Eleven junior Aussie rules stars chosen for pathways program

The future of the NT’s AFL heritage is in safe hands as 11 of the top juniors make their mark in Melbourne. See who the selected players are here.

Eleven of the Northern Territory’s budding 15-and-under talent have been named among the nation’s most promising stars looking to follow in the footsteps of AFL greats.

Named in both the Flying Boomerangs and World Team squads, up and coming footy players from across the Territory have made the trek south to Melbourne to take part in the 2024 football and leadership camp that concludes Wednesday, October 2.

The Flying Boomerangs side consists of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players while the World Team is made up of players who have a parent born outside Australia.

Eleven of the top junior NT footy juniors are down in Melbourne taking part in a Talent Pathways program. Picture: AFLNT Media.

The 90 players will take part in a range of football and athletic training sessions, as well as cultural and leadership-building activities aimed at further enhancing the players’ skill set on and off the pitch.

AFL players Mac Andrew, Jason Johannisen and Buku Kamis will be in attendance to hold some Q&A sessions during the three-day program across Arden Street Oval, Mission Whitten Oval, Trevor Barker Beach Oval and Wesley College.

The camp will conclude with two talent showcase matches on Wednesday.

Both sides will be under the tutelage from a host of AFL and state league heroes including, Collingwood forward Nathan Kreuger, former AFL players Chad Wingard, Brendon Ah Chee, Jarrod Lienert, Kyron Hayden and Lachie Edwards will play for the Boomerangs and Ali Hammad, Goy Lok, Adam Kaddour, Wally Kaddour, and Sebastian Gargana will play with with Port Adelaide star defender Aliir Aliir for the World side.

Willie Rioli and Aliir Aliir of the Power celebrate the win during the 2024 AFL Round 24 match. Picture: Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“Both squads are stacked with promising young footballers who have the potential to become future stars of our game,” AFL diversity talent programs manager Narelle Long said.

“The Flying Boomerangs and World Team programs offer a great opportunity for these talented young players to take part in a host of football, education, cultural and leadership sessions which will further develop their skills on and off the field.

“Wednesday’s exhibition matches will give players the chance to put their talent on show and put their leanings into practice.”

You can catch the junior matches on the AFL Play YouTube channel with the first game at 10.30am and the second starting at 1pm.

SEE WHO MADE THE SQUADS

FLYING BOOMERANGS

– Keithan Barry (Kalkarindji Eagles, BRFL)

– Owen Campbell (Palmerston Magpies, NTFL)

– Ricco Chubb (Darwin Buffaloes, NTFL)

– Dillon Mallard (Pioneer, CAFL)

– Kairyce Monaei-Lowah (St Mary’s, NTFL)

– Mazlan Patrick (Darwin Buffaloes, NTFL)

– Enai Ryder (Palmerston Magpies, NTFL)

– Jarryn Sambo (Wanderers, NTFL)

– Timothy Wommatakimmi (Tiwi Bombers, NTFL)

WORLD TEAM

– Thomas Fabila (Southern Districts, NTFL)

– Chevayo Roe (St Mary’s, NTFL)