AFL Draft | Caught the Eye – Week 2
IN the latest edition of Caught The Eye, we cast our scope to generation next with a look at the Vic Metro Under 16 Futures carnival, which featured some great talent including Next Generation Academy (NGA) and father-son prospects to monitor. In wet conditions which slowly eased at RAMS Arena in Craigieburn, all six Metro […]
AFL Draft | Caught the Eye – Week 1
IN a new weekly article, Rookie Me Central analyst Ed Pascoe casts an eye around the nation, collating all the attention-grabbing performances from AFL Draft prospects in the elite talent pathways. Week one is headlined by the commencement of the NAB League, and a few big starts to the SANFL Under 18 season. The SANFL […]
2021 AFL Draft preview: Essendon
WITH the 2021 trade period done and dusted, it is now time for clubs and fans alike to turn their attention to the draft. Between now and draft day (November 24/25), clubs have had the opportunity to exchange picks with the final order formed just over a week out. While the chaos settles, Rookie Me Central takes […]
Scouting Notes: WA Under 19s vs. Perth
WESTERN Australia’s Under 19 squad completed its third-consecutive dig ahead of this year’s National Championships, comfortably accounting for a select Perth side, 13.17 (95) to 1.6 (12) on Saturday. The Black Ducks continued their ominous form with its midfield again proving difficult to contain, including leading WA prospects Neil Erasmus and Matthew Johnson. Squad members […]
Scouting Notes: WA Under 19s vs. East Perth
THE WEST Australian Under 19s squad made good on another opportunity to gel, this time by trumping East Perth by 42 points on Saturday. Magnets were shuffled and top prospect Neil Erasmus made his return from a quad injury in the 16.6 (102) to 9.6 (60) win, which came against a Royals line-up consisting of […]
Analysis | The importance of fitness testing in modern football recruiting
THERE has been plenty of debate when talking about potential AFL prospects pertaining to the differences between judging ‘athletes’ against ‘pure footballers’. There is an argument that fitness testing should be taken with a grain of salt and that the eye test is most important, but when it comes to players being drafted – especially […]
Scouting Notes: 2021 NAB League – Calder Cannons vs. Western Jets
AFTER 554 days without competitive action, the NAB League returned on Saturday as the Calder Cannons and Western Jets locked horns at Highgate Recreation Reserve. It was the Jets who got up by three points in a thriller, as contested ball reigned supreme with either side shaking off the cobwebs. We take you through the […]
High stakes training: Vic prospects take the field ahead of draft day
VICTORIAN AFL Draft prospects hit the track one last time before draft day, strutting their stuff at Highgate Reserve in a one-off training session on Wednesday. The meet served as a final chance for recruiters to survey the talent available in this year’s pool, just a week out from draft day on December 9. Players […]
Scouting Notes: 2020 Western Australia Under 18 All-Stars – Game Two
THE 2020 Western Australia Under 18 All-Stars went head-to-head for a second time on Saturday, serving as the final chance for budding WA draft prospects to impress AFL recruiters. Potential top five selection Denver Grainger-Barras was ultra-impressive, leading Team Gold to a mighty turnaround from game one in his side’s 55-point victory. Claremont prospect Max […]
Scouting Notes: 2020 Western Australia Under 18 All-Stars
THE 2020 Western Australia Under 18 All-Stars went head-to-head on Saturday, with a bunch of budding AFL Draft prospects boosting their stocks in Game One. Fremantle Next Generation Academy member Joel Western was named best afield as Team Black came up trumps by 55 points. Our scout, Ed Pascoe was on hand to jot down […]
Scouting Notes: 2020 WAFL Colts Grand Final – Claremont vs. Subiaco
SUBIACO took out the 2020 WAFL Colts Grand Final on Sunday, trumping reigning premier and warm favourite, Claremont by 59 points at Fremantle Oval. Our scouts were on hand to take note of some of the outstanding performers, including AFL Academy members, Next Generation Academy prospects, and recent National Combine invitees. Please consider that each […]
Scouting Notes: NT All-Stars – Team Rioli vs. Team McLean
TEAM Rioli defeated Team McLean 11.13 (79) to 7.17 (59) in Friday night’s Northern Territory (NT) Under 18 All-Stars showcase at TIO Stadium. Draft Central scout, Ed Pascoe had eyes on the exiting spectacle, on hand to deliver notes on the Top End’s brightest prospects. Team Rioli: #5 Jack Peris The talented son of former […]
