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Australian football’s under-18 championships start this weekend, showcasing the brightest prospects in the game, including Ethan Matthews, Harry Van Hattum, Cody Walker and Dougie Cochrane.

The Bombers and Tigers will be keeping an eye on these young guns ahead of the draft

Recruiters will be out in force to try to unearth the AFL’s next stars when the under-18 championships begin this weekend across the country.

  • Marc McGowan

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The coaching race between the Bombers, Devils and Blues has heated right up.

Don’t believe the memes: Why Gale couldn’t care less about rival coach searches

Tasmania Devils CEO Brendon Gale is confident the right person for the job will be all-in on the Apple Isle.

  • Bridget McArthur
Some of the brightest young stars of four fallen powerhouses (clockwise from top left): Harley Reid (West Coast), Sam Lalor (Richmond), Jagga Smith (Carlton) and Sullivan Robey (Essendon).

The race back to relevance: We rate the Bombers, Tigers, Blues, Eagles and Power lists

With cellar dwellers Richmond and Essendon facing off on Friday night, and Port Adelaide and Carlton doing battle 24 hours later, it’s time to check in on how the AFL’s rebuilding clubs are going.

  • Marc McGowan
The Blues’ interim coach Josh Fraser (left) will coach his first game this weekend.

Why Josh Fraser’s coaching audition is a case of deja Blue

Ex-Collingwood star Josh Fraser wants to be a senior coach one day, but says he doesn’t want to coach Carlton. He doesn’t think he’s ready.

  • Andrew Wu
Logan Morris just turned 21 and he’s already a two-time premiership player.

‘We were keen on him, the coaches weren’t’: How this star slipped to the Lions

The Cats were one of the few teams, like the Brisbane Lions, who looked at what Logan Morris was and not what he wasn’t, at what he could do not what he couldn’t.

  • Michael Gleeson
What now for Patrick Cripps and Jacob Weitering?

Keep, trade or axe: The Blues are in a hole. We examine their list to see how they can climb out

Blues CEO Graham Wright said the club wants more selections in this year’s draft, the last uncompromised one before Tasmania’s entry, but how can they find their way out of the hole they’re in?

  • Andrew Wu
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Carlton CEO Graham Wright arrives at Princes Park on Tuesday as news emerges of Michael Voss’ resignation as senior coach.

Why Carlton could follow Collingwood in this key area after Voss’ resignation

Graham Wright helped get the Magpies back into contention after Nathan Buckley left. Can he do the same in the post-Michael Voss era at Carlton?

  • Peter Ryan
Richmond Tigers coach Adem Yze.

‘Need games under your belt’: Tigers stay firmly focused on AFL rebuild

The Tigers’ bid to end an MCG win drought dating to last July falls short, unable to hang on to a slender half-time lead over Adelaide. “I don’t really care about the noise around rebuilds, and people’s philosophies around that. We know that it can work,” coach Adem Yze said later.

  • Marc McGowan
Former Essendon top-10 draft picks: Nik Cox, Elijah Tsatas and Archie Perkins.

These top picks were supposed to be Essendon’s future. They could be out the door

Essendon continue to move away from the Adrian Dodoro era with their list management decisions, but only time will tell whether it is the right approach.

  • Marc McGowan
Teenager Cody Walker has 25 possessions in his VFL debut for Carlton.

Cody Walker explodes in Carlton debut, but proud dad slams ‘ridiculous’ draft rule

Carlton are being forced to pay a high price for a father-son star, but the club’s fans won’t be disappointed.

  • Danny Russell