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This Season's Draft
Set in the year leading up to the AFL Draft and following the experiences of six teenagers who are in its orbit, this YA novel is unique, compelling, authentic and full of footy. Perfect for sporty kids.
Summer. Winter. Autumn. Spring.
As the year unfolds, AFL footy season starts and the dreams of six teenagers play out on and off the field.
Elias. Team player. Running keeps him calm.
Zac and Fletcher. Best mates. Top 5 Draft picks?
Mason. Perfect practice with Dad makes perfect play.
Dane. Great footballer. Terrible boyfriend.
Beth. It's always been 'Dane and Beth'. What does just Beth look like?
Plans play out and life bounces in unexpected directions. A brilliant YA novel about coming of age and the love of the game with all its triumph, heartbreak and hope.
Summer. Winter. Autumn. Spring.
As the year unfolds, AFL footy season starts and the dreams of six teenagers play out on and off the field.
Elias. Team player. Running keeps him calm.
Zac and Fletcher. Best mates. Top 5 Draft picks?
Mason. Perfect practice with Dad makes perfect play.
Dane. Great footballer. Terrible boyfriend.
Beth. It's always been 'Dane and Beth'. What does just Beth look like?
Plans play out and life bounces in unexpected directions. A brilliant YA novel about coming of age and the love of the game with all its triumph, heartbreak and hope.
240 pages, Paperback
Published September 2, 2025
2 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 28, 2025
a true love letter to afl. it really captured all the spirit of this sport (if you havent seen it, pls ask chat pt or google it because footy is just the best sport ever.)
September 28, 2025
Our Review...
The lead up to the AFL draft is filled with anticipation as the dedicated young athletes pursue the dreams and aspirations, the crescendo of the many years of dedication and sacrifice.
Set over the four seasons in a year, this young adult novel follows the lives of six teenagers whose world is footy in one way or another.
From Elias, who is a team player who loves running, to best mates and top players Zac and Fletcher. There's Mason, who trains with his dad to immortalise his dreams, and Dane who loves footy but is an average boyfriend to Beth. Speaking of Beth - Beth is in the middle of an identity crisis as she wonders who she is without a boy.
This Season's Draft is engaging, timely and emotive, it would make a fabulous gift for any sports lover. Wonderfully written, this would also make a great gift for a teen who may not be a confident reader.
A fresh new coming of age story to mark your September!
Review by Lydia @ Great Escape Books
The lead up to the AFL draft is filled with anticipation as the dedicated young athletes pursue the dreams and aspirations, the crescendo of the many years of dedication and sacrifice.
Set over the four seasons in a year, this young adult novel follows the lives of six teenagers whose world is footy in one way or another.
From Elias, who is a team player who loves running, to best mates and top players Zac and Fletcher. There's Mason, who trains with his dad to immortalise his dreams, and Dane who loves footy but is an average boyfriend to Beth. Speaking of Beth - Beth is in the middle of an identity crisis as she wonders who she is without a boy.
This Season's Draft is engaging, timely and emotive, it would make a fabulous gift for any sports lover. Wonderfully written, this would also make a great gift for a teen who may not be a confident reader.
A fresh new coming of age story to mark your September!
Review by Lydia @ Great Escape Books
October 23, 2025
Eli takes his training very seriously, even concentrating on his running form as he runs along the road. Technique is everything, and just one of the ways to prepare for the AFL draft he’s been working towards for years. But it’s not his entire focus. He loves to draw, and is very talented. Wanting to do something with this skill along with football, he feels he’s got a better chance at a good university through the draft.
Zac and Fletcher have been mates since daycare. Both train hard towards the draft, but they both know Zac’s name will be in the first 5 names announced when it’s their turn. They try not to focus on it, playing basketball in their downtime, but the draft is a constant shining beacon in their thoughts.
Mason is shorter than most on the field, and he’s been told for years that his height isn’t good for AFL. But he’s determined to prove them wrong, focussing on other skills required in the sport. His dad is right behind him, helping him train in the back yard, when he’s not with his team.
Dane loves the attention he gets as he grows and bulks up with all the time he spends weight training. He’s been with his girlfriend Beth since the first year of high school, but other girls are taking notice of him now. His warm smile and football status at school are a winning combination and sure to give him a place in the next AFL draft.
Beth has watched Dane’s training and games every season, but she’s beginning to wonder if Dane working towards This Season’s Draft has taken up too much of her own life?
