Michael Alvaro

2020 AFL Draft recap: Western Bulldogs
WITH the consensus best player available in this year’s draft tied to their Next Generation Academy (NGA), the Western Bulldogs did a heap of early work to ensure their man would arrive at the kennel, along with at least one more National Draft selection. The momentum of a bumper trade period carried on into the […]

2020 AFL Draft recap: West Coast Eagles
AFTER entering last year’s draft at Pick 49, West Coast’s night opened all the way back at Pick 52 this time around as the Eagles signal their intent to stay within the premiership window. Three fresh faces entered the elite ranks overall, with some handy versatility and readymade types among the target areas West Coast […]

Weekend preview: 2020/21 NTFL Men’s Premier League – Round 12
THE FINAL round of Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Men’s Premier League action for 2020 is set to play out this weekend, before the eight sides enjoy a well earned mid-season break. A clash between Wanderers and St Mary’s looms as the pick of the bunch, with both sides boasting eight wins and looking to […]

2021 AFL Academy Squad announced
21 elite top-age prospects have been named in the 2021 AFL Academy squad, as the AFL reverts back to a condensed nationwide program. Previously, the intake entailed as many as 150 talents from around the nation being nurtured in their state hubs, but with cost cutting at the hands of COVID-19 the traditional model will […]

2020 AFL Draft recap: Sydney Swans
DESPITE the final standings showing a 16th place finish, Sydney was a side which produced plenty of promise throughout 2020. Much of that came down to young talent rising the Swans’ ranks and with an eventual draft haul boasting two top five picks, that factor is set to be compounded heading into next season. Pick […]

2020 AFL Draft recap: St Kilda Saints
ST KILDA is a side looking to crack the top four and after climbing all the way to sixth at the end of this year’s home-and-away fixtures, the Saints are truly ascending. Having recently targeted established, mature-age talent to accelerate their development, St Kilda has hardly been the most active club come draft time over […]

2020 AFL Draft recap: Richmond Tigers
BACK-TO-BACK reigning premiers, Richmond has not had a massive amount to do with the draft in recent years, with squad depth the main area of focus rather than specific needs. Having taken a first rounder in each of the last three drafts, the Tigers opted to trade out of the pointy end this time around, […]

2020 AFL Draft recap: Port Adelaide
HAVING obtained some of the competition’s most exciting young talent at the most recent few drafts, Port Adelaide had far less flex to get creative in 2020. This year’s minor premiers went in knowing that their star Next Generation Academy (NGA) product would attract a first round bid, and only had one more pick to […]

2020 AFL Draft recap: North Melbourne
NORTH Melbourne came away with one of the more significant hauls at this year’s AFL Draft, introducing a total of seven new faces to its developing list. The Kangaroos will see great opportunity in their midst having grasped an elite talent with pick three, and incoming head coach David Noble setting lofty expectations on his […]

2020/21 NTFL Women’s Premier League weekly wrap – Round 11
ROUND 11 of the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) Women’s Premier League saw the top sides bolster their standings at the pointy end of the ladder, headlining a mixed bag of results. Pint is still undefeated and top of the standings after a 10th win, as Darwin remains the closest challenger after surviving a danger […]

2020 AFL Draft recap: Melbourne Demons
MELBOURNE’S rollercoaster 2020 season ended in a ninth place finish and the lingering feeling of disappointment, but a sense of assuredness was somewhat restored as the Demons managed to gain two first round picks in this year’s draft. The move to trade back up the order and bring in a trio of top 35 talents […]

2020 AFL Draft recap: Hawthorn Hawks
WITH the disappointment of a 15th place finish comes great hope via the draft and in 2020, Hawthorn came into the event holding its earliest pick since 2005. The Hawks have a history of making good on their high-end selections and filled an immediate list chasm with their first choice on the night, while also […]