AFL Draft | The two clubs set to shape 2026/27
ESSENDON and Port Adelaide will be linked over the next two drafts in more ways than one. While not traditional rivals, they face a fight for draft picks and prospects with some of their respective club-tied talents shaping up as quite high-end in 2026 and 2027. >> EVERY CLUB: The top club-tied prospects for 2026 […]
NT Talent Time: Crocs unleash youngsters in Round 14
RISING Star nominee Sydney-Jack Baker was the standout among an emerging group of youngsters to make a mark for Southern Districts in Round 14. In his NTFL Men’s Premier League (MPL) debut, the 16-year-old booted a goal from his eight disposals as the Crocs beat Darwin by 37 points on Saturday. >> MPL Round 14: […]
National Academy prospects hit the track with AFL clubs
THE 2026 National Academy members are set to be unleashed unto AFL clubs in the coming weeks, as preseason training ramps up. Some have already spent time at their designated clubs in the new year, with several prospects also being aligned via academies and father-son eligibility. >> PROFILED: 2026 AFL National Academy squad An early […]
AFL Draft | State in Focus: South Australia
FRESH off a breakthrough title at last year’s National Championships, South Australia’s Under 18 squad for 2026 shapes as one which could go back-to-back. A deep top-age contingent is supported by promising 2009-born prospects, and a strong midfield core forms the base of a strong spine. We take a deep dive into SA’s representative stocks. […]
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Ranges set for sustained success
AMONG Eastern Ranges’ breakthrough premiership side of 2025 was a booming bottom-age crop, now set to steer the ship in 2026. Nine 2008-born players took the field on Grand Final day last year, with a couple more unlucky to miss out, though they will soon have their chance to chase back-to-back flags. We put the […]
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Gippy’s gun crop
GIPPSLAND Power kicked goals both on a results and draftee basis in 2025. The Talent League region, famed for punching above its weight, took out last year’s minor premiership and produced the nation’s number one draft pick in Willem Duursma. Somehow, things could get even better in 2026. The Power have produced two AFL Academy […]
NT Talent Time: Young guns hit the big stage
WHILE the summer period marks a well-earned offseason for most footballers, those in the Northern Territory are in the midst of their 2025/26 campaign. Fly-ins have bolstered the competition, but there is also an emerging crop of local talent looking to earn senior opportunities. We highlight some of the NT’s Under-20 prospects to have graced […]
AFL Draft | State in Focus: Western Australia
WESTERN Australia has invested in the long-term when it comes to its Under 18 program, and while the state endured a 1-3 National Championships campaign last year, it also produced 10 draftees. Six bottom-agers were blooded in 2025 and they are among the 15 players from last year’s winter squad to feature in the 2026 […]
Emerging crop: Vic Metro’s 2027 midfielders
AS IS often the case, Vic Metro is set to boast a wealth of high-class midfield options in 2027. Evidenced by the Under 16 squad of 2025, the embarrassment of riches will likely run deep for years to come. For all the crop’s individual talent, a great quality of the group is the willingness of […]
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: South’s star midfielders
SOUTH Adelaide has long produced some of South Australia’s finest footballers. Recently, the Panthers have had their talent program headed up by Mark Clayton, who has been appointed Port Adelaide’s academies coach. Before him, current South Australian Under 18 mentor Tony Bamford was in charge. It’s no wonder, then, that the club boasts three of […]
