Campbell Chesser among Australia's best top-age prospects with AFL Academy call up

Former Collingwood defender Tarkyn Lockyer will coach the squad which is set to play a game against a Victorian state league side on Anzac Day weekend and participate in camps.

Chesser co-captained Victoria Country at the under-16 national championships last year alongside Murray Bushranger Josh Rachele (Shepparton), who has also been included in the squad.

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The pair were both selected in the under-16 All Australian team, and, despite no football played in Victoria this year, have remained genuine draft chances heading into their top-age year.

Chesser will continue to play at Sandringham Dragons and Mebourne Grammar next year and wants to give himself the best chance to get on an AFL list.

"After a pretty disjointed year moving between Albury and Melbourne, I'm excited for next year to be able to compete again and get the game aspect back," Chesser said.

"It was good to have a solid under-16s year and get selected (for the AFL academy) off the back of that.

"I was lucky enough to play a couple of games as a double bottom-ager for Sandringham Dragons at the back end of last year.

"Getting that exposure as a 16-year-old has really helped me transition into what will be my top-age year."

Chesser has worked closely with Wodonga's Elijah Hollands, who was drafted to the Gold Coast Suns last week, and plans to train with him over the Christmas break.