
Star Turn: Patterson puts speed on show
REPRESENTATIVE football presents the chance not only for prospects to show their wares on the big stage, but also for states to showcase their talent pool. Queensland did so last year with a win over Vic Metro in the Under 17 Futures trials, unveiling a raft of stars to the wider footballing audience. One of […]

2025 NSW/ACT Summer Series Round 1 Scouting notes: Giants Academy
GWS GIANTS Academy shook off a late second term comeback from the AFL Sydney Under 22s to kick four unanswered goals in the second half to win their Round 1 NSW/ACT Summer Series match. Both sides were level at 3.3 (21) apiece by the main break, but a second half of 4.5 (29) to 0.3 […]

AFLW Draft Q&A: Priya Bowering
TASMANIAN midfielder Priya Bowering has long been a named renowned as one to watch from the Apple Isle and now the talented Lauderdale prospect enters her top-age year. A tough contested onballer with some deceptive athletic traits that round out a naturally talented profile. We spoke to the National Academy member at the recent Tasmanian […]

Scouting Notes: Giants cut down to size in Summer Series
THE GREATER Western Sydney (GWS) Giants Academy has been comfortably beaten in its opening Summer Series outing, going down to the AFL Sydney Under 22s by 61 points. After a goalless opening quarter, the victors kicked away with 10 majors to one across the second and third terms. Inaccuracy cost the Giants a kinder scoreline, […]

Star Turn: Hibbins-Hargreaves’ hurt factor highlighted
DANDENONG Stingrays utility Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves became synonymous with kicking crucial goals in 2024, doing so regularly across a strong bottom-age campaign. Mixing his time between the wing and forwardline, he booted 23 majors in 16 games at an extraordinarily efficient rate (82 per cent). Having represented Vic Country at Under 16 level and made his […]

AFLW Draft Q&A: Chloe Baker-West
HIGH volume dynamo Chloe Baker-West is ready to go in 2025 after injury interruptions curtailed her bottom-age season. She showed prior to injury that she is more than capable of matching it with the best of her peers, and has an incredible CV that includes two Under 16s Vic Metro MVPs along the way. A […]

AFLW Draft Q&A: Maggie Johnstone
VERSATILE GWV Rebel Maggie Johnstone showed her wares across all three lines last season, with the top-age talent eyeing off a more permanent midfield spot with a forward rotation in 2025. A member of the Victoria Country state hub, Johnstone is a great aerial player with a powerful kick and looms as a unique prospect […]

Scouting Notes: Swans make winning start to Summer Series
SYDNEY Swans Academy kicked off the 2025 Summer Series in style, running out 38-point victors over the AFL Canberra Under 22s on Saturday. After posting five goals to one in the first half, the Swans were challenged but came home strongly with three unanswered majors in the final term to seal the result. Top prospects […]

Star Turn: Lindsay lights up Futures stage
THE ADAGE of saving your best for last was taken up by Geelong Falcons prospect Josh Lindsay, whose crowning moment came in the 2024 National Futures match. Taking to the MCG on AFL Grand Final day, he was named best afield for Team Heppell with 20 disposals in a thrilling seven-point victory. His performance capped […]

Preseason Q&A: Max Hudson (Suns Academy)
THE GOLD Coast Suns Academy will have its fingerprints all over the Allies squad and wider draft space this year, with Max Hudson among the booming prospects. A tall defender who prides himself on his aerial game and defensive craft, the 18-year-old has spent a block of preseason with the senior Suns. Modelling his game […]