Territorian Troydon Ross getting top level exposure in Brisbane Lions Academy

A teenage talent from Yuendumu who has been likened to Charlie Cameron and Keidean Coleman has found his place in the Brisbane Lions Academy. Find out about his journey.

A teenage talent from Yuendumu, who has been called the next Charlie Cameron, is making real waves in the Brisbane Lions Academy since moving to Queensland.

The Territorian, who is one of five siblings, hails from the community located northwest of Alice Springs.

He later moved to Cairns where he was based at the AFL Cape York House, before the Lions Legacy program reached out and gave him an opportunity to push further into the sporting industry.

Ross accepted the opportunity and now attends Marist College Ashgrove as a boarder and is part of the Lions Academy, where he benefits from funds earned in initiatives like the Lions Legacy round.

He said his grandmother had been his rock and greatest support growing up.

“My grandmother brought me up with love and care,” he said in a Brisbane Lions video.

“I just look up to her when I’m with her and not with her, she didn’t want me to be around bad people and she wanted me to (go to) school somewhere good.

Troydon Ross of the Brisbane Lions Academy. Picture: Brisbane Lions

“I’m loving it, it’s a really big change for me to come into Brisbane and train with the Academy and also get around all the AFL players.

“Being a part of the academy has made me become a strong person and got me one step closer to my dream.”

Ross’ talents have already been applauded by his coaches and those who have seen him play, with long kicks to goal a typical occurrence from the youngster.

Brisbane Lions player welfare manager Anthony Corrie said he realised Ross was a talent when he watched him kick like fellow Territorian Keidean Coleman.

“The first time I saw Troydon kick the footy was at training with some of the boys and I saw he could kick the ball like Kiddy Coleman,” Corrie said.

“That’s one of the exciting things about him, he’s a natural AFL player but it’s about giving him that exposure to the AFL level to get better.

“The benefit of having the Lions Legacy help provide that support will allow him to grow, learn the training requirements, what the gym stuff is and get him to eat well.”

The Lions play Essendon in the Lions Legacy round this weekend, which supports the Brisbane Lions Academy and the broader community.

By investing in the Academy and its participants, the club aims to improve the lives of those playing and working within the system.

Originally published as Territorian Troydon Ross getting top level exposure in Brisbane Lions Academy