Analysis | The importance of fitness testing in modern football recruiting
THERE has been plenty of debate when talking about potential AFL prospects pertaining to the differences between judging ‘athletes’ against ‘pure footballers’. There is an argument that fitness testing should be taken with a grain of salt and that the eye test is most important, but when it comes to players being drafted – especially […]
Classic Contests: Daniels proves a handful for the Rebels
IF you are missing footy like we are, then let us somewhat salvage that with a look back in a new series of Classic Contests. In today’s contest we look at one of the would-have-been Round 8 clashes in the NAB League this year between the Bendigo Pioneers and Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels. In […]
Draft Central All-Star Teams: Bendigo Pioneers
BENDIGO Pioneers have had some serious top-end quality players to come through the program, and in the first of a new All-Star Series, we name a best 24 from each of the major regions. Already you have had the chance to vote on the Pioneers’ best ever player to come out of the region with […]
Classic Contests: Bushrangers’ seven-goal last term blows away Pioneers
IF you are missing footy like we are, then let us somewhat salvage that with a look back in a new series of Classic Contests. In today’s contest we look at one of the would-have-been Round 2 clashes in the NAB League this year between Murray Bushrangers and Bendigo Pioneers. In this edition, we wind […]
NAB League season preview: Bendigo Pioneers
AN ADDITIONAL training base, renewed optimism and fresh opportunities headline a successful off-season for the Bendigo Pioneers. The club with the largest land mass in the competition is ready and raring to go in season 2019, after a number of top-agers impressed as bottom-agers last season. Talent Manager Stephen Sharp said he was optimistic about […]
TAC Cup preview: Bendigo Pioneers
BENDIGO Pioneers are coming off another year of potential, but falling short during the season, taking out the 2017 wooden spoon. They had plenty of moments throughout the year that showed recruiters and fans that there was plenty of talent, which was highlighted on draft night with an equal club-record seven draftees selected – six […]
Bendigo Pioneers 2017 review
With the off-season now officially here for TAC Cup clubs, AFL Draft Central will go back and review what 2017 was like for each of the 12 clubs. We kick off the series with Bendigo Pioneers and will end with the Western Jets. Bendigo Pioneers Finished: 12th Wins: 3 Losses: 15 Percentage: 68 Points: 12 […]
Matt Balmer’s 2017 Final AFL Draft Power Rankings Part 1
EVERY month since May, Matt Balmer has ranked his players from the 2017 AFL Draft pool. With less than three weeks until the November 24 National AFL Draft, he counts down the players ranked 50-1 over the next two weeks. Today will be 50-26, before next Monday’s final rankings from 25-1. Having seen just under […]
2017 AFL Draft Combine: Day 3 results
AGILE tall Aiden Bonar and exciting West Australian Kyron Hayden were among the top performers on day three of the 2017 National AFL Draft Combine. Players were subjected to a busy day of testing, with the jumps, sprints and agility events held in the morning. The inaugural Yo-Yo test was run in the afternoon, before […]
Scouting notes: 2017 NAB AFL Under 18 All Stars game
JAIDYN Stephenson pushed his claims as a possible top five pick with a best-on-ground display at the MCG on Saturday. In the second year of the AFLs annual showcase, the contest pitted the best 50 2017 draft eligible prospects against each other, split into two sides named after former Geelong great Corey Enright (Team Enright) […]
