WA Players to Shine in Futures Game on AFL Grand Final DayThursday, September 28, 2023 - 12:13 PM

Three WA U17 players will play on the MCG on AFL's biggest day of the year.

The AFL has today announced the teams to compete in the 2023 AFL Futures match which will be played at the MCG ahead of the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final. 
  
The match will feature 45 of the most talented under 17 boys footballers from across the country, including three from WA. 
  
The two teams have been named after former Geelong Cats captain and four-time premiership player Joel Selwood and recently retired West Coast Eagles ruckman Nic Naitanui. 

WA players Malakai Champion (Subiaco/Mines Rovers) and Austin van der Struyf (Claremont) will line up Team Selwood, while Bo Allen (Peel Thunder/Halls Head) will line up for Team Naitanui. 

Adam Jones, State Football Manager at the West Australian Football Commission said this is a great opportunity for the players to get National exposure. 

“Congratulations to Bo, Malakai and Austin for making the team,” Jones said. 

“This is a fantastic opportunity for these players to not only play on the MCG on Grand Final day but experience playing among some of the best players across country.” 

  
All players named for the sixth annual AFL Futures match are born in 2006 and will be eligible for selection in the 2024 AFL Draft. 
  
The AFL Futures match provides next year’s draft prospects an opportunity to be part of a high-performance environment and showcase their talent on the big stage as they push for selection for the 2024 AFL Academy Boys program. 
  
Players were nominated by state talent programs, national selectors and AFL clubs, with all states and territories represented across the 46-player squad. 
  
The 2023 AFL Futures squad will arrive in Melbourne on Friday, September 29. 
  
Players will train at The Hangar on Friday afternoon prior to a team dinner at Mercure Albert Park where they will be addressed by Selwood and Naitanui. 
  
The 2023 AFL Futures match will commence at 9:35am on Saturday, with all squad members to also attend the 2023 AFL Toyota Grand Final between Collingwood and Brisbane Lions. 
   
HOW TO WATCH: The 2023 AFL Futures match will be broadcast live and free on the AFL website and AFL Live Official App. 
  
  
2023 AFL FUTURES MATCH 

Team Selwood vs. Team Naitanui 
Saturday, September 30 at 9:35am 
MCG