AFL Draft 2022: AFL, AFLW Academy squads headlined by famous surnames and top prospects
A highly-touted midfielder and a quartet from a fruitful AFL production line, which has produced top-four selections in the past three drafts, headlines a strong Victorian hold on the Academy squad.
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Father-son guns Will Ashcroft and Max Michalanney headline a talented AFL Academy squad for 2022, which features a host of familiar names.
Highly-touted midfielder Ashcroft, who is the son of triple-premiership Lion Marcus, is one of the No.1 pick contenders for next year and could join father-son prodigies Sam Darcy and Nick Daicos as top-five selections in 2022.
Michalanney’s inclusion is another indicator the Crows have access to one of the top talents in next year’s pool, after father Jim played 211 SANFL games for Norwood before Adelaide entered the AFL in 1991.
The 190cm versatile defender, who reads the play exceptionally well, is one of five South Australia’s in the squad with West Adelaide’s Harry Lemmey the pick of the bunch.
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Lemmey, a 199cm key-forward, is shaping as a possible top-five selection after making his league debut and impressing at state level as a 17-year-old this year. Ball-magnet Adam D’Aloia, who was best afield in the SANFL under-18 grand final, is another Croweater to watch next season.
AFL talent ambassador and draft guru Kevin Sheehan believes it is too early to place Ashcroft in the pecking order because of his limited exposure, although he is excited to watch him in action in 2022.
Ashcroft turned heads with a phenomenal display for Vic Metro in the Under-17 Championships earlier this year, finishing with 33 disposals, 180 ranking points and two goals on the run from long range.
“He was outstanding in that first game out in Geelong … The couple of goals he kicked from outside 50 were outstanding as well,” Sheehan told News Corp.
“He was clearly best on the ground. We are excited for what we will see from him next year.”
Jaspa Fletcher, the son of journeyman Adrian, also has ties to Brisbane as a father-son and has been named alongside Ashcroft in the squad.
Oliver Hollands will be vying to join his brother, gifted Suns midfielder Elijah in the AFL ranks, while the younger brother of Port Adelaide excitement machine Xavier Duursma, Zane, is one of eight budding bottom-agers eligible for the 2023 draft, including high-flying South Adelaide goalkicker Jack Delean, that have been selected.
There are 12 Victorian-based prospects in the squad of 30, including a promising quartet from the Oakleigh Chargers.
Midfield speedster Elijah Tsatas, inside bull George Wardlaw, key forward Mathew Jefferson and defender Luke Teal all hail from the fruitful AFL production line, which has produced six top-four selections in the past three drafts.
The AFL Academy squad will complete a camp early next year before playing a match against a VFL opponent in late May, run under the tutelage of national academy manager and coach Tarkyn Lockyer.
“It is all geared into getting longevity in the AFL. To not just learn the game but live as a young professional and be resilient like some of the graduates of the past have been … Nic Naitanui, Joel Selwood or Lance Franklin,” Sheehan said.
“These boys and girls have got an opportunity to land on an AFL list and if they do, we want them to have the skills to have long careers in the game.”
Top-10 draftees Jason Horne-Francis, Nick Daicos, Finn Callaghan, Mac Andrew, Josh Rachele, Josh Gibcus and Neil Erasmus all featured in last year’s AFL Academy squad, with 25 of the 29 members being taken in the mid-season, national and rookie drafts this year.
The AFLW Academy squad of 30 has also been announced, with West Australian Ella Roberts looming as the most talented player the group, after being recognised as the best player at this year’s Under-19 National Championships – at the age of 16.
However, the most familiar surname is Jasmine Fleming, the daughter of Australian cricketer and media figure Damien, who is also a talented cricketer.
While the choice between the two sports was previously only for boys coming through, Sheehan said Fleming is the prototype for the new-age multi-talented sportswoman.
“She is a typical multi-talented cricketer-footballer, that is fairly common in the boys with choices being made the whole time,” he said.
“Now we are seeing that clearly be made among the girls.
“(Fleming) starred in the NAB League women’s grand final last year and was a star late in the year.”
J’Noemi Anderson could become the fourth member of her family to join the big league as the sibling of North Melbourne midfielder Jed, with Joe and Jasmine playing in the AFL and AFLW system previously.
Greater Western Victoria goalkicker Paige Scott and Queanbeyan product Cynthia Hamilton are others to watch next year from the group.
South Australian young star Lauren Young – who was named as an All-Australian at the championships after receiving special exemption to play due to her age – is among the seven 2023 draft eligible players in the squad and is one to look forward to in the future.
The Port Adelaide NGA product, however, will miss the 2022 season after rupturing her ACL at training.
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