
The JC TAC Cup form report: Round three
Our newest series is a new perspective on power rankings. With most power rankings looking the same in each instalment, Rising Stars writer Jourdan Canil has begun the form power rankings, with the top 20 players ranked on week to week form. It’s important to keep in mind that these are not draft rankings. However, […]

New Pioneers set to entertain
Bendigo Pioneers are set to be a harder running and more entertaining team this year if new coach Brett Henderson has anything to say about it. The new Pioneers Under 18s coach has taken over the role from David Newett after the latter had three years in the role. Henderson’s coaching resume includes a premiership […]

In the Spotlight: Draft bolters and sliders
As we converge on the national draft in less than two weeks, In the Spotlight takes a look at the draftees whose names are set to be called out on November 27th. In our first edition, we take a look at the bolters and sliders – those who have either shot up the draft order […]

End of season draft power rankings
Grading draft hopefuls is a very subjective process. What one person may like in a player, may be seen as a flaw by another draft watcher. As a result it is very difficult to compare players as many people will have different perspectives and ratings of players. As a way to combat this I have […]

Caleb Daniel, a young man with a big future
The final two games of the recent under-18 championships saw a young man in the number one guernsey for South Australia impress a lot of good judges, attracting an impressive amount of the football for the carnival-winning Croweaters. Caleb Daniel certainly garnered a lot of attention with both his lack of size and helmeted […]

Under 18 National Championships player rankings
The championships are over for another year and we witnessed another great series of matches, with some fantastic talent showing what they could do on the big stage. To analyse who the best performers were over the course of the carnival, I have applied my power rankings formula to every player after every game to […]

AFL Bloodlines: Round 10
The sons, brothers, nephews, cousins and relatives of yesterdays and today’s heroes are the players who make up AFL Bloodlines. Collectively, after each round of TAC Cup football, I’ll be providing statistical updates and game notes on each individual player so that you can track their process this season. If you missed the overviews of eligible […]

Vickers-Willis is any club’s dream
Ed Vickers-Willis. By the end of the year, he might only be the fourth or fifth-highest rated midfielder at the Sandringham Dragons, but that speaks volumes about their depth. Angus Brayshaw is the “second best player, besides Josh Kelly” whom Vickers-Willis has ever played with. Josh Clayton might be off to Brisbane at the end […]

How injuries affect draft stock
Calder’s Jake Lever is, in my mind, the most intelligent key defender to come through the TAC Cup in many years. He reads the play like Harry Taylor, intercepting everything, and then sets up the play as a backline general. He also has the athleticism and talent to set up rebounds and find plenty of […]

AFL Bloodlines: Round eight
The sons, brothers, nephews, cousins and relatives of yesterdays and today’s heroes are the players who make up AFL Bloodlines. Collectively, after each round of TAC Cup football, I’ll be providing statistical updates and game notes on each individual player so that you can track their process this season. If you missed the overviews of eligible […]