Knapp the name to note in Talent League
EASTERN Ranges midfielder Jordan Knapp is primed for a big season according to his teammates. A total of 41 top-age (2026 draft eligible) prospects from the Vic Country and Metro summer squads were surveyed at Saturday’s Talent League preseason testing event, asked for a teammate to watch for 2026. >> ONES TO WATCH: South Australia […]
Preseason Q&A: Harrison Chapman (Eastern Ranges)
EASTERN Ranges wingman Harrison Chapman is hoping to become a leader amongst the group searching for back-to-back Talent League premierships. The National Academy member also has his eyes on a centre bounce transition having spent a week at Hawthorn under the guidance of Will Day, and with advice from former teammates in tow. We sat […]
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 […]
2026 Talent League fixtures revealed
THE AFL has today released fixtures for the upcoming Talent League boys and girls seasons. The competition continues to expand, with news that the Bachar Houli Senior Boys Academy will compete in two matches, while the four club-aligned Northern Academies will now play seven games each. >> SCROLL for all the details TALENT LEAGUE BOYS […]
PROFILED | 2026 Vic Metro summer squad
THE 2026 Vic Metro summer squad was finalised earlier in January, with 26 prospects selected for representative honours. Among the squad are five bottom-agers and as many club-tied players, with the Big V hoping to rebound off a 2-2 record last year. We profile every member of the training squad. >> FULL SQUADS: 2026 Victorian […]
Vic Country & Metro summer squads revealed
THE 2026 Vic Country and Metro summer squads have been announced, with 51 of the state’s brightest prospects earning selection. Both sides contain five bottom-age (2009-born) players, while Victoria’s 11 National Academy members gain automatic entry, and nine club-tied players have been included. >> SCROLL to see the full squads Leading the 2026 eligible crop […]
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Ranges set for sustained success
AMONG Eastern Ranges’ breakthrough premiership side of 2025 was a booming bottom-age crop, now set to steer the ship in 2026. Nine 2008-born players took the field on Grand Final day last year, with a couple more unlucky to miss out, though they will soon have their chance to chase back-to-back flags. We put the […]
Emerging crop: Vic Metro’s 2027 midfielders
AS IS often the case, Vic Metro is set to boast a wealth of high-class midfield options in 2027. Evidenced by the Under 16 squad of 2025, the embarrassment of riches will likely run deep for years to come. For all the crop’s individual talent, a great quality of the group is the willingness of […]
2025 Coates Talent League Season Review: Grand Finalists
THE 2025 Coates Talent League season has officially wrapped, with Eastern Ranges crowned champions after Saturday’s entertaining Grand Final. We recap their season, along with that of runners-up Sandringham Dragons, who fell just short of a fourth consecutive premiership. >> Season Reviews: Prelims | Country QF | Metro QF | Country WC | Metro WC […]
Taylor credits “team footy” for flag success
XAVIER Taylor is one of many star individuals in the Eastern Ranges’ premiership lineup, but was quick to credit “team footy” after his best afield performance in Saturday’s Grand Final. Among five likely first round draftees from the same region, Taylor rolled off the names of several contributors post-match. >> GRAND FINAL: Match Report | […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Lara Williams
EASTERN Ranges top-ager Lara Williams has played across all three lines along her journey, but the predominant forward-turned-defender at the Ranges is ready to make 2026 her year. Having plenty of ups and downs along the way, Williams is fully focused on making every post a winner entering her top-age campaign. We spoke to Williams […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Bridie Neale
A HARD running winger out of Eastern Ranges, Bridie Neale had a memorable bottom-age season where she played a key role on the outside to help the Ranges build towards a maiden girls’ flag. Neale anticipates a role change to greater versatility in 2026, but loves to run and will round out her game throughout […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Emily Rankin
A CLEAN and tough natural inside midfielder, Emily Rankin has been one of a plethora of exciting Eastern Ranges prospects coming through the pathway in the program. Already impressing for Vic Metro at Under 16s level then holding her spot through the Ranges’ last two seasons, she enters 2026 set to take control of the […]
2026 Talent League fixtures revealed
THE AFL has today released fixtures for the upcoming Talent League boys and girls seasons. The competition continues to expand, with news that the Bachar Houli Senior Boys Academy will compete in two matches, while the four club-aligned Northern Academies will now play seven games each. >> SCROLL for all the details TALENT LEAGUE BOYS […]
PROFILED | 2026 Vic Metro Girls summer squad
