Matt Balmer’s 2017 AFL Draft May Power Rankings
IN an AFL Draft Central feature, AFL Draft analyst Matt Balmer will rank and update his Power Rankings on the first Monday of every month. In May 2016, Sam Petrevski-Seton sat at number one, before going on to be selected by Carlton at Pick 6. #1 Jarrod Brander Key Position Forward/Defender (Bendigo Pioneers/GWS Academy*) 11/02/1999 […]
Player focus: Noah Balta
THE Calder Cannons have begun the season without a win from their opening four games, coming off a 80-point thumping at the hands of the Greater Western Victoria Rebels on Sunday. Matt Balmer looks in depth at one of their likely draftees. Noah Balta is one of the most athletic players in the 2017 draft pool. His finish […]
Level One NAB AFL Academy to play NZ Hawks
THE Australian Under 17 team as part of the NAB AFL Academy will return to New Zealand shores to take on the senior NZ Hawks national side in a one off game at Westpac Stadium on Monday the 24th of April. Led by AFL National Talent Manager Kevin “Shifter” Sheehan and AFL Academy coach Luke Power, […]
Who are the contenders for the number one pick?
WE’RE a month into the season and yet we are no closer to having a clear best player in the 2017 draft pool. This time last year Andrew McGrath wasn’t on the radar as a possible number one draft pick, however with a thinner draft pool this year it would be unlikely to see someone bolt as high […]
Scouting notes: AFL Academy vs. Northern Blues
THE AFL Academy suffered a 75-point loss at Etihad Stadium against the Northern Blues on Saturday afternoon. #2 Cameron Rayner – Started the game on fire with a great mark in defensive 50. Set the tone early and was easily one of the better players in the first half. Booted an outstanding goal off a few […]
Player focus: Andrew Brayshaw
REIGNING premiers Sandringham Dragons have started the season in tip-top shape without a loss from their opening three games, coming off a big 64-point win over Western Jets on Saturday. Matt Balmer looks in depth at one of their most important midfield cogs. Andrew Brayshaw is one of the few players who was part of the 2016 TAC Cup […]
Division Two Round 3 Wrap
The newly formatted Under 18 Academy Series continued over the weekend, despite the AFL Academy game going ahead meaning some teams were under strength. The series will take a break over the next two weekends, returning back on April 29th. (The postponed match between Brisbane Lions and Tasmania will be played on April 22nd) Despite being undermanned, the […]
Scouting notes: AFL Academy 20th anniversary match
THE countries best Under 17 and Under 18 players took part in the NAB AFL Academy’s 20th anniversary match at the MCG on Sunday. In appalling conditions, Team Daniher won by 46-points. Rayner wreaks havoc in MCG curtain-raiser Matt Balmer’s scouting notes: Team Weitering: #1 Charlie Spargo – Finished with 19 disposals and five clearances in […]
Rayner wreaks havoc in MCG curtain-raiser
POSSIBLE first-round draft prospect Cameron Rayner starred in wet conditions with a best-on-ground display in the NAB AFL Academy’s 20th anniversary match at the MCG. The Western Jets and Vic Metro half-forward booted three goals from 23 disposals helping ‘Team Daniher’ to a 46-point win over ‘Team Weitering.’ Select Level One and Level Two academy […]
Top talent on show in MCG curtain raiser
THE top 2017 & 2018 draft prospects will be on show at the MCG on Sunday, playing as a curtain raiser to the Carlton and Essendon clash. The match features selected Level One and Level Two AFL Academy players, who have been split up into two teams. The two teams have been named after previous […]
Division Two Round 2 Wrap
The newly formatted Under 18 Academy Series continued over the weekend with two of the three games going ahead, after the Brisbane Lions vs. Tasmania game was cancelled after the poor weather in Queensland. In the opening game of the weekend, Gold Coast academy pulled off a surprise 17-point victory against Greater Western Sydney academy at Blacktown on Saturday. […]
2017 TAC Cup season preview: Metro teams
AS the start of the 2017 TAC Cup season draws near, AFL Draft Central’s Matt Balmer will look at the six metro sides and investigate which ones are contenders, and which ones are pretenders this year. To check out Peter Williams‘ country previews, click here. Calder Cannons Calder Cannons only had a single player drafted in the AFL National […]
