Family-focused Tidemann ready for next step
FAMILY is a big thing for AFLW Draft prospect and Sydney Swans Academy member Charlotte Tidemann. Her family is entrenched in North Shore Bombers folklore with her father coaching her at the club and her brother playing in the men’s side, all of whom were able to taste premiership success the past two seasons. Tidemann […]
McIlwain keen to get out of “comfort zone” at next level
TALENTED Queenslander Harlee McIlwain has had her fair share of ups and downs this season, missing some games due to injury, but impressing when on the park and further cementing her place as a first round prospect. The Brisbane Lions Academy member is one of a number of draft prospects from her region, and while […]
White basking in “chaotic” and unforgettable year
A TALENT League Girls premiership with the Dandenong Stingrays, National Academy representation and a strong Vic Country campaign were the highs amongst some niggling injuries that were the only downside of an otherwise incredible year for Sophie White. “Personally it’s been a bit of a chaotic year,” White said at the National Draft Combine. “Lucky […]
“Like lightning has just struck twice” for unlucky Tracey
BEING told a second successive anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear due to a contact injury was “like lightning has just struck twice” was little comfort for Grace Tracey. The Swans Academy member sat out most of 2025 with the injury to her left knee, and returned to win the MVP for her side at the […]
Connection key to Moore success
AFTER losing last year’s SANFLW Grand Final and finishing runners-up in the AFLW Under 18 Championships, Woodville-West Torrens’ Lucy Moore was hungrier than ever to go one better. Much like her teammates across both competitions, she knew the pain of defeat, and instead turned it into the sweet taste of victory this year. “Coming into […]
Mazzei focused on extras after interrupted year
WHILE on-field Isabella Mazzei was as consistent as she could be, injury interruptions meant that her top-age season was not without its frustrations. The Oakleigh Chargers midfielder and Vic Metro representative said she enjoyed the year despite the ups and downs. “Good consistent year, just wanted to take a step up when I made Metro,” […]
“Rollercoaster” 2026 still sees Vizgaudis come out on top
FROM the highs of winning a national championships title to the lows of a season-ending hand injury, South Australian Layla Vizgaudis can still have a smile on her face when thinking of 2026. They were just a couple of moments in an action-packed year concluding a junior career which has never been short of eye-catching […]
Boyd enjoys “unreal” season of opportunities
WESTERN Jets utility Kiara Boyd never says ‘no’ to an opportunity be it on-field positioning or a challenge, with the talented National Academy member enjoying the final year of her junior football career. Going from the Jets to Williamstown and incredibly playing in a VFLW Grand Final, Boyd looks back on 2026 with only fond […]
Competitive Barlow focused on AFLW Draft dream
SWANS Academy member Ashleigh Barlow knows what it takes to chase her dream, and as the elite level is within reach, the defender has no intention of resting on her laurels despite a brilliant year. Barlow said while in an ideal scenario she would stay in the red and white next year, she had no […]
Carlshausen keen to keep building
WEST Australian AFLW Draft prospect Mia Carlshausen has built an exciting junior CV with the hard-running defender capping off her underage year with a National Draft Combine invitation. A member of the National Academy who won All-Australian honours at the AFLW Under 18 Championships, Carlshausen was also a key member for Perth in an unforgettable […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 AFL Under 17 Futures
A RAFT of club-tied talent took the field in the 2026 National Futures showcase game, played on AFL Grand Final day. Inclement weather meant the game was shifted from the MCG to Whitten Oval, but that didn’t stop both sides from bringing the heat to provide a glimpse into next year’s budding draft crop. Team […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 WAFL Colts Grand Final
EAST Fremantle has secured its first WAFL Colts flag since 2017 after a 44-point win in Sunday’s decider at Optus Stadium. The Sharks converted their minor premiership on the back of an eight-game winning run, also claiming bragging rights in what was a typically feisty Fremantle Derby. The Sharks set up their ascendancy with a […]
2026 Talent League Girls GF notes: Oakleigh Chargers vs. Dandenong Stingrays
DANDENONG Stingrays broke through for their maiden Talent League Girls premiership, defeating Oakleigh Chargers by 30 points thanks to eight consecutive goals. Despite trailing the Chargers by five points at quarter time, the Stingrays stepped up after that to win the grand final, 9.3 (57) to 3.9 (27) at Whitten Oval on Saturday. We took […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 Talent League Grand Final
GIPPSLAND Power broke through to secure their first premiership since 2005 on Saturday, kicking away to a 35-point over Dandenong Stingrays in the Talent League Grand Final. Victorious co-captain Cody Templeton was named best on ground having bagged five goals alongside star teammate Wil Malady. In what was an entertaining all-Country clash at Whitten Oval, […]
Scouting Notes: South ends Claremont’s Colts stronghold
SOUTH Fremantle has ended Claremont’s run of three-straight WAFL Colts premierships with a 27-point win in Sunday’s preliminary final at Revo Fitness Stadium. The Bulldogs saluted in the often spiteful contest to set up a Fremantle Derby in the decider, slated for 4:40pm on Sunday at Optus Stadium. Having skipped out to an early lead, […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 National Futures Girls
NEXT year’s AFLW Draft class put on a fitting showcase match that resulted in Team McKenzie getting up by seven points over Team Fleming at Windy Hill on Sunday. With a stack of talent across both sides, we took a look at some of the players who impressed on the representative stage. TEAM FLEMING: #1 […]
Scouting Notes: 2026 AAMI Talent League Grand Final – Glenelg vs. Eagles
GLENELG has stormed to the AAMI Talent League premiership with a 66-point thumping of Woodville-West Torrens in Sunday’s decider at Adelaide Oval. The Bays kicked clear with five unanswered goals in the second term and never looked back in what was a brutally clinical performance on the big stage. Having piled on a further seven […]
Scouting Notes: Stingrays end Ranges’ flag defence
DANDENONG Stingrays have overcome reigning Talent League premiers Eastern Ranges to advance to this year’s Grand Final. The result sets up an all-Country clash against Gippsland Power at Whitten Oval on Saturday afternoon, after the latter knocked off Sandringham Dragons in a Ballarat double-header. The Stingrays trailed at the first break but kicked into an […]
Scouting Notes: Gutsy Gippsland ends Dragons’ dynasty
GIPPSLAND Power have advanced to their first Talent League decider since 2012 after defeating Sandringham Dragons by two points in a thrilling preliminary final on Sunday. Bottom-ager Leo Stephenson stepped up to slot the winning goal with two minutes left to play at Mars Stadium. The result sets up an all-Country clash for premiership glory […]
Scouting Notes: Eagles survive to send Centrals out in straight sets
WOODVILLE-WEST Torrens has held off a dramatic late Central District fightback to progress to the AAMI Talent League decider. In their preliminary final showdown at Coopers Stadium on Saturday, the Eagles led all day and won by six points to send the minor premiers packing in straight sets. The victors set the tone with their […]