A year in the life of six Australian teenagers all over the country, and the effect This Season’s Draft has upon their lives. And just like the football recruiters tell the players – AFL is not just when you’re wearing a team’s uniform or working hard in training. It’s so much more.
Perfect for AFL fans, and any budding athlete with dreams, doubts or thoughts in their chosen sport.
Zac and Fletcher have been mates since daycare. Both train hard towards the draft, but they both know Zac’s name will be in the first 5 names announced when it’s their turn. They try not to focus on it, playing basketball in their downtime, but the draft is a constant shining beacon in their thoughts.
Mason is shorter than most on the field, and he’s been told for years that his height isn’t good for AFL. But he’s determined to prove them wrong, focussing on other skills required in the sport. His dad is right behind him, helping him train in the back yard, when he’s not with his team.
Dane loves the attention he gets as he grows and bulks up with all the time he spends weight training. He’s been with his girlfriend Beth since the first year of high school, but other girls are taking notice of him now. His warm smile and football status at school are a winning combination and sure to give him a place in the next AFL draft.
Beth has watched Dane’s training and games every season, but she’s beginning to wonder if Dane working towards This Season’s Draft has taken up too much of her own life?
A year in the life of six Australian teenagers all over the country, and the effect This Season’s Draft has upon their lives. And just like the football recruiters tell the players – AFL is not just when you’re wearing a team’s uniform or working hard in training. It’s so much more.
Perfect for AFL fans, and any budding athlete with dreams, doubts or thoughts in their chosen sport.
January 1, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
The Season’s Draft captures the charged anticipation of the AFL draft, that final crescendo after years of early mornings, sacrifice, and relentless dedication.
Set across the four seasons of a year, this young adult novel follows six teenagers whose lives orbit around footy in different ways. From Elias, a team-first player who thrives on running, to best mates and standout talents Zac and Fletcher. There’s Mason, training tirelessly with his dad in pursuit of a shared dream, and Dane, whose love of the game does not quite translate into being a great boyfriend to Beth. Beth herself is navigating an identity crisis, questioning who she is outside of her relationship and the expectations placed on her.
This is an engaging, timely, and emotive read that explores ambition, pressure, friendship, and self-discovery through the lens of Australian football. Gent’s writing is accessible and thoughtful, making this an excellent choice for teen readers, particularly those who may not be confident readers yet.
As an avid AFL fan, it was genuinely enjoyable to experience the sport represented in this way. A solid piece of YA fiction and a great gift idea for sports lovers, especially teens who live and breathe footy.
The Season’s Draft captures the charged anticipation of the AFL draft, that final crescendo after years of early mornings, sacrifice, and relentless dedication.
Set across the four seasons of a year, this young adult novel follows six teenagers whose lives orbit around footy in different ways. From Elias, a team-first player who thrives on running, to best mates and standout talents Zac and Fletcher. There’s Mason, training tirelessly with his dad in pursuit of a shared dream, and Dane, whose love of the game does not quite translate into being a great boyfriend to Beth. Beth herself is navigating an identity crisis, questioning who she is outside of her relationship and the expectations placed on her.
This is an engaging, timely, and emotive read that explores ambition, pressure, friendship, and self-discovery through the lens of Australian football. Gent’s writing is accessible and thoughtful, making this an excellent choice for teen readers, particularly those who may not be confident readers yet.
As an avid AFL fan, it was genuinely enjoyable to experience the sport represented in this way. A solid piece of YA fiction and a great gift idea for sports lovers, especially teens who live and breathe footy.
January 17, 2026
A solid contemporary verse novel, suitable for kids aged 15+ (the characters are aged 17-18 years). It has a good range of different personalities and life experiences, so each character feels quite defined and individual.
My one criticism is that it's a shame the one female character, Beth, wasn't a footy player like the boys - I think the storyline with boyfriend Dane would still have worked (and possibly been more interesting). I realise the target audience is teenage boys, but a little bit of female footy representation can't hurt!
I'm not impressed by the cover either - I went into this book thinking it was aimed at a younger audience than it actually is!
My one criticism is that it's a shame the one female character, Beth, wasn't a footy player like the boys - I think the storyline with boyfriend Dane would still have worked (and possibly been more interesting). I realise the target audience is teenage boys, but a little bit of female footy representation can't hurt!
I'm not impressed by the cover either - I went into this book thinking it was aimed at a younger audience than it actually is!
September 1, 2025
A YA novel written in verse novel, so it would suit a reluctant footy loving reader.
