South Australia locks in 2026 U16 Girls squad
THREE-time AFLW Under 16 Development Championships winners South Australia has locked in its squad for the 2026 nationals as they gun for a remarkable fourth straight title. The mentor in charge of the Croweaters’ three-peat, Bek McMahon, will again take the reins in the hope of adding more silverware to the cabinet. Initially naming a […]
State teammates single Steed as one to watch
SWAN Districts midfielder Leo Steed has been the talk of the preseason out west, with several of his state summer squad teammates expecting big things in 2026. Steed missed out on last year’s winter squad, which he says has added “fuel to the fire” as he looks to impress during his top-age campaign. Having already […]
2026 SANFLW 15 to Watch: #12 Julia Faulkner
ANOTHER season of SANFL Women’s action is just around the corner, and while the league year is a little later than usual, South Australian footy fans have the brand new AAMI Talent League to look forward to starting February 28. As has become an annual tradition for Rookie Me Central, we name our top juniors […]
Preseason Q&A: Archie Hill (Suns Academy)
FOOTBALL fans, no less Gold Coast fans, can thank the 2018 AFL Grand Final for Archie Hill‘s love of the game. After being “glued to the TV” for West Coast’s dramatic defeat of Collingwood, the mad Geelong fan and nephew of Cameron Mooney is well on his way to reaching the big leagues. Hill, a […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Tayah Nicholson
NAMED best on ground in last year’s Rogers Cup Grand Final, Tayah Nicholson is hoping that can propel her into an even bigger 2026 campaign. The top-ager started her West Australian pathway journey at local level, but has become a big feature of the Falcons’ three-peat at Rogers Cup level, and now her sights are […]
First portion of VFL/W fixtures released
A NEW era of Victorian state league football will take place in 2026, following the announcement of the first fixtures from the VFL and VFLW competitions. The fixture release – which was announced yesterday – included the first 13 rounds of the VFL, and the opening six rounds of the VFLW. >> FULL FIXTURES Alongside […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Aiyana Pritchard
ULTRA athletic tall forward Aiyana Pritchard has come on in leaps and bounds over the last few years, providing plenty of highlight reel moments along the way. For someone who only picked up the code in recent years, Pritchard’s rise into the National Academy has been well deserved. We spoke to Pritchard at the Queensland […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Heidi Ireland
PEEL Thunder prospect Heidi Ireland had a memorable bottom-age season in 2025, predominantly playing WAFL Women’s League football, while also making the West Australian Under 18s state side. Mostly deployed as a defender who could also be a stronger body in the midfield, Ireland has a nice balance of offensive and defensive traits. We spoke […]
2026 SANFLW 15 to Watch: #13 Kate Alexander
ANOTHER season of SANFL Women’s action is just around the corner, and while the league year is a little later than usual, South Australian footy fans have the brand new AAMI Talent League to look forward to starting February 28. As has become an annual tradition for Rookie Me Central, we name our top juniors […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Summer Browning
ATHLETIC winger Summer Browning has pace to burn and showed plenty of promising signs as a bottom-ager in 2025. The Gold Coast Suns Academy member can play a variety of positions, and will look to headline the Suns’ draft crop this season in the wake of a huge haul in 2025. We spoke to Browning […]
