The 2026 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft has seen three former NFNL players realise their dreams of being drafted to an AFL club.
Three players with NFNL backgrounds were selected on Tuesday night as part of the draft which allows AFL clubs with available list spots to bring in fresh talent.
Flynn Riley (pick 4, Carlton), Marcus Herbert (pick 13, West Coast) and Joel Fitzgerald (pick 16, Melbourne) are no strangers to NFNL football, having all played at senior level in recent years.
Riley started his NFNL career at South Morang as a junior, before moving across to Montmorency and play senior football with the Magpies. He was also part of the Northern Knights squad in the Coates Talent League, progressing to play VFL football for Carlton over the last couple of seasons, where he caught the eye of Blues recruiters.
The ruckman has averaged 16 disposals and 30 hitouts from his three appearances at VFL level this season.
Fitzgerald also started as a junior at South Morang, before moving to Yarrambat and progressing into the Northern Knights squad. After dividing his time between Essendon VFL and Bundoora at NFNL senior level, Fitzgerald moved to Williamstown VFL in 2024 and has become a key player for the Seagulls, averaging 33.7 disposals per game this year with his ball winning ability on display for AFL clubs.
Fitzgerald made a brief cameo for Hurstbridge in Round 1 this season alongside his brother Blake, where they collected 35 disposals apiece.
Although Herbert’s connection to the NFNL is a little shorter it was no less impactful, playing five games for Heidelberg in 2025 including being best on ground in the Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 Grand Final as the Tigers won their fourth-straight premiership.
Having played most of his football in south-west Victoria with South Warrnambool as a junior, Herbert has played over 60 games with Geelong VFL in recent years, averaging 27.6 disposals this season with the Cats as their reigning VFL best and fairest.
The NFNL congratulates all players selected in the draft and looks forward to watching their careers progress in the AFL system.
