TOP 5s | 2026 Queensland Preseason Testing
BRISBANE Lions Academy prospect Jethro Grills had a day out at the recent Queensland preseason testing combine, achieving top-five results in every event. What’s more, the 176cm top-ager finished first on the leaderboard in four of those tests to showcase his all-round athleticism. >> SCROLL to see the Top 5s for each test Grills notched […]
TOP 5s | 2026 West Australian Boys Preseason Testing
WESTERN Australia’s speedsters showed out at the recent preseason testing combine, with state squad member Finlay Yeo setting a new AFL agility test record. The East Fremantle and Dockers Next Generation Academy (NGA) member stopped the clock at 7.642 seconds to break new ground ahead of his top-age season. >> SCROLL to see the Top […]
Preseason Q&A: George Gale (Claremont)
CLAREMONT heads into 2026 on the back of a third-consecutive WAFL Colts flag, still possessing a wealth of exciting prospects. Among them is stylish outside utility George Gale. The wingman/defender averaged 20.1 disposals and 5.3 marks per game in last year’s premiership side, utilising his sharp foot skills and composed decision making along the way. […]
Preseason Q&A: Kale Matthews-Hampton (Sturt)
IF YOU thought the footballing world was beginning to move past the fabled ‘basketball background’, think again. Kale Matthews-Hampton is the latest prospect on said production line, currently in the midst of his first full preseason having made the decision to put a promising basketball career behind him. The 187cm defender was part of Sturt’s […]
Croweaters keen to keep tabs on speedster
SOUTH Australia’s state academy members have been buoyed by the progression of Central District speedster Jake Eime, who was a common answer to the question ‘which teammate should we look out for to have a big year?’. Eime’s name popped up several times as all 25 top-agers were surveyed. >> MORE: State teammates single Steed […]
Preseason Q&A: Memphis Webb (North Adelaide)
WHILE the fresh cycle of draft prospects often come with high hopes garnered from strong bottom-age campaigns, Memphis Webb was sidelined for nearly all of his. The North Adelaide midfielder racked up 32 disposals in his only full appearance last year before an ACL tear stopped him in his tracks. Now, Webb has pencilled in […]
State teammates single Steed as one to watch
SWAN Districts midfielder Leo Steed has been the talk of the preseason out west, with several of his state summer squad teammates expecting big things in 2026. Steed missed out on last year’s winter squad, which he says has added “fuel to the fire” as he looks to impress during his top-age campaign. Having already […]
Preseason Q&A: Archie Hill (Suns Academy)
FOOTBALL fans, no less Gold Coast fans, can thank the 2018 AFL Grand Final for Archie Hill‘s love of the game. After being “glued to the TV” for West Coast’s dramatic defeat of Collingwood, the mad Geelong fan and nephew of Cameron Mooney is well on his way to reaching the big leagues. Hill, a […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Heidi Ireland
PEEL Thunder prospect Heidi Ireland had a memorable bottom-age season in 2025, predominantly playing WAFL Women’s League football, while also making the West Australian Under 18s state side. Mostly deployed as a defender who could also be a stronger body in the midfield, Ireland has a nice balance of offensive and defensive traits. We spoke […]
Preseason Q&A: Will Jenkin (Swans Academy)
FROM playing Auskick in Hong Kong to earning selection in last year’s National Futures match, Will Jenkin is traversing a unique path through his footballing career. What’s more, he’s doing it alongside twin brother Guy, with the pair being equal parts inseparable and impossible to tell apart. Jenkin did not partake in the Futures match […]