The perspective of 6 teenagers all wrapped up in the world of getting drafted for the AFL - 6 different journeys.
Each character has a different experience, family, injury, girlfriend, best mates, death of a parent. So it is the journey to getting drafted with a diverse range of obstacles and challenge and believes.
Dane does his ACL which ruins his potential for being drafted. Which is so relatable.
I didn’t love the book but definitely has a place in our school
The perspective of 6 teenagers all wrapped up in the world of getting drafted for the AFL - 6 different journeys.
Each character has a different experience, family, injury, girlfriend, best mates, death of a parent. So it is the journey to getting drafted with a diverse range of obstacles and challenge and believes.
Dane does his ACL which ruins his potential for being drafted. Which is so relatable.
I didn’t love the book but definitely has a place in our school
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2025
AFL draft, sporty boys, verse. Engaging and authentic.
July 16, 2025
Perfect for teen boys into sport. Written in verse it’s also good for reluctant readers.
September 12, 2025
YA verse book about football and the draft process.
September 14, 2025
A verse novel about AFL told through alternating perspectives as each character experiences the lead up to the draft. This is sure to be a hit for our middle school readers.
October 29, 2025
Genuinely fresh.
December 12, 2025
any book about afl is a good book
December 26, 2025
A good YA verse novel about footy. What’s not to love?
January 31, 2026
With thanks to ‘Good Reading Magazine’ (Australia) for the ARC and the opportunity to review.
I’m a huge fan of verse novels for their economical but impactful use of language. And the good ones always swiftly capture readers’ attention, placing them right in the action, non-stop page-turning guaranteed. This YA debut by Jason Gent does exactly that.
Through the course of a year, we follow five teens in their final year of high school, while entrenched in the world of the Australian Rules Football ‘Draft.’ Through first-person POV introspections and realistic dialogue, we read about Elias, Zac, Fletcher, Dane and Beth: their career dreams and insecurities, heartbreaks and triumphs. Cleverly structured, each section is a season, with each season containing a single chapter for each character – with Zac and Fletcher presented as a friendship unit (and the only storyline in third-person POV). Challenges are faced, and their motivations and attitudes towards their sporting careers and education are convincingly portrayed, and relatable to the intended 13+ year-old audience. I was genuinely invested in their outcomes; and a short, final ‘non season’ chapter provides a quick but satisfying look into the next stage of their post-high school lives.
Prior knowledge of the AFL setting is not needed in order to understand this compelling, contemporary book, making it very accessible to all readers. High interest themes such as family, friendship, relationships, grief, school pressures and creative passions all form part of the individual narratives. And by its very nature, the verse novel layout—with spare text and white space—makes it appealing even to those who are reluctant to read a traditional text-heavy novel. There are many reasons to like this coming-of-age book, and this reviewer was all-in for the emotional intensity build-up, and literally inhaled it.
I’m a huge fan of verse novels for their economical but impactful use of language. And the good ones always swiftly capture readers’ attention, placing them right in the action, non-stop page-turning guaranteed. This YA debut by Jason Gent does exactly that.
Through the course of a year, we follow five teens in their final year of high school, while entrenched in the world of the Australian Rules Football ‘Draft.’ Through first-person POV introspections and realistic dialogue, we read about Elias, Zac, Fletcher, Dane and Beth: their career dreams and insecurities, heartbreaks and triumphs. Cleverly structured, each section is a season, with each season containing a single chapter for each character – with Zac and Fletcher presented as a friendship unit (and the only storyline in third-person POV). Challenges are faced, and their motivations and attitudes towards their sporting careers and education are convincingly portrayed, and relatable to the intended 13+ year-old audience. I was genuinely invested in their outcomes; and a short, final ‘non season’ chapter provides a quick but satisfying look into the next stage of their post-high school lives.
Prior knowledge of the AFL setting is not needed in order to understand this compelling, contemporary book, making it very accessible to all readers. High interest themes such as family, friendship, relationships, grief, school pressures and creative passions all form part of the individual narratives. And by its very nature, the verse novel layout—with spare text and white space—makes it appealing even to those who are reluctant to read a traditional text-heavy novel. There are many reasons to like this coming-of-age book, and this reviewer was all-in for the emotional intensity build-up, and literally inhaled it.
October 2, 2025
A YA novel written in verse with alternate narratives. All the young men are vying to be drafted in the AFL. Perfect for reluctant readers.
Read by Suzie and Belinda
Read by Suzie and Belinda
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews