Promising South Warrnambool footballers' first step on Next Generation Academy pathway

Now promising Roosters duo Luamon Lual and Pwoch Akoch are hoping to make the most of the same talent pathway Jamarra Ugle-Hagan used to impress recruiters.

Lual and Akoch played for Western Bulldogs' NGA squad against a Collingwood NGA team at Whitten Oval on Saturday.

It was the first step in the pathway program which was designed to give footballers from culturally diverse backgrounds more opportunities.

Kolora-Noorat premiership coach Ben Walsh, who led the Bulldogs' team, said both players "caught the eye of a few people there".

"Luamon is quite a tall and agile midfielder and Pwoch is a wing or half-forward," he said.

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Akoch, 14, said it was an enjoyable experience to "play with people from all different backgrounds".

"I think I played pretty good, kicked a few goals," he said.

"In the first half I played on a wing and in the second half down forward."

Lual, 14 and already 180 centimetres tall, said he was grateful to be part of the NGA system.

"I just want to improve my skills and also have fun as well," he said.

"I want to get better and see where the results take me."

South Warrnambool's Sam Stevens said the teenagers had bright futures.

"We have really high hopes for the boys, we think they can take their football as far as they want to," he said.

"Luamon is athletic and smooth-moving and had a terrific year winning our under 14 best and fairest.

"Pwoch is a crafty, sneaky forward who gets himself in space at times. It's all about self-confidence for him."

Akoch and Lual, who both go to Emmanuel College, will now wait to see if they make the All-Nations squad in February.

The pair were both born in Warrnambool to South Sudanese parents.

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