MELBOURNE’S next generation of Father-Son and Daughter prospects paid a visit to AAMI Park last week as part of the club’s Academy program.

Launched in 2018, the aim of the day is to give the young prospects, aged between four and 16, an early understanding of life as a footballer at Melbourne.

The club had 15 potential future stars come along for the day, including:

  • Kynan and Ryder Brown – sons of Nathan Brown (146 games, 1998-2007)
  • Jemma and Paige Rigoni – daughters of Guy Rigoni (107 games, 1998-2005)
  • Noah and Jasmine Yze – son and daughter of Adem Yze (271 games. 1995-2008)
  • Tex Robertson – son of Russell Robertson (228 games, 1997-2009)
  • Logan and Jade Wheatley – son and daughter of Paul Wheatley (135 games, 2000-2009)
  • Tegan Williams - daughter of David Williams (67 games, 1983-1988)
  • Tigga Johnstone – son of Travis Johnstone (160 games, 1998-2007)
  • Tom and Max McDonald – sons of Anthony McDonald (104 games, 1997-2002)
  • Kate O’Dwyer – daughter of Steven O’Dwyer (84 games, 1987-1991)
  • Rylee and Autumn Ward – daughters of Daniel Ward (136 games, 1998-2007)

The aim of the day is to give future Father-Son/Daughter prospects aged between four and 16, an early understanding of life as an AFL or AFLW footballer.

The group at Gosch's Paddock last week

The group were given a behind-the-scenes tour of AAMI Park and put through their paces in a skills session on Gosch’s Paddock run by AFLW players Katherine Smith and Lily Mithen.

Academy Manager Kyle Docherty said the program was all about keeping past-players and their children engaged with the red and blue.

“The Academy is such a great way for us to reconnect with past-players, and monitor potential Father Son and Daughter future prospects,” Docherty said.

“We engage this group each school holiday period at AAMI Park and we’ll be looking to work with interstate Father-Son and Daughter prospects throughout the year at certain away fixtures.”

Under the current Father-Son guidelines, the prospect’s father must have played 100 games or more for the club.

The Father-Daughter ruling in the AFLW allows players to be recruited if their father played at least one game for that club.