2025 AFLW Trade wrap: Day 3-4
THREE deals were completed on Sunday as Gold Coast Suns geared up to match bids on their top-end Academy talents. Not only did the Suns move back from Pick 1 to Pick 14, but also gained one of the league’s best midfielders to give the club an immediate boost for next season. >> AFLW TRADE: […]
2025 AFLW Trade wrap: Day 2
NORTH Melbourne was the common denominator on day two of the AFL Women’s Trade Period as the reigning back-to-back premiers made a couple of exchanges. The Roos traded out a talented fringe player who has potential but has not cracked into their squad, as well as moving into next year’s first round and out of […]
AFL Draft trends: The balancing act
WHILE this year’s National Draft produced record low numbers, several clubs still took the opportunity to cash in on major hauls of new players. With that often comes a balancing act, configuring a draft haul around the ability to add depth in multiple areas of the ground and with diverse traits. Perhaps the most pertinent […]
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Rucks to run rampant
THE BUDDING draft crop of 2026 shapes as one with a bit of everything and the ruck department is certainly not short on talent. A standout group of 200cm-plus prospects has already emerged, with the National Academy set to have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to key position options. After West Coast selected […]
2025 AFLW Trade wrap: Day 1
TWO pick swaps and the announcement of an AFLW Preseason Draft were the key orders of business yesterday in what was a slower start to the expedited trade period compared to the men’s competition. Futures picks were involved in both trades, confirming that clubs were able to be more flexible with their post-season movements. Giant […]
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Claremont’s killer Colts
WEST Australian powerhouse Claremont has proven to be a juggernaut at Colts level in recent history, claiming three consecutive premierships and producing a raft of eventual draftees. The trend is set to continue into 2026, with the Tigers contributing an equal-high nine players to WA’s state summer squad. >> SPOTLIGHT: Northern Knights’ tall trio With […]
AFL Draft trends: Mature-age list balance
IN THE wake of the latest AFL Draft, the time to reflect allows for insights around how each club approaches their intakes. Trends appear and shift all the time, and looking at the post-Covid era (2022 onwards), a few recruiting teams have opted to dip into the mature-age talent pool. It continued in 2025 with […]
AFL Draft trends: Running power dictates play
THE AFL is an ever-evolving landscape; from how the game is played, to the rules it is played under, and which type of player is thus most effective. After the latest draft intake, one key attribute is becoming increasingly in-vogue across every line – running power. We put it under the microscope in the first […]
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Northern’s tall trio
THE AFL talent production line flows in waves. After waiting until the final live pick of the rookie draft to have a player selected this year – Nicholas Driscoll to Geelong – Northern Knights have produced the most AFL Academy members of any club or Talent League region for 2026. >> ONES TO WATCH: 26 […]
PROFILED: 2026 AFL Academy squad
IN THE wake of this year’s AFL Draft, eyes are already turning to what the budding class of 2026 may hold. Released in November, the National Academy squad provided a glimpse into the country’s best 25 2008-born prospects, all of whom we profile below. >> ANNOUNCEMENT: 2026 AFL Academy squad revealed Tanner Armstrong (Murray Bushrangers/Vic […]
Scouting Notes: 2025 National Under 17 Futures
THE ANNUAL Under 17 Futures showcase saw Team Boak score a 13-point win over Team Docherty in Saturday’s curtain-raiser to the AFL Grand Final. A pair of Vic Country prospects took out best on ground honours as 45 of the nation’s best prospects for next year strutted their stuff on the MCG. We took note […]
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: 2025 WAFL Colts Grand Final
CLAREMONT has claimed its third consecutive WAFL Colts premiership after defeating minor premier South Fremantle in Sunday’s decider. The Tigers took out the flag from third and succeeded in their sixth Grand Final appearance in seven years, proving a powerhouse of the junior competition. An electric start to proceedings saw both teams pile on four […]
Scouting Notes: 2025 Coates Talent League Grand Final
EASTERN Ranges clinched their first Coates Talent League premiership since 2013 on Saturday, defeating three-time reigning premier Sandringham by 15 points at IKON Park. In a high-quality and high-octane contest, the Ranges surged home with four unanswered goals in the final quarter. We took note of the top prospects and performers from either side, including […]
Scouting Notes: 2025 CTL Girls Grand Final – Eastern vs Dandenong
EASTERN Ranges broke through for their first Coates Talent League Girls premiership on the weekend with a well-balanced contribution from across the 23 players. We take a look at some of the standouts from both the Ranges and Dandenong Stingrays from the grand final.
Scouting Notes: Claremont continues Colts Grand Final run
CLAREMONT has secured its sixth WAFL Colts Grand Final berth in seven years after knocking off East Fremantle in Sunday’s prelim at Leederville Oval. In what was a low-scoring affair impacted by sheeting rain, the Tigers were resolute in defence and mounted a clearance advantage of 46-29. A heated, scrappy contest saw Claremont kick four […]
Scouting Notes: 2025 AFL National Future Girls
AN ENTERTAINING showcase of some of the best talent for the 2026 AFL Women’s Draft saw Team Vescio come away with the seven-point victory over Team Conti at Ikon Park on Sunday. We took note of some of the players who caught the eye across both teams in what is shaping up to be strong […]
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: 2025 CTL Preliminary Final – Eastern Ranges vs. GWV Rebels
EASTERN Ranges have progressed to their second Grand Final in three years after defeating Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels by 51 points on Saturday. An inspired third quarter from co-captain Oliver Greeves saw the Ranges turn a seven-point lead into an unassailable 35-point buffer at the final break. The Rebels kicked consecutive majors to start […]
Scouting Notes: 2025 CTL Preliminary Final – Gippsland Power vs. Sandringham Dragons
SANDRINGHAM Dragons have progressed to their fourth consecutive Coates Talent League decider after downing Gippsland Power in Saturday’s preliminary final. A blustery Casey Fields saw one end favoured all day, as the Dragons made better of their equal scoring shots to progress. A seasoned Sandringham lineup caught the minor premiers cold, racing out to a […]
