There’s no doubt Platinum Partner Hyundai’s association with the Brisbane Lions Academy has helped provide a more direct pathway for local talent to follow in their pursuit of an AFL career.

Over the past three years, a total of seven players have graduated from the Academy onto the Lions’ list.

Jordon Bourke was the first Academy player to be selected by the Club via the 2012 AFL Rookie Draft, paving the way for Jono Freeman, Archie Smith and Isaac Conway 12 months later.

Freeman made history in 2014 as the first Academy prospect to play a senior game, with Bourke following suit later in the season.

Although Conway was delisted after just one season, the past fortnight has seen a further three local Queenslanders make the grade – Liam Dawson, Harris Andrew, and Matt Hammelmann.

That leaves a total of six Academy recruits on the Lions’ list of 47 players, making up almost 13%.

If you include fellow Queenslanders Daniel Merrett, Luke McGuane, Dayne Zorko, and Claye and Dayne Beams, that’s almost a quarter of the Lions’ list that are locally produced.

So it was quite apt that the program was re-branded the Hyundai Help for Kids Academy as part of the car manufacturer’s recent four-year sponsorship extension with the Club.

Hyundai Help for Kids is a collaborative partnership between Hyundai Motor Company Australia, and the 161-strong Hyundai National Dealer Network, which  assists organisations focused on supporting Australian children in need.

Hyundai is also now playing a key role in helping Queensland based ‘kids’ realise their AFL dream.