AFL Draft Central’s Matt Balmer & Peter Williams come together a week out from the draft, giving all the latest whispers and who clubs may target next Friday.
Family-focused Tidemann ready for next step
FAMILY is a big thing for AFLW Draft prospect and Sydney Swans Academy member Charlotte Tidemann. Her family is entrenched in North Shore Bombers folklore with her father coaching her at the club and her brother playing in the men’s side, all of whom were able to taste premiership success the past two seasons. Tidemann […]
McIlwain keen to get out of “comfort zone” at next level
TALENTED Queenslander Harlee McIlwain has had her fair share of ups and downs this season, missing some games due to injury, but impressing when on the park and further cementing her place as a first round prospect. The Brisbane Lions Academy member is one of a number of draft prospects from her region, and while […]
White basking in “chaotic” and unforgettable year
A TALENT League Girls premiership with the Dandenong Stingrays, National Academy representation and a strong Vic Country campaign were the highs amongst some niggling injuries that were the only downside of an otherwise incredible year for Sophie White. “Personally it’s been a bit of a chaotic year,” White said at the National Draft Combine. “Lucky […]
“Like lightning has just struck twice” for unlucky Tracey
BEING told a second successive anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear due to a contact injury was “like lightning has just struck twice” was little comfort for Grace Tracey. The Swans Academy member sat out most of 2025 with the injury to her left knee, and returned to win the MVP for her side at the […]
Connection key to Moore success
AFTER losing last year’s SANFLW Grand Final and finishing runners-up in the AFLW Under 18 Championships, Woodville-West Torrens’ Lucy Moore was hungrier than ever to go one better. Much like her teammates across both competitions, she knew the pain of defeat, and instead turned it into the sweet taste of victory this year. “Coming into […]
Mazzei focused on extras after interrupted year
WHILE on-field Isabella Mazzei was as consistent as she could be, injury interruptions meant that her top-age season was not without its frustrations. The Oakleigh Chargers midfielder and Vic Metro representative said she enjoyed the year despite the ups and downs. “Good consistent year, just wanted to take a step up when I made Metro,” […]
“Rollercoaster” 2026 still sees Vizgaudis come out on top
FROM the highs of winning a national championships title to the lows of a season-ending hand injury, South Australian Layla Vizgaudis can still have a smile on her face when thinking of 2026. They were just a couple of moments in an action-packed year concluding a junior career which has never been short of eye-catching […]
Boyd enjoys “unreal” season of opportunities
WESTERN Jets utility Kiara Boyd never says ‘no’ to an opportunity be it on-field positioning or a challenge, with the talented National Academy member enjoying the final year of her junior football career. Going from the Jets to Williamstown and incredibly playing in a VFLW Grand Final, Boyd looks back on 2026 with only fond […]
Competitive Barlow focused on AFLW Draft dream
SWANS Academy member Ashleigh Barlow knows what it takes to chase her dream, and as the elite level is within reach, the defender has no intention of resting on her laurels despite a brilliant year. Barlow said while in an ideal scenario she would stay in the red and white next year, she had no […]
