Preseason Q&A: Heath Mellody (Claremont)
AMONG a promising West Australian state squad this year is National Academy member Heath Mellody, a Colts premiership player out of Claremont. The 184cm midfielder/defender is renowned for his foot skills and decision making, which helped him establish a place in WA’s state side as a bottom-ager. We sat down for an interview with Mellody […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 Summer Series – Giants Academy vs. AFL Sydney U22
THE GIANTS Academy has run out of gas in its opening Summer Series clash, going down to AFL Sydney Under 22 by 26 points at Henson Park on Saturday. After leading at the first break, the Giants were made to rue lapses in concentration, but showed good fight in the 6.5 (41) to 9.13 (67) […]
State(s) in Focus: Hypothetical Allies squad
A CHANGE in the Allies selection process has seen no preseason camp held this year for the budding squad of players ranging from the Northern Territory, NSW/ACT, Queensland, and Tasmania. Instead, they will come together for trials in June, ahead of the 2026 Under 18 National Championships. >> SCROLL to see the full hypothetical squad […]
2026 AFL Draft | Race to #1: Dougie Cochrane
WIDELY viewed as one of the two leading pick one contenders coming into 2026, 17 clubs will be ruing Dougie Cochrane‘s ties to Port Adelaide. The 17-year-old was approved for Next Generation Academy (NGA) status in November last year on account of his indigenous heritage. >> SCROLL for player highlights Cochrane is a well known […]
Preseason Q&A: Ethan Matthews (Giants Academy)
AMONG another strong crop of club-tied talent this year is Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Academy standout Ethan Matthews. The smooth-moving defender is hoping to earn more midfield minutes as a top-ager, bringing Allies exposure and five games of VFL experience into season 2026. We sat down for an interview with Matthews at the Giants Academy’s […]
2026 AFL Draft | Race to #1: Cody Walker
FOR FANS of AFL clubs starved of on-field success, draft and trade wins often provide beacons of hope. Nostalgia helps too, and that’s exactly what the emergence of father-son gun Cody Walker is providing Carlton fans. >> SCROLL for player highlights The son of 202-game former Blue Andrew last year declared his intentions to pursue […]
TOP 5s | 2026 Tasmanian Preseason Testing
THE BUDDING class of 2027 is shaping up nicely for Tasmania, if the recent preseason testing combine is anything to go by. Several 2009-born prospects produced top-five results across the event held in Hobart, headlined by dual-podium finisher Benjamin Russell. >> SCROLL to see the Top 5s for each test Lauderdale’s Russell exhibited his elite […]
TOP 5s | 2026 South Australian Preseason Testing
A BUNCH of South Australian state academy members have impressed at the recent preseason testing combine, as several prospects featured across the leaderboards. Though, it was Eagles top-ager Hunter Rowe who stole the show with a high of three top-five finishes out of the handful of events. >> SCROLL to see the Top 5s for […]
TOP 5s | 2026 NSW/ACT Preseason Testing
JUNIOR athletics star Mason McGroder has showed out at the recent Swans Academy preseason combine, achieving three top five finishes. A long jump bronze medalist at the 2024 U20 World Championships, it was no surprise to see the top-ager top the running vertical jump leaderboard. >> SCROLL to see the Top 5s for each test […]
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 […]
