Think of where the AFL’s next big thing might hail from ... then think again.

Nothing is out of bounds when football recruiters are assessing the far-flung places and family bloodlines in a fast-changing part of Australia’s national game.

When Fremantle used the AFL’s new Next Generation Academy rules to draft Wyndham’s Jason Carter last year — the competition’s first recruit from the Kimberley’s northern-most town — it was just the tip of the iceberg.

Now at Fremantle under the tutelage of Tendai Mzungu, a former Docker of Zimbabwean heritage, 10 teenagers of varying backgrounds are trying to follow Carter’s lead.

They are either from Fremantle’s designated North West zone, which includes towns such as Derby and Halls Creek, or have at least one parent born in Asia or Africa, from places such as Singapore or Ghana.

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Camera Icon Brothers Chris and Brandon Walker are both in the program. Credit: Daniel Wilkins

“We’re looking to tap into untouched areas where kids aren’t playing football and hopefully unearth a few talents,” Mzungu said.

“You get some who are very new to the game and they’re the ones over the next two or three years we hope can develop into elite talent.

“Football is a game we want everyone to play and the NGA provides opportunities for a lot of kids who may normally not get that opportunity.

“The game is expanding and we’re trying to stay ahead of the curve. I’m excited about where it’s headed and the sky is the limit.”

Mzungu, 32, played 102 games for the Dockers between 2011 and 2016. His father moved to Melbourne in his early 20s from the Zimbabwean district of Bikita.

Mzungu said the NGA program was also aimed at providing young football hopefuls a more rounded lifestyle through education and work programs, and even more targeted areas such as how much water they should drink.

“Whether it’s their diet, their hydration or understanding training requirements, this program gives them a better preparedness,” he said.

Camera Icon Riley Colborne, Keanu Haddow, Joel Western, Manfred Kelly, Liam Henry, Brandon Walker, Chris Walker and Isaiah Butters. Credit: Daniel Wilkins

“For us, it’s about what we can add on to better prepare them for life.

“Through the NGA program we can offer more resources and real support and help many of them live their boyhood dreams.”

Last year, West Coast recruited exciting prospect Jarrod Cameron, from Newman in the Pilbara, through the Eagles’ NGA zone.