Ex-Walyalup (Fremantle) star Michael Johnson reflects on Next Generation Academy and Indigenous Round jumper

Former Walyalup star Michael Johnson has backed the AFL’s Next Generation Academy program as the key to producing the next wave of Indigenous talent as the league revealed it will soon lower the age for players to start training with clubs.

The number of Indigenous players on AFL lists has dropped from 87 four years ago to 71 this season and that has raised concerns within AFL House.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said the league is keen to have youngsters involved with clubs from the age of 13 so they could get access to elite training programs. Johnson, who designed Walyalup’s Indigenous Round jumper, said the NGA Academies were fantastic for Indigenous youth.

“There is talent in the state programs. Then it comes down to the elite players,” he said.

“We’re lucky enough to have the NGA so you can see there are a lot of talented Indigenous kids coming through the Fremantle NGA at the moment. Even the West Coast Eagles had young Tyrell Dewar play his first game on the weekend and he was part of the Next Generation Academy over there.

“You can see there are pathways for them. Maybe there’s not enough elite players at the moment, but these NGA programs will help Indigenous players come into the system.”

Johnson believes adding an AFL team in the Northern Territory would be a huge benefit for the league. Johnson and his cousin Daniel McHenry designed Walyulap’s Indigenous Round jumper with tributes to both their family and the club’s history.

The anchor has been replicated by a boomerang with two spears, Walyalup’s original jumper is referenced with splashes of purple, red and green, every Indigenous Docker’s name from both AFL and AFLW is listed on the back, there are images which depict Johnson and McHenry’s family tree, the stolen generation flower is on the chest, while the back of the jumper has references to previous Indigenous uniforms.

Walyalup forward Michael Walters said he couldn’t wait to run out in the jumper this weekend. Having played as the sub on Friday night, Walters said his body was now refreshed.

“It’s good we are in a position where we can rest players here and there,” he said.

“It’s good I got to rest last week to set me up for the back end of the season. Fyfey got rested last week. This month was the rest period for both of us. Lucky enough I got to have a rest on the weekend so I can play in these rounds.”

Fremantle will be known as Walyalup for Sir Doug Nicholls Round.