The upcoming introduction of the Tasmania Devils has prompted the AFL to redistribute the state among the Victorian clubs, changing up the potential landing place for local talent.
North Melbourne previously had Tasmania in its NGA zone, but with the Devils to take over their home state, the Roos have been allocated the ‘regional northern corridor’ of Victoria.
This section includes Echuca as well as Wallan and Seymour, the Roos taking ground from Richmond, which previously had a monopoly over the northern border area.
The north-east of the state, including Shepparton, was allocated to Carlton in the redistribution.
The NGA program aims to increase participation numbers among Indigenous and multicultural Australians.
Clubs run talent development programs within their allocated regions and are rewarded with priority access in the draft to players they produce when they are AFL or AFLW ready.
A club can match any bid for an NGA product within their zone, when they are selected on draft night.
Coveted local 2026 draftee Cody Walker opted in to the father/son program with Carlton, but could have instead committed his eligibility to Richmond as an NGA prospect.
The new NGA zones will come into effect for the 2028 draft, meaning draftees in the 2026 and 2027 drafts will be eligible to join the club from the old distribution, but talent in the 2028 draft onwards will be attached to the new club that oversees their zone.
North Melbourne will only retain access to Tasmanian players in the 2026 draft, with the Tasmania Devils eligible for local talent from 2027.
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