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 […]
Q&A: Austin van der Struyf (Claremont)
WESTERN Australia is primed to bounce back on the national stage this year, and smooth moving small utility Austin van der Struyf is among the state’s leading prospects. The Claremont premiership Colt already has state Under 18 experience under his belt and is ready for a big top-age campaign. Speaking at WA’s preseason testing event […]
AFL Draft prospects name their idols
PRESEASON testing is nearing completion, which means plenty of budding AFL Draft prospects are fast approaching season proper. Having flown to all parts of Australia for each testing day, Rookie Me Central asked a bunch of top-agers one pertinent question – who do you mould your game on? >> SCROLL for all player comparisons While […]
TOP 5s | 2024 Preseason Testing – Tasmania Devils Boys
SEASON proper is edging ever closer for the Tasmania Devils, who underwent preseason testing in Hobart on Sunday. Top prospects in the boys squad soared atop the charts in a competitive field of results across all five events. >> SCROLL for all top five results Over-ager Geordie Payne impressed alongside Allies camp member Lenny Douglas, both […]
Q&A: Lenny Douglas (Tasmania Devils)
TASMANIA has produced a couple of bumper AFL Draft crops recently, and after arguably the state’s best ever haul last year, prospects like Lenny Douglas are looking to take the same path to the top. The top-ager was one of three Devils to be included in the 2024 Allies preseason camp. Douglas, a midfielder-forward who […]
Q&A: Joel Cochran (Swans Academy)
SYDNEY Swans Academy tall Joel Cochran is one of New South Wales’ leading prospects in 2024 having progressed nicely as a bottom-ager. The 195cm defender is mobile, composed and aerially apt, drawing inspiration from senior Swans Nick Blakey and Tom McCartin. Cochran enters his top-age campaign having been one of the Swans’ top performers at […]
