
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 […]

Preseason Q&A: Harley Hicks (GWV Rebels)
GREATER Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels speedster Harley Hicks impressed at the weekend’s Coates Talent League preseason testing event, posting the competition’s top standing vertical jump (88cm). A dynamic athlete native to Deniliquin, he’s looking to earn more midfield minutes as a top-ager in 2025. We chatted to Hicks about the year ahead, his strengths as […]

AFLW Draft Q&A: Madeleine Quinn
A NATIONAL Academy member, Swans Academy ruck Madeleine Quinn is one of the top tall draft prospects in this year’s AFLW Draft crop. Quinn has outstanding athleticism, and can impact both in the air and at ground level, not afraid to get involved in transition and can become that modern “fourth midfielder” once the ruck […]

Preseason Q&A: Jack Dalton (Sandringham Dragons)
HAVING burst onto the scene as Vic Metro’s captain and MVP in the title-winning Under 16 side of 2023, Jack Dalton is perhaps flying under the radar heading into his top-age campaign. A syndesmosis injury at the start of last year couldn’t stop him from helping Sandringham take out a third straight flag, and now […]

AFLW Draft Q&A: Alannah Welsh
GOLD Coast SUNS Academy utility Alannah Welsh is a promising talent and one of a number of Queenslanders in first round draft contention for 2025. The dynamic draft prospect can play on all three lines, kicking bags of goals up forward, or cracking in be it on-ball or across the defensive 50. We spoke to […]

Preseason Q&A: Kalani White (Suns Academy)
TWO CLUBS, one gun prospect. Kalani White faces a difficult choice in his draft year, tied to a pair of clubs via father-son (Melbourne) and academy (Gold Coast) eligibility. While he is keeping his cards close to his chest with no timeline on a decision, White has already garnered plenty of attention. The 17-year-old was […]

AFLW Draft Q&A: Abby Hobson
GIPPSLAND Power forward Abby Hobson opted for Aussie rules over tennis because of the “team atmosphere”, and now the contested marking talent enters her top-age season as one to watch from the Power as she strives to make the Vic Country side and go on to achieve her ultimate dream of reaching the AFLW. We […]

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 […]