Pies the pick among Coates Talent League prospects
COLLINGWOOD is the most popular club of choice for this year’s brightest Coates Talent League prospects, headlined by father-son gun Tom McGuane. The son of 152-game premiership Pie, Mick was among the Vic Country, Metro, and Allies hub members to pledge their allegiance to the black and white. >> SCROLL to see which club each […]
2025 Coates Talent League: Dandenong Stingrays season preview
DANDENONG Stingrays boast six players in the Vic Country summer training hub and come into season 2025 with new strings to their bow, including an added depth of talls. We spoke to head coach Nick Cox about the year ahead and his region’s top AFL Draft prospects. PRESEASON “I think every preseason goes well, doesn’t […]
Gippsland livewire primed for breakout year
GIPPSLAND Power livewire Thomas Matthews is set for a big year according to his Coates Talent League teammates. All 43 top-age members of the Vic Country, Vic Metro, and Allies summer squads were surveyed during Saturday’s preseason testing event, with Matthews’ name coming up the most. >> SCROLL to see all the players to watch […]
2025 Coates Talent League: Calder Cannons season preview
CALDER Cannons are stacked with club-tied talent across every age group in 2025, with Essendon fans likely to take a particular interest in the local region for years to come. Headlined by a pick one contender, the Cannons head coach Sam Willett says his side is set to play an exciting brand of footy. PRESEASON […]
Gulden the guide for Coates Talent League prospects
SYDNEY Swans star Errol Gulden was a popular answer to the question ‘which AFL player do you mould you game on?’, at the recent Coates Talent League preseason testing day. 41 top-age players in the Vic Country, Vic Metro, and Allies training squads were surveyed, with 52 different AFL players put forward. >> SCROLL to see […]
2025 Coates Talent League: Bendigo Pioneers season preview
BENDIGO Pioneers are hitting their stride at the pointy end of preseason, boasting a pair of top-age prospects in the Vic Country summer training hub, five returning over-agers, and one standout bottom-age father-son gun. We chatted to coach Danny O’Bree about all of the above, and much more. PRESEASON “We were probably a little bit […]
Preseason Q&A: Thomas McGuane (Western Jets)
COLLINGWOOD fans are rejoicing the impending arrival of yet another father-son gun in Thomas McGuane. The son of 152-game premiership Pie and ever-present footy brain Mick, McGuane junior projects as a prolific onballer with crafty skills and high footy IQ. McGuane, who represented Vic Metro at Under 16 and 17 level, is part of the […]
Scouting Notes: Bolstered Swans stay undefeated in Summer Series
SYDNEY Swans Academy have taken out more senior opposition twice in as many weeks after dispatching the AFL Sydney U22s by 19 points at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday. The Swans were challenged but led at every break despite less accurate goalkicking to move to a 2-0 record. Bolstered by the return of National Academy […]
Preseason Q&A: Harley Hicks (GWV Rebels)
GREATER Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels speedster Harley Hicks impressed at the weekend’s Coates Talent League preseason testing event, posting the competition’s top standing vertical jump (88cm). A dynamic athlete native to Deniliquin, he’s looking to earn more midfield minutes as a top-ager in 2025. We chatted to Hicks about the year ahead, his strengths as […]
Preseason Q&A: Jack Dalton (Sandringham Dragons)
HAVING burst onto the scene as Vic Metro’s captain and MVP in the title-winning Under 16 side of 2023, Jack Dalton is perhaps flying under the radar heading into his top-age campaign. A syndesmosis injury at the start of last year couldn’t stop him from helping Sandringham take out a third straight flag, and now […]
