It was another great night for the VAFA at the 2025 AFL National Draft, as a handful of VAFA alumni received the opportunity to chase their footballing dream at the highest level.
CARLTON selected Parkside’s JACK ISON with pick #47. A graduate of Carlton’s Academy program, Jack played 110 junior games with his beloved Devils, then 2 senior VAFA games for Parkside as a 17-year-old in 2024.
“I’ve literally been at Parkside since Auskick and then into the Under 8s,” said Jack, the morning after his first training session with the Blues.
“It’s where I met most of my best mates – around Pitcher Park.”
Senior club President Anthony Romano shares the excitement that’s bubbling throughout the Parkside footy community after Jack was drafted.
“It’s great because Jack and his family are such great club people,” says Anthony.
“His sister Mia plays in our senior women’s team, and his mum has also played some games for us over the years. Dad is always around – he trains with our ‘Devil’s Dads,’ who get together and train on Wednesday nights.”
“The club has shaped me as a person, with so many great role models and people that genuinely care for Parkside and the community,” said Jack. “That’s where my care and love for the club began.
“In terms of football, they’ve given me so much support throughout my journey, whether it be texts of ‘good luck’ or coming to watch me play. All that care helped me perform on the weekends.”
The 18-year-old set himself the goal of becoming Parkside’s first-ever AFL draftee when, a few years ago, he heard it mentioned that the club had never had one.
“I remember hearing that when I was 15 or 16, and I thought ‘I want to be Parkside’s first ever AFL player.’ I want to be a role model for youngsters coming through and support them as much as I can,” said Jack.
“It’s pretty surreal to think of myself as that, but it’s something I’ve always wanted to be and part of why I worked so hard in the first place.
“I’m so grateful to be in this position. I want to be the best role model I can be, whether it’s going back to the club to help them train or just chatting with the younger kids.”
“Even though he’s been in the elite pathway for a few years, Jack has always come back and watched games,” said Anthony.
“He wanted to play some senior footy with us, and he managed to get a couple of games in last year, which was great.”
Tied to Carlton via their Next Generation Academy, Jack was surrounded by family, friends, team-mates and club supporters at Pitcher Park on Draft night, with emotional scenes beamed live around the country.
“It was definitely a great feeling,” Jack recalls with a smile.
“A little bit nerve-racking too, because I’d been told that a bid for me (from a club other than Carlton) could come anywhere from pick 20 to 30, but then it got later into the 30’s and 40’s and the nerves started to kick in. Every time a bid was ‘pending,’ the whole room went quiet in case it was for me.
“It finally happened (at pick 47), and the room erupted! It was a night I’ll never forget.”
Viewing Jack’s drafting from the wider club perspective, Anthony is fully aware of its overall importance.
“Him being drafted is good exposure for the junior club in particular, which has a great committee that has really supported Jack over the years,” said Anthony. “It shows what a good job they do developing good footballers and good young people.
“We’re hoping to have a girl drafted into AFLW shortly – that would be great for our community also.”
As Jack settles into his first pre-season as an AFL player, where he’s come from remains top of mind.
“It’s a surreal feeling to get the chance to represent Parkside and the VAFA. I’m super grateful to be in that position.
“People at the club were probably just as happy as I was. That’s the great thing. It was so special to see everyone’s reactions and how they were just as happy as I was. That really says it all. Parkside is a community.
“My win in making an AFL list is everyone else’s win as well. Seeing people so happy – that’s why I work so hard. Those people are my ‘why.’ Them being a part of the journey is super important for me. Without them, I’m not sure where I’d be.”
Jack was among several VAFA alumni selected in this year’s Draft:
SAM GRLJ played 104 junior games for CANTERBURY, then 4 senior VAFA games for OLD CAMBERWELL in 2024, before being drafted by Richmond with pick #8.
HUNTER HOLMES came through Prahran Juniors from Under 8’s and played a VAFA Under 19s game for OLD MELBURNIANS in 2024. He joined his brother Max at Geelong with pick #33.
FINN DAVIS came up through WILLIAMSTOWN juniors, then played 3 x VAFA Holmesglen Under 19 Premier games for WILLIAMSTOWN CYMS in 2024. He was drafted by GWS with pick #51.
COLLINGWOOD selected ZAC McCARTHY with pick #55. A Magpie Next Generation Academy graduate, Zac played his junior footy with Greythorn, Kew Comets and Kew Bears, along with school footy for Carey Grammar.
He also played 3 VAFA games for OLD CAREY in 2024, including his senior debut in Premier C against PEGS in Round 11.
Western Bulldogs’ father-son WILL DARCY joined his brother Sam at the Dogs after being taken with pick #60. Will and Sam both have a strong connection to OLD SCOTCH, and Will played 6 x VAFA Holmesglen Under 19 Premier matches for the Cardinals in 2024.
No one gets to AFL level on their own – it takes many years of hard work and dedication, with so much time and care invested in youngsters by their junior coaches, support staff and team-mates to help them realise their dream.
Congratulations to all clubs, players and families involved, and enjoy riding the AFL rollercoaster in the years ahead!