THE 2026 Vic Metro Girls summer squad has 25 players between the top-age (2008-born) and bottom-age (2009-born) draft crops. Having won the past two titles at the AFLW Under 18 Championships – and being victorious in three of their four games last season – Vic Metro will eye off a three-peat at the level. >> […]
2026 Victorian Girls summer squads revealed
FIFTY of the state’s most promising players are part of the Vic Country and Vic Metro summer squads. Having been told late last year of their inclusions and already having a camp together as part of team bonding and a high performance environment, the 25-player squads were officially released. >> SCROLL to see the full […]
2026 AFLW Draft Clubs to Watch: Eastern Ranges
AFTER four players landed at AFL Women’s clubs in the most recent draft, the Eastern Ranges are set to have another bumper crop in 2026 with no shortage of talent across the board. In our final AFLW Draft Clubs to Watch in 2026 prior to Christmas, we name a few players to remember for next […]
2025 AFLW Draft Q&A: Issy Creaton
A PRODUCTIVE top-age campaign from Eastern Ranges defender Isabelle Creaton resulted in the hard-running draft prospect earning a State Draft Combine invitation. Boasting some eye-catching traits, Creaton was a key member of the Ranges’ flag tilt, and held her own for Vic Metro as well. We spoke to Creaton at the Draft Combine where she […]
2025 AFLW Draft Q&A: Ashleigh Thatcher
A NEWCOMER to Eastern Ranges’ program this season, top-age talent Ashleigh Thatcher is a powerful midfielder/forward who slotted in seamlessly alongside a star-studded lineup. Thatcher comes from a netball background, but worked through the football pathways to earn her chance in the Coates Talent League in her draft-eligible season. We spoke to Thatcher at the […]
2025 AFLW Draft Q&A: Bree Horne
EASTERN Ranges athletic tall defender Bree Horne has come on in leaps and bounds throughout 2025, earning a call-up to Vic Metro off the back of being a lockdown back last season. Her athleticism has been on show throughout her top-age season and after missing the Coates Talent League Girls Preliminary Final due to illness, […]
Knapp the name to note in Talent League
EASTERN Ranges midfielder Jordan Knapp is primed for a big season according to his teammates. A total of 41 top-age (2026 draft eligible) prospects from the Vic Country and Metro summer squads were surveyed at Saturday’s Talent League preseason testing event, asked for a teammate to watch for 2026. >> ONES TO WATCH: South Australia […]
Preseason Q&A: Harrison Chapman (Eastern Ranges)
EASTERN Ranges wingman Harrison Chapman is hoping to become a leader amongst the group searching for back-to-back Talent League premierships. The National Academy member also has his eyes on a centre bounce transition having spent a week at Hawthorn under the guidance of Will Day, and with advice from former teammates in tow. We sat […]
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 […]
2026 Talent League fixtures revealed
THE AFL has today released fixtures for the upcoming Talent League boys and girls seasons. The competition continues to expand, with news that the Bachar Houli Senior Boys Academy will compete in two matches, while the four club-aligned Northern Academies will now play seven games each. >> SCROLL for all the details TALENT LEAGUE BOYS […]
PROFILED | 2026 Vic Metro summer squad
THE 2026 Vic Metro summer squad was finalised earlier in January, with 26 prospects selected for representative honours. Among the squad are five bottom-agers and as many club-tied players, with the Big V hoping to rebound off a 2-2 record last year. We profile every member of the training squad. >> FULL SQUADS: 2026 Victorian […]
Vic Country & Metro summer squads revealed
THE 2026 Vic Country and Metro summer squads have been announced, with 51 of the state’s brightest prospects earning selection. Both sides contain five bottom-age (2009-born) players, while Victoria’s 11 National Academy members gain automatic entry, and nine club-tied players have been included. >> SCROLL to see the full squads Leading the 2026 eligible crop […]
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Ranges set for sustained success
AMONG Eastern Ranges’ breakthrough premiership side of 2025 was a booming bottom-age crop, now set to steer the ship in 2026. Nine 2008-born players took the field on Grand Final day last year, with a couple more unlucky to miss out, though they will soon have their chance to chase back-to-back flags. We put the […]
Emerging crop: Vic Metro’s 2027 midfielders
AS IS often the case, Vic Metro is set to boast a wealth of high-class midfield options in 2027. Evidenced by the Under 16 squad of 2025, the embarrassment of riches will likely run deep for years to come. For all the crop’s individual talent, a great quality of the group is the willingness of […]
2025 Coates Talent League Season Review: Grand Finalists
THE 2025 Coates Talent League season has officially wrapped, with Eastern Ranges crowned champions after Saturday’s entertaining Grand Final. We recap their season, along with that of runners-up Sandringham Dragons, who fell just short of a fourth consecutive premiership. >> Season Reviews: Prelims | Country QF | Metro QF | Country WC | Metro WC […]
