Fremantle have re-structured their leadership group for Season 2024, with AFL New Zealand Heritage team member Ange Stannett to lead Fremantle’s AFLW side after being voted in as captain for the first time by the playing and coaching group.  The leadership group will increase from five to six this year, with three vice captains named […] The post Ange Stannett to captain Fremantle appeared first on AFL New Zealand ..read more

AFL New Zealand (AFLNZ) would like to announce the resignation of current Chief Executive Officer, Mr Rob Vanstam, after 17 years in the position. Rob has had a long a distinguished tenure with AFLNZ and we would like to acknowledge his commitment to the sport, and the organisation over this time. Rob was integral to the development of AFL in New Zealand including establishing the Premiership competition; building an enviable grassroots program, Kiwi Kick, in schools; driving annual funding opportunities to support the growth of our programs; the establishment of our Heritage Teams; and guidin ..read more

New Zealand heritage player and Richmond Tigers star, Dustin Martin became the 7th Tiger to reach the 300 game milestone over the weekend. Making his debut for the club in 2010, Martin has become one of the clubs and the games most highly decorated players, earning himself a Brownlow medal in 2017, three Premiership titles as well as two club best and fairest awards and placed in the top 3 in 7 other seasons. The forward was a key part of the club’s success where they won three premierships in four years, also winning himself a record breaking three Norm Smith Medal’s. 92,311 fans turned out t ..read more

The Sydney Swans have been rewarded for its impressive crowds last season, earning the NAB AFL Women’s 2024 season opener against Collingwood at North Sydney Oval on Friday, August 30. The opening night will also feature a Daisy Pearce-led West Coast side hosting Richmond at Mineral Resources Park. Last year’s Grand Finalists, Brisbane and North Melbourne, will also face off in week one. Each club will play 11 home and away games across a 10-week period, leading to the fixture being labelled by week, rather than by round, for the first time in history. View this post on Instagram A post sha ..read more

Craig Starcevich expects Brisbane’s premiership defence to be a battle, but has a warning for the rest of the AFLW – the Lions can get significantly better. The reigning champions kicked off their pre-season last Monday morning with a 2km time trial that saw Irish winger Orla O’Dwyer retain her crown as the club’s distance queen, followed by Sophie Conway and draftee Evie Long. Twenty-eight of the Lions’ 30 listed players ran the endurance test, with Jade Pregelj (recovering from a knee reconstruction) and Jennifer Dunne (playing gaelic football in Ireland) the only duo to not take part. It ..read more

Women’s Coaching Month has officially kicked off in the AFL, as the football community celebrates and recognises the contribution of women and girls in coaching roles across the country. Established in 2020 and proudly supported by BHP, Women’s Coaching Month also shines a light on the pathway programs and initiatives aimed at encouraging more women and girls to take up coaching from grassroots through to the elite. Now in its fourth year, the theme for 2024 focusses on ‘Accessibility for All’ and strives to highlight the plethora of transferable skills women possess that could make coaching a ..read more

The AFL has just ticked over the halfway mark and the unpredictable season has left a lot of question marks over which teams will secure a top eight spot in the run home to the finals. This time last year the table had a very different look to it, with Collingwood on top, with the reigning premiers now sitting just outside the top eight. The Sydney Swans have flicked the switch in 2024 and are currently sitting comfortably on top with their only loss this season coming against Richmond in round three. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFL (@afl) Four teams have slingshot their w ..read more

New Zealander, Mykelti Lefau has had his rookie season for the Richmond Tigers cut short, after scans confirmed he ruptured his ACL in his left knee in the round 12 match against Geelong. Mykelti had a previous ACL injury in his right knee in 2022 playing in the VFL. On of Richmond’s shining lights in what has been a tough, injury plagued season for them, Mykelti Lefau has been one of their most promising rising talents. Making his debut for the club just 34 days after signing his first professional AFL contract, Mykelti quickly asserted himself into the position of being a regular starter for ..read more

AFL New Zealand Heritage defender Vaomua Laloifi will run out in the Red, White and Blue in 2024 after finding a new home at the Western Bulldogs. Joining the Carlton Blues in 2019, Laloifi first ran out in the Navy Blue in Round 1 against Richmond in 2020. She played 45 games in the backline in her five seasons at the Blues and was awarded Carlton’s peer-voted Most Valuable Player in season seven. Laloifi is known for her consistency in making an impact in the one-on-one contest while rebounding from the last line. Carlton head of AFLW Ash Naulty recognised Mua’s contribution to the club over ..read more

Carlton fans will be seeing double this season, with AFL New Zealand Heritage player Celine Moody joining her twin sister Breann Moody in the Navy Blue. Arriving from the Western Bulldogs, Moody has a high level of experience in the AFLW, playing 42 games, including one finals match.   Standing at 186 centimetres, Moody predominantly plays as a ruck and will complement her twin sister as well as Jess Good. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFLNZ (@aflnz) Head of AFLW Ash Naulty said the acquisition of Moody was a significant one for the Club. “Celine is such a talented ruck ..read more