WA Draft Contender To Create College HistoryTuesday, November 18, 2025 - 9:16 AM

West Perth young gun Jacob Farrow is in line to become the first player from the Mater Dei College AFL Academy to be taken in an AFL Draft.

Farrow has long been considered an AFL prospect after a long list of achievements through his time at the College, which is based in Edgewater.

The 18-year-old was a member of the Senior Boys AFL (Jakovich Cup Premiership-Winning Team 2024), a three-time winner of the Fairest-and-Best winner of the Hawks AFL Academy, a five-time ACC CAS AFL Premiership winner and the Highest Achievement AFL Academy (2021,2022,2023).

Boston Williamson, the Director of Football at the AFL Academy, has tracked the progress of Farrow.

“Jacob has always been an integral part of the school AFL teams and has always been a talented footballer and always had an impact on games,” Williamson said.

“He was regularly named in the best players each week for both senior and junior football.

 “His talent was seen at an early age in Year 7, with many teachers declaring he has the potential to play AFL one day.

“Jacob was an all-rounder at school, playing midfield, backline and even forward to kick goals when needed.

“He has always been a very composed football player under pressure, and his skills have always been exceptional, especially his precise kicking on his left foot.

“He has an uncanny knack to read the play both as an interceptor and a link up option but can also find a hard contested possession.

“Jacob has a high ceiling and with the right development at AFL level could be a top tier player in the competition one day.”

 Williamson works alongside AFLW Specialist Tarnica Golisano and Scott Nelson, who is the AFL Specialist.

Mater Dei College introduced its Hawks AFL Academy in 2018.

The program is available to both males and females in Years 7 to 12 who wish to pursue excellence in the sport of AFL.

Currently there are over 150 students in the AFL Academy program.

 The Hawks AFL Academy aims to provide talented students with an opportunity to further develop their footballing ability, with an emphasis on skill development, gameplay strategies and tactics as well as theoretical components.

The Academy follows the structure of a Specialised Physical Education class, made up of practical and theoretical lessons.

This structure reflects the commitment of the College towards the holistic football development of all players/students within the Mater Dei College Hawks AFL Academy.

Throughout the year, external coaches, and speakers from the West Perth Football Club, West Coast Eagles and The Stephen Michael Foundation feature in delivering football development and coaching to our players.

In addition to students footballing development, students are led through umpiring and coaching courses to encourage involvement in other roles of our game and supporting the growth of AFL.

Players of the Academy have the opportunity to achieve a WA Football accredited Level 1 Umpiring accreditation.

Students also have the opportunity to learn about Exercise and Sport Science principles such as: Strength and Conditioning, Training Types, Recovery, Nutrition and Sport Psychology.

Students in the program can play in ACC and WAFC tournaments throughout the year, as well as competing in the weekly ACC CAS season.

Mater Dei College has competitions against various schools and other leading AFL specialised schools.

 Wiliamson is excited about what’s to come for Farrow and is proud of the role the Academy has played at the College.

“During my time in the role, we have seen great success, “he said.

“A double highlight in 2004 was winning both the statewide WAFC Senior Boys Jakovich Cup in 2024 as well as the statewide WAFC Junior Boys Eagles Schoolboys Cup in 2024.

“We are also lucky enough to have many students in WAFL development programmes at West Perth Football Club (many ex-students currently playing in the league team), and the Subiaco Football Club.

“In 2025, several of our AFL Academy students have been selected to represent Western Australia in the State AFL/W team across the U15, U16, and U18 age groups.

“We currently have eight players selected across these teams.

“Three in the State 18's, three in the State 16's and two in the State 15's.”

Tomorrow, the College is set to celebrate one of the Academy’s success stories joining an AFL list.

The Telstra AFL Draft could also be a triumph for the Darling Range Sports College, which played a leading role in helping West Coast Eagles NGA products Tylah Williams and Koby Evans develop into draft contenders.