VFL Player Focus: Jagga Smith (Richmond)
FOLLOWING a stellar Under 18 National Championships campaign, Oakleigh Chargers captain Jagga Smith got his first taste of state league football over the weekend. The midfielder turned out for Richmond’s VFL side in a 22-point loss to Williamstown, leading all comers amid blustery conditions at DSV Stadium as a constant at the centre stoppages. We […]
VFL Player Focus: Jack Hutchinson (Collingwood)
COLLINGWOOD forward Jack Hutchinson has emerged as one of the top mid-season draft candidates after a promising start to his maiden VFL season. The 22-year-old was recruited from Wonthaggi and has caught the eye with extraordinary high marking exploits. Hutchinson booted two goals in Collingwood’s Round 4 defeat to Coburg, which broke the Lions’ 23-game […]
VFL Player Focus: Leonardo Lombard (Gold Coast)
GOLD Coast Suns Academy player Leonardo Lombard picked up where he left off in his first game of VFL for 2024, tallying 28 disposals in Gold Coast’s loss to Richmond. Playing in the midfield for the first half and high half-forward for the second, Lombard impacted with a good balance of inside and outside work. […]
Up the Grades: Bottom-agers blooded in VFL
A PAIR of bottom-agers tied to Northern Academies were unleashed unto the VFL over the weekend, as Gold Coast’s Leonardo Lombard and GWS’ Josaia Delana made their state league debuts. Both acclimated well, notching 11 and 12 disposals respectively. Lombard’s Suns thrashed Carlton out of a Wildcard Round spot on percentage, winning to the tune […]
VFL Player Focus: Ethan Read (Gold Coast Suns)
PLENTY of pathway prospects have earned berths at senior level this year, and Gold Coast Suns Academy member Ethan Read was the latest to be unleashed in the VFL. The 202cm ruck played with and against AFL-listed players as the Suns beat Sydney by 68 points on Saturday, and we put his performance under the […]
VFL Player Focus: Nate Caddy (Carlton)
NORTHERN Knights forward Nate Caddy became the latest Coates Talent League gun to make his VFL debut this year, linking with Carlton’s reserves on Sunday. In an ironic turn of fate, the spring-heeled marking phenom turned out for the side he last played against, while representing the AFL Academy. Caddy will be familiar with the […]
Up the Grades: Reid ramps up VFL form
LEADING AFL Draft prospect Harley Reid backed up his VFL debut with an even better outing in game two, despite his side suffering another tight loss. The powerful utility collected 21 disposals and eight marks while laying nine tackles as Carlton went down by four points to Brisbane in the opening Round 7 fixture. In […]
Weekend Preview: Academy prospects earn VFL call-ups
THERE are more Northern Academy prospects earning VFL debuts, while top pick fancy Harley Reid will once again turn out for Carlton today. Many AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft candidates are set to miss Round 7 due to the Young Guns game on Sunday, but there remain players to watch in the state leagues. Reid has […]
Up the grades: Hall passes League test
DEBUTANTS continue to emerge across state leagues around the country, while other juniors are quickly establishing themselves at senior level. One such player in the latter category is Peel Thunder prospect Clay Hall, who impressed in his second WAFL League outing on the weekend. The 18-year-old midfielder took little time to acclimate in the top […]
State leagues preview: VFL done, and final games loom for some
THE VFL has been officially cancelled but there is still plenty of footy happening in a big weekend across the country. The QAFL and TSL finals continue, while the WAFL and SANFL home-and-away seasons enter their final round. We’ll take you through all the key matches for this weekend. South Australia (SANFL): All five matches […]
