RDFNL 2026 Season discussion

[Rodney78]

Centrals now have their Ruckman! Look out!

???????? Must be good

 

[Halffullonfence]

Woodend mail is that they will be fine. Z Have heaps of recruits coming as well as some STAR locals back.

Watt leaving is a big loss for the Hawks.

 

[Crazymaggy2020]

Watt leaving is a big loss for the Hawks.

Have about 5 guns to announce soon apparently

 

[Doona2]

Watt leaving is a big loss for the Hawks.

If he jags a VFL spot there could be the annual narrative tied to it around where VFL clubs want their players "nominated club" alignment to be.
Saying that I hope Oliver gets a shot, he's done the work and unlike a few of our recent RDFL talents, has been given every opportunity to have his hand up.

Still got me stuffed how no one could see Lachy Hay!!!

 

[Doona2]

Centrals now have their Ruckman! Look out!

Going off the past few pages, there's going to be some disappointed clubs come September if Diggers, Wallan, Kyneton, Macedon, South, Centrals, Woodend are all loading up.

Least there will be plenty of entertaining and high standard games on offer.

 

[leo tolstoy]

Still got me stuffed how no one could see Lachy Hay!!!

Happy to give it a go without being the one who was supposed to be looking for him.

Until top age Under 17s he was very much undersized (similar to Lachlan Pritchard). Doesn’t mean he couldn’t compete and didn’t have success but the players of similar size who ended up on the Cannons list will or have been drafted (Kako, Nguyen, El achker and Sweid).

He had success with his cricket making various pathway teams ahead of his age group. Again not a reason to be ignored but it could impact things.

School football was for Salesian College who arn’t viewed as a”football” school like Melbourne Grammar, Geelong Grammar, St Pats, etc.

He moved clubs 3 seasons in a row Gisborne/Sunbury/Macedon.

Top age 17s played mainly as a forward in a dominant team. Wasn’t challenged to do anything brilliant. 8 or so of the Macedon under17 team also ended up playing in their 19s grand final team that won by 16 goals.

But in the end he does now have look in.

 

[Grassroots Guru]

You know Callum Moore is in the comp yeah ?
Dion won’t go near top 10 in the league count

Has Moore been publicly announced yet?
I noticed he hadn't been listed as a re-signing at Abers so it seems like he could cash in elsewhere but for the life of me haven't heard a public announcement yet.

Don't think a single defender at this level could go with him considering his age and the high level of football he's played at in the past 5 years.

 

[Grassroots Guru]

Centrals now have their Ruckman! Look out!

Great to hear Centrals are having a crack in the off-season.
Doing plenty right in the off-season.

I saw there was a comment from Turbo a while back saying they shouldn't be announcing fringe or two's players as signings but I think it's a great thing they are generating positivity so early in the off-season.

Who knows, maybe those new recruits that have been actively 'welcomed' may have a brother or a cousin that follows suit and helps fill their U19's, or a family member who helps out or sponsors, or another mate that hasn't played for some time helps the twos out.

We've all seen it before, recruits bring recruits and positive word of mouth can quickly spread which can help invigorate the existing playing group.

Looking at the ladder Centrals need recruits and they need depth. It looks like they are actively addressing this and so they should promote it on their social media pages.

Also looks like Lancefield have announced coaches so that should help solidfy them leading into Christmas.

 

[ICS]

Has Moore been publicly announced yet?
I noticed he hadn't been listed as a re-signing at Abers so it seems like he could cash in elsewhere but for the life of me haven't heard a public announcement yet.

Don't think a single defender at this level could go with him considering his age and the high level of football he's played at in the past 5 years.

Not sure there’s anymore room on social media to make announcements with Giants announcing every single player from seniors to under 19’s

 

[footynerd15]

Happy to give it a go without being the one who was supposed to be looking for him.

Until top age Under 17s he was very much undersized (similar to Lachlan Pritchard). Doesn’t mean he couldn’t compete and didn’t have success but the players of similar size who ended up on the Cannons list will or have been drafted (Kako, Nguyen, El achker and Sweid).

He had success with his cricket making various pathway teams ahead of his age group. Again not a reason to be ignored but it could impact things.

School football was for Salesian College who arn’t viewed as a”football” school like Melbourne Grammar, Geelong Grammar, St Pats, etc.

He moved clubs 3 seasons in a row Gisborne/Sunbury/Macedon.

Top age 17s played mainly as a forward in a dominant team. Wasn’t challenged to do anything brilliant. 8 or so of the Macedon under17 team also ended up playing in their 19s grand final team that won by 16 goals.

But in the end he does now have look in.

I suppose all you can do is get a kick. Surely if you can get a kick against men you aren’t undersized? Both the boys you mention have both continually performed at any level they have played at. Maybe those who supposedly know need to have a better look. The Cannons and the Jets have hardly been productive programs of late and how neither of these boys could not make these lists is surprising. I would think both would be ahead as players than many others who have been given ample opportunity at these squads.

