2026 AFL Draft | Race to #1: Wildcards
THE EARLY consensus surrounding this year’s race to pick one suggests a pair of frontrunners have emerged in Dougie Cochrane and Cody Walker. While the likes of Harley Reid and Willem Duursma have followed through on that promise in recent times, the run isn’t always linear and new contenders stake their claims. We pitch another […]
State(s) in Focus: Hypothetical Allies squad
A CHANGE in the Allies selection process has seen no preseason camp held this year for the budding squad of players ranging from the Northern Territory, NSW/ACT, Queensland, and Tasmania. Instead, they will come together for trials in June, ahead of the 2026 Under 18 National Championships. >> SCROLL to see the full hypothetical squad […]
TOP 5s | 2026 Queensland Preseason Testing
BRISBANE Lions Academy prospect Jethro Grills had a day out at the recent Queensland preseason testing combine, achieving top-five results in every event. What’s more, the 176cm top-ager finished first on the leaderboard in four of those tests to showcase his all-round athleticism. >> SCROLL to see the Top 5s for each test Grills notched […]
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 […]
AFL DRAFT | The clubs stockpiling future picks
THE future picks market is becoming increasingly prevalent at each AFL Draft, and with tighter rules around matching bids, preparation is proving key. Gold Coast has become the pick swap king and frantically did so throughout trade and draft period to secure five academy graduates this year. >> EVERY CLUB: 2026-2028 future picks>> AFL DRAFT: […]
AFL Draft | Top club-tied prospects for 2026
AFTER what was pegged as the most compromised draft in history, the consensus top two prospects for next year are both already tied to AFL clubs. There is plenty of value for all clubs, though, with a range of father-son, Next Generation Academy (NGA), and Northern Academy prospects showing their wares. >> 26 for 2026: […]
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 […]
2026 AFL Academy squad announced
THE 2026 AFL Academy squad has been announced, featuring 25 of the nation’s brightest 2008-born prospects. A total of 13 Under 16 All-Australians from last year have been inducted to the elite program, including captain of said side, Cody Walker, a father-son candidate set to land at Carlton. >> SCROLL to see the full squad […]
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 […]
