TOP 5s | 2026 NSW/ACT Preseason Testing
JUNIOR athletics star Mason McGroder has showed out at the recent Swans Academy preseason combine, achieving three top five finishes. A long jump bronze medalist at the 2024 U20 World Championships, it was no surprise to see the top-ager top the running vertical jump leaderboard. >> SCROLL to see the Top 5s for each test […]
TOP 5s | 2026 Queensland Preseason Testing
BRISBANE Lions Academy prospect Jethro Grills had a day out at the recent Queensland preseason testing combine, achieving top-five results in every event. What’s more, the 176cm top-ager finished first on the leaderboard in four of those tests to showcase his all-round athleticism. >> SCROLL to see the Top 5s for each test Grills notched […]
TOP 5s | 2026 West Australian Boys Preseason Testing
WESTERN Australia’s speedsters showed out at the recent preseason testing combine, with state squad member Finlay Yeo setting a new AFL agility test record. The East Fremantle and Dockers Next Generation Academy (NGA) member stopped the clock at 7.642 seconds to break new ground ahead of his top-age season. >> SCROLL to see the Top […]
Preseason Q&A: George Gale (Claremont)
CLAREMONT heads into 2026 on the back of a third-consecutive WAFL Colts flag, still possessing a wealth of exciting prospects. Among them is stylish outside utility George Gale. The wingman/defender averaged 20.1 disposals and 5.3 marks per game in last year’s premiership side, utilising his sharp foot skills and composed decision making along the way. […]
Preseason Q&A: Kale Matthews-Hampton (Sturt)
IF YOU thought the footballing world was beginning to move past the fabled ‘basketball background’, think again. Kale Matthews-Hampton is the latest prospect on said production line, currently in the midst of his first full preseason having made the decision to put a promising basketball career behind him. The 187cm defender was part of Sturt’s […]
Croweaters keen to keep tabs on speedster
SOUTH Australia’s state academy members have been buoyed by the progression of Central District speedster Jake Eime, who was a common answer to the question ‘which teammate should we look out for to have a big year?’. Eime’s name popped up several times as all 25 top-agers were surveyed. >> MORE: State teammates single Steed […]
Preseason Q&A: Memphis Webb (North Adelaide)
WHILE the fresh cycle of draft prospects often come with high hopes garnered from strong bottom-age campaigns, Memphis Webb was sidelined for nearly all of his. The North Adelaide midfielder racked up 32 disposals in his only full appearance last year before an ACL tear stopped him in his tracks. Now, Webb has pencilled in […]
State teammates single Steed as one to watch
SWAN Districts midfielder Leo Steed has been the talk of the preseason out west, with several of his state summer squad teammates expecting big things in 2026. Steed missed out on last year’s winter squad, which he says has added “fuel to the fire” as he looks to impress during his top-age campaign. Having already […]
Preseason Q&A: Archie Hill (Suns Academy)
FOOTBALL fans, no less Gold Coast fans, can thank the 2018 AFL Grand Final for Archie Hill‘s love of the game. After being “glued to the TV” for West Coast’s dramatic defeat of Collingwood, the mad Geelong fan and nephew of Cameron Mooney is well on his way to reaching the big leagues. Hill, a […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Heidi Ireland
PEEL Thunder prospect Heidi Ireland had a memorable bottom-age season in 2025, predominantly playing WAFL Women’s League football, while also making the West Australian Under 18s state side. Mostly deployed as a defender who could also be a stronger body in the midfield, Ireland has a nice balance of offensive and defensive traits. We spoke […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 NTFL U18 Futures Girls
TEAM Spears came up trumps in Saturday’s NTFL Under 18 Futures Girls showcase game at TIO Stadium. Kicking off All-Star weekend with a high-paced contest, the Spears led at every break and turned a four-point advantage into their 21-point victory during the fourth quarter. We took note of some of the top performers from either […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 NTFL U18 Futures Boys
TEAM SPEARS saluted in Saturday’s Under 18 Futures match, as part of the NTFL’s All-Star weekend. Wanderers prospect Sonny Smiler shone with a bag of five goals in the romping win, which showcased the best emerging talent the Northern Territory has to offer. We took note of some of the standout performances from either side. […]
Scouting Notes: 2025 National Under 17 Futures
THE ANNUAL Under 17 Futures showcase saw Team Boak score a 13-point win over Team Docherty in Saturday’s curtain-raiser to the AFL Grand Final. A pair of Vic Country prospects took out best on ground honours as 45 of the nation’s best prospects for next year strutted their stuff on the MCG. We took note […]
Scouting Notes: 2025 SANFL U17 Futures Match
TEAM Blue took the chocolates in Sunday’s annual SANFL Under 17 Futures match, played as a curtain-raiser to the Reserves Grand Final at Adelaide Oval. The exhibition game showcased some of South Australia’s best 2008 and 2009-born prospects, primed for the next two AFL drafts. An entertaining opening quarter yielded the most scoring, with Team […]
Scouting Notes: 2025 WAFL Colts Grand Final
CLAREMONT has claimed its third consecutive WAFL Colts premiership after defeating minor premier South Fremantle in Sunday’s decider. The Tigers took out the flag from third and succeeded in their sixth Grand Final appearance in seven years, proving a powerhouse of the junior competition. An electric start to proceedings saw both teams pile on four […]
Scouting Notes: 2025 Coates Talent League Grand Final
EASTERN Ranges clinched their first Coates Talent League premiership since 2013 on Saturday, defeating three-time reigning premier Sandringham by 15 points at IKON Park. In a high-quality and high-octane contest, the Ranges surged home with four unanswered goals in the final quarter. We took note of the top prospects and performers from either side, including […]
Scouting Notes: 2025 CTL Girls Grand Final – Eastern vs Dandenong
EASTERN Ranges broke through for their first Coates Talent League Girls premiership on the weekend with a well-balanced contribution from across the 23 players. We take a look at some of the standouts from both the Ranges and Dandenong Stingrays from the grand final.
