A new year has seen Fremantle reveal a new look for their Next Generation Academy, which last week unveiled the ‘Stephen Hill Squad’ for elite talent, aged 16 years and above from Fremantle’s NGA regional and metropolitan zones and father-son eligible players in WA.

The Stephen Hill Squad is the final step for Fremantle’s NGA players before they become eligible to be drafted by an AFL club.

Additionally, Fremantle announced the pathway into the Stephen Hill Squad, while additional squads named after some of the Club’s best Aboriginal and multicultural players were also highlighted.

There will also be the Peter Bell Squad for players under 14, Roger Hayden Squad for players under 15 and Tendai Mzungu Squad for players under 16.

Find out more on our dedicated NGA page!

Fremantle’s NGA is affiliated with the six WAFL regional and metropolitan zones of South Fremantle, East Fremantle, Peel, Claremont, West Perth and Claremont, to provide pathway opportunities for the 38 players that make up the 2021 Stephen Hill Squad.

THE STEPHEN HILL SQUAD

South Fremantle - Ashwin Malik, Kai Holmes, Riley Colborne, Christian Wilson, Norman Yarran, Tryse Rioli, Tyler Piazzola, Jesse Motlop, Simon James, Chase Bourne, Jaren Carr. Not pictured: Jermaine Pickett

East Fremantle - Xavier Wright, Seth Connor, Richard Bartlett. Not pictured: Tristian Jacques, Graham Sandy, Chris Walker, Keanu Haddow

Peel - Josh Draper, Jack Ilott, William Dimasi, Cole Agnew, Dom Dravitzki. Not pictured: Rickardo Jetta

Claremont - Brodie Ginbey, William Wolf, Conrad Williams, Ahmad Sgro, Kai Humphry, Rohan McNeill. Not pictured: Eric Benning, Kendyll Blurton, Dallas McAdam, Anthony Ghiselli  

West Perth – Clayton Taylor, Jasper Scaife

Swan Districts – Lyle Sibosado

At the launch, Hill passed on some words of wisdom to the group.

“My advice would be to tap into the resources that you’re provided with,” Hill said. 

"You’ve got great people to learn from who are willing to help you, so take it all in, have fun and enjoy the process as well.”

Two of those resources come from a pair of former players and coaches at Fremantle.

Roger Hayden has taken over from Tendai Mzungu as NGA Coach and Simon Eastaugh will oversee the program as the Head of Community Development.

Eastaugh said Fremantle was proud to use some of their current and past players to build a pathway for the NGA.

“These past and present players epitomise our connection to culture and multicultural engagement and performing at the elite level of AFL football for our club,” Eastaugh said. 

“It’s really important that we provide a pathway and identity for all of our groups coming through. It’s a new initiative that we’ve put in place this year and we’re really excited about the prospects of our NGA going forward.”

In total, Fremantle have seen six players come through the NGA to the club’s playing list in Liam Henry and Leno Thomas, new draftees Brandon Walker and Joel Western and past players Jason Carter and Isaiah Butters.

“We’ve had a number of players come through our NGA,” Eastaugh said.

“With the skills and tools that form part of the football education through this phase of the elite talent program, our NGA players will be well prepared to engage in the AFL and State level environments as their respective pathways continue beyond the NGA.”