Preseason Q&A: Ethan Matthews (Giants Academy)
AMONG another strong crop of club-tied talent this year is Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Academy standout Ethan Matthews. The smooth-moving defender is hoping to earn more midfield minutes as a top-ager, bringing Allies exposure and five games of VFL experience into season 2026. We sat down for an interview with Matthews at the Giants Academy’s […]
2026 AFL Draft | Race to #1: Cody Walker
FOR FANS of AFL clubs starved of on-field success, draft and trade wins often provide beacons of hope. Nostalgia helps too, and that’s exactly what the emergence of father-son gun Cody Walker is providing Carlton fans. >> SCROLL for player highlights The son of 202-game former Blue Andrew last year declared his intentions to pursue […]
TOP 5s | 2026 Tasmanian Preseason Testing
THE BUDDING class of 2027 is shaping up nicely for Tasmania, if the recent preseason testing combine is anything to go by. Several 2009-born prospects produced top-five results across the event held in Hobart, headlined by dual-podium finisher Benjamin Russell. >> SCROLL to see the Top 5s for each test Lauderdale’s Russell exhibited his elite […]
2026 Talent League fixtures revealed
THE AFL has today released fixtures for the upcoming Talent League boys and girls seasons. The competition continues to expand, with news that the Bachar Houli Senior Boys Academy will compete in two matches, while the four club-aligned Northern Academies will now play seven games each. >> SCROLL for all the details TALENT LEAGUE BOYS […]
TOP 5s | 2026 NSW/ACT Preseason Testing
JUNIOR athletics star Mason McGroder has showed out at the recent Swans Academy preseason combine, achieving three top five finishes. A long jump bronze medalist at the 2024 U20 World Championships, it was no surprise to see the top-ager top the running vertical jump leaderboard. >> SCROLL to see the Top 5s for each test […]
TOP 5s | 2026 Queensland Preseason Testing
BRISBANE Lions Academy prospect Jethro Grills had a day out at the recent Queensland preseason testing combine, achieving top-five results in every event. What’s more, the 176cm top-ager finished first on the leaderboard in four of those tests to showcase his all-round athleticism. >> SCROLL to see the Top 5s for each test Grills notched […]
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 […]
Preseason Q&A: Will Jenkin (Swans Academy)
FROM playing Auskick in Hong Kong to earning selection in last year’s National Futures match, Will Jenkin is traversing a unique path through his footballing career. What’s more, he’s doing it alongside twin brother Guy, with the pair being equal parts inseparable and impossible to tell apart. Jenkin did not partake in the Futures match […]
PROFILED | 2026 Vic Metro summer squad
THE 2026 Vic Metro summer squad was finalised earlier in January, with 26 prospects selected for representative honours. Among the squad are five bottom-agers and as many club-tied players, with the Big V hoping to rebound off a 2-2 record last year. We profile every member of the training squad. >> FULL SQUADS: 2026 Victorian […]
PROFILED | 2026 Vic Country summer squad
THE 2026 Vic Country summer squad was finalised earlier in January, with 25 prospects selected for representative honours. Among the squad are five bottom-agers and four club-tied players, with the Big V hoping to rebound off a 2-2 campaign last year. We profile every member of the training squad. >> FULL SQUADS: 2026 Victorian summer […]
