By Marc McGowan
Two powerhouse Victorian high schools almost 130 kilometres apart produced the most new AFL footballers this year as private schools continued their drafting domination.
Brighton Grammar (five draftees) and St Patrick’s College Ballarat (three) were in celebration mode from Wednesday night’s first round of the national draft, through to Friday’s rookie draft.
Parade College, coached by ex-Bomber Ricky Dyson, also had three national draftees, including 2023 graduate Isaac Kako, whom Essendon selected.
Levi Ashcroft in action for Brighton Grammar.Credit: Mark Chew Photography
Levi Ashcroft (pick No.5), Harry Oliver (19), Luke Trainor (21), Josh Dolan (31) and Lennox Hofmann (66) were not only key contributors in Brighton Grammar’s unbeaten title run in 2024 – their second APS premiership in three seasons under Simon McPhee – but also realised their AFL dream.
It was a record-smashing haul for Brighton, bettering the private school’s effort from 11 years ago, when Josh Kelly, Christian Salem and Jayden Hunt graduated to the big time.
“It’s exciting when you’ve got one or two drafted in a year, but to have five in a national draft is pretty amazing,” Brighton Grammar’s director of sport, Jack Joslin, told The Age.
Richmond’s first-round draftees (from left) Luke Trainor, Harry Armstrong, Josh Smillie, Sam Lalor, Jonty Faull and Taj Hotton were all private school students.Credit: Getty Images
“We were even hopeful, potentially, to have Bailey McKenzie [drafted] ... but we’re rapt for five of them to get an AFL opportunity.”
Trainor – one of six players Richmond picked in the first round – kicked the match-winning goal for Vic Metro over Vic Country at the under-18 championships, and his behind from a set shot in the dying minutes against Haileybury College also broke a deadlock that eventually led to Brighton’s flag.
That match was effectively the APS grand final, but Brighton still had two games to play and trailed in the final term a week later against St Kevin’s College before coming from behind, as they did against Haileybury.
Brighton also survived eventual No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor’s first-half heroics to beat Geelong Grammar in the last match to seal a perfect season.
Only 19 of the 71 draftees picked up in the national draft came from a public school, but Joslin said there was an unfair perception that private schools always “poached” talented footballers.
“It’s not often us, or any schools in the APS, swooping on kids,” he said.
“I would say it’s often the parents of boys in state schools, or the like, reaching out to schools in the private system, knowing the offerings they get – not just from a resource standpoint for footy, [because] I think that’s secondary.
“I think it’s more the academic networking opportunities … so I would like to change the vernacular around us poaching, or swooping, on boys or girls in the state system.”
Harry Oliver prepares to kick long for Brighton Grammar.Credit: Mark Chew Photography
St Patrick’s College students Ollie Hannaford (pick No.18) and Jack Ough (36) are both headed to the Giants, while schoolmate Harry Charleson joined Carlton in the rookie draft.
The Ballarat school could have had five draftees, too, with Lalor a past student before crossing to Geelong Grammar for his final two years, and Rhys Unwin choosing to attend Mercy Regional College after committing to St Pat’s.
St Patrick’s College director of football Howard Clark, who coached the school’s team for 18 years and led it to seven Herald Sun Shield premierships, including six in a row from 2010 to 2015, was delighted for all five boys.
“They’ve dreamt about this since they were little boys, so [for them] to be given that opportunity, you’re so thrilled for them,” Clark said.
“It’s a great endorsement of the culture that permeates through the school, and certainly not just football, but a positive culture [in general]. There will be 18 St Pat’s boys on AFL lists next year … that is a significant number.
“It means what we’re doing [is working], but also in conjunction with the Greater Western Victoria Rebels – it’s a great alignment – and you’re providing a chance for these boys to be given these opportunities each year.”
St Patrick’s College, coached by Jason Lappin, lost the Associated Catholic Colleges grand final to Parade College in June, after finding out the night before that none of their Vic Country representatives were allowed to play because the AFL under-18 championships were on.
GWS draftees Ollie Hannaford (left) and Harry Oliver.Credit: AFL Photos
However, Clark said there was a greater goal beyond draftees and premierships for every student who came through the school.
“It’s not [just] about footy – it’s about trying to educate them, so they can become the very best young men,” he said.
“If they don’t leave our program a better young man, then we failed them. That’s our No.1 priority. If they have some success along the way, then great, in terms of being drafted, but only a very small number get to do that.”
If Hannaford is any gauge, Clark and co. have succeeded.
Ballarat, as a community, suffered through three high-profile killings of women within a matter of months early this year.
In response, Hannaford initiated the “Break the Cycle” event to raise funds and awareness about domestic violence. For the event, teams of students and staff rode four exercise bikes non-stop across a 24-hour period, with Hannaford helping to raise more than $8000.
He was St Patrick’s College’s football and boarding captain.
“Ollie is an outstanding young man and leader,” Clark said. “He also won our best and fairest when he was in year 11, so he has a lot going for him.”
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