 

[leo tolstoy]

I suppose all you can do is get a kick. Surely if you can get a kick against men you aren’t undersized? Both the boys you mention have both continually performed at any level they have played at. Maybe those who supposedly know need to have a better look. The Cannons and the Jets have hardly been productive programs of late and how neither of these boys could not make these lists is surprising. I would think both would be ahead as players than many others who have been given ample opportunity at these squads.

Apologies I probably should have been clearer. The reference to size was around their last year of Under15s, as a general rule most players enter the Cannons/Jets pathway at the end of that season, e.g. Calder Cannons Under16 Squad.

I wouldn’t classify either player as being undersized currently.

 

[JB51]

Happy to give it a go without being the one who was supposed to be looking for him.

Until top age Under 17s he was very much undersized (similar to Lachlan Pritchard). Doesn’t mean he couldn’t compete and didn’t have success but the players of similar size who ended up on the Cannons list will or have been drafted (Kako, Nguyen, El achker and Sweid).

He had success with his cricket making various pathway teams ahead of his age group. Again not a reason to be ignored but it could impact things.

School football was for Salesian College who arn’t viewed as a”football” school like Melbourne Grammar, Geelong Grammar, St Pats, etc.

He moved clubs 3 seasons in a row Gisborne/Sunbury/Macedon.

Top age 17s played mainly as a forward in a dominant team. Wasn’t challenged to do anything brilliant. 8 or so of the Macedon under17 team also ended up playing in their 19s grand final team that won by 16 goals.

But in the end he does now have look in.

Good reply Leo and i hope others jump on board to give their views on the young talent in our area . I agree with Doona 100% as always and he should be a scout for the AFL.
Cannons and Jets only seem to develop metro players and private school players , so is it now the time for the RDFL juniors to align with the Pioneers to see actually where their level of talent is.
I wish L Hay all best and to be picked up for by Tassie is a huge statement for his upside.
We as a collective RDFNL Forum contributors should celebrate that.
Stick up for your own as i say.

 

[Doona2]

Happy to give it a go without being the one who was supposed to be looking for him.

Until top age Under 17s he was very much undersized (similar to Lachlan Pritchard). Doesn’t mean he couldn’t compete and didn’t have success but the players of similar size who ended up on the Cannons list will or have been drafted (Kako, Nguyen, El achker and Sweid).

He had success with his cricket making various pathway teams ahead of his age group. Again not a reason to be ignored but it could impact things.

School football was for Salesian College who arn’t viewed as a”football” school like Melbourne Grammar, Geelong Grammar, St Pats, etc.

He moved clubs 3 seasons in a row Gisborne/Sunbury/Macedon.

Top age 17s played mainly as a forward in a dominant team. Wasn’t challenged to do anything brilliant. 8 or so of the Macedon under17 team also ended up playing in their 19s grand final team that won by 16 goals.

But in the end he does now have look in.

I suppose all you can do is get a kick. Surely if you can get a kick against men you aren’t undersized? Both the boys you mention have both continually performed at any level they have played at. Maybe those who supposedly know need to have a better look. The Cannons and the Jets have hardly been productive programs of late and how neither of these boys could not make these lists is surprising. I would think both would be ahead as players than many others who have been given ample opportunity at these squads.

Good reply Leo and i hope others jump on board to give their views on the young talent in our area . I agree with Doona 100% as always and he should be a scout for the AFL.
Cannons and Jets only seem to develop metro players and private school players , so is it now the time for the RDFL juniors to align with the Pioneers to see actually where their level of talent is.
I wish L Hay all best and to be picked up for by Tassie is a huge statement for his upside.
We as a collective RDFNL Forum contributors should celebrate that.
Stick up for your own as i say.

I'm well aware of young Pritchard's journey, having watched him a little over previous season or so.
Spoken to his dad a few times over the season, and still can't believe there wasn't an outside run 'n carry spot at Western he could've been exposed to and upskilled at.

Yes as mentioned by leo tolstoy Lachie changed a few clubs, and it has been known as a red flag for many kids in the past, but quite often that can come back to a bigger red flag (parents) but not in Lachie's case.

Part of the identification process used to be around actual upside, body growth and where the player may be at 19/20yo if exposed to an above standard environment.

Happy to flick anyone interested in the topic (I'm passionate about it) what I used to use as reference when out looking on behalf of others.
Just hope the industry can set up and resource the identification part of the pathways a little more before it slides further and private school football takes total preference.

In regards to both Lachlan's, Zach Guthrie (albeit a Cannon not a Jet) was no bigger than him and one story I remember vividly.
There was high end football IQ yes but he was tiny, so the club supported the glaring signs and references to where the body was to end up.

That is also such an important element to teenage development - the end game, not the now.

 

[JB51]

I'm well aware of young Pritchard's journey, having watched him a little over previous season or so.
Spoken to his dad a few times over the season, and still can't believe there wasn't an outside run 'n carry spot at Western he could've been exposed to and upskilled at.

