PREVIEW | 2024 Coates Talent League: Bendigo Pioneers
HAVING produced last year’s number one draft pick, Bendigo Pioneers are focussed in on 2023 with another strong group of prospects in two. The Country region boasts two National Academy stars and one of the hardest working players in the competition. We chatted to head coach Danny O’Bree about the Pios’ top prospects and their […]
TOP 5s | 2024 Preseason Testing – Coates Talent League
RECORDS tumbled at last week’s Coates Talent League boys preseason testing day, as athletes from the 12 Victorian regions were put through their paces in Thornbury. In the event hosted by Rookie Me, Jett McLaughlan notched the best preseason Yo-Yo Test score ever recorded. >> SCROLL for all top five results The Northern Knights top-ager’s effort […]
Q&A: Sam Lalor (GWV Rebels)
GREATER Western Victoria (GWV) prospect Sam Lalor is a talented dual-sportsman. He currently plays school cricket alongside Under 19 World Cup winner Oliver Peake at Geelong Grammar, and is part of the esteemed AFL Academy as one of this year’s brightest draft prospects. The midfield bull has drawn comparisons to Dustin Martin for his power […]
Q&A: Christian Moraes (Eastern Ranges)
EASTERN Ranges midfielder Christian Moraes is being spurred on by team success in 2024, hoping to go one better after helping his side to last year’s Coates Talent League Grand Final. The top-ager produced a sparkling run of form in the back-end of the season to put his name in lights. Now a National Academy […]
Q&A: Archer Day-Wicks (Bendigo Pioneers)
BENDIGO Pioneers prospect Archer Day-Wicks plays with serious flair and a bit of swagger, fitting of the high-end talent he is. The classy forward has lined up alongside some of the best junior talent in recent times and is continuing to learn off them as he approaches his top-age campaign. We spoke to Day-Wicks at […]
PROFILED | Victorian talent hub bottom-agers
MUCH has already been made of the strong Northern Academy crop among next year’s projected draft pool, but there is inevitably a batch of Victorian talent primed to make its mark. As we continue to profile the top bottom-agers for 2024, get to know some of Victoria’s best and brightest. >> Future is now: 2024 […]
Q&A: Sid Draper (South Adelaide)
SID Draper is not just a pick one contender. He’s a kid who loves getting out to surf, and an Adelaide fan who bases his game off Port Adelaide stars Connor Rozee and Zak Butters. He’s a thoughtful trainer, leader, and arguably the most decorated junior in the country right now. With plenty of experience […]
Future is now: 2024 bottom-agers to watch
MUCH of the hype surrounding the start of each pathway season is attached to the top-age stars vying to be drafted, but there’s another layer of next generation talent ready to emerge. Along with a stacked 2024 crop, the projected class of 2025 has some serious potential to realise. We highlight 10 2007-born players to […]
Q&A: Charlie McCormack (Giants Academy)
GIANTS Academy tall Charlie McCormack made waves during last year’s Under 18 National Championships with his high marking and goal conversion rate. Now, the spring-heeled forward is back as an over-ager looking to have another crack at being drafted. McCormack hails from Ariah Park – about a three-hour drive from Canberra and five hours to […]
Q&A: Rome Burgoyne (Woodville-West Torrens)
WHAT’S in a name? For the Burgoyne family it’s class, silky skills and smooth movement. Rome Burgoyne is the latest member of his clan looking to reach the pinnacle of Australian rules football as his father Peter, Uncle Shaun, and brothers Trent and Jase have done before him. The Woodville-West Torrens top-ager is clearly cut […]
