‘It’s not often us – it’s the parents’:The staggering private school dominance of the AFL draft

‘It’s not often us – it’s the parents’:The staggering private school dominance of the AFL draft

We crunched the numbers and they paint a telling picture of just where the AFL’s draftees are coming from.

  • byMarc McGowan

Latest

You might not have heard of new Tiger Luke Trainor – but you’ve definitely heard of his grandfather

You might not have heard of new Tiger Luke Trainor – but you’ve definitely heard of his grandfather

Not many footballers’ idols are 83-year-old men. But then,not many footballers’ grandfathers are among the greatest goalkickers Australian rules football has ever known.

  • byMichael Gleeson
AFL draft first round as it happened:Tigers’ ‘Dusty-like’ pick;Blues like Jagga;Kangas make move on twin

AFL draft first round as it happened:Tigers’ ‘Dusty-like’ pick;Blues like Jagga;Kangas make move on twin

AFL top-draft pick Sam Lalor has put his hand up for Dustin Martin’s famous No.4 jumper and taken early comparisons to the retired Richmond legend in his stride.

  • byScott Spits andRoy Ward
Toce’s legacy:How the beloved late Tigers recruiter earmarked the draft’s top pick

Toce’s legacy:How the beloved late Tigers recruiter earmarked the draft’s top pick

The late Chris Toce convinced Richmond’s list boss that Dustin Martin clone Sam Lalor was the best prospect in this year’s AFL draft.

  • byMarc McGowan
Demons future-proof for life after Petracca and Oliver;Saints take a punt on x-factor talents
Analysis
Draft

Demons future-proof for life after Petracca and Oliver;Saints take a punt on x-factor talents

The draft decisions of Melbourne and St Kilda will be closely analysed over the next 12 months as they look to revive their fortunes in 2025.

  • byPeter Ryan
One sleep to go:The latest mail on who your club will pick in this year’s AFL draft

One sleep to go:The latest mail on who your club will pick in this year’s AFL draft

The best and brightest prospects in the land will learn their fate on Wednesday and Thursday in the AFL draft. We’ve studied the form and the needs of the clubs to devise our final phantom draft for the first round.

  • byMarc McGowan
Advertisement
The fix-ture is in:Why handicapping teams flies in the face of AFL’s integrity
Opinion
AFL 2025

The fix-ture is in:Why handicapping teams flies in the face of AFL’s integrity

The fixture should not be another lever for equalisation. The premiership race should be run at even weights,like the Derby – not weighted in the manner of the Melbourne Cup.

  • byJake Niall
Clayton Oliver returns early for Melbourne pre-season training
AFL Briefing
AFL 2025

Clayton Oliver returns early for Melbourne pre-season training

Oliver,27,joined several senior teammates including vice captain Jack Viney and utility Harrison Petty – along with Melbourne’s first-to-fourth-year players at Gosch’s Paddock on Friday.

  • byJon Pierik andHannah Kennelly
The good,the bad and who you play twice:Club-by-club look at the 2025 fixture
Analysis
AFL 2025

The good,the bad and who you play twice:Club-by-club look at the 2025 fixture

We have broken down next year’s AFL fixture to reveal the good and the bad for your club,including who your team plays twice and how many top-four and bottom-four games are on the agenda.

  • byAndrew Wu,Marc McGowan andMichael Gleeson
See the full 2025 fixture:AFL banks on Blues,Magpies,as Dreamtime at the ’G moves to Friday night
Updated
AFL 2025

See the full 2025 fixture:AFL banks on Blues,Magpies,as Dreamtime at the ’G moves to Friday night

The full 2025 AFL fixture has been released,and the league is banking on Carlton and Collingwood being big drawcards.

  • byPeter Ryan andJon Pierik
Moves like Jagga:Why hit song means something different to AFL recruiters

Moves like Jagga:Why hit song means something different to AFL recruiters

Jagga Smith has a rockstar name and an ability to win the Sherrin that no other player in this year’s AFL draft class can match. Could he go No.1?

  • byMarc McGowan