VFL Player Focus: Cooper French (GWS Giants)
GREATER Western Sydney (GWS) has another emerging star coming through its academy, with bottom-ager Cooper French making his VFL debut over the weekend. The energetic midfielder-forward kicked a crucial steadying goal in the final term of his side’s 13-point win over Gold Coast in Blacktown. French, a native of Ainslie in the ACT, was the […]
VFL Player Focus: Darcy Szerszyn (North Melbourne)
DANDENONG Stingrays vice-captain Darcy Szerszyn was among the latest batch of state league debutants over the weekend, turning out for North Melbourne’s VFL side. The highly touted defender matched up on a couple of AFL-experienced adversaries in the Roos’ 46-point loss to Footscray at Arden Street Oval on Friday. Fellow draft hopeful Khaled El Souki […]
Up the Grades: Top prospect makes long-awaited return
JUNIOR talent continues to filter up the grades in the back-end of season 2026, with the latest batch headlined by top draft prospect Dougie Cochrane. The Port Adelaide aligned utility made his long-awaited first appearance for the season having been sidelined by knee tendinitis. While he made his club debut for the Port Magpies, several […]
VFL Player Focus: Caylen Murray (Brisbane Lions)
IT WAS an exciting couple of days for Brisbane Lions Academy prospect Caylen Murray. After being awarded honours as half-back in the Under 18s All-Australian side, Murray found himself competing against North Melbourne for the Lions VFL side a few days later. Coming off the back of a standout performance for the Allies in June, […]
Player Focus: Meaney, Medved team up in Swans smashing
SYDNEY Swans fans can anticipate another strong wave of academy talent this year, headlined by a pair of recent VFL debutants. Emerging defender Jake Medved was the latest to earn a state league berth, joining smooth moving midfielder Henry Meaney at the level in Round 18 over the weekend. Both prospects were recently part of […]
Up the Grades: State teammates turn rivals in WAFL
WEST Coast father-son prospect Harper Banfield and state teammate Harvey Spawton-Guy were among the next wave of state league debutants over the weekend. Banfield claimed bragging rights in that WAFL matchup, while Jake Medved helped the Swans claim bragging rights over their local rivals. Elsewhere, Allies MVP Caylen Murray was back in action for Brisbane […]
Up the Grades: State stars, club-tied talent climb the ranks
STATE captains, club-tied talent, and many other representative stars were among the promising juniors to turn out at state league level over the weekend. South Australian standout Kodah Edwards debuted for South Adelaide, as did Essendon-tied prospect Blake Justice and Fremantle Next Generation Academy (NGA) member Joshua Nathan in the WAFL. Catch up on how […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 AFL Academy vs. North Melbourne VFL
GEELONG Falcons midfielder Noah Williams was named best on ground as the AFL Academy was soundly beaten in the first of its two showcase games for 2026. The Under 18 outfit went down by 71 points to a clinical North Melbourne VFL side at Arden Street Oval on Sunday. The Roos stormed out of the […]
Recruitment drive: Fresh Saints faces forge new path
ST KILDA will lay claim to its own reserves side for the first time since 1999 this year. After ceasing their alignment with Sandringham Zebras, who have also driven a strong recruiting campaign, the Saints have built their new VFL list with a focus on youth development and establishing culture. >> RECRUITMENT DRIVE: Sandringham | […]
Recruitment drive: Standalone Sandringham’s signing spree
THERE’S something in the water down at Sandringham. The bayside club will enter standalone status for the first time this century in 2026, having ended its AFL alignment to St Kilda. With close ties to community clubs and stakeholders, and nearly of 100 years of history, the Zebras have embarked on a monumental list build. […]
