Scouting Notes: Sruk stars, Szerszyn returns in Rays win
DESPITE a starring role from Eastern bottom-ager Baxter Sruk, Dandenong Stingrays finished strongly to run out nine-point victors in their Round 11 clash at Kinetic Stadium. Stingrays vice-captain Darcy Szerszyn made his long-awaited return in the win, firming as a talent to watch ahead of the National Championships. We took note of the top prospects […]
Knights dominate Vic Metro Under 18 squad
NORTHERN Knights boast a high of nine representative in the 2026 Vic Metro Under 18 squad, which features 29 players from across the six regions. Currently unbeaten atop the Talent League latter, the Knights have had four players earn their way in from outside of the original summer squad. >> SCROLL to see the full […]
Scouting Notes: Lions roll reigning premiers
THE LIONS Academy rounded out their Talent League stint with a fourth-consecutive win, downing reigning premiers Eastern by 32 points at Brighton Homes Arena on Sunday. After conceding a quarter time deficit, the hosts piled on nine goals to two over the next two terms to set up a comfortable victory. With Eastern racking up […]
Scouting Notes: Swans soar past early Ranges peak
THE SYDNEY Swans Academy improved to a flawless 5-0 record after their second half demolition of Eastern Ranges at the Kennedy Community Centre on Saturday afternoon. Forward Benjamin Pignatelli spearheaded the 46-point win over last year’s premiers with a haul of seven-straight goals. After leaking 10 scoring shots in the opening term, the Swans’ accuracy […]
Scouting Notes: Ranges mids shine, Dragons demolish Calder
AMONG the three all-Metro fixtures in Round 4 of the Talent League, Eastern Ranges pulled off a great escape against Oakleigh on Saturday night. Earlier on the same day, Sandringham flexed its muscles to thump Calder by 87 points on home soil. We took note of the best prospects and performers from either game. >> […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 Talent League – Round 3
A BUMPER day of Talent League football saw Good Friday host all six Round 3 fixtures, which in turn threw up some thrilling encounters. Amongst the thrill of a tight finish were prospects pushing for higher honours. We took note of the best talent from each game in our weekly Scouting Notes.
Scouting Notes: 2026 Talent League – Round 2
ROUND 2 of the 2026 Talent League season was headlined by top prospects strutting their stuff in high-number performances, while others produced breakout games or stepped up in the absence of star teammates. We had eyes on all seven games across the weekend, taking note of the best prospects and performers. >> Round 2: Snapshot […]
2026 Talent League: Round 2 Team of the Week
NORTHERN Knights lead the way with three representatives in our Round 2 Talent League Team of the Week, after their thumping 58-point win over reigning premier Eastern. All 14 teams who turned out over the weekend feature in our 23-player squad. See who made the cut. >> Round 2: Snapshot | Player of the Week […]
Snapshot: 2026 Talent League – Round 2
QUEENSLAND’S academies entered the fray in Round 2 of the Talent League season, which offered up a mixed bag of boilovers, thumpings, and thrilling finishes. With play spread across seven different venues across the weekend, catch up on all the big performances and key numbers in a snapshot.
Top prospects on the board in RMC Medal
A BUNCH of top draft prospects have staked their Rookie Me Central Medal claims in Round 1, including last year’s second place sitter Cody Walker. The Carlton father-son prospect racked up 28 disposals, eight clearances and two goals in Bendigo’s win over Tasmania, good enough for two votes. >> SCROLL to see the Round 1 […]
2026 Talent League Girls R9 notes: Dandenong Stingrays vs Eastern Ranges
DANDENONG Stingrays enjoyed another incredible win, keeping their unbeaten start to the Talent League Girls season alive by knocking off reigning premiers Eastern Ranges in the first of the grand final rematches. In what was a nail-biting contest, the Stingrays dominated forward half possession with 47 inside 50s to 28, and while both sides had […]
TLG R9: Top 4 fancies battle it out in early finals preview
AS THE Northern Academies have now wrapped up their stints in the Talent League Girls competition, the 13 full-time teams recommence in a series of smaller rounds leading up to and through the national carnival as part of an extended regular season. Returning for Round 9 are the top four teams from those sides, with […]
RMC MEDAL | Dominant Devil darts clear after eight rounds
COMPILING 14 of a possible 15 votes across her first five games, it might be a case of good luck stopping Matilda Lange. A pick one contender in next year’s AFLW Draft, Lange has taken over the reins from Priya Bowering in the midfield and been the most dominant player across the Talent League Girls […]
2026 Talent League Girls R7 notes: Lions Academy vs. Eastern Ranges
BRISBANE Lions Academy completed its 2026 Talent League Girls campaign undefeated with a hard-fought win over reigning premiers Eastern Ranges. The defeat marked back-to-back losses for the Ranges after they fell to the Swans the week before, though they did start promisingly enough at Brighton Homes Arena, booting three goals to one in the first […]
2026 Talent League Girls R6 notes: Eastern Ranges vs. Swans Academy
SYDNEY Swans Academy flexed its muscles against Victoria’s best side, thrashing Eastern Ranges by 50 points in Dingley in a rare loss for the Ranges. In blustery and wet conditions, the Swans used the breeze to perfection, boot nine of their 10 goals to the Dingley Bypass end, while Eastern only managed two majors – […]
2026 Talent League Girls R5 notes: Gippsland Power vs. Eastern Ranges
A WET Morwell Recreation Reserve set the scene for a grinding contest, with Eastern Ranges running out 7.13 (55) to 1.10 (16) winners over Gippsland Power in Round 5 of the Talent League Girls. The Power kicked the opening goal before the Ranges took over, booting the last seven majors in conditions that made clean […]
2026 TL Girls Role Change Focus: Lara Williams
IN LIEU of a couple of missing National Academy members, the versatile Lara Williams got her chance in the middle as Eastern Ranges made it three wins from three to open their 2026 Talent League Girls campaign, accounting for Gippsland Power by 39 points in a one-sided contest at Morwell. The result keeps the reigning […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Maeve Gill
EASTERN Ranges tall defender Maeve Gill is taking a holistic approach to her football in 2026 as the top-ager looks to build on a promising bottom-age campaign as part of the Vic Metro summer hub. Gill was part of the wildly successful Eastern setup last season, enjoying premiership success and wanting more. We spoke to […]
2026 Talent League Girls Player Focus: Emily Rankin (Eastern Ranges)
EMILY Rankin has spent two seasons as one of the quiet achievers in Eastern Ranges’ star-studded midfield, letting her teammates collect the headlines while she does the unglamorous work that makes the machine run. In Round 3 against the Northern Knights, she did everything she always does — and then some, finishing with 35 disposals, […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 AFLW U16s – Vic Metro vs. South Australia
A STORM-affected close to the 2026 AFLW Under 16 Championships saw South Australia retain its mantle as the best side at the carnival, winning a fourth straight trophy by defeating Vic Metro. Albeit this year the Croweaters shared the honour with the Gold Coast Suns Academy, but still secured the prize thanks to a dominant […]