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 […]
Recruitment drive: Devils enter VFL venture
OFF-SEASONS can often be the catalyst for in-season success, and several state league clubs will hope that is the case in 2026. In a new series on Rookie Me Central, we highlight some of the most exciting recruitment drives from around the country. Next up is the newly formed Tasmania Devils VFL side. >> RECRUITMENT DRIVE: […]
Vic Country & Metro summer squads revealed
THE 2026 Vic Country and Metro summer squads have been announced, with 51 of the state’s brightest prospects earning selection. Both sides contain five bottom-age (2009-born) players, while Victoria’s 11 National Academy members gain automatic entry, and nine club-tied players have been included. >> SCROLL to see the full squads Leading the 2026 eligible crop […]
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Ranges set for sustained success
AMONG Eastern Ranges’ breakthrough premiership side of 2025 was a booming bottom-age crop, now set to steer the ship in 2026. Nine 2008-born players took the field on Grand Final day last year, with a couple more unlucky to miss out, though they will soon have their chance to chase back-to-back flags. We put the […]
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Gippy’s gun crop
GIPPSLAND Power kicked goals both on a results and draftee basis in 2025. The Talent League region, famed for punching above its weight, took out last year’s minor premiership and produced the nation’s number one draft pick in Willem Duursma. Somehow, things could get even better in 2026. The Power have produced two AFL Academy […]
