PREVIEW | AFL Academy vs. Coburg VFL
THE AFL Academy will convene for its second of two showcase fixtures on Sunday in a clash against Coburg at Whitten Oval. After fighting back in a 13-point loss to Richmond’s VFL affiliate a fortnight ago, the elite Under 18 squad will try its hand against a standalone club boasting Mid-Season Draft prospects. >> SCROLL […]
PREVIEW | 2025 Coates Talent League: Northern Academies
AFTER the first block of the Coates Talent League season was completed, it is time for the Northern Academies to take centre stage. Fresh off their own Academy Series, the five programs enter the fray between Rounds 4-7 to test their mettle against the best from down south. Get to know each Academy. >> State […]
PREVIEW | AFL Academy vs. Richmond VFL
WHILE Gather Round rages on over in Adelaide, the AFL Academy will converge in Melbourne for the first of two exhibition matches. Richmond VFL is the Under 18 outfit’s first opponent, with the matchup slated for Sunday afternoon at RSEA Park. Coburg is up next at Whitten Oval on Sunday April 27. >> SCROLL for […]
Star Turn: Patterson puts speed on show
REPRESENTATIVE football presents the chance not only for prospects to show their wares on the big stage, but also for states to showcase their talent pool. Queensland did so last year with a win over Vic Metro in the Under 17 Futures trials, unveiling a raft of stars to the wider footballing audience. One of […]
Coates Talent League Boys: Must-watch fixtures in 2025
THE 2025 Coates Talent League fixtures were announced on Thursday, with a 19-round regular season set in stone. Three-time defending champions Sandringham Dragons are chasing their fourth crown at the end of a schedule littered with landmark occasions. We highlight some of the must-watch events. Stay tuned to Rookie Me Central, where we’ll also cast […]
Preseason Q&A: Zeke Uwland (Suns Academy)
A UTILITY who prides himself on effective ball use and decision making, Zeke Uwland is unlikely to let injury stand in the way of being one of this year’s top draft prospects. The Suns Academy star will miss much of the season due to stress fractures, but has already staked his claim amongst the nation’s […]
Teammates tip rising Sun for super season
GOLD Coast Suns Academy prospect Cooper Collins is among the Northern Academy members tipped by teammates to have a breakout campaign in 2025. The forward has spent time training with the Suns’ senior group and is fresh off a bottom-age year which saw him represent Queensland at Under 17 level. Surveying top-age players from the […]
Sharp firms as top choice among peers
CENTRAL District midfielder Dyson Sharp was a near-automatic choice for the answer to a question we posed to every top-ager in the SANFL Under 18 State Academy – who would you take with pick one in the AFL Draft this year? 25 players were surveyed, with a resounding 19 naming Sharp. >> AFL Draft: SANFL […]
Preseason Q&A: Matthew LeRay (Central District)
CENTRAL District midfielder Matthew LeRay is considered one of South Australia’s most high-upside prospects in 2025. The National Academy member is yet to undergo a full footballing preseason but has chosen to put a promising cricketing career to the side, much like 2024 pick one, Sam Lalor. >> AFL Draft: SANFL prospects pick their breakout […]
2025 AFL Draft | Race to #1: Dyson Sharp
WHILE in some years the leading AFL Draft prospect is clear as day, much like in 2024 there is no real consensus regarding who the nation’s number one talent is for 2025. In the return of our Race to #1 series, we highlight at a half-dozen prospects who are in the frame for said honours. […]