Scouting Notes: Claremont continues Colts Grand Final run
CLAREMONT has secured its sixth WAFL Colts Grand Final berth in seven years after knocking off East Fremantle in Sunday’s prelim at Leederville Oval. In what was a low-scoring affair impacted by sheeting rain, the Tigers were resolute in defence and mounted a clearance advantage of 46-29. A heated, scrappy contest saw Claremont kick four […]
Scouting Notes: 2025 AFL National Future Girls
AN ENTERTAINING showcase of some of the best talent for the 2026 AFL Women’s Draft saw Team Vescio come away with the seven-point victory over Team Conti at Ikon Park on Sunday. We took note of some of the players who caught the eye across both teams in what is shaping up to be strong […]
Scouting Notes: Sturt exacts revenge to clinch Under 18 flag
STURT has taken out the SANFL Under 18 premiership after outlasting West Adelaide in a 57-point victory at Adelaide Oval on Sunday. Having ridden a double chance after their qualifying final loss to Westies just a fortnight ago, the Double Blues exacted revenge when it mattered most. The Bloods ended up with as many behinds […]
TOP 5s | 2026 NSW/ACT Preseason Testing
JUNIOR athletics star Mason McGroder has showed out at the recent Swans Academy preseason combine, achieving three top five finishes. A long jump bronze medalist at the 2024 U20 World Championships, it was no surprise to see the top-ager top the running vertical jump leaderboard. >> SCROLL to see the Top 5s for each test […]
TOP 5s | 2026 Queensland Preseason Testing
BRISBANE Lions Academy prospect Jethro Grills had a day out at the recent Queensland preseason testing combine, achieving top-five results in every event. What’s more, the 176cm top-ager finished first on the leaderboard in four of those tests to showcase his all-round athleticism. >> SCROLL to see the Top 5s for each test Grills notched […]
TOP 5s | 2026 West Australian Boys Preseason Testing
WESTERN Australia’s speedsters showed out at the recent preseason testing combine, with state squad member Finlay Yeo setting a new AFL agility test record. The East Fremantle and Dockers Next Generation Academy (NGA) member stopped the clock at 7.642 seconds to break new ground ahead of his top-age season. >> SCROLL to see the Top […]
Preseason Q&A: George Gale (Claremont)
CLAREMONT heads into 2026 on the back of a third-consecutive WAFL Colts flag, still possessing a wealth of exciting prospects. Among them is stylish outside utility George Gale. The wingman/defender averaged 20.1 disposals and 5.3 marks per game in last year’s premiership side, utilising his sharp foot skills and composed decision making along the way. […]
Preseason Q&A: Kale Matthews-Hampton (Sturt)
IF YOU thought the footballing world was beginning to move past the fabled ‘basketball background’, think again. Kale Matthews-Hampton is the latest prospect on said production line, currently in the midst of his first full preseason having made the decision to put a promising basketball career behind him. The 187cm defender was part of Sturt’s […]
Croweaters keen to keep tabs on speedster
SOUTH Australia’s state academy members have been buoyed by the progression of Central District speedster Jake Eime, who was a common answer to the question ‘which teammate should we look out for to have a big year?’. Eime’s name popped up several times as all 25 top-agers were surveyed. >> MORE: State teammates single Steed […]
Preseason Q&A: Memphis Webb (North Adelaide)
WHILE the fresh cycle of draft prospects often come with high hopes garnered from strong bottom-age campaigns, Memphis Webb was sidelined for nearly all of his. The North Adelaide midfielder racked up 32 disposals in his only full appearance last year before an ACL tear stopped him in his tracks. Now, Webb has pencilled in […]
State teammates single Steed as one to watch
SWAN Districts midfielder Leo Steed has been the talk of the preseason out west, with several of his state summer squad teammates expecting big things in 2026. Steed missed out on last year’s winter squad, which he says has added “fuel to the fire” as he looks to impress during his top-age campaign. Having already […]
Preseason Q&A: Archie Hill (Suns Academy)
FOOTBALL fans, no less Gold Coast fans, can thank the 2018 AFL Grand Final for Archie Hill‘s love of the game. After being “glued to the TV” for West Coast’s dramatic defeat of Collingwood, the mad Geelong fan and nephew of Cameron Mooney is well on his way to reaching the big leagues. Hill, a […]
