Teenage football duo want to inspire Muslim kids across Australia

MELBOURNE, Australia (MNTV) – Adam Sweid and Hussien El Achkar are poised to rewrite the Australian Football League (AFL) record books.

The teenage prospects are on track to become the first pair of Australian Muslims drafted in the same year, a milestone that carries significance far beyond the football field.

The two first crossed paths as under-eights in the Essendon District Football League. Both were invited to Essendon’s Next Generation Academy at 13, and their bond has only strengthened as they advanced through the talent pathway. For them, the opportunity goes beyond football – it is about representing their Lebanese heritage and the wider Islamic community in Melbourne’s north-west.

“From 15, we knew that a Muslim playing AFL doesn’t happen often,” Sweid told AFL.com.au. “You’ve got Ahmed Saad, Bachar Houli, Adam Saad and now Saad El-Hawli. That’s four. How many Muslims try to make it and it doesn’t always happen for whatever reason. To hopefully have two come up in the same draft class … it would be amazing just to do it for our younger brothers to aspire to be like you or play like you.”

El Achkar, a 171cm small forward, has drawn comparisons to Izak Rankine. He is also the cousin of Carlton star Adam Saad, whose career has been a blueprint. “Adam Saad has been huge for me,” El Achkar said.

“Having a cousin that has made it … his footy is so elite, the way he goes about it, Ramadan and how he speaks about it. I’m trying to be a role model for all my cousins and the wider Muslim community. If they see us doing it, they will think, ‘Why can’t we do it?’”

Faith has also anchored Sweid, who overcame a major setback. The 175cm midfielder-forward ruptured his ACL in an under-16 grand final in 2023 and spent 10 months recovering. His resilience was rewarded this year with selection for Vic Metro and recognition in the All-Australian Team at the under-18 championships.

“I think it [the knee reconstruction] made me better. As a Muslim, you go back to your faith, you go back to God, and he always says stay humble. Everyone’s story is written, everyone’s story is different,” Sweid said.

Both players credit the Bachar Houli Foundation with shaping their football and character. El Achkar studied there and now works in the strength and conditioning team, while Sweid continues his studies.

“The Bachar Houli [Foundation], I think they’ve changed my footy, my faith and me as a person. They’ve made me a young humble man and respectful.”

Wherever they land, both players are determined to seize the chance. “Whatever club, any club. I’m just happy to be on a list anywhere,” El Achkar said. Sweid added: “My goal and my dream since I was a little kid was to be on an AFL list.”