Up the Grades: Bottom-agers blooded in VFL
A PAIR of bottom-agers tied to Northern Academies were unleashed unto the VFL over the weekend, as Gold Coast’s Leonardo Lombard and GWS’ Josaia Delana made their state league debuts. Both acclimated well, notching 11 and 12 disposals respectively. Lombard’s Suns thrashed Carlton out of a Wildcard Round spot on percentage, winning to the tune […]
Up the Grades: Stevens bares claws in Cats return
TALENT pathway prospects were littered across the state leagues over the weekend, headlined by George Stevens‘ return to Geelong’s VFL side. The GWV Rebels product won a team-high 29 touches in the Cats’ heavy loss to Collingwood, thriving in wet conditions with his contested nous. Stevens has been a standout in the Talent League of […]
Up the Grades: Reid runs rampant in new colours
LEADING AFL Draft prospect Harley Reid turned out for his sixth team this year over the weekend, donning the sash in Essendon’s VFL loss to Southport on Saturday. Reid gathered 24 disposals and seven marks through the Bombers’ midfield, taking the field alongside current and former AFL talent. The 18-year-old previously linked with Carlton for […]
Up the Grades: Top prospect makes VFL return
TOP five AFL Draft prospect Zane Duursma was among the top-age talent to hit state league level over the weekend, as he turned out for his second game with the Casey Demons. The All Australian midfielder-forward notched 10 touches and three marks in a 42-point win over Coburg. A natural inside attacking 50, Duursma was […]
PROFILED | The 2023 title-winning Allies squad
THE 2023 Allies squad is barely a week removed from officially stamping itself as the best group in the team’s relatively short history, having emphatically taken out this year’s AFL Under 18 National Championships title – undefeated, no less. Consisting of players from the Northern Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania, the Allies had […]
Preview | 2023 Coates Talent League – Round 6
A NORTHERN Academy themed triple-header makes up the entire Coates Talent League fixture in Round 6, with all six academies converging on the Gold Coast this Saturday. We preview each of the three fixtures with a look at some of the top prospects to keep an eye on.
Preview | 2023 Coates Talent League – Round 4
ALL 18 Coates Talent League teams will be in action during Round 4, building a stacked fixture of nine games across two days. From a triple-header in Bendigo to the Northern Territory’s first outing for the year, there is plenty to look forward to in the footballing pathway. We preview all the action.
2023 Preseason Testing Top 10s – GWS Giants Academy
THE GWS Giants Academy convened in Canberra this month to partake in their annual preseason testing event, under the eye of Rookie Me. Under 18 talent from both the boys and girls squads underwent a range of physical tests; from vertical jumps, to sprints and endurance running. >> SCROLL for all top 10 results Over-ager […]
Squad | 2023 GIANTS Academy: U18 Boys
GREATER Western Sydney (GWS) has released its Under 18 and 16 male squads for the 2023 season, with 52 players making the cut in the elder category. Three Giants Academy graduates were drafted to Western Sydney last year, and there promises to be a few more in the frame over the next year. We highlight […]
Ones to Watch: 2022 Northern Academy prospects
WITH the likes of Harris Andrews (Brisbane Lions), Jack Bowes (Gold Coast SUNS), Tom Green (GWS GIANTS), and Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans) among the many great Northern Academy products, there are always prospects of note coming out of each region in an AFL Draft sense. While there may not be as many featuring at the […]
