Scouting Notes: 2026 Summer Series – Giants Academy vs. Swans Academy
THE SYDNEY Swans Academy has secured a Summer Series sweep, improving to 3-0 after beating the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants Academy by 70 points on Sunday. A five-goal to one opening quarter set the tone in what was a dominant victory at Blacktown International Sportspark. The Swans carried on from their fast start to […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 Summer Series – Giants Academy vs. AFL Canberra U22
THE GIANTS Academy have notched up their first win of the 2026 Summer Series, after defeating AFL Canberra U22 by 13 points at Henson Park on Saturday. Despite having two fewer scoring shots, the more junior outfit brought the heat with plenty of run and pressure in the 9.6 (60) to 6.11 (47) triumph. A […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 Summer Series – Giants Academy vs. AFL Sydney U22
THE GIANTS Academy has run out of gas in its opening Summer Series clash, going down to AFL Sydney Under 22 by 26 points at Henson Park on Saturday. After leading at the first break, the Giants were made to rue lapses in concentration, but showed good fight in the 6.5 (41) to 9.13 (67) […]
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 […]
Preseason Q&A: Ethan Matthews (Giants Academy)
AMONG another strong crop of club-tied talent this year is Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Academy standout Ethan Matthews. The smooth-moving defender is hoping to earn more midfield minutes as a top-ager, bringing Allies exposure and five games of VFL experience into season 2026. We sat down for an interview with Matthews at the Giants Academy’s […]
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 […]
