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 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 […]
Academy Update: The graduates in line for promotion
WITH the 2025 season quickly drawing to a close, the pieces are close to being set in stone on how club-tied players will impact the draft order. Inevitably, many will be scattered throughout the order in what is being labelled as the most compromised draft in history. We run through where the leading top-age prospects […]
Scouting Notes: 2025 AFL U16s – Giants Academy vs. Tasmania
TASMANIA has claimed the Pool B title at this year’s Under 16 National Championships after downing the GWS Giants Academy by 20 points. Taking the crown with a 3-0 record, Tassie did so via a comfortably superior percentage to the Brisbane Lions Academy, who also finished the series undefeated. The win was set up by […]
Around the Grounds: State stars soar to senior grades
SENIOR debuts were handed out across the country, as recent state representatives continue to earn higher honours. The brother of a current Saint earned his maiden cap in the SANFL, while a pair of West Perth prospects did so in the WAFL, and two Victorian over-agers turned out in the VFL. Catch up on all […]
Scouting Notes: 2025 AFL U16s – Giants Academy vs. Northern Territory
GWS GIANTS Academy bounced back from its first round AFL Under 16 Championships defeat to Sydney Swans Academy by storming to an easy 62-point win over Northern Territory at People First Stadium yesterday. The orange team overcame early inaccuracy to put the foot down in the second half and secure a strong 14.19 (103) to […]
Ones to Watch: 2025 AFL U16s – Pool B
WITH all four Round 1 games played out in Pool B of the Under 16 National Development Championships, attention will now turn to the Queensland leg of the series this month. Before the remaining fixtures, we highlight 15 players who have already impressed across the four Northern Academies, Northern Territory, and Tasmania, by revisiting their […]
Scouting Notes: 2025 AFL U16s – Giants Academy vs. Swans Academy
THE SYDNEY Swans Academy has claimed bragging rights with a 29-point win over Greater Western Sydney (GWS) in their Under 16 National Championships derby on Saturday. The Swans trailed at quarter time but applied consistent scoreboard pressure with three goals in each of the remaining terms. Manuka Oval set the scene for what was both […]
Revisited: ‘The most compromised draft in history’
THERE was, and continues to be plenty of noise surrounding just how compromised this year’s AFL Draft is shaping up to be. Every second emerging ‘top 25’ talent seems to be tied to a club, and recruiters came into the year matching that notion with around half of the best 50 players being off limits. […]
