Up the Grades: Cochrane, Walker stand tall in defeats
LEADING draft prospects Dougie Cochrane and Cody Walker showed their class in stat-stuffing state league performances over the weekend. Considered by some as the top two talents in this year’s crop, the pair proved their readiness for higher levels with strong performances in heavy defeats. Meanwhile, the debuts kept on coming across the country. There […]
Breakdown: 2026 AFL Draft Combine invites
THE BUDDING AFL Draft crop will be put through its paces at this year’s National and State Draft Combines, set to take place in October. With the lists of invitees released yesterday, we now have an even further understanding of which prospects are under the microscopes of recruiters. While there is still time for bolters […]
VFL Player Focus: Caylen Murray (Brisbane Lions)
IT WAS an exciting couple of days for Brisbane Lions Academy prospect Caylen Murray. After being awarded honours as half-back in the Under 18s All-Australian side, Murray found himself competing against North Melbourne for the Lions VFL side a few days later. Coming off the back of a standout performance for the Allies in June, […]
Up the Grades: State teammates turn rivals in WAFL
WEST Coast father-son prospect Harper Banfield and state teammate Harvey Spawton-Guy were among the next wave of state league debutants over the weekend. Banfield claimed bragging rights in that WAFL matchup, while Jake Medved helped the Swans claim bragging rights over their local rivals. Elsewhere, Allies MVP Caylen Murray was back in action for Brisbane […]
Remember the Names: 2026 AFL Under 18 MVPs
THE AFL Under 18 National Championships wrapped up over the weekend, with two more Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards handed out to either Victorian team. Meanwhile, West Australian star Heath Mellody was awarded the Larke Medal as the All-Australian team was announced on Wednesday. We profile each of the MVPs. Note: South Australia will announce […]
Champions Vic Metro dominate Under 18 All-Australian team
CHAMPIONS Vic Metro have contributed a high of 10 players to the 2026 AFL Under 18 All-Australian team, with prospects scattered across each line. West Australian star Heath Mellody was awarded the prestigious Larke Medal and named captain of the 23-player side. Named at half-back, Mellody proved to be a rampant playmaker throughout the carnival, […]
RECAP | 2026 AFL Under 18 National Championships
THE 2026 AFL Under 18 National Championships came to a close on Sunday, as Vic Metro completed an undefeated campaign to be crowned champions. Every other team bagged at least one win in a relatively even competition. We recap how it all unfolded across the 10 fixtures, with the Larke Medal and All-Australian team to […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 AFL U18s – Allies vs. Western Australia
THE ALLIES have ended their National Championships campaign on a high after defeating Western Australia by six points in a thrilling encounter at Mars Stadium on Wednesday. The Sandgropers led by as many as 28 points during term three, but were quickly reined in and made to settle for a 2-2 record. A run of […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 AFL U18s – Vic Metro vs. Allies
VIC METRO has moved to 2-0 after a resounding 83-point win over the Allies in Ballarat on Sunday. The home side piled on eight unanswered goals in the opening term to set the platform for victory, and despite some wayward finishing, flexed their scoring muscle to salute 20.19 (139) to 8.8 (56). Among a list […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 AFL U18s – South Australia vs. Allies
SOUTH Australia has arrived at the 2026 AFL Under 18 National Championships after a thumping 66-point win over the Allies on Sunday. Having made a losing start to their title defence last week, it took a quarter time rev-up from coach Tony Bamford to kickstart the Croweaters in Alberton. Whatever he said seemed to work, […]
