This Season's Draft

CBCA OLDER READERS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2026 NOTABLES

By: Jason Gent

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Paperback | 2 September 2025

At a Glance

Paperback
240 Pages

Age
13 - 18

Dimensions(cm)
19.8 x 12.8

Paperback

RRP $19.99

$18.75

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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 unravel 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.

'From first bounce to final siren, this brilliant debut illuminates not only a footy season but the emotional seasons of teenagers.' - Karen Comer

'Just when you thought nothing new could be said about the AFL draft, Jason Gent writes a novel that combines a genuine knowledge of the game with insight into the young men of today and is alive from the first bounce.' - Martin Flanagan

'If you like Aussie Rules football, you'll love this book.' - David Metzenthen

'A wonderful, beautifully paced book about growing up, families and the different ways sport touches our lives.' - Jonathan Horn

About the Author

Jason Gent is a Meanjin based writer. He studied Professional Writing and Editing at RMIT. During this time Jason had a short play performed by RMIT Union Arts, and helped to create a small press label, Rant, which released two anthologies. He has had a number of short stories published in Australian literary and poetry magazines. Jason is a member of Write Links. In 2021, Jason was shortlisted for the Glendower Awards for an Emerging Queensland Writer as part of the Queensland Literary Awards, for his YA verse novel, On The Exhale.

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