Joel Fitzgerald

Joel Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald with Williamstown in 2026
Personal information
Born (2003-08-08) 8 August 2003
Original teams South Morang (NFNL)
Yarrambat (NFNL)
Northern Knights (Talent League)
Essendon (VFL)
Bundoora (NFNL)
Williamstown (VFL)
Hurstbridge (NFNL)
Draft No. 16, 2026 mid-season rookie draft
Debut Round 14, 2026, Melbourne vs. Essendon, at the MCG
Height 189 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Position Midfielder
Club information
Current club Melbourne
Number 47
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2026– Melbourne 1 (0)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 14, 2026.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Joel Fitzgerald (born 8 August 2003) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Pre-AFL career

Fitzgerald played junior football in the Northern Football Netball League for South Morang and Yarrambat.[1] He played in the Talent League for the Northern Knights as a medium defender, averaging 28.1 disposals in 2021 and 30 disposals in 2022.[2]

In 2022, Fitzgerald joined the Essendon Football Club in the VFL.[3] Fitzgerald also played for Bundoora in the NFNL over the same time period.[4]

Ahead of the 2024 VFL season, Fitzgerald left Essendon and signed with Williamstown in the VFL.[5] The following year, in 2025, Fitzgerald changed NFNL clubs from Bundoora to Hurstbridge.[6] In 2026, having previously played exclusively at half-back for Williamstown, Fitzgerald made a successful positional move to the midfield[7] which saw him average 34 disposals a game.[8]

AFL career

Fitzgerald was selected by the Melbourne Football Club with pick 16 of the 2026 mid-season rookie draft.[9] He was selected to make his debut in round 14 of the 2026 AFL season.[10] He performed well on debut, having 26 disposals and 5 clearances.[11]

Statistics

Updated to the end of round 14, 2026.[12]

Legend
  G  
 Goals
  K  
 Kicks
  D  
 Disposals 
  T  
 Tackles
  B  
 Behinds 
  H  
 Handballs 
  M  
 Marks
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game) Votes
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2026 Melbourne 47 1 0 0 13 13 26 3 3 0.0 0.0 13.0 13.0 26.0 3.0 3.0
Career 1 0 0 13 13 26 3 3 0.0 0.0 13.0 13.0 26.0 3.0 3.0 0

References

  1. ^ "Nine Victorians selected in 2026 Telstra AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft". play.afl. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  2. ^ "Joel Fitzgerald". central.rookieme.com. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  3. ^ "2022 VFL squad locked in". essendonfc.com.au. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  4. ^ "NFNL Alumni Among AFL Mid-Season Draftees". nfnl.org.au. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  5. ^ Rhodes, Brendan. "Smithy's VFL List Update - 2024 Season". afl.com.au. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  6. ^ "BFC would like to congratulate past player Joel Fitzgerald on his selection in the 2026 AFL mid season draft!". facebook.com. Bundoora FNC. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  7. ^ Rhodes, Brendan. "Geelong the clear team to beat in VFL". sen.com.au. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  8. ^ "Mid-Season Draft | No.16 | Joel Fitzgerald". melbournefc.com.au. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  9. ^ Beveridge, Riley. "Who did your club just take? Every mid-season draft pick". afl.com.au. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  10. ^ "Double Debut | Demon duo set for the 'G". melbournefc.com.au. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  11. ^ "Player Stats". afl.com.au. Retrieved 13 June 2026.
  12. ^ "Joel Fitzgerald". AFL Tables. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
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