Joel Fitzgerald

Joel Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald with Williamstown in 2026
Personal information
Born	(2003-08-08) 8 August 2003 (age 23)
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	8 (2)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of round 22, 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] At the end of the 2026 season, Fitzgerald placed third in the AFLPA Best First Year Player award, behind Willem Duursma and Harry Dean. ^[12]

Statistics

Updated to the end of round 22, 2026. ^[13]

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	8	2	2	80	81	161	17	34	0.3	0.3	10.0	10.1	20.1	2.1	4.3	0
Career			8	2	2	80	81	161	17	34	0.3	0.3	10.0	10.1	20.1	2.1	4.3	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. "'Truly humbling': Superstar Daicos in rare air as courageous skipper doubles up". foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
13. "Joel Fitzgerald". AFL Tables. Retrieved 12 August 2026.

External links

• Joel Fitzgerald's profile on the official website of the Melbourne Football Club
• Joel Fitzgerald's playing statistics from AFL Tables
• Joel Fitzgerald at AustralianFootball.com