian NGA zone (in light brown).

Hood said the young prospects have been showing exciting signs at state and local level.

He also encouraged female players to join their girls NGA program, which the Cats are eager to grow.

“It is tracking pretty well, as far as NGA goes probably our strongest cohort are our boys that are between 15 and 17 at the moment,” he said.

“Some have been played with the Vic Country squad, others have been doing well in the AFL Barwon under-16 competition.

“Some of those boys come in and regularly train at Geelong Football Club and have been really well supported by Matthew Egan, Shane O’Bree and James Kelly.

“On the female football front we are looking to develop and grow our NGA program. The AFL is only just starting NGA for females so we are looking for a few female players out there to come and join the NGA program.

“So hopefully we can get some more females to come into the program like the males have done.

Here are three NGA young guns, all eligible for the 2025 draft, for Cats fans to keep tabs on.

Ben Rongdit (Colac)

A key defender with a super leap, Rongdit represented Vic Country at this year’s U16 national carnival and performed strongly. Rongdit was a shining light in their heavy loss to South Australia, where his reading of the play, defensive pressure and competitiveness stood out, tallying 16 disposals, 12 tackles, 12 contested possessions, nine intercepts and 128 SuperCoach points. The Sudanese product, who plays locally for Colac, has even been used in the ruck and on a wing, a credit to his athleticism.

Ben Rongdit had a strong national carnival. Picture: Getty Images

Jesse Mellor (Geelong West Giants)

The son of Geelong West GFL coach Greg Mellor, the midfielder-forward has excelled at U16 level in Division 1 for the Giants. Mellor kicked four goals against Torquay Bumpstead last month and has had exposure in the U18 Division 1 gforce Cup, playing two matches this season and booting a goal against South Barwon. Born in Thailand, Mellor was picked as part of the Geelong Falcons under-16 side at the start of the year.

Jesse Mellor is the son of Geelong West GFL coach, Greg.

Will Lane (Leopold)

A highly skilled small forward and midfielder, Lane has been a high-end performer at all levels this season.

The Indigenous prospect slotted three majors in his first Geelong Falcons U16 game against Dandenong Stingrays and has booted 25 majors in 10 matches for Leopold in the Division 2 Under 16s competition. Like Mellor, he has also been promoted to under-18 level, kicking two goals in his second game against St Mary’s.

Originally published as AFL Draft: The promising Next Generation Academy talents linked to Geelong