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 […]
Scouting Notes: Tigers outlast Falcons in arm-wrestle
CLAREMONT has begun its latest premiership defence with a grinding seven-point win over West Perth in Joondalup on Saturday night. In what was a scrappy, low-scoring encounter to close out Round 1 of the new Colts season, the Tigers and Falcons were separated by no more than one point at each break. We took note […]
State teammates single Steed as one to watch
SWAN Districts midfielder Leo Steed has been the talk of the preseason out west, with several of his state summer squad teammates expecting big things in 2026. Steed missed out on last year’s winter squad, which he says has added “fuel to the fire” as he looks to impress during his top-age campaign. Having already […]
Preseason Q&A: Benji van Rooyen (Claremont)
CLAREMONT ruck Benji van Rooyen continues to grow heading into his top-age season, both on and off the field. Now standing at an imposing 203cm, he will hope to follow in the footsteps of his two elder brothers who traversed the same footballing pathway before him. With brother Jacob currently on Melbourne’s books, van Rooyen […]
National Academy prospects hit the track with AFL clubs
THE 2026 National Academy members are set to be unleashed unto AFL clubs in the coming weeks, as preseason training ramps up. Some have already spent time at their designated clubs in the new year, with several prospects also being aligned via academies and father-son eligibility. >> PROFILED: 2026 AFL National Academy squad An early […]
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Rucks to run rampant
THE BUDDING draft crop of 2026 shapes as one with a bit of everything and the ruck department is certainly not short on talent. A standout group of 200cm-plus prospects has already emerged, with the National Academy set to have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to key position options. After West Coast selected […]
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Claremont’s killer Colts
WEST Australian powerhouse Claremont has proven to be a juggernaut at Colts level in recent history, claiming three consecutive premierships and producing a raft of eventual draftees. The trend is set to continue into 2026, with the Tigers contributing an equal-high nine players to WA’s state summer squad. >> SPOTLIGHT: Northern Knights’ tall trio With […]
PROFILED: 2026 AFL Academy squad
IN THE wake of this year’s AFL Draft, eyes are already turning to what the budding class of 2026 may hold. Released in November, the National Academy squad provided a glimpse into the country’s best 25 2008-born prospects, all of whom we profile below. >> ANNOUNCEMENT: 2026 AFL Academy squad revealed Tanner Armstrong (Murray Bushrangers/Vic […]
26 in 2026: A look ahead to next year’s top prospects
WHILE the class of 2025 didn’t earn the most rave reviews throughout this year, the budding 2026 draft crop is viewed relatively favourably at this very early stage. There’s imposing tall talent, keen runners, and high accumulators up for grabs in a group that has a bit of everything. As seen in our 2025 AFL […]
Scouting Notes: 2025 National Under 17 Futures
THE ANNUAL Under 17 Futures showcase saw Team Boak score a 13-point win over Team Docherty in Saturday’s curtain-raiser to the AFL Grand Final. A pair of Vic Country prospects took out best on ground honours as 45 of the nation’s best prospects for next year strutted their stuff on the MCG. We took note […]
