Nicholson’s Will Malady, a member of the AFL National Academy boys squad, will represent Australia in two matches against VFL opposition over the coming week.
Malady, who plays for Caulfield Grammar, Gippsland Power and competes in the Bairnsdale Football Netball League, kicked two goals last Saturday in a match against North Melbourne’s VFL team.
The AFL National Academy boys squad, which includes some of the country’s
leading draft prospects, assembled in Melbourne last Friday for an eight-day high-performance camp.
The program includes two showcase matches, where the Academy competes as the Australian under-18 team against
VFL opposition.
The first match was played at Arden Street, with the second scheduled against Richmond’s VFL team at Ikon Park on Saturday from 12.30pm.
Between matches, players remain in Melbourne for a series of training and education sessions, with access to elite-level
facilities across several AFL clubs, including Arden Street (North Melbourne), Kennedy Community Centre (Hawthorn), the
AIA Centre (Collingwood) and the NEC Hangar (Essendon).
The camp is the second gathering of the Marsh AFL National Academy boys squad, following an induction camp held at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport
in December last year.
AFL national academy manager Tarkyn Lockyer said the program is designed to prepare emerging talent for the next stage of their careers through exposure to elite environments and match conditions.
“Having the opportunity to put on the Australia jumper and represent the Australia under 18 team is a huge honour for
our emerging stars and always a highlight
of the Marsh AFL National Academy program,” Lockyer said.
He said the introduction of two matches within a single week was designed to replicate a full elite-level match cycle, including preparation, recovery and review processes.
Players will also take part in recovery sessions, team meetings, game reviews and match previews as part of the structured program throughout the week.
