“Rollercoaster” 2026 still sees Vizgaudis come out on top
FROM the highs of winning a national championships title to the lows of a season-ending hand injury, South Australian Layla Vizgaudis can still have a smile on her face when thinking of 2026. They were just a couple of moments in an action-packed year concluding a junior career which has never been short of eye-catching […]
Boyd enjoys “unreal” season of opportunities
WESTERN Jets utility Kiara Boyd never says ‘no’ to an opportunity be it on-field positioning or a challenge, with the talented National Academy member enjoying the final year of her junior football career. Going from the Jets to Williamstown and incredibly playing in a VFLW Grand Final, Boyd looks back on 2026 with only fond […]
Competitive Barlow focused on AFLW Draft dream
SWANS Academy member Ashleigh Barlow knows what it takes to chase her dream, and as the elite level is within reach, the defender has no intention of resting on her laurels despite a brilliant year. Barlow said while in an ideal scenario she would stay in the red and white next year, she had no […]
Carlshausen keen to keep building
WEST Australian AFLW Draft prospect Mia Carlshausen has built an exciting junior CV with the hard-running defender capping off her underage year with a National Draft Combine invitation. A member of the National Academy who won All-Australian honours at the AFLW Under 18 Championships, Carlshausen was also a key member for Perth in an unforgettable […]
Lion cub Pritchard close to AFLW dream
AN HONEST Aiyana Pritchard conceded her season could have been better and she much prefers her forwardline role to running off a wing, but at the same time, enjoyed the experiences from her top-age year that made her the player she is today. “I thought I had an alright season, good moments here or there,” […]
Leader Rankin sets sights on all-round improvement
WELL-SPOKEN Eastern Ranges skipper Emily Rankin is not just a player who is not just driving her legs on-field, but club culture off it. Taking a holistic approach to the game, the Vic Metro representative is a player who coaches and teammates can rely on to always make the right choice and both her on-field […]
Allen “loved” consistent top-age season
AN UNFORGETTABLE season that included a Vic Metro MVP, All-Australian honours, All-Stars representation and a National Draft Combine invite, Northern Knights defender Alli Allen could hardly believe the year she put together looking back. “I think I had a very consistent year,” Allen said. “Loved it, loved the opportunities that I got given with Metro, […]
Draft Combine invite “meant the world” to Nihill
ON-FIELD results wise it was a tough year for top-age AFLW Draft hope Lacey Nihill who between club and state managed just the one win each. However, scoreboard aside, the Bendigo Pioneers and Vic Country talent could not be happier with her 2026 season. “It’s been a pretty good season overall,” Nihill said. “I think […]
Elite level just the “start of my dream” for determined Clinch
STARTING the year uncertain if she would make the final Gold Coast Suns Academy side, Queensland ruck Sienna Clinch not only reached that goal, but zoomed past it at a rate of knots. By year’s end, she established herself as the top Queensland ruck, earned a National Draft Combine invite, and set herself up as […]
Roche takes game to another level in 2026
AFTER a frustrating bottom-age year that was impacted by an ankle injury, Murray Bushrangers forward Eliza Roche put in a power of work over the off-season to emerge stronger and better for it, and that work showed throughout the 2026 season. Roche’s draft-age season saw the Vic Country representative not only don the ‘Big V’ […]
Dees, Roos divide amongst AFLW Draft hopes
A WHOPPING 83 per cent of the National AFLW Draft Combine invitees suggest the AFL Women’s flag is a two-horse race. As part of the Draft Combine week, Rookie Me Central spoke to all 47 available players at the MCG with a series of questions to get a consensus on a number of topics. >>> […]
GWS to enjoy Giant win before getting back to work
GWS GIANTS fans have done it tough over the years, but the Round 1 victory over West Coast gave a glimpse in what could be the future for the orange team. Defeating West Coast by 12 points at ENGIE Stadium, coach Cam Bernasconi was thrilled with the win and it seemed like a coming-of-age performance. […]
RECAP | Coaches Chat: 2026 AFLW Round 1
RETURNING for a second straight year, Rookie Me Central has delved into each of the 18 press conferences to hear from the coaches in the AFL Women’s and take a snippet of what they took from their respective matches. >> ST KILDA vs. CARLTON: St Kilda | Carlton
Saints “disappointed” with slow start in Blues’ loss
ST KILDA coach Nick Dal Santo said there were some clear areas to improve on from his side’s 26-point loss to Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, with a 33-point half-time deficit, high volume of turnovers and inability to capitalise on forward 50 entries were all on the agenda. Dal Santo’s Saints suffered a 9.12 […]
Blues Marvel at young guns after fast start
A SIX goals to one opening half set the scene for Carlton in the standalone Round 1 match against St Kilda, making it a memorable day for Bluebaggers as part of the double-header action at Marvel Stadium. Hoping to build on their rise up the ladder last season, the Blues held the Saints goalless until […]
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 | […]
EVERY CLUB | 2025 AFLW Draft team reviews
THE DUST has settled on this year’s AFLW Draft, which saw 60 players find new homes in Monday night’s event at Marvel Stadium. Across the last few days, Rookie Me Central has been unpacking each club’s respective hauls, revealing how they came together and granting a final grade. Click on the corresponding links below to […]
2025 AFLW Draft review: Western Bulldogs
COMPLETING our team-by-team review of the 2025 AFLW Draft, the Western Bulldogs also made just the minimum two selections, with a couple of draft bolters at their respective selections. One National Academy member who was gaining plenty of interest late had the trigger pulled in the first round, while a complete bolter thanks to her […]
2025 AFLW Draft review: West Coast
WEST Coast managed to secure the local young star, while also adding another exciting talent in the form of a Victorian utility in what was a relatively small draft crop after a huge one in 2024. The Eagles made finals for the first time and will be looking to build on that effort next season […]
Tasmanian AFLW list build concessions revealed
TASMANIA’S AFLW list build concessions have been revealed, with clubs informed on Wednesday of the Devils’ initial trade and draft mechanics. Set to enter the women’s competition in 2028, Tasmania will have exclusive access to local talent, on top of several draft handouts and unique free agency rules. >> SCROLL to see the full list […]
“Rollercoaster” 2026 still sees Vizgaudis come out on top
FROM the highs of winning a national championships title to the lows of a season-ending hand injury, South Australian Layla Vizgaudis can still have a smile on her face when thinking of 2026. They were just a couple of moments in an action-packed year concluding a junior career which has never been short of eye-catching […]
Boyd enjoys “unreal” season of opportunities
WESTERN Jets utility Kiara Boyd never says ‘no’ to an opportunity be it on-field positioning or a challenge, with the talented National Academy member enjoying the final year of her junior football career. Going from the Jets to Williamstown and incredibly playing in a VFLW Grand Final, Boyd looks back on 2026 with only fond […]
Competitive Barlow focused on AFLW Draft dream
SWANS Academy member Ashleigh Barlow knows what it takes to chase her dream, and as the elite level is within reach, the defender has no intention of resting on her laurels despite a brilliant year. Barlow said while in an ideal scenario she would stay in the red and white next year, she had no […]
Carlshausen keen to keep building
WEST Australian AFLW Draft prospect Mia Carlshausen has built an exciting junior CV with the hard-running defender capping off her underage year with a National Draft Combine invitation. A member of the National Academy who won All-Australian honours at the AFLW Under 18 Championships, Carlshausen was also a key member for Perth in an unforgettable […]
Lion cub Pritchard close to AFLW dream
AN HONEST Aiyana Pritchard conceded her season could have been better and she much prefers her forwardline role to running off a wing, but at the same time, enjoyed the experiences from her top-age year that made her the player she is today. “I thought I had an alright season, good moments here or there,” […]
Leader Rankin sets sights on all-round improvement
WELL-SPOKEN Eastern Ranges skipper Emily Rankin is not just a player who is not just driving her legs on-field, but club culture off it. Taking a holistic approach to the game, the Vic Metro representative is a player who coaches and teammates can rely on to always make the right choice and both her on-field […]
Allen “loved” consistent top-age season
AN UNFORGETTABLE season that included a Vic Metro MVP, All-Australian honours, All-Stars representation and a National Draft Combine invite, Northern Knights defender Alli Allen could hardly believe the year she put together looking back. “I think I had a very consistent year,” Allen said. “Loved it, loved the opportunities that I got given with Metro, […]
Draft Combine invite “meant the world” to Nihill
ON-FIELD results wise it was a tough year for top-age AFLW Draft hope Lacey Nihill who between club and state managed just the one win each. However, scoreboard aside, the Bendigo Pioneers and Vic Country talent could not be happier with her 2026 season. “It’s been a pretty good season overall,” Nihill said. “I think […]
Elite level just the “start of my dream” for determined Clinch
STARTING the year uncertain if she would make the final Gold Coast Suns Academy side, Queensland ruck Sienna Clinch not only reached that goal, but zoomed past it at a rate of knots. By year’s end, she established herself as the top Queensland ruck, earned a National Draft Combine invite, and set herself up as […]
