Ricky Mentha to feature in Marsh AFL National Academy side clash with Bulldogs

The 2024 Marsh AFL National Academy Boys squad will represent Australia for the second time this month when they take on VFL ladder-leader Footscray at Mission Whitten Oval this Saturday, April 27.
 
The 2024 Marsh AFL National Academy Boys squad comprises many of the nation’s most promising footballers born in 2006 who will be eligible to be selected in the 2024 AFL Draft.
 
Members of the Academy take part in an accelerated football and personal development program throughout the 2024 season that provides participants with experiences, learnings and further opportunities to best prepare them for the next steps in their football journey.
 
The Marsh AFL National Academy Boys squad will arrive in Melbourne on Thursday for their third high-performance camp of the 2024 program.
 
Saturday’s match against Footscray will see the Academy represent the Australia U18 team for the second time this year after taking on VFL outfit Coburg at IKON Park a fortnight ago.
 
Several players who missed the match against Coburg will return from injury to take on the Bulldogs. They include West Australian duo Bo Allan and Malakai Champion and Victorians Archer Day-Wicks, Sam Lalor and Finn O’Sullivan.
 
Sid Draper, Jonty Faull and Noah Mraz will miss Saturday’s game due to injury but will still take part in the camp in Melbourne, with Murray Bushrangers defender Matt Whitlock being called in to the squad for the camp and match.

AFL National Indigenous and Multicultural Academy members Basil Hart and Ben Rongdit will also participate in this week’s camp, taking part in the development opportunities over the weekend, but won’t feature in the match as bottom-age players not yet in their draft year.

Taj Hotton, Jordan Nguyen, Tobie Travaglia and Jack Whitlock won’t feature in this camp after coming in as injury replacements for the previous match against Coburg.
 
CAMP SCHEDULE
 
The 2024 Marsh AFL National Academy Boys squad will arrive in camp on Thursday.
 
Players engaging in a range of game preparation sessions on Thursday morning prior to training at Bunjil Bagora, Waverley Park on Thursday afternoon.
 
The squad will then take part in a captain’s run at Casey Fields on Friday morning.
 
Players will also feature in a range of wellbeing, education and team bonding sessions throughout Thursday and Friday ahead of taking on the Bulldogs on Saturday.
 
AUSTRALIA U18 vs FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS
Saturday, April 27, 2024
11:00am AEST
Mission Whitten Oval
Free entry
 
HOW TO WATCH: Saturday’s match between Australia U18 and Footscray Bulldogs will be available to watch live and free on the AFL website.
 
Continue below to view the Australia U18 squad for Saturday’s match at Mission Whitten Oval.
 

*Denotes injured and won’t play