
2024 AFL Draft | Race to #1: Jagga Smith
OAKLEIGH Chargers midfielder Jagga Smith is a prospect who has brought the lingering draft age debate to the fore. Some have suggested the 18-year-old would have been ready to slot into an AFL system via last year’s draft, given his enormous talent and status as a high school graduate. The Scotch College alumnus will spend […]

2024 AFLW Draft player analysis: Zoe Hargreaves
AMONG the many bottom-age talents who stepped up in their first season at Coates Talent League Girls level was Zoe Hargreaves. Alongside younger sister Phoebe, the pair quickly caught the eye with their speed and ability to find the ball at the level despite being bottom-age and double bottom-age respectively. Phoebe represented Vic Metro at […]

PROFILED | 2024 Vic Metro Talent Hub
THE 2024 Vic Metro summer training squad has been announced, with 22 prospects selected from across all six applicable Coates Talent League regions. In anticipation of their respective top and bottom-age campaigns, we profile each player and break down the overall squad. >> ANNOUNCEMENT: 2024 Victorian summer training squads 2024 VIC COUNTRY SUMMER TRAINING SQUAD […]

Industrious Ashcroft relishing high standards
THERE’S a lot on Levi Ashcroft‘s plate in 2024, and plenty he’s already achieved. The top draft prospect is aiming to become the third member of his family to reach the top level of Australian rules football, after father Marcus and big brother Will both hit the bigtime in Brisbane. Levi is an esteemed junior, […]

Clubs to Watch in 2024: Darebin Falcons
IN a new series over the course of January, Rookie Me Central takes a look at some of the clubs across the nation that could be worth watching for a combination of AFL and AFLW Draft prospects, as well as being ultra-competitive or a title contender in their respective competitions. We start out series off […]

2023 AFLW Draft review: Western Bulldogs
HOLDING clearly the best haul heading into the 2023 AFL Women’s Draft night, there was little doubt the Bulldogs were going to come out winners. They had four selections within the first 11, and picked up a mature-age ruck who had already been an injury replacement player with them late, Jorja Borg. The top-end quartet […]

2023 AFLW Draft review: West Coast
AFTER another low finish in Season 8, West Coast hit the draft and recruited three top-age talents and a readymade former Docker to complete its list ahead of 2024. Holding the second pick in the AFL Women’s Draft, the Eagles opted for GWV Rebels captain Jessica Rentsch – who has family over there – then […]

2023 AFLW Draft review: Sydney
TWO Vic Metro talents headed north to the Harbour City as the Swans looked south to complete their 2024 AFL Women’s list. After selecting Holly Cooper as a pre-signing prior to the draft, Sydney plucked out Calder Cannons forward Sarah Grunden with Pick 15, before opting for Oakleigh Chargers premiership skipper Lara Hausegger to sure […]

2023 AFLW Draft review: St Kilda
ST KILDA was able to have a relatively quiet AFL Women’s Draft, having committed to a father-daughter prospect pre-draft and heading in with one other selection, a top 10 pick. With the latter, the Saints opted for Western Jets skipper Kiera Whiley with Pick 10, before selecting Geelong VFLW midfielder Charlotte Simpson, an over-age onballer […]

2023 AFLW Draft review: Richmond
RICHMOND opted to just take two picks into the 2023 AFL Women’s Draft, but showed the Tigers had a need for speed. With their first round selection, the Tigers pounced on draft bolter Isabel Bacon at Pick 13, with the Sandringham Dragons defender and midfielder heading to Punt Road. With their only other selection, the […]