AFL Reveals 2027 National Academy Squad Prospects

The Australian Football League has named 25 young talents to its prestigious development programme for the upcoming season.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Football

AFL Reveals 2027 National Academy Squad Prospects

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The Australian Football League has confirmed the 25 prospects selected for the 2027 AFL National Academy squad. Among the inclusions are Koby Bewick, Louis Salopek, Jett Flower, James Artemis, Max Thompson, and Jake Beams.

Why it matters

The Academy serves as a critical developmental pathway for young players, with nine members of the squad already tied to AFL clubs. This selection highlights the league's focus on identifying and fostering elite talent ahead of future drafts.

The 2027 squad consists of 25 selected prospects, of which nine players maintain formal ties to AFL clubs. Separately, the Tasmania Devils have proactively signed seven under-17 players who were eligible for the Academy intake.

The players

AFL

The Australian Football League is the premier professional competition for Australian rules football.

Tasmania Devils

The Tasmania Devils are an Australian rules football club currently operating at the junior and development level.

The details

The programme is designed to prepare young athletes through high-intensity training and competitive experience. The schedule includes a six-day training camp in New Zealand in December, followed by two intensive stints in April to play against VFL opponents.

December 2026: Six-day training camp in New Zealand.
April 2027: Two stints scheduled for matches against VFL opponents.

Season Trajectory

The selection of this 2027 squad establishes the core pipeline of talent for the coming years as teams look to secure future draft assets. This intake significantly impacts the development landscape, particularly for clubs with territorial ties to these emerging stars.

The Tasmania Devils will hold the first call on local prospect Jake Beams during the upcoming selection period. Fans monitoring the draft should note that nine of these 25 players are already tied to existing AFL clubs, limiting their availability for other teams.

The takeaway

The announcement confirms the next generation of professional talent as the league continues its structured development cycle. Interested followers should monitor how these 25 prospects perform during the upcoming April matches against VFL-level competition.