Marsh AFL National Futures Boys match set for MCG

The 2026 Marsh AFL National Futures Boys match will take place at the MCG as a curtain-raiser to the AFL Grand Final between Fremantle and the Brisbane Lions. The talent showcase features 46 under-17 footballers from across Australia who are eligible for the 2027 AFL Draft.

Following tradition, the two competing squads are named after recently retired AFL stars: Team Mitchell, honoring Tom Mitchell, and Team Melksham, honoring Jake Melksham. The match serves as a key component of the selection process for the 2027 Marsh AFL National Academy Boys program.

The rosters include several players from the SANFL, such as Harvey Chapman, Tony Marrone, Laurence Andriani, Taj Garrett, Kai Ivins, Percy Burgoyne, and Josh Jarrad. The event will be live-streamed on the AFL website.