AFL announces 2027 National Academy squads

The AFL has released the 2027 National Academy squads for both boys and girls, with each group consisting of 25 players eligible for the upcoming Telstra AFL and AFLW Drafts. The 2027 campaign marks the 30th intake for the boys program and the 10th for the girls.

The program is designed to provide elite young talent with high-performance training and football education. Historically, more than 800 Academy graduates have been drafted into the professional leagues, including notable players such as Nick Daicos and Patrick Dangerfield.

Among the selected players are several individuals with strong family ties to the sport, including Koby Bewick and Louis Salopek. The squads will participate in a high-performance camp in New Zealand this December and undergo integration periods with AFL clubs during the pre-season.