Draft hopeful Taj Schofield follows dad Jarrad to South Australia

THE success of Subiaco coach Jarrad Schofield will rob the WA under-18s program of one of its brightest lights, with son Taj Schofield set to become a Croweater next season.

The AFL on Thursday released its new-look AFL Academy squads, with 150 young players engaged in programs across WA, South Australia, Vic Country, Vic Metro and the Allies.

It marks the first year the league will use a state-based academy system after previously operating under a centralised national model.

Each of the five programs have spots for 30 17 and 18-year-olds, with some lists yet to be finalised for the 2019 season.

WA have named 28 academy players, leaving the final spots open until after the draft, but Schofield is one name which is conspicuously absent.

The son of Port Adelaide premiership player Jarrad was named an under-16 All Australian this season, finished the year on a high by winning a colts premiership with Subiaco, and was considered a strong chance of playing for WA in next year’s under-18 championships as a bottom-aged player.

However his father’s new role as an assistant coach at the Power will see the family move to Adelaide in January, with Taj already listed as a member of the SA AFL Academy. Schofield can be drafted by Port Adelaide as a father-son selection in 2020, with the club also having access to another pair of SA academy members in Trent Burgoyne (son of Peter) and Jackson Mead (son of Darren).

WA’s squad is nonetheless expected to be relatively strong, with basketball convert Luke Jackson and his East Fremantle teammate Jeremy Sharp among the strongest chances of being drafted early at the end of next year.

Being picked in the squad does not guarantee a place in the State’s under-18 side, but gives a player every chance to earn their spot in coach Peter Sumich’s team.

WA AFL ACADEMY SQUAD
Jack Buller (Claremont/Christ Church Grammar School), Anthony Davis (Claremont/Hale School), Rhai Arn Cox (East Perth/Mt Lawley), Jermal Daly (Swan Districts/South Hedland), Riley Garcia (Swan Districts/Caversham), Mitchell Georgiades (Subiaco/Hale School), Denver Grainger-Barras (Swan Districts/Kalamunda), Liam Henry (Claremont/Christ Church Grammar School), Ryan Hudson (West Perth/Scotch College), Luke Jackson (East Fremantle/Bullcreek Leeming), Michael Mallard (West Perth/Wanneroo), Nicholas Martin (Subiaco/Trinity College), Logan McDonald (Perth/Aquinas College), Nathan O'Driscoll (Perth/Northam Saints), Jake Pasini (Swan Districts/Caversham), Jaxon Prior (West Perth/Sorrento Duncraig), Trent Rivers (East Fremantle/Bullcreek Leeming), Deven Robertson (Perth/Aquinas College), Trey Ruscoe (East Fremantle/Aquinas College), Ty Sears (Swan Districts/South Bunbury), Elijah Taylor (Perth/Thornlie), Jack Sears (Peel Thunder/South Mandurah), Jeremy Sharp (East Fremantle/Aquinas College), Bailey Smith (Perth/Thornlie), Tyrone Thorne (Peel Thunder/Rockingham), Zane Trew (Swan Districts/Hills Rangers), Brandon Walker (East Fremantle/Kardinya Kats), Joel Western (Claremont/Western Tigers).