Yes as mentioned by leo tolstoy Lachie changed a few clubs, and it has been known as a red flag for many kids in the past, but quite often that can come back to a bigger red flag (parents) but not in Lachie's case.

Part of the identification process used to be around actual upside, body growth and where the player may be at 19/20yo if exposed to an above standard environment.

Happy to flick anyone interested in the topic (I'm passionate about it) what I used to use as reference when out looking on behalf of others.
Just hope the industry can set up and resource the identification part of the pathways a little more before it slides further and private school football takes total preference.

In regards to Lachlan, Zach Guthrie (albeit a Cannon not a Jet) was no bigger than him.
There was high end football IQ yes but he was tiny, so the club supported the glaring signs and references to where the body was to end up.

That is also such an important element to teenage development - the end game, not the now.

Well said Doona,
I am also interested in the young talent, not so much in the identification process as we have no idea what that is.
Just give all the RDFL young boys and girls a chance to develop further and the reality is is if your not in the pathway program?

 

[footynerd15]

Apologies I probably should have been clearer. The reference to size was around their last year of Under15s, as a general rule most players enter the Cannons/Jets pathway at the end of that season, e.g. Calder Cannons Under16 Squad.

I wouldn’t classify either player as being in the same boat - not just these two (but these are the boys who have been mentioned on this forum). There is no doubt the more you train and play at elite level the better you get. These boys haven’t been exposed to that so it is going to be harder for them. Fingers crossed Hay makes a fist of it in Tassie - be great for the league.

Well said Doona,
I am also interested in the young talent, not so much in the identification process as we have no idea what that is.
Just give all the RDFL young boys and girls a chance to develop further and the reality is is if your not in the pathway program?

Doona seems to be over it more than most - who would be your best young guns in the Riddell League?

 

[ICS]

Serious question…. How many RDFL players are currently listed or training with any VFL programs?

 

[Tassydevilsflag2030]

If he jags a VFL spot there could be the annual narrative tied to it around where VFL clubs want their players "nominated club" alignment to be.
Saying that I hope Oliver gets a shot, he's done the work and unlike a few of our recent RDFL talents, has been given every opportunity to have his hand up.

Still got me stuffed how no one could see Lachy Hay!!!

Ferguson aligned with north vfl aswell.

 

[Doona2]

Doona seems to be over it more than most - who would be your best young guns in the Riddell League?

From 2025 my thoughts in conversation with others were …

Hay, King, Doyle, Pritchard, McSwiggan, Nolte, Watt (now Greenvale)

Obviously Harry Ryan came to many’s attention late, for me he had already showed a few of those athletic tricks and traits when at Calder, and knowing his family pedigree I’m glad everyone else got to see.

Ben Taylor from Riddell has upside, and with his height will get every chance, especially if his already competent ruck craft evolves and aerially he begins to mark better overhead which is often the last piece of the “developing tall” puzzle.

After seeing him up close this past season, I was quite taken by Blake Watson, for me he actually possesses traits that wouldn’t be out of place in a VFL program when you see some of the players getting around.

Purely speculative but there’s a rough 10 as I sit at the airport awaiting my plane to Perf for some cricket.

 

[HillBillyPete007]

hey lads latest mail is melton South footy club had there 2ker over the weekend and Alec Goodson has blown up, apparently had to call an uber half way through and still finished in the bottom half… no good

 

[bobby skiltown]

True but Those within the club consider last flag to be 1985.

Why don’t those within rate the div 2 flags?

 

[X_box_X]

Very quiet on the socials at Woodend this offseason. This time last year they seemed to be announcing a new player every week. Absolutely nothing happening this year - cause for concern?
On the flip side, lots of promotion (and rightfully so) of the AFL draft with their home grown Duff-Tyler looking like he’s headed West - fantastic achievement.

Pick #4

Well done to the lad.

 

[Peta Deutschland]

Has Moore been publicly announced yet?
I noticed he hadn't been listed as a re-signing at Abers so it seems like he could cash in elsewhere but for the life of me haven't heard a public announcement yet.

Don't think a single defender at this level could go with him considering his age and the high level of football he's played at in the past 5 years.

100% at Diggers next year.

 

[Tassydevilsflag2030]

Very quiet on the socials at Woodend this offseason. This time last year they seemed to be announcing a new player every week. Absolutely nothing happening this year - cause for concern?
On the flip side, lots of promotion (and rightfully so) of the AFL draft with their home grown Duff-Tyler looking like he’s headed West - fantastic achievement.

Quality locals back + 4-5 melbourne players I’ve heard

 

[Crazymaggy2020]

Quality locals back + 4-5 melbourne players I’ve heard

I’ve heard the same a few massive signatures will be released soon

 

[Wild Thing]

100% at Diggers next year.

Good to see you back Peta! Where have you been and who are you playing for next year?