The next generation of promising North Coast footballers include 15-year-old Will Kelly who has been selected for the Swans' Top End Academy (under-17) program.

While Kelly currently wears the black and white of Collingwood while running around for the Port Macquarie Magpies, the end goal is to call the Sydney Cricket Ground home.

His great, great uncle Brian played six seasons with South Melbourne - before they became the Swans - including the 1945 'bloodbath' grand final against Carlton.

"There was some ferocious footy played that day," the youngster said.

So it's no surprise the teenager has a soft spot for the club and is dreaming big.

"It's really special to have a family link to the Swans and provides me with a lot of inspiration and something to work towards," Kelly said.

"My ultimate goal is to make the Sydney Swans team; that's my future dream."

He hopes to become Port Macquarie's first-ever AFL draftee, but he is also aware of the hard yards that follow.

But the first step on that path is selection in the Swans academy which provides the opportunity to be coached by former stars Nick Davis and Jared Crouch.

Kelly had only just been born in 2005 when Davis single-handedly got the Swans home in a semi-final at the SCG.

"I had to rewatch his winning goal against Geelong a few times to really get the mentality kicking in," he said.

"But they're very inspirational footballers and it's great to have them alongside me because their footy smarts have really helped."

Kelly has been in front of talent scouts for a few seasons after he was one of 100 players who were in the club's under-15 academy program.

He is aware the path to the top becomes more difficult for each player every year, but he was enjoying the chance to mix it with some of the best junior players from around the state.

"You just need to keep maintaining your fitness and get better at developing your skills because then you continue with the academy all the way until you hopefully get drafted," he said.

Father Troy said last season they travelled to Sydney once a month, but this year that has expanded to twice.

"These kids are the future of the Sydney Swans and at the age of around 17 is where it starts to get really serious," he said.

"If it gets to that situation for any of the boys, they'll be approached by the Swans and told it would be an idea to nominate for the draft because if they do they'll pick them up."

In the meantime, the teenager who will turn 16 in February, will have to maintain the motivation on the North Coast.

"That's what you've got to do when you're a regional player," he said.

"You've got to put in the commitment and effort and then you get seen by selectors and coaches and hopefully that helps in the future."

What else is happening in news, sport?

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: