Ones to Watch: 2023 AFL National Draft Combine
ATHLETICISM is becoming an increasingly pertinent trait at AFL level, and the way players move has always been a good measure of how they may fare in elite systems. Put simply, if you can’t keep up with the speed and intensity of the game or run it out strongly, you’ll be left behind. Though the […]
Will 2024 be the first AFLW Super Draft?
COULD 2024 be the first ever AFL Women’s Super Draft? It is question that will no doubt be discussed amongst clubs and pertinent draft watchers alike, and at this stage, all the signs are pointing to ‘yes’. But what exactly makes a Super Draft? What does it mean, and what can we expect? WHAT IS […]
Sheridan taking nothing for granted after ACL return
IN the wake of over-ager Brooke Sheridan realising her dream of making it onto an AFL Women’s list, the newest Brisbane Lions footballer will never forget her journey. The talented forward was a promising prospect set for a huge 2022 season, but an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury derailed that year. Missing out on a […]
The Contenders: 2023 RMC Medal
THE NEXT two Coates Talent League rounds will determine who takes out this year’s Rookie Me Central Medal, with just four players left with a mathematical chance of taking out the honour. Leading the race is Tasmanian midfielder Colby McKercher, and we outline every contender’s path to the medal. >> 2022 Winner: Cadman takes out […]
Season 8 AFLW preview: GWS
GWS GIANTS had a really unlucky season last year, with the Western Sydney team having a host of inactive players that were unavailable in Season 7. An incredible six players – including one who replaced an initial inactive player – were all out due to injury. Looking ahead to Season 8, the GIANTS are in […]
PODCAST | Game Sense – Episode 31
EPISODE 31 of the Game Sense has dropped, with the team reconvening to discuss all the latest news and fallout in the women’s footballing world. In this week’s instalment, host Michael Alvaro is joined by Rookie Me Central Chief Editor Peter Williams to break down the latest Under 18 National Championships action, and how the 2024 draft is shaping up. […]
AFLW 23 Under 23: #13 Isabel Dawes
OVER the next three weeks, Rookie Me Central will be counting down our 23 Players Under 23 years of age to watch in the upcoming 2023 season. The criteria is the player must be born in 2001 or later, and must have played at least one AFL Women’s match in Season 7. As the list […]
PODCAST | Final Siren – Episode 164
THE FINAL Siren Podcast is back for Episode 164, returning with all the latest pathway football fallout and another mini draft. Host Peter Williams sat down with AFL Draft Analyst Michael Alvaro to unpack Sunday’s Under 17 Futures double-header, before partaking in a selection of this year’s top prospects. Tune in! EPISODE 164 RUNDOWN >> Listen […]
AFLW U18s Player Focus: Kiera Whiley (Vic Metro)
WESTERN Jets skipper and AFLW Academy member Kiera Whiley is a good all-round player who can be a natural contested ball-winner, or slot onto a flank or a wing when required. In Vic Metro’s victory over Vic Country, Whiley almost exclusively played inside midfield, where she ran at an elite 80 per cent in both […]
VFL Player Focus: Ethan Read (Gold Coast Suns)
PLENTY of pathway prospects have earned berths at senior level this year, and Gold Coast Suns Academy member Ethan Read was the latest to be unleashed in the VFL. The 202cm ruck played with and against AFL-listed players as the Suns beat Sydney by 68 points on Saturday, and we put his performance under the […]
Cats’ retention in a “really strong place”
GEELONG coach Dan Lowther was aware of the murmurs, but he backed in the club’s development and retention policy. Essendon was entering the AFL Women’s competition and had signed on Carlton star Madison Prespakis among a host of experienced players from across the league. Outside the four walls of the Cattery, natural curiosity turned to […]
Season 8 AFLW preview: Gold Coast
GOLD Coast continues to make inroads in the AFL Women’s competition, falling six points outside the top eight last season. Though the Suns were not too far away, their percentage of 88 still left a little to be desired and showed areas of improvement. Looking across the Suns’ list, Gold Coast clearly has some incredible […]
