Rumour GFC 2026 Player Trading, Drafting FA, Rumours and Wish lists Pt 1

[cats_09]

Not sure if I like the new shrug interpretation.

If you try to shrug, then you are deemed to have had prior opp.

It'll probably just take the shrug out of the game as players won't risk it after they start getting pinged, and they will just cop the tackle and create a ball-up.

It's not even the potential extra ball-up thing I don't like about it.. It's more that breaking tackles is part of the game.

I still absolutely hate the stand rule like hell!

What's the difference though between trying to fend off to break a tackle and trying to shrug to break a tackle?

Because don't forget they've deemed fending off as counting as prior opportunity when then tackled and players will still try to fend off

This won't stop players trying to shrug a tackle, but it will encourage trying to keep the ball moving rather than shrugging to try and draw a high tackle free kick

 

[Kitcat]

Not sure if I like the new shrug interpretation.

If you try to shrug, then you are deemed to have had prior opp.

It'll probably just take the shrug out of the game as players won't risk it after they start getting pinged, and they will just cop the tackle and create a ball-up.

It's not even the potential extra ball-up thing I don't like about it.. It's more that breaking tackles is part of the game.

I still absolutely hate the stand rule like hell!

What don’t you like about the stand rule, old and new?

 

[iameviljez]

Whilst not a big fan of Stephenson I think he is one of those players that needs to play in a good side. It may be worth a roll of the dice with the last rookie spot

He did play in a good side and went backwards.

 

[foxdog50]

Jesse Mellor or Hunter Holmes not evenon the top 50 mock/ranking draft.
Look we might find a diamond in the rough with Jesse Mellor. But with Hunter I am keen to pick him up but I wouldn't use the pick 1 or 2 on Hunter Holmes

 

[strauchnyy]

Archie Ludowyke is the one I’d be looking to go with our pick.

Left footed, athletic and skilled. Would come in post Jezza and a great combo with Neale.

Rest of the mids around our pick look very meh

 

[geelong_crazy26]

It's not so much that they can't wrestle, but rather that you can't simply run & engage your opponent to stop them jumping at the ball up:

CENTRE BALL-UP CONTESTS​

At all centre ball-ups, competing rucks will now be unable to cross the centre line before engaging with their opposition ruck. This is born from a desire to see the jumping rucks return to the game.

The AFL has said this rule would not have been possible without the end of the 'centre bounce', as opposed to the 'centre ball-up', due to the variables of which direction the ball can go from a bounce. The ball-up also gives the umpire extra time and ability to assess where the ruck is stationed when he engages his opponent.

The AFL's findings discovered that only 21 per cent of centre bounce ruck contests had at least one ruck jumping in the 2025 season. In 2023, just two years ago, that number was at 63 per cent.

There will still be an opportunity for the more physical wrestling rucks to impact the game at around-the-ground stoppages and boundary throw-ins.

----


For those who want, you can read the full changes here

Watch examples of the seven rule changes that will impact 2026

www.afl.com.au

Oh so around the ground it’s ok??

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Jesse Mellor or Hunter Holmes not evenon the top 50 mock/ranking draft.
Look we might find a diamond in the rough with Jesse Mellor. But with Hunter I am keen to pick him up but I wouldn't use the pick 1 or 2 on Hunter Holmes

Link??

 

[goyoucatters]

Jesse Mellor or Hunter Holmes not evenon the top 50 mock/ranking draft.
Look we might find a diamond in the rough with Jesse Mellor. But with Hunter I am keen to pick him up but I wouldn't use the pick 1 or 2 on Hunter Holmes

Better tell West Coast...

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Wonder what the knock on mellor is?? Did he test poorly at the combine?? Seems like there is little more he could have done performance wise all year.

I’m warming to the idea of Dyson sharp ( hope he slips, but he won’t) or one of Harley barker of Latrelle Pickett who I am warming to

 

[foxdog50]

Link??

Best draft prospects ranked 1-50: AFL stars they play like and latest club interest intel

Why four top prospects can’t be picked; biggest bolter in 10 years — AFL Draft Top 50 Rankings

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Best draft prospects ranked 1-50: AFL stars they play like and latest club interest intel

Why four top prospects can’t be picked; biggest bolter in 10 years — AFL Draft Top 50 Rankings

www.foxsports.com.au

Latrelle picket… is that perfect modern day pressure speedy forward that are worth their weight in gold. If he is avaiLble I hope we snap him up with our first pick:



Genuine electric small forward who can apply that high pressure chase down pressure all over the ground and then work back hard towards goals.
Would fit in seamlessly from rnd 1 in our side and has a geelong game style written all over him

 

[Hamingja]

Wonder what the knock on mellor is?? Did he test poorly at the combine?? Seems like there is little more he could have done performance wise all year.

