TOP 5s | 2026 South Australian Preseason Testing
A BUNCH of South Australian state academy members have impressed at the recent preseason testing combine, as several prospects featured across the leaderboards. Though, it was Eagles top-ager Hunter Rowe who stole the show with a high of three top-five finishes out of the handful of events. >> SCROLL to see the Top 5s for […]
Croweaters keen to keep tabs on speedster
SOUTH Australia’s state academy members have been buoyed by the progression of Central District speedster Jake Eime, who was a common answer to the question ‘which teammate should we look out for to have a big year?’. Eime’s name popped up several times as all 25 top-agers were surveyed. >> MORE: State teammates single Steed […]
AFL Draft | State in Focus: South Australia
FRESH off a breakthrough title at last year’s National Championships, South Australia’s Under 18 squad for 2026 shapes as one which could go back-to-back. A deep top-age contingent is supported by promising 2009-born prospects, and a strong midfield core forms the base of a strong spine. We take a deep dive into SA’s representative stocks. […]
Scouting Notes: 2025 SANFL U17 Futures Match
TEAM Blue took the chocolates in Sunday’s annual SANFL Under 17 Futures match, played as a curtain-raiser to the Reserves Grand Final at Adelaide Oval. The exhibition game showcased some of South Australia’s best 2008 and 2009-born prospects, primed for the next two AFL drafts. An entertaining opening quarter yielded the most scoring, with Team […]
Scouting Notes: Sturt exacts revenge to clinch Under 18 flag
STURT has taken out the SANFL Under 18 premiership after outlasting West Adelaide in a 57-point victory at Adelaide Oval on Sunday. Having ridden a double chance after their qualifying final loss to Westies just a fortnight ago, the Double Blues exacted revenge when it mattered most. The Bloods ended up with as many behinds […]
Scouting Notes: Westies stun minor premiers in semi
WEST Adelaide has advanced to the SANFL Under 18 decider after defeating minor premier Sturt in Saturday’s qualifying semi final. The Bloods led at every break in the 13-point victory, breaking out to a decisive lead with the first four goals of the game at Thomas Farms Oval. The Double Blues will now rely on […]
SANFL U18s: Centrals keep Glenelg goalless to storm into finals
CENTRAL District has roared into the SANFL Under 18 finals series after a mammoth 140-point win over Glenelg in the ultimate home-and-away round. Needing a win or draw to secure a postseason berth, the Bulldogs kept the Bays goalless in the rampant 22.14 (146) to 0.6 (6) victory at X Convenience Oval. >> SCROLL to […]
SANFL reveals 2025 U17 Futures squad
THE SANFL has released a 55-player squad to take part in its Futures program, starting in September. Selected prospects will undergo a three-week training camp once their club campaigns are completed, hoping to earn selection in the state’s Under 17 showcase game on SANFL League Grand Final day. >> SCROLL to see the full squad […]
PROFILED | The title-winning South Australian U18 squad
SOUTH Australia broke through to claim its fifth national Under 18 title on Sunday, and its first since 2018 after capping off a stellar undefeated campaign at Marvel Stadium. Led by coach Tony Bamford, the Croweaters won all four games by an average margin of 45 points. Captain Dyson Sharp led the way and was […]
Rising Stocks: Nairn the name on recruiters’ lips
SOUTH Australia moved to 3-0 in this year’s National Championships with a comprehensive 76-point win over Western Australia on Sunday. Needless to say, talent is booming in the state and many prospects continue to rise up draft boards. We highlight seven Croweaters who boosted their stocks in game three. >> Scouting Notes: South Australia vs. […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Taya Maxwell
TOWERING South Australian Taya Maxwell is one of the top AFLW Draft prospects in this year’s crop, and the South Adelaide utility is on the verge of going to another level in 2026. Despite an ankle injury curtailing her bottom-age campaign, the 2024 SANFLW premiership player is ready to make her mark in 2026. We […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Lucy Moore
SPEEDY midfielder Lucy Moore had a breakout bottom-age campaign for both Woodville-West Torrens and South Australia, which culminated in an MVP performance for her Under 17 Futures side when the best around the nation faced off at IKON Park. Though unlucky not to make the National Academy, Moore has the talent and upside to make […]
SANFLW U18s Round 2: Eagles’ late goal seals win
WOODVILLE-West Torrens is on the board in the 2026 AAMI Talent League after the Eagles bounced back from last week’s heartbreaking six-point defeat to Norwood by saluting by the same margin against North Adelaide on the weekend. Despite a strong first half, the Eagles had to weather a comeback from the Roosters – who drew […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Alana Evans
CENTRAL District Under 18s skipper Alana Evans is a very different player to older sister Jasmine, but is forging her own path by making the State Academy in her top-age season. The young Bulldogs leader is captaining her side in the inaugural season of the AAMI Talent League and looking to build on her game […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Emily Mableson
TALENTED defender-midfielder Emily Mableson has caught the eye over the last few seasons, rated incredibly highly internally at the Bloods for her work ethic and willingness to improve, while also getting it done out of the field for club and state. An MVP at Under 16s level, Mableson remains one to watch in 2026 as […]
2026 Player Focus: Demi Holloway (Central District)
CENTRAL District top-ager Demi Holloway was one of the Dogs’ most impressive players in their Round 1 thrashing of Glenelg in the newly named AAMI Talent League, The smart and tenacious forward had a day out, amassing 25 disposals, laying eight tackles and booting two goals to be our Player Focus for the round. With […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Polly Turner
ONE OF a number of talked about father-daughter prospects for 2026, Polly Turner has ties to both Adelaide and Carlton through her dad Peter, but the North Adelaide tall is set on forging her own path regardless of outcome. Turner has spent time up both ends of the ground, and after really focusing on football […]
Preseason Q&A: Gabriel Patterson (Glenelg)
FEW PROSPECTS catch the eye like Glenelg speedster Gabriel Patterson. The flashy forward burst onto the scene last year with 28 goals in 13 games for the Bays, including a haul of seven. Collingwood fans may see him as the one that got away, given his father Stephen fell four games short of granting father-son […]
2026 AFLW Draft Q&A: Hope Taylor
TALENTED South Australian Hope Taylor came on in leaps and bounds last season, holding her place in South Adelaide’s premiership side and impressing up forward for the Croweaters. A smart and skilful ball user, Taylor has plenty of upside and is one to watch in 2026. We spoke to Taylor at the recent South Australian […]
SANFLW U18s Round 1: Dogs deliver brutal blow
CENTRAL District put a full-strength Under 18s side out on the park and duly delivered the four points in the inaugural round of the AAMI Talent League on Saturday. The Dogs team – which included a National Academy member and a further five players who have made their League debuts – demolished Glenelg in a […]