Up the Grades: Mellody on song to end Eagles’ finals hopes
CLAREMONT prospect Heath Mellody has starred in just his second WAFL League game, leading all comers as the Tigers’ ended West Coast’s finals hopes. Turning out alongside fellow Under 18 All-Australian George Gale, the midfielder now looks destined for a senior postseason berth. Elsewhere around the country, pick one fancy Dougie Cochrane stood tall despite […]
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 […]
Up the Grades: Top prospect makes long-awaited return
JUNIOR talent continues to filter up the grades in the back-end of season 2026, with the latest batch headlined by top draft prospect Dougie Cochrane. The Port Adelaide aligned utility made his long-awaited first appearance for the season having been sidelined by knee tendinitis. While he made his club debut for the Port Magpies, several […]
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 […]
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 – Vic Country vs. South Australia
SOUTH Australia has ended its Under 18 title defence on a positive note after beating Vic Country by a single point in Ballarat on Wednesday. The Croweaters overcame an inaccurate start and early Victorian onslaught to get over the line via a minor score off the boot of captain Kodah Edwards. After Vic Country’s run […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 AFL U18s – Vic Metro vs. South Australia
VIC METRO has one hand on the Under 18 National Championships title after defeating South Australia by 46 points at Marvel Stadium on Friday afternoon. After being unable to fully capitalise on their opportunities in the first half, the Vics kicked away during a decisive five-goal to one third term. Tall forwards Sam Gayfer and […]
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, […]
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 […]
