2026 AFL Draft | Race to #1: Wildcards
THE EARLY consensus surrounding this year’s race to pick one suggests a pair of frontrunners have emerged in Dougie Cochrane and Cody Walker. While the likes of Harley Reid and Willem Duursma have followed through on that promise in recent times, the run isn’t always linear and new contenders stake their claims. We pitch another […] The post 2026 AFL Draft | Race to #1: Wildcards appeared first on Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central.
Scouting Notes: 2026 U22 Women’s Summer Series – Academy sides
ROUND 1 of the 2026 NSW/ACT Women’s Under 22 Summer Series is in the books with both Academy sides recording impressive wins over AFL Canberra and AFL Sydney. The Swans Academy crushed the former by 138 points – restricting them to just one behind – while the Giants Academy overcame a third term fight back […] The post Scouting Notes: 2026 U22 Women’s Summer Series – Academy sides appeared first on Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central.
Talent League Boys: Must-watch fixtures in 2026
A BRIMMING Talent League fixture has been revealed, with the number of landmark events continuing to expand in 2026. Northern Academies will enjoy an extended stay, while the Bachar Houli Foundation makes for an 18th team in the competition, as a grand tour of regional venues rages on. We outline the marquee matches that shape […] The post Talent League Boys: Must-watch fixtures in 2026 appeared first on Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central.
2026 Player Focus: Demi Holloway (Central District)
CENTRAL District top-ager Demi Holloway was one of the Dogs’ most impressive players in their Round 1 thrashing of Glenelg in the newly named AAMI Talent League, The smart and tenacious forward had a day out, amassing 25 disposals, laying eight tackles and booting two goals to be our Player Focus for the round. With […] The post 2026 Player Focus: Demi Holloway (Central District) appeared first on Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central.
United, JackJumpers renew rivalry in elimination clash
THE FIRST elimination match of the 2026 National Basketball League (NBL) postseason has arrived, with the Tasmania JackJumpers travelling across the Bass Strait to face off against Melbourne United at John Cain Arena tonight. The fifth and sixth placed teams on the ladder at season’s end, United and the JackJumpers have enjoyed some classic battles […] The post United, JackJumpers renew rivalry in elimination clash appeared first on Basketball Rookie Me Central.
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Isabelle Godfrey
TALENTED dual sportsperson Isabelle Godfrey is just as impressive on the basketball court as she is on the footy field, but the Oakleigh Chargers winger is focusing on the latter to try and improve herself. Godfrey cemented her spot in the side last season, and comes into 2026 as one to watch from the side […] The post 2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Isabelle Godfrey appeared first on Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central.
Perth powerless against flawless Phoenix
THE SEM Phoenix have punched their ticket to the 2025/26 National Basketball League (NBL) semi-finals after defeating the Perth Wildcats by 17 points when the two sides went head to head in a seeding match last night. The NBL postseason officially kicked off on Wednesday night when the Phoenix welcomed the Wildcats to John Cain […] The post Perth powerless against flawless Phoenix appeared first on Basketball Rookie Me Central.
NTFL WPL: Tigers march into grand final
NIGHTCLIFF overcame a slightly rusty first term and some inaccuracy to advance through to the NTFL Women’s Premier League Grand Final after a commanding 41-point victory over St Mary’s. The Tigers trailed at quarter time, but kicked the last six goals of the match to storm to a 7.13 (55) to 2.2 (14) triumph and […] The post NTFL WPL: Tigers march into grand final appeared first on Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central.
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Polly Turner
ONE OF a number of talked about father-daughter prospects for 2026, Polly Turner has ties to both Adelaide and Carlton through her dad Peter, but the North Adelaide tall is set on forging her own path regardless of outcome. Turner has spent time up both ends of the ground, and after really focusing on football […] The post 2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Polly Turner appeared first on Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central.
Preseason Q&A: Gabriel Patterson (Glenelg)
FEW PROSPECTS catch the eye like Glenelg speedster Gabriel Patterson. The flashy forward burst onto the scene last year with 28 goals in 13 games for the Bays, including a haul of seven. Collingwood fans may see him as the one that got away, given his father Stephen fell four games short of granting father-son […] The post Preseason Q&A: Gabriel Patterson (Glenelg) appeared first on Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central.