PROFILED: 2026 AFL Academy squad
IN THE wake of this year’s AFL Draft, eyes are already turning to what the budding class of 2026 may hold. Released in November, the National Academy squad provided a glimpse into the country’s best 25 2008-born prospects, all of whom we profile below. >> ANNOUNCEMENT: 2026 AFL Academy squad revealed Tanner Armstrong (Murray Bushrangers/Vic […]
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2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Claremont’s killer Colts
WEST Australian powerhouse Claremont has proven to be a juggernaut at Colts level in recent history, claiming three consecutive premierships and producing a raft of eventual draftees. The trend is set to continue into 2026, with the Tigers contributing an equal-high nine players to WA’s state summer squad. > > SPOTLIGHT: Northern Knights’ tall trio With […] The post 2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Claremont’s killer Colts appeared first on Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central.
AFL Draft trends: Mature-age list balance
IN THE wake of the latest AFL Draft, the time to reflect allows for insights around how each club approaches their intakes. Trends appear and shift all the time, and looking at the post-Covid era (2022 onwards), a few recruiting teams have opted to dip into the mature-age talent pool. It continued in 2025 with […] The post AFL Draft trends: Mature-age list balance appeared first on Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central.
AFL Draft trends: Running power dictates play
THE AFL is an ever-evolving landscape; from how the game is played, to the rules it is played under, and which type of player is thus most effective. After the latest draft intake, one key attribute is becoming increasingly in-vogue across every line – running power. We put it under the microscope in the first […] The post AFL Draft trends: Running power dictates play appeared first on Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central.
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Northern’s tall trio
THE AFL talent production line flows in waves. After waiting until the final live pick of the rookie draft to have a player selected this year – Nicholas Driscoll to Geelong – Northern Knights have produced the most AFL Academy members of any club or Talent League region for 2026. > > ONES TO WATCH: 26 […] The post 2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Northern’s tall trio appeared first on Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central.
PROFILED: 2026 AFL Academy squad
IN THE wake of this year’s AFL Draft, eyes are already turning to what the budding class of 2026 may hold. Released in November, the National Academy squad provided a glimpse into the country’s best 25 2008-born prospects, all of whom we profile below. > > ANNOUNCEMENT: 2026 AFL Academy squad revealed Tanner Armstrong (Murray Bushrangers/Vic […] The post PROFILED: 2026 AFL Academy squad appeared first on Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central.
PROFILED | 2026 preseason SSP train-ons
SEVERAL AFL clubs entered the Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) with open list spots, with five players already finding homes at new clubs. Fremantle signed Mason Cox from Collingwood, while Jayden Laverde (Essendon) landed at GWS, and West Coast leant on its new rookie list concessions to land trio Harry Schoenberg, Deven Robertson, and Finlay Macrae. […] The post PROFILED | 2026 preseason SSP train-ons appeared first on Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central.
2025 AFL Draft Review: Western Bulldogs
WESTERN Bulldogs forced the hand of a rival by nabbing an academy graduate on night one, before picking for key position upside on night two. They had the unique honour of making the final pick of the National Draft, evolving the third-generation Darcy family legacy at Whitten Oval. > > EVERY PICK: National Draft | Rookie Draft > > 100+ PROFILES: View […] The post 2025 AFL Draft Review: Western Bulldogs appeared first on Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central.
2025 AFL Draft Review: West Coast Eagles
WEST Coast’s rebuild continues to accelerate after it entered the 2025 AFL Draft with the opening two selections. While that ended up reading one and four, it spearheaded six-strong haul for the Eagles dominated by four Victorian exports and rounded out by a Next Generation Academy (NGA) graduate. > > EVERY PICK: National Draft | Rookie Draft > > 100+ PROFILES: View […] The post 2025 AFL Draft Review: West Coast Eagles appeared first on Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central.
2025 AFL Draft Review: Sydney Swans
SYDNEY Swans entered the draft knowing full well they would have a points squeeze on their hands, and ended up making one of night one’s biggest calls. On top of landing three academy graduates, the Swans also had a look at the open draft and opted for a mature-age bolter late in the piece. > > EVERY […] The post 2025 AFL Draft Review: Sydney Swans appeared first on Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central.
