Hodder embraces “absolutely crazy” rise
FROM a player who only started taking footy seriously over the last couple of seasons, Grace Hodder‘s meteoric rise from fringe VFLW player to star Sandringham Zebras midfielder has been one of the ages. By her own admission, she never a natural runner, but when she set her sights on getting as far as she […]
AFL Draft | Top club-tied prospects for 2026
AFTER what was pegged as the most compromised draft in history, the consensus top two prospects for next year are both already tied to AFL clubs. There is plenty of value for all clubs, though, with a range of father-son, Next Generation Academy (NGA), and Northern Academy prospects showing their wares. >> 26 for 2026: […]
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Claremont’s killer Colts
WEST Australian powerhouse Claremont has proven to be a juggernaut at Colts level in recent history, claiming three consecutive premierships and producing a raft of eventual draftees. The trend is set to continue into 2026, with the Tigers contributing an equal-high nine players to WA’s state summer squad. >> SPOTLIGHT: Northern Knights’ tall trio With […]
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Northern’s tall trio
THE AFL talent production line flows in waves. After waiting until the final live pick of the rookie draft to have a player selected this year – Nicholas Driscoll to Geelong – Northern Knights have produced the most AFL Academy members of any club or Talent League region for 2026. >> ONES TO WATCH: 26 […]
South Australia confirms 2026 U16 Girls Academy
GUNNING for an incredible fourth straight title, South Australia’s Under 16 Girls’ squad for 2026 has been released. Bek McMahon – who was at the helm for the past three titles – takes over the reins again, with 47 players named from across the eight SANFLW clubs. Norwood is the most represented club in the […]
South Australia announces U18 Girls Academy
SOUTH Australia has cast an eye to the next two drafts with the announcement of the 2026 Under 18 Girls Academy announced yesterday. The 46-player squad features the Croweaters’ four National Academy members and countless players who have already impressed at SANFLW level. Among those in the squad are South Adelaide duo Emma Charlton and […]
Tregellis “absolutely” still chasing AFLW dream
A LATE bloomer to the sub-elite junior footballing pathways, Abbey Tregellis has never lost the hunger to reach the AFL Women’s. Overlooked as a top-ager and over-ager at the Dandenong Stingrays, then a third draft went by without result after a successful year at the Southern Saints and now, off the back of her best […]
Evans enjoys breakout year for Sharks
AS FAR as unique footballing journeys go, few players will have had quite the back story that Madison Evans can attest to growing up. Now an incredibly talented tall defender with plenty of upside, the East Fremantle WAFLW best and fairest runner-up has come a long way since not even considering the code as a […]
2025 AFLW Draft Q&A: Lilly-Ann Ryder
GOLD Coast Suns Academy is stacked to the brim with talent, and another player who is worth noting down is athletic tall utility, Lilly-Ann Ryder. The 174cm versatile type has spent time in defence with the Suns and Queensland, while playing forward for Southport. Given the volume of talent at the Suns and battle for […]
2025 AFLW Draft Q&A: Sienna Burnham
A DELAYED start to the season due to injury and being part of an incredibly stacked Gold Coast Suns Academy, Sienna Burnham is one of those players who could be fantastic value for another AFLW club. The Suns have nine Draft Combine invitee-tied players with six or seven of them expected to land at the […]
