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 […]
AFL DRAFT | The clubs stockpiling future picks
THE future picks market is becoming increasingly prevalent at each AFL Draft, and with tighter rules around matching bids, preparation is proving key. Gold Coast has become the pick swap king and frantically did so throughout trade and draft period to secure five academy graduates this year. >> EVERY CLUB: 2026-2028 future picks>> AFL DRAFT: […]
EVERY CLUB: 2026-2028 future picks
WHILE some clubs have left their haul of future picks untouched, many others have already mobilised to bolster their position heading into 2026 and beyond. The likes of Carlton and Port Adelaide are preparing for early bids on club-tied talent, while Gold Coast’s collection is left bare after a bumper academy crop. See where your […]
AFL Draft | Top club-tied prospects for 2026
AFTER what was pegged as the most compromised draft in history, the consensus top two prospects for next year are both already tied to AFL clubs. There is plenty of value for all clubs, though, with a range of father-son, Next Generation Academy (NGA), and Northern Academy prospects showing their wares. >> 26 for 2026: […]
