Scouting Notes: 2026 AFL U18s – Western Australia vs. Vic Metro
VIC METRO brought Western Australia back down to earth with a runaway 36-point win in Cockburn on Saturday. The visitors started their campaign in style with three unanswered goals in the opening term before being reigned back in heading into half time. Riding the momentum of a two-to-three goal scoring end, Metro snuck back ahead […]
Top of the crop: State-by-state breakdown
WITH one round of National Championships action in the books, the picture of this year’s AFL Draft class is becoming clearer. What’s also relatively clear is which prospects are cementing themselves at the top of each state’s crop, and given AFL clubs aren’t strangers to picking local, we outline how the talent stacks up around […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 AFL U18s – Western Australia vs. South Australia
WESTERN Australia has caused a major boilover to kick off the Under 18 National Championships, defeating South Australia by 12 points at Mineral Resources Park on Saturday. The hosts burst out of the blocks with five unanswered goals in the opening term and led all day, but had their buffer cut down to less than […]
PREVIEW | 2026 AFL Under 18 National Championships
THE 2026 AFL Under 18 National Championships are set to get underway tomorrow, as South Australia begins its title defence over in Western Australia. Before the action gets underway, get the lowdown on how each squad is shaping up, and which players you should be keeping a close eye on. >> NEED TO KNOW: 2026 […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 Western Australia U18 vs. U20
GEORGE Gale‘s last gasp goal handed the West Australian Under 18s a six-point win over their Under 20 counterparts on Saturday morning. In the last of the younger side’s six trial games, they were made to fight back from deficits at the first two breaks and late lead chances in a thrilling finish at Leederville […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 AFL Academy vs. Richmond VFL
RICHMOND-TIED prospect Tanner Armstrong was among the standouts as the AFL Academy suffered another loss in its second and final showcase game for 2026. The Under 18 outfit pushed Richmond’s VFL side through three quarters, but ultimately went down by 49 points at IKON Park on Saturday. Armstrong’s audition against potential future teammates saw him […]
Preseason Q&A: Heath Mellody (Claremont)
AMONG a promising West Australian state squad this year is National Academy member Heath Mellody, a Colts premiership player out of Claremont. The 184cm midfielder/defender is renowned for his foot skills and decision making, which helped him establish a place in WA’s state side as a bottom-ager. We sat down for an interview with Mellody […]
State teammates single Steed as one to watch
SWAN Districts midfielder Leo Steed has been the talk of the preseason out west, with several of his state summer squad teammates expecting big things in 2026. Steed missed out on last year’s winter squad, which he says has added “fuel to the fire” as he looks to impress during his top-age campaign. Having already […]
Preseason Q&A: Benji van Rooyen (Claremont)
CLAREMONT ruck Benji van Rooyen continues to grow heading into his top-age season, both on and off the field. Now standing at an imposing 203cm, he will hope to follow in the footsteps of his two elder brothers who traversed the same footballing pathway before him. With brother Jacob currently on Melbourne’s books, van Rooyen […]
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 […]
