It was a great night for the VAFA at the 2024 AFL National Draft as a handful of VAFA alumni received the opportunity to chase their dream by playing at the highest level. Coincidentally, three were selected by the Western Bulldogs:
Ormond’s LUKE KENNEDY will be based at the Kennel in 2025 after he was drafted by the Dogs with pick #62.
Luke rose through the ranks at St Paul’s McKinnon and Ormond juniors from Under 11’s, then made his VAFA debut with 4 games as a 15-year-old in Premier C in 2022.
He then exploded onto the scene when he won Ormond’s Senior Best & Fairest as a 16-year-old in VAFA Premier C in 2023. This incredible achievement rightly turned the heads of AFL recruiters around the nation.
A talented ball-user with clean hands and plenty of speed to break out into space, Luke was a vital piece of the Sandringham Dragons’ 2024 premiership side and also played 3 Senior VAFA games for Ormond.
“Luke is a talented and dedicated player known for his exceptional work ethic and outstanding skills on both sides of his body,” said Ormond senior coach Kyle Pinto.
“We at Ormond have been so privileged to watch him grow into the exceptional player and young man he is today. We have no doubt that he possesses the skills and values to have an amazing AFL career, and we couldn’t be prouder of him.”
Beaumaris forward/midfielder JOSH DOLAN was selected by the Dogs at pick #31.
Josh overcame a meniscus injury later in the season as he juggled his time between school footy with Brighton Grammar and Sandringham Dragons.
The 18-year-old rose through the Beaumaris junior system from Under 13’s, playing 3 Senior VAFA Premier B games for the Sharks in 2024, polling best player votes in two of them.
A creative, hard-working half-forward, he’ll be another exciting prospect for the Dogs to develop in the years ahead.
SAM DAVIDSON played 10 Holmesglen Under 19 Premier games for St Kevin’s in 2021, after coming up through the East Brighton & Ormond junior programs.
He then hit the road, assigned to various rural placements for his Monash University medical degree, playing local footy for Sale City, South Mildura and Maffra until connecting with Richmond’s VFL recruiters.
After an outstanding 2024 VFL campaign that saw him win the League’s Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the competition’s Best Young Player, he was selected by the Western Bulldogs with pick #51 last night.
An athletic forward who can work high up the ground and create in space or stay closer to goal and pull down contested marks, Sam is a difficult match-up with plenty of X-factor.
ESSENDON also got in on the action, drafting ZAK JOHNSON, who played a couple of senior games for Old Ivanhoe in Premier C last year. Zak, a speedy midfielder who was also considered one of the best kicks in the draft, began his junior career at Epping in the Northern Football League, switching to St Mary’s at Under 15’s.
A couple of appearances for the Hoers in 2023 was followed by a superb 2024 campaign with the Northern Knights and Vic Metro – the Bombers adding him to their mix with pick #70.
While MELBOURNE also picked up a VAFA alumni, drafted AIDAN JOHNSON with pick #68.
Aidan is a great story of persistence and determination, finally realising his AFL dream at the age of 24 after a journey that began in Albury with Lavington Panthers, followed by the Brock/Burrum Saints in the Hume FL, back to Lavington.
He suited up with OLD BRIGHTON in 2022, playing 7 Premier Men’s games and polling in 4 of them before spending 2023 at Yarraville Seddon.
Having played 1 VFL game for Werribee in 2021, he returned to the Tigers in 2024, enjoying a career-best breakout season as a piece of the Bees’ drought-breaking VFL premiership side. That caught the eye of the Dees and he now finds himself on an AFL list.
Congratulations to the other VAFA clubs with direct connections to AFL draftees also. It’s a great testament to the time, effort, care and coaching invested in these youngsters throughout their formative years:
Taj HOTTON played 112 junior games for HAMPTON ROVERS & was drafted by RICHMOND with pick #12.
Harrison OLIVER played 110 junior games for ST BEDES/MENTONE TIGERS & was drafted by GWS GIANTS with pick #19.
Harry ARMSTRONG played 111 junior games for ORMOND & was drafted by RICHMOND with pick #23.
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