VFL Player Focus: Leonardo Lombard (Gold Coast)
GOLD Coast Suns Academy player Leonardo Lombard picked up where he left off in his first game of VFL for 2024, tallying 28 disposals in Gold Coast’s loss to Richmond. Playing in the midfield for the first half and high half-forward for the second, Lombard impacted with a good balance of inside and outside work. […]
Q&A: Nyalli Milne (Suns Academy)
EXPLOSIVE top-ager Nyalli Milne is an eye-catching player with plenty of upside. We spoke with the Bond University and Burleigh Bombers talent at the recent Queensland Preseason Testing Day about her journey, game, hopes and dreams for the future. Q: Nyalli, tell us about your footy journey? NM: “I started back in primary school, I […]
TOP 24 in 2024 | Dalgleish among four PPR toppers
OVER the past month, the top female athletes from across the country have tested themselves at the Preseason Testing Combines and posted some incredible results. We have noted down the top fives in each test for each of the events, but what about those player who finish just outside the top fives across multiple disciplines, […]
Q&A: Lilly Baker (Lions Academy)
AFLW Academy ruck Lilly Baker is one of the most developable talls in this year’s AFLW Draft. Though by her own admissions she has not spent as much time in the code as her peers, she is rapidly improving, having played predominantly through the ruck, but will hone her craft in defence this year. We […]
Q&A: Tara Harrington (Suns Academy)
QUEENSLAND AFLW Draft prospect Tara Harrington is a top-ager who has cut her teeth in a range of positions, with the predominant midfielder boasting skills and smarts. We spoke to the teenager at the recent Queensland Preseason Testing Day. Q: Tara, tell us about your footy journey, and what did you take from that? TH: […]
AFL Draft prospects name their idols
PRESEASON testing is nearing completion, which means plenty of budding AFL Draft prospects are fast approaching season proper. Having flown to all parts of Australia for each testing day, Rookie Me Central asked a bunch of top-agers one pertinent question – who do you mould your game on? >> SCROLL for all player comparisons While […]
TOP 5s | 2024 Preseason Testing – Suns & Lions Academies
TWO potential pick ones over the next two years showed their athletic abilities in the recent Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions Academies Preseason Testing Day. Taking to the courts at Brisbane South State Secondary College on February 18, the Under 18s and Under 16s squads were put through their paces. >> Top 5s | […]
Talbot taking “small steps” to reach big time
WHILE the majority of her Gold Coast Suns teammates live in the aforementioned region, North Cairns talent Heidi Talbot has had quite the array of obstacles to overcome. The trek from Cairns to the Gold Coast is arduous in itself, but juggling that with school, and needing to find work made it all the more […]
Q&A: Tom Gillett (Lions Academy)
BRISBANE Lions Academy tall Tom Gillett is one of Queensland’s leading AFL Draft prospects for 2024, boasting great mobility and versatility at 201cm. The 18-year-old enters his top-age campaign with high level representative experience and hopes to build on it as a more imposing ruck-forward. We chatted to him during last week’s preseason testing event […]
Full 2024 Coates Talent League fixtures finalised
AFTER releasing the Round 1 schedule earlier this week, the AFL has now confirmed the entire Coates Talent League fixture for season 2024 – across both the boys and girls competitions. Once again, 12 Victorian regions will participate full-time alongside Tasmania Devils. >> 2024 CTL fixture: Round 1 announcement Both competitions will also feature the […]
Q&A: Nyalli Milne (Suns Academy)
EXPLOSIVE top-ager Nyalli Milne is an eye-catching player with plenty of upside. We spoke with the Bond University and Burleigh Bombers talent at the recent Queensland Preseason Testing Day about her journey, game, hopes and dreams for the future. Q: Nyalli, tell us about your footy journey? NM: “I started back in primary school, I […]
Q&A: Lilly Baker (Lions Academy)
AFLW Academy ruck Lilly Baker is one of the most developable talls in this year’s AFLW Draft. Though by her own admissions she has not spent as much time in the code as her peers, she is rapidly improving, having played predominantly through the ruck, but will hone her craft in defence this year. We […]
Q&A: Tara Harrington (Suns Academy)
QUEENSLAND AFLW Draft prospect Tara Harrington is a top-ager who has cut her teeth in a range of positions, with the predominant midfielder boasting skills and smarts. We spoke to the teenager at the recent Queensland Preseason Testing Day. Q: Tara, tell us about your footy journey, and what did you take from that? TH: […]
Q&A: Mia Salisbury (Suns Academy)
QUEENSLAND defender Mia Salisbury is preparing for a big 2024 season for both Bond University and the Maroons. Having largely played at Reserves level – winning a flag with the Bull Sharks – Salisbury is ready to make the jump to more consistent QAFL Women’s senior football, while also potentially eyeing a move up the […]
Trial matches to kick off as seasons edge closer
FOOTBALL season is edging closer with teams across the state ready to put their off-season theory into practice as trial matches take place across the SANFL Women’s, as well as WAFL Women’s and Colts competitions. In South Australia, the season is just three weeks away with the opening round kicking off on March 1. In […]
2023 AFLW Draft review: Gold Coast
GOLD Coast was one of the more active teams on AFL Women’s Draft night, picking up five players including three locals. Despite having a strong Academy, the Suns managed to snag both Kiara Bischa and Sienna McMullen on the cheap at Picks 50 and 51 respectively, as well as club-tied Territory talent Annabel Kievit with […]
2023 AFLW Draft review: Brisbane
LOCAL talent was the clear theme for the Brisbane Lions, as the Season 8 premiers stayed within their own Academy for the 2023 AFL Women’s Draft. Forced to match a bid for Evie Long at Pick 15 and Indiana Williams at Pick 27, the Lions also selected Sophie Peters at Pick 21, and then Rania […]
2023 AFLW Draft preview: Gold Coast
GOLD Coast would have been disappointed with its final game of the year, bowing out in the elimination finals against Sydney, but the Suns can take plenty from an improved season. The season not only brought a return to the post-season series, but a lot of change during Trade Period with three players coming in, […]
2023 AFLW Draft preview: Brisbane
PREMIERS Brisbane might be basking on cloud nine after the Lions’ second flag in the women’s program history, but it did not stop them making moves over the off-season. Having lost quality players such as Emily Bates, Greta Bodey and Jesse Wardlaw over the off-season last year, there was no such forced moves, with instead […]
2023 AFLW Draft nominations: Full list
ALMOST 570 players nominated for the 2023 AFL Women’s Draft on December 18, with two thirds of nominees opting nationally, and only Victoria (103) having more than 25 state-based nominees. Nominations closed on December 1, with confirmed AFLW delistings after the date not included in the nominations. Collingwood already signed Irishwoman Muireann Atkinson from the […]