Michael Alvaro

TOP 5s | 2024 Preseason Testing – Coates Talent League
RECORDS tumbled at last week’s Coates Talent League boys preseason testing day, as athletes from the 12 Victorian regions were put through their paces in Thornbury. In the event hosted by Rookie Me, Jett McLaughlan notched the best preseason Yo-Yo Test score ever recorded. >> SCROLL for all top five results The Northern Knights top-ager’s effort […]

Q&A: Sam Lalor (GWV Rebels)
GREATER Western Victoria (GWV) prospect Sam Lalor is a talented dual-sportsman. He currently plays school cricket alongside Under 19 World Cup winner Oliver Peake at Geelong Grammar, and is part of the esteemed AFL Academy as one of this year’s brightest draft prospects. The midfield bull has drawn comparisons to Dustin Martin for his power […]

PODCAST | Game Sense: Season 3, Episode 3
THE GAME Sense podcast is back with the third episode of season three, as the SANFL and WAFL Women’s early rounds continue. Join host Michael Alvaro and AFLW Draft expert Peter Williams as they unpack what went down, before looking ahead to the next batch of matches. All that, and more. Tune in! EPISODE TIMESTAMPS INTRO: […]

Q&A: Christian Moraes (Eastern Ranges)
EASTERN Ranges midfielder Christian Moraes is being spurred on by team success in 2024, hoping to go one better after helping his side to last year’s Coates Talent League Grand Final. The top-ager produced a sparkling run of form in the back-end of the season to put his name in lights. Now a National Academy […]

SANFLW Player Focus: Jasmine Evans (Central District)
GOALSNEAKS are consistently among footy fan favourites and Jasmine Evans is exactly that for reigning SANFL Women’s premier, Central District. The 18-year-old draft prospect needs few opportunities to make an impact and did exactly that in the Bulldogs’ Round 2 win on Saturday. Posted deep forward, Evans booted three goals from seven touches to back […]

Q&A: Archer Day-Wicks (Bendigo Pioneers)
BENDIGO Pioneers prospect Archer Day-Wicks plays with serious flair and a bit of swagger, fitting of the high-end talent he is. The classy forward has lined up alongside some of the best junior talent in recent times and is continuing to learn off them as he approaches his top-age campaign. We spoke to Day-Wicks at […]

PROFILED | Victorian talent hub bottom-agers
MUCH has already been made of the strong Northern Academy crop among next year’s projected draft pool, but there is inevitably a batch of Victorian talent primed to make its mark. As we continue to profile the top bottom-agers for 2024, get to know some of Victoria’s best and brightest. >> Future is now: 2024 […]

PODCAST | Game Sense: Season 3, Episode 2
THE GAME Sense podcast is back with episode two of season three, with women’s football kicking off in South and Western Australia over the weekend. Join host Michael Alvaro and AFLW Draft expert Peter Williams as they unpack what went down, before looking ahead to the next batch of matches. All that, and more. Tune in! […]

Q&A: Sid Draper (South Adelaide)
SID Draper is not just a pick one contender. He’s a kid who loves getting out to surf, and an Adelaide fan who bases his game off Port Adelaide stars Connor Rozee and Zak Butters. He’s a thoughtful trainer, leader, and arguably the most decorated junior in the country right now. With plenty of experience […]

Future is now: 2024 bottom-agers to watch
MUCH of the hype surrounding the start of each pathway season is attached to the top-age stars vying to be drafted, but there’s another layer of next generation talent ready to emerge. Along with a stacked 2024 crop, the projected class of 2025 has some serious potential to realise. We highlight 10 2007-born players to […]

SANFLW Player Focus: Poppy Scholz (Glenelg)
GLENELG kicked off its 2024 SANFL Women’s season with a 22-point win over North Adelaide on Saturday night, breaking through after a hard-fought first half. Right in the thick of the action was rising prospect Poppy Scholz, who played the interceptor role expertly down back. Scholz, the sister of Port Adelaide ruck Matilda, is a […]

Q&A: Charlie McCormack (Giants Academy)
GIANTS Academy tall Charlie McCormack made waves during last year’s Under 18 National Championships with his high marking and goal conversion rate. Now, the spring-heeled forward is back as an over-ager looking to have another crack at being drafted. McCormack hails from Ariah Park – about a three-hour drive from Canberra and five hours to […]