Hodder embraces “absolutely crazy” rise
FROM a player who only started taking footy seriously over the last couple of seasons, Grace Hodder‘s meteoric rise from fringe VFLW player to star Sandringham Zebras midfielder has been one of the ages. By her own admission, she never a natural runner, but when she set her sights on getting as far as she […]
AFL Draft | Top club-tied prospects for 2026
AFTER what was pegged as the most compromised draft in history, the consensus top two prospects for next year are both already tied to AFL clubs. There is plenty of value for all clubs, though, with a range of father-son, Next Generation Academy (NGA), and Northern Academy prospects showing their wares. >> 26 for 2026: […]
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Northern’s tall trio
THE AFL talent production line flows in waves. After waiting until the final live pick of the rookie draft to have a player selected this year – Nicholas Driscoll to Geelong – Northern Knights have produced the most AFL Academy members of any club or Talent League region for 2026. >> ONES TO WATCH: 26 […]
Tregellis “absolutely” still chasing AFLW dream
A LATE bloomer to the sub-elite junior footballing pathways, Abbey Tregellis has never lost the hunger to reach the AFL Women’s. Overlooked as a top-ager and over-ager at the Dandenong Stingrays, then a third draft went by without result after a successful year at the Southern Saints and now, off the back of her best […]
2025 AFLW Draft Q&A: Lilly-Ann Ryder
GOLD Coast Suns Academy is stacked to the brim with talent, and another player who is worth noting down is athletic tall utility, Lilly-Ann Ryder. The 174cm versatile type has spent time in defence with the Suns and Queensland, while playing forward for Southport. Given the volume of talent at the Suns and battle for […]
2025 AFLW Draft Q&A: Sienna Burnham
A DELAYED start to the season due to injury and being part of an incredibly stacked Gold Coast Suns Academy, Sienna Burnham is one of those players who could be fantastic value for another AFLW club. The Suns have nine Draft Combine invitee-tied players with six or seven of them expected to land at the […]
Well-travelled Wain determined to succeed
DRIVING 12 hours return to train and play football, it is fair to say talented athletic ruck Amaia Wain is hellbent on chasing her AFL Women’s dream. The top-age talent lives on New South Wales’ north east coast, with a six-hour trip one-way to Sydney where she has represented the Swans Academy, and played for […]
Match practice the key for determined Janschek
ASPIRING AFL Women’s footballer Yasmeen Janschek is under no illusions she has a long way to go to succeed at the top level. The former netballer spoke to Rookie Me Central about her journey recently, with part one of the two-part series looking into her background and decision around choosing the code. Part two will […]
AFL DRAFT | Top VFL breakout prospects
THE VICTORIAN Football League (VFL) was a hotbed for mid-season draftees this year, and that may well continue to be the case in a compromised end-of-season talent pool lacking extensive depth. The leading prospects this year include the latest Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medallist, the nephew of a St Kilda champion, and a pair of products from the […]
Bridge rises above sea of uncertainty
THE BRIDGE family is seemingly made for the big stage. 2025 AFL Draft prospect Harrison has picked up several accolades en route to his top-age year, feats which are now being rivalled by 16-year-old brother, Jackson. >> FREE TO ACCESS: Rookie Me Central’s 2025 AFL Draft Guide While the more junior sibling was named Pool […]
