Michael Alvaro

All Michael's posts
SANFL U18s: Reigning finalists knocked off in Round 1

BOTH 2024 SANFL Under 18 grand finalists have been defeated in the opening round of season 2025, as South Australia’s premier junior competition got underway over the weekend. Sturt knocked off reigning premier Woodville-West Torrens by six points, while Central District was humbled by Glenelg. >> SCROLL for the results, ladder, and fixtures Sturt took […]

2025 Coates Talent League: Eastern Ranges season preview

WITH a different approach to its list management across preseason, Eastern Ranges head into 2025 primed to play an exciting brand of football with four prospects in the Vic Metro talent hub. We spoke to the region’s Talent Lead, Daniel Ryan about the year ahead and which players to keep an eye on. PRESEASON “It’s […]

Preseason Q&A: Archie Ludowyke (Sandringham Dragons)

SANDRINGHAM Dragons high flyer Archie Ludowyke is a spring-heeled key forward primed to explode in his top-age campaign. The National Academy member missed out on the Dragons’ third consecutive premiership last year, but is looking to kick some short and long-term goals to get back to the top. Ludowyke, a St Kilda supporter, models his […]

Pies the pick among Coates Talent League prospects

COLLINGWOOD is the most popular club of choice for this year’s brightest Coates Talent League prospects, headlined by father-son gun Tom McGuane. The son of 152-game premiership Pie, Mick was among the Vic Country, Metro, and Allies hub members to pledge their allegiance to the black and white. >> SCROLL to see which club each […]

2025 Coates Talent League: Dandenong Stingrays season preview

DANDENONG Stingrays boast six players in the Vic Country summer training hub and come into season 2025 with new strings to their bow, including an added depth of talls. We spoke to head coach Nick Cox about the year ahead and his region’s top AFL Draft prospects. PRESEASON “I think every preseason goes well, doesn’t […]

Gippsland livewire primed for breakout year

GIPPSLAND Power livewire Thomas Matthews is set for a big year according to his Coates Talent League teammates. All 43 top-age members of the Vic Country, Vic Metro, and Allies summer squads were surveyed during Saturday’s preseason testing event, with Matthews’ name coming up the most. >> SCROLL to see all the players to watch […]

2025 Coates Talent League: Calder Cannons season preview

CALDER Cannons are stacked with club-tied talent across every age group in 2025, with Essendon fans likely to take a particular interest in the local region for years to come. Headlined by a pick one contender, the Cannons head coach Sam Willett says his side is set to play an exciting brand of footy. PRESEASON […]

Scouting Notes: Giants pipped in Summer Series thriller

THE GREATER Western Sydney (GWS) Giants Academy has gone down in a three-point thriller to AFL Canberra in their Summer Series clash at Alan Ray Oval. After a 61-point defeat at the hands of AFL Sydney last week, the Giants proved much more competitive against their local Under 22 adversaries. AFL Canberra kicked ahead in […]

Gulden the guide for Coates Talent League prospects

SYDNEY Swans star Errol Gulden was a popular answer to the question ‘which AFL player do you mould you game on?’, at the recent Coates Talent League preseason testing day. 41 top-age players in the Vic Country, Vic Metro, and Allies training squads were surveyed, with 52 different AFL players put forward. >> SCROLL to see […]

2025 Coates Talent League: Bendigo Pioneers season preview

BENDIGO Pioneers are hitting their stride at the pointy end of preseason, boasting a pair of top-age prospects in the Vic Country summer training hub, five returning over-agers, and one standout bottom-age father-son gun. We chatted to coach Danny O’Bree about all of the above, and much more. PRESEASON “We were probably a little bit […]

Preseason Q&A: Thomas McGuane (Western Jets)

COLLINGWOOD fans are rejoicing the impending arrival of yet another father-son gun in Thomas McGuane. The son of 152-game premiership Pie and ever-present footy brain Mick, McGuane junior projects as a prolific onballer with crafty skills and high footy IQ. McGuane, who represented Vic Metro at Under 16 and 17 level, is part of the […]

Scouting Notes: Bolstered Swans stay undefeated in Summer Series

SYDNEY Swans Academy have taken out more senior opposition twice in as many weeks after dispatching the AFL Sydney U22s by 19 points at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday. The Swans were challenged but led at every break despite less accurate goalkicking to move to a 2-0 record. Bolstered by the return of National Academy […]

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