PREVIEW | AFL Academy vs. Footscray Bulldogs
THE AFL Under 18 Academy will step out for the second of its two showcase games on Saturday, taking on Footscray at Whitten Oval. After going down to Coburg by 26 points a fortnight ago, the nation’s brightest group of draft age players faces a daunting task against the VFL’s ladder leader. >> SCROLL for […]
PREVIEW | AFL U18 Academy vs. Coburg VFL
THE NATIONAL Under 18 Academy is set to take on Coburg VFL this Saturday in the first of two annual showcase games for 2024. Consisting of 29 2006-born draft eligible players, the squad is a collection of this year’s top prospects from around the country. >> SCROLL for the full squad & predicted lineup A […]
2024 South Australia Under 18 squad announced
SOUTH Australia’s 38-player squad has been announced ahead of the 2024 Under 18 National Championships. The Croweaters are set to kick off the competition next month as they host title holders, the Allies at Thebarton Oval on Sunday May 26. >> SCROLL for the full squad & fixture An emerging mid-season draft prospect, four National […]
Q&A: Sid Draper (South Adelaide)
SID Draper is not just a pick one contender. He’s a kid who loves getting out to surf, and an Adelaide fan who bases his game off Port Adelaide stars Connor Rozee and Zak Butters. He’s a thoughtful trainer, leader, and arguably the most decorated junior in the country right now. With plenty of experience […]
AFL Draft prospects name their idols
PRESEASON testing is nearing completion, which means plenty of budding AFL Draft prospects are fast approaching season proper. Having flown to all parts of Australia for each testing day, Rookie Me Central asked a bunch of top-agers one pertinent question – who do you mould your game on? >> SCROLL for all player comparisons While […]
Q&A: Leonardo Lombard (Suns Academy)
FOOTBALL is booming in Queensland and so are the state’s AFL Draft hopefuls. Gold Coast Suns Academy standout Leonardo Lombard is the Maroon’s latest high-end prospect making his mark on the pathway, poised for a massive top-age campaign having already filled his junior resume. Lombard blitzed the Suns’ preseason testing day on Sunday, achieving top […]
2024 AFL Draft | Race to #1: Jagga Smith
OAKLEIGH Chargers midfielder Jagga Smith is a prospect who has brought the lingering draft age debate to the fore. Some have suggested the 18-year-old would have been ready to slot into an AFL system via last year’s draft, given his enormous talent and status as a high school graduate. The Scotch College alumnus will spend […]
2024 AFL Draft | Race to #1: Sid Draper
SID Draper‘s list of accolades is the envy among this year’s crop of budding AFL hopefuls. The South Australian is already a state MVP, Under 18 All Australian, and senior player in the SANFL. That’s not to mention his best afield performance in South Adelaide’s Under 18 premiership last year. All of the above are […]
2024 AFL Academy announced
THE AFL has today announced a 26-player National Academy squad for 2024, highlighting some of the brightest draft prospects across each state and territory. All members are 2006-born and thus eligible for next year’s AFL Draft. The AFL Women’s Academy was also announced in today’s release. >> SQUAD: 2024 AFLW Academy announced The boys’ squad […]
Scouting Notes: 2023 AFL Under 17 Futures
THE AFL’s annual Under 17 Futures showcase was decided by just three points on Saturday, with Team Naitanui holding on to defeat Team Selwood at the MCG. A slew of the best draft prospects for 2024 stepped out on the big stage, and made note on how every player afield fared. >> PROFILED: 2023 AFL […]
