SANFLW 15 to Watch in 2025: #1 Monique Bessen
IN TERMS of sheer impact last year from a bottom-age cohort, Sturt midfielder/forward Monique Bessen stood clearly on top from a SANFLW production perspective. The talented National Academy member already looked liked a veteran in the way she went about it, and now entering her top-age season as a readymade midfielder who can drift forward, […]
Coates Talent League Boys: Must-watch fixtures in 2025
THE 2025 Coates Talent League fixtures were announced on Thursday, with a 19-round regular season set in stone. Three-time defending champions Sandringham Dragons are chasing their fourth crown at the end of a schedule littered with landmark occasions. We highlight some of the must-watch events. Stay tuned to Rookie Me Central, where we’ll also cast […]
AFLW Draft Q&A: Ava Stewart
SWAN Districts tall Ava Stewart added 11 games to her League career in 2024, with the now top-ager finding her place in the defensive half for the Black Ducks. Stewart earned an invite to the West Australian Summer Squad for her form throughout her bottom-age season, and now has hopes to further improve in 2025. […]
2025 NSW/ACT Under 22 Summer Series preview
A QUADRUPLE header at Margaret Donoghe Sports Complex takes place tomorrow as the 2025 NSW/ACT Under 22 Summer Series gets underway. The competition serves as a perfect lead-up event for the Swans and Giants Academies ahead of their Coates Talent League seasons in the respective boys and girls competitions. In the first round-robin of matches, […]
Star Turn: Hurricane Hetherton arrives in Futures trial
WITH preseason shortly set to make way for season proper, many AFL Draft prospects will be champing at the bit to impress in 2025. With that in mind, our new Star Turn series highlights some of the breakout moments and performances which put players on the map during their bottom-age campaigns. First under the spotlight […]
2025 Coates Talent League fixtures released
FEATURING up to 19 rounds and 18 clubs, the 2025 Coates Talent League fixtures for both the boys and girls competitions were released today. Kicking off on the weekend of March 29-30 and April 6-7 for the boys and girls seasons respectively, both will run until the end of August before a three-week finals series. […]
Preseason Q&A: Raphael Geesu (Lions Academy)
A CRAFTY, speedy small forward who plays in the mould of Kysaiah Pickett and Charlie Cameron, Raphael Geesu has talent to burn. The Brisbane Lions Academy member played in last year’s National Futures match and is hunting down an Allies berth in 2025, his top-age season. We spoke to Geesu at this month’s Queensland preseason […]
AFLW Draft Q&A: Bronte Parker
QUEENSLANDER Bronte Parker is one of a number of Gold Coast Suns Academy prospects who enters her top-age season with plenty of runs on the board from 2024. A natural midfielder who can also go forward, Parker spent time between not only the Suns and her state, but Bond University in the QAFL Women’s as […]
SANFLW 15 to Watch in 2025: #3 Sophie Eaton
WINNING an MVP at Under 16s level a couple of years ago, Central District young gun Sophie Eaton has remained a top prospect in the 2025 AFLW Draft having impressed as a bottom-ager for South Australia last season, and earning a spot in the National Academy. She kicks off a podium of stars who could […]
Preseason Q&A: Noah Chamberlain (Swans Academy)
THE NORTHERN Academies are set to boom in 2025, and a large part of their star power is Sydney Swans Academy product Noah Chamberlain. The versatile talent is a National Academy member and spent time training with the Swans’ senior group in preseason before a slight ankle sprain. Having already debuted for the Allies, the […]
