Coates Talent League Girls: Must-watch fixtures in 2025
THE 2025 Coates Talent League fixtures were announced last week, with an 18-round girls regular season set to commence on the weekend of April 5-6. There are plenty of landmark events between then and the Grand Final, slated for September 20-21. We highlight some of the must-watch fixtures. >> ANNOUNCEMENT: 2025 Coates Talent League fixtures […]
2025 NSW/ACT Summer Series Round 1 Scouting notes: Swans Academy
A DOMINANT triple-digit win in favour of the Sydney Swans Academy saw the red and white side flex their muscles in the NSW-ACT Under 22 Women’s Summer Series over the weekend. While the Giants Academy came away with a 26-point win over AFL Sydney’s Under 22s, the Swans Academy stormed to a remarkable 19.12 (126) […]
Preseason Q&A: Lucas Wootton (Tasmania Devils)
ONE OF Tasmania’s most highly credentialed top-agers this year is Launceston product Lucas Wootton. The utility was an Under 16 All-Australian, turned out in the National Futures match last year, and has spent part of the preseason training with the Allies – all alongside Clarence tall Jasper Hay. In 2025, Wootton is expected to complete […]
SANFLW 15 to Watch in 2025: #1 Monique Bessen
IN TERMS of sheer impact last year from a bottom-age cohort, Sturt midfielder/forward Monique Bessen stood clearly on top from a SANFLW production perspective. The talented National Academy member already looked liked a veteran in the way she went about it, and now entering her top-age season as a readymade midfielder who can drift forward, […]
Coates Talent League Boys: Must-watch fixtures in 2025
THE 2025 Coates Talent League fixtures were announced on Thursday, with a 19-round regular season set in stone. Three-time defending champions Sandringham Dragons are chasing their fourth crown at the end of a schedule littered with landmark occasions. We highlight some of the must-watch events. Stay tuned to Rookie Me Central, where we’ll also cast […]
AFLW Draft Q&A: Ava Stewart
SWAN Districts tall Ava Stewart added 11 games to her League career in 2024, with the now top-ager finding her place in the defensive half for the Black Ducks. Stewart earned an invite to the West Australian Summer Squad for her form throughout her bottom-age season, and now has hopes to further improve in 2025. […]
2025 NSW/ACT Under 22 Summer Series preview
A QUADRUPLE header at Margaret Donoghe Sports Complex takes place tomorrow as the 2025 NSW/ACT Under 22 Summer Series gets underway. The competition serves as a perfect lead-up event for the Swans and Giants Academies ahead of their Coates Talent League seasons in the respective boys and girls competitions. In the first round-robin of matches, […]
Star Turn: Hurricane Hetherton arrives in Futures trial
WITH preseason shortly set to make way for season proper, many AFL Draft prospects will be champing at the bit to impress in 2025. With that in mind, our new Star Turn series highlights some of the breakout moments and performances which put players on the map during their bottom-age campaigns. First under the spotlight […]
2025 Coates Talent League fixtures released
FEATURING up to 19 rounds and 18 clubs, the 2025 Coates Talent League fixtures for both the boys and girls competitions were released today. Kicking off on the weekend of March 29-30 and April 6-7 for the boys and girls seasons respectively, both will run until the end of August before a three-week finals series. […]
Preseason Q&A: Raphael Geesu (Lions Academy)
A CRAFTY, speedy small forward who plays in the mould of Kysaiah Pickett and Charlie Cameron, Raphael Geesu has talent to burn. The Brisbane Lions Academy member played in last year’s National Futures match and is hunting down an Allies berth in 2025, his top-age season. We spoke to Geesu at this month’s Queensland preseason […]
