# Australian football season developments

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/australian-football-season-developments
> Updated: 2026-08-21T01:00:00.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

The 2026 Australian football season features developments across professional and developmental levels. In the AFLW, the 11th season is characterized by increased speed of play and growing international connections, specifically through the presence of over 40 Irish players and an inaugural match between Australia and Ireland.

Regarding talent development, the AFL has announced the squads for the 2026 Marsh AFL National Futures matches. This program focuses on players born in 2009 who are eligible for the 2027 drafts. The program includes high-performance training and showcase matches in Melbourne, including a girls' match at Windy Hill and a boys' match at the MCG held as a curtain-raiser to the Toyota AFL Grand Final.

## Claims

- The AFL has announced the playing squads for the 2026 Marsh AFL National Futures matches. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Marsh AFL National Futures Boys match will take place at the MCG on Saturday, September 26, before the AFL Grand Final. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- All selected players in the girls and boys programs were born in 2009. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Selected players are eligible for the 2027 Telstra AFL and AFLW Drafts. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Marsh AFL National Futures Girls match is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, at Windy Hill. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The matches will assist in selecting the 2027 Marsh AFL National Academy programs. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The squads include several father-son prospects, such as Koby Bewick, Percy Burgoyne, Tevita Rodan, and Louis Salopek. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The matches will be broadcast live and free on the AFL website and the AFL Live Official App. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-21: AFL announces 2026 Marsh National Futures squads

The AFL has announced the 2026 Marsh AFL National Futures squads. Players born in 2009 will compete in showcase matches in September to assist 2027 Draft and National Academy selections.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/afl-announces-2026-marsh-national-futures-squads

### 2026-08-06: Veteran AFLW and NRL stars shape 2026 Australian football seasons

AFLW’s Jesse Tawhiao‑Wardlaw and NRL veteran Daly Cherry‑Evans drive key moments in Australia’s 2026 football seasons, highlighting evolution, international links, and leadership.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/veteran-aflw-and-nrl-stars-shape-2026-australian-football-seasons

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Cite as: Australian football season developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/australian-football-season-developments