Father-son Blue, potential No.1 pick headline 2026 AFL Academy squad

CARLTON father-son prospect Cody Walker and potential No.1 pick Dougie Cochrane headline the Marsh AFL Academy Boys squad selected for 2026.

The group of 25 boys has been picked ahead of a reconfigured Academy schedule that will include a trip to New Zealand in December and back-to-back games against VFL opponents across a week next year as the highlights of the program.

>> SEE THE FULL 2026 MARSH AFL ACADEMY BOYS SQUAD BELOW

The players will also spend a week training at separate AFL clubs over the pre-season as they prepare for their draft year next season.

Walker, the son of former Blue Andrew, has nominated Carlton as his preferred home and is shaping as a top-five pick next year after an excellent bottom-age campaign, while Port Adelaide is waiting on approval to list Cochrane as part of its Next Generation Academy, with the son of former player Stuart a brilliant talent who can play all over the ground.

Among the other familiar names in the Academy group are Aidan McCartney (son of ex-Roo and current Giants football boss Jason), Gabriel Patterson (the son of former Magpie Stephen), Koby LeCras (the nephew of ex-Eagle Mark) and Benji van Rooyen (the younger brother of Melbourne's Jacob).

Dynamic forward Arki Butler, who shapes as one of the most exciting players in next year's draft, is in the Academy, as is Brisbane Academy prospect Caylen Murray and Richmond Next Generation Academy player Tanner Armstrong.

They will come under the tutelage of former Magpie Tarkyn Lockyer, who will steer the AFL Academy again next year.

2026 MARSH AFL ACADEMY BOYS SQUAD

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