Player Focus: Meaney, Medved team up in Swans smashing
SYDNEY Swans fans can anticipate another strong wave of academy talent this year, headlined by a pair of recent VFL debutants. Emerging defender Jake Medved was the latest to earn a state league berth, joining smooth moving midfielder Henry Meaney at the level in Round 18 over the weekend. Both prospects were recently part of […]
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 […]
Up the Grades: State stars, club-tied talent climb the ranks
STATE captains, club-tied talent, and many other representative stars were among the promising juniors to turn out at state league level over the weekend. South Australian standout Kodah Edwards debuted for South Adelaide, as did Essendon-tied prospect Blake Justice and Fremantle Next Generation Academy (NGA) member Joshua Nathan in the WAFL. Catch up on how […]
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 – 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, […]
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 – Allies vs. Vic Country
POTENTIAL title favourite Vic Country has kicked off its Under 18 National Championships campaign in style, notching a 13-point win over the Allies on Sunday. The win came at a cost though, with co-captains Cody Walker (shoulder) and Noah Williams (hamstring) having their days ended by injury. The Vics led at every break but were […]
Allies lock in 27-player squad ahead of AFL U18s
A FINAL trial match ahead of their first match on Sunday week will take place this weekend, but the Allies have confirmed an initial 27-player squad for the upcoming AFL Under 18 Championships. In previous years the selection process has largely just come from Talent League Boys form without coming together too long before the […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 South Australia vs. NSW/ACT Academies
THE COMBINED Giants and Swans Academies have raided South Australia with a seven-point win over the Croweaters at Norwood Oval on Saturday morning. Leading at every break, the NSW/ACT contingent held off a late surge from the hosts to salute 11.9 (75) to 9.14 (68) in their annual trial game. It was an incredibly even […]
Scouting Notes: Swans soar past early Ranges peak
THE SYDNEY Swans Academy improved to a flawless 5-0 record after their second half demolition of Eastern Ranges at the Kennedy Community Centre on Saturday afternoon. Forward Benjamin Pignatelli spearheaded the 46-point win over last year’s premiers with a haul of seven-straight goals. After leaking 10 scoring shots in the opening term, the Swans’ accuracy […]