The future of football in the Geelong region is in safe hands if last week’s Academy performances are anything to go by, with five Geelong Cats Academy teams stepping out against high-quality opposition and showing exactly why the club’s Next Generation Academy (NGA) continues to be a key driver of long-term development.
With wins across three divisions and standout individual efforts in all five games, the Academy program reaffirmed its value as a critical pathway for emerging footballers from the region.
In the U17 Boys match, the Cats Academy faced a strong AFL Barwon Invitational side, eventually going down 5.8 (38) to 13.5 (83). Despite the scoreboard, the contest was marked by several standout performances, including Max Clark, Daniel Shaw and Max Mansfield.
The U17 Girls turned heads with a thrilling two-point victory over AFL Barwon Invitational, clinching the match 6.6 (42) to 6.4 (40). Zara Kendall was electric up forward, booting five goals in a match-winning display, along with standout performances from Alexandra Whatley and Stephanie Jacgung.
The U15 Boys' clash with the Western Bulldogs Academy was a showcase of courage and clutch play, with Geelong claiming a one-point victory, 11.9 (75) to 11.8 (74). Malakai Walker was a standout with three goals and a best-on-ground performance, while Daniel Rezaei Mahalati, Ingemar Borrack, and Bol Reech all played key roles in the hard-fought win.
The U15 Girls battled hard but were outgunned by the Western Bulldogs Academy, going down 3.3 (21) to 9.8 (62). Despite the loss, there were promising signs across the ground with Sharvarntay Edwards and Olivia Lasky both hitting the scoreboard and featuring in the best players.
The most emphatic result of the round came from the U14 Boys, who delivered a dominant performance to defeat the Western Bulldogs Academy 16.11 (107) to 3.6 (24). A spread of goalkickers underlined the team’s attacking depth, with Elijah Kiwi, David Roydhouse, and Archie Johnson among the multiple goal scorers, whilst Kade Whitney was named the best player.
These results not only reflect the current calibre of talent across the Geelong Cats Academy system, but also highlight the Academy’s success in building well-rounded players who embrace challenge and show continual improvement.
Geelong Football Club Academy and Pathways Manager, Chris Lynch spoke about the Cats Academy program after a successful day full of impressive results.
“The 4-week program gave players access to quality coaching and a chance to grow their football in a supportive environment," Lynch said.
"The coaches did an outstanding job preparing these players and they benefited immensely from the guidance and support they received. It was fantastic to see the players enjoy themselves while testing their skills against quality opposition”
“The week celebrated the Indigenous and Multicultural talent in our region, and we are excited to see how these players continue to develop in the Academy programs.”
2025 Academy Match Results
U17 BOYS
Geelong Cats Academy 5.8 (38) def by AFL Barwon Invitational 13.5 (83)
GOALS: Taiyo Mcencroe 2, Max Mansfield 1, Chad Taylor 1, Max Clark 1
BEST: Max Clark, Daniel Shaw, Max Mansfield, Finley Cumming, Mayot Agoth, Sonni Andrews, John Tattersall
U17 GIRLS
Geelong Cats Academy 6.6 (42) def AFL Barwon Invitational 6.4 (40)
GOALS: Zara Kendall 5, Mia Peselj 1
BEST: Alexandra Whatley, Stephanie Jacgung, Zara Kendall, Mia Peselj, Olivia Lasky, Kayla Reilly, Jayme Lasky
U15 BOYS
Geelong Cats Academy 11.9 (75) def Western Bulldogs Academy 11.8 (74)
GOALS: Malakai Walker 3, Hunter Montgomery 2, Brody Eagle 2, Bailey Hamence 1, Zephania De Hoog 1, Daniel Rezaei Mahalati 1, Ingemar Borrack 1
BEST: Malakai Walker, Joel Crofts, Daniel Rezaei Mahalati, Bol Reech, Jai Mansfield, Zander De Beer, William Wyllie, Ingemar Borrack
U15 GIRLS
Geelong Cats Academy 3.3 (21) def by Western Bulldogs Academy 9.8 (62)
GOALS: Sharvarntay Edwards 1, Olivia Lasky 1, Emma Henderson 1
BEST: Shiou-Fen Hayden, Sharvarntay Edwards, Wren Rahilly, Olivia Lasky, Billie-Jean Harrington, Charlotte Spark, Zara Taylor, Penelope Carroll
U14 BOYS
Geelong Cats Academy 16.11 (107) def Western Bulldogs Academy 3.6 (24)
GOALS: Elijah Kiwi 2, David Roydhouse 2, Archie Johnson 2, James Richardson 2, Jale Daveta 2, Isaac Hayward-Rashid 1, Boh Enright 1, George Smith 1, Solomone Buini 1, Finn Harrison 1, Lachlan Reilly 1
BEST: Kade Witney, Elijah Kiwi, Angus Henderson, Finn Harrison, Olli Steinfort, James Richardson, Kruze Mayne, David Roydhouse
Click Here to find out more about Geelong's Next Generation Academy.
