
Preseason Q&A: Kalani White (Suns Academy)
TWO CLUBS, one gun prospect. Kalani White faces a difficult choice in his draft year, tied to a pair of clubs via father-son (Melbourne) and academy (Gold Coast) eligibility. While he is keeping his cards close to his chest with no timeline on a decision, White has already garnered plenty of attention. The 17-year-old was […]

Star Turn: Patterson puts speed on show
REPRESENTATIVE football presents the chance not only for prospects to show their wares on the big stage, but also for states to showcase their talent pool. Queensland did so last year with a win over Vic Metro in the Under 17 Futures trials, unveiling a raft of stars to the wider footballing audience. One of […]

Teammates tip rising Sun for super season
GOLD Coast Suns Academy prospect Cooper Collins is among the Northern Academy members tipped by teammates to have a breakout campaign in 2025. The forward has spent time training with the Suns’ senior group and is fresh off a bottom-age year which saw him represent Queensland at Under 17 level. Surveying top-age players from the […]

PROFILED | 2025 AFL Academy squad
THE 2025 AFL Academy squad was finalised last month, with 28 of the best 2007-born prospects from around the country recognised. With the group convening for their first three-day camp in Melbourne this week, we sought to profile each member of the squad and highlight their achievements thus far. >> FULL SQUAD: 2025 AFL National […]

25 in 2025: A look ahead to next year’s top prospects
THE RICHLY talented 2024 AFL Draft will be difficult to follow, but the crop of 2025 is tasked with exactly that. Stacked with club-tied talent and a great variety of talent, next year promises to deliver some high-upside players. We highlight 25 to watch in 2025. >> FEATURED IN: 2024 AFL Draft Guide 25 in […]

Scouting Notes: 2024 AFL National Futures match
TEAM Heppell stormed home to take out the annual AFL National Futures match over Team Sloane, in the AFL Grand Final curtain-raiser on Saturday. Having trailed by a game-high 25 points in the final quarter, the previously inaccurate green side straightened up to snatch victory with a barrage of goals. Tall forward Archie Ludowyke was […]

Scouting Notes: 2024 AFL U17s – Vic Metro vs. Queensland
QUEENSLAND claimed a 20-point win over Vic Metro in their Under 17 Futures bout on Saturday, with four unanswered third quarter goals proving the difference. The Maroons also forged a four-goal head start in term one and made the better of equal scoring shots to salute 12.8 (80) to 8.12 (60). Despite being dominated throughout […]

Up the Grades: Talent League prospects make VFL debuts
COATES Talent League prospects continue to filter through the Victorian Football League (VFL), with a handful making their state league debuts over the weekend. Bendigo Pioneers swingman Jobe Shanahan was the main event as he made his maiden appearance for Essendon in Round 19. The versatile tall, who has settled up forward this year, booted […]

UPDATED | 2024 bottom-agers to watch
WHILE much of the attention each year surrounds top-age AFL Draft prospects, under-age stars are also bursting onto the scene around the country. At this very early stage, there already looks to be a great variety of talls and smalls, while plenty of talent is coming out of the Northern Academies. We highlight 20 2007-born […]

Academy Watch: Bottom-agers earn VFL berths
A RAFT of Northern Academy prospects have been filtering into the VFL and Under 18 National Championships over the last month, since the 2024 Academy Series wrapped up. We cast our eye over each program to see which top prospects are getting opportunities at high levels. >> Coates Talent League: 2024 Academy Series recap BRISBANE […]