Knapp the name to note in Talent League
EASTERN Ranges midfielder Jordan Knapp is primed for a big season according to his teammates. A total of 41 top-age (2026 draft eligible) prospects from the Vic Country and Metro summer squads were surveyed at Saturday’s Talent League preseason testing event, asked for a teammate to watch for 2026. >> ONES TO WATCH: South Australia […]
Preseason Q&A: Blake Justice (Calder Cannons)
AFTER the recent success of its recent Next Generation Academy (NGA) graduates, Essendon will be buoyed by the emergence of current member Blake Justice. After an impressive bottom-age campaign which yielded 15 Talent League appearances, the 17-year-old is seeking to play every game this year. Justice has cut his teeth as a utility across the […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 U22 Women’s Summer Series R2 – Academy sides
AFTER another two big wins by the NSW/ACT Academies in the Under 22 Women’s Summer Series, we take a look at some of the Giants Academy and Swans Academy members who impressed at Henson Park over the weekend. The Giants crushed AFL Canberra with a triple-digit scoreline, while the Swans ran out 75-point winners over […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Grace Tracey
OVERCOMING an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury throughout her bottom-age season, talented tall Grace Tracey made up for lost time late in the year. She squeezed in for a game with the Allies, made the Under 17 Futures squad and won the MVP for her side, which propelled her into the National Academy. We spoke […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Gabrielle Mehrmann
DANDENONG Stingrays defender Gabrielle Mehrmann put her name on the radar in last year’s Talent League Girls finals series, capping off a consistent year by becoming the first person to keep Bailee Martin to under three goals in a match (just one). Mehrmann earned a spot in the Vic Country hub, and has the ability […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Bailee Martin
ONE OF the top pick contenders in this year’s AFLW Draft, Oakleigh Chargers star Bailee Martin has proven to be a goalkicking machine across multiple levels. Winning the goalkicking at both Oakleigh and for Vic Metro, Martin had a day out against Vic Country with seven goals to earn All-Australian honours as a bottom-ager, and […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 Summer Series – Swans Academy vs. AFL Sydney U22
THE SYDNEY Swans Academy has maintained its perfect record in the 2026 Summer Series after defeating the AFL Sydney Under 22s by 62 points at Henson Park on Saturday. After conceding the first goal and going without one in the opening term, the Swans set up their victory with the next 12 majors. Returning star […]
Preseason Q&A: Harrison Chapman (Eastern Ranges)
EASTERN Ranges wingman Harrison Chapman is hoping to become a leader amongst the group searching for back-to-back Talent League premierships. The National Academy member also has his eyes on a centre bounce transition having spent a week at Hawthorn under the guidance of Will Day, and with advice from former teammates in tow. We sat […]
Swans storm past AFL Sydney in dominant third term
SYDNEY Swans Academy overcame a second quarter challenge from AFL Sydney’s Under 22 side to produce another dominant win in the NSW/ACT Women’s Summer Series. After keeping AFL Canberra’s Under 22s to just one behind last week in a triple-digit annihilation, the Swans only conceded two more behinds in Round 2, running out 12.6 (78) […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 Summer Series – Giants Academy vs. AFL Canberra U22
THE GIANTS Academy have notched up their first win of the 2026 Summer Series, after defeating AFL Canberra U22 by 13 points at Henson Park on Saturday. Despite having two fewer scoring shots, the more junior outfit brought the heat with plenty of run and pressure in the 9.6 (60) to 6.11 (47) triumph. A […]