Unless they have elite traits like a Cyril Rioli or Kysiah Pickett the small forwards are going to tumble down the draft order to their natural position. Miers had a much better under 18 year than Mellor and went at pick 57.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Unless they have elite traits like a Cyril Rioli or Kysiah Pickett the small forwards are going to tumble down the draft order to their natural position. Miers had a much better under 18 year than Mellor and went at pick 57.

Miers big knock always was that he is slow and lacked any ability over head as well. I doubt anyone saw miers trajectory going the path it has. Mellor is a lot more explosive and strong overhead than miers

 

[CatToTheFuture]

It's not so much that they can't wrestle, but rather that you can't simply run & engage your opponent to stop them jumping at the ball up:

CENTRE BALL-UP CONTESTS​

At all centre ball-ups, competing rucks will now be unable to cross the centre line before engaging with their opposition ruck. This is born from a desire to see the jumping rucks return to the game.

The AFL has said this rule would not have been possible without the end of the 'centre bounce', as opposed to the 'centre ball-up', due to the variables of which direction the ball can go from a bounce. The ball-up also gives the umpire extra time and ability to assess where the ruck is stationed when he engages his opponent.

The AFL's findings discovered that only 21 per cent of centre bounce ruck contests had at least one ruck jumping in the 2025 season. In 2023, just two years ago, that number was at 63 per cent.

There will still be an opportunity for the more physical wrestling rucks to impact the game at around-the-ground stoppages and boundary throw-ins.

----


For those who want, you can read the full changes here

Watch examples of the seven rule changes that will impact 2026

www.afl.com.au

The footage on the shrug one (my grratest concern) seems to be targeting guys specifically trying to milk a high free rather than just break a tackle. That would be a positive if that's the outcome

 

[cats_09]

The footage on the shrug one (my grratest concern) seems to be targeting guys specifically trying to milk a high free rather than just break a tackle. That would be a positive if that's the outcome

Cough Hawthorn cough

 

[Tony Barber]

My Gawd. I want a 192 / 194 cm defender. There just aren't any going by that fox sports list above.
And please dont say Thredgold. Cannot kick.

 

[strauchnyy]

Wonder what the knock on mellor is?? Did he test poorly at the combine?? Seems like there is little more he could have done performance wise all year.

I’m warming to the idea of Dyson sharp ( hope he slips, but he won’t) or one of Harley barker of Latrelle Pickett who I am warming to

Mellor looks like an Ollie Henry without Ollie’s athleticism. Very pedestrian

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Mellor looks like an Ollie Henry without Ollie’s athleticism. Very pedestrian

He doesn’t look too pedestrian to me, looks powerful

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Mellor looks like an Ollie Henry without Ollie’s athleticism. Very pedestrian

I'm not sure they're that similar but agree he's pretty speculative

 

[cats_09]

Mellor looks like an Ollie Henry without Ollie’s athleticism. Very pedestrian

Showed some positive signs in the couple of VFL games he played for us

 

[Vdubs]

Isn’t he 27 next year and has been playing local level footy??

27 next January.
If he was on our VFL list "with a view", we could do a lot worse, imho.
He has the ability of an Ollie Dempsey, if not more, and if what he says is true, that he has grown up a lot, he realises it's his last chance.

 

[you pick one]

It's not so much that they can't wrestle, but rather that you can't simply run & engage your opponent to stop them jumping at the ball up:

CENTRE BALL-UP CONTESTS​

At all centre ball-ups, competing rucks will now be unable to cross the centre line before engaging with their opposition ruck. This is born from a desire to see the jumping rucks return to the game.

The AFL has said this rule would not have been possible without the end of the 'centre bounce', as opposed to the 'centre ball-up', due to the variables of which direction the ball can go from a bounce. The ball-up also gives the umpire extra time and ability to assess where the ruck is stationed when he engages his opponent.

The AFL's findings discovered that only 21 per cent of centre bounce ruck contests had at least one ruck jumping in the 2025 season. In 2023, just two years ago, that number was at 63 per cent.

There will still be an opportunity for the more physical wrestling rucks to impact the game at around-the-ground stoppages and boundary throw-ins.

----


For those who want, you can read the full changes here

Watch examples of the seven rule changes that will impact 2026

www.afl.com.au

Thanks for the link Who'd have thought the once mighty VFL/AFL would be influenced in it's rules by what is used in the SANFL and the AFLW competition what next lartays after the game and sitting to pee.

 

[D BRIDGE]

If anyone looks like Ollie Henry, It's Polkinghorn.

Low possession, one-dimensional, high-leaping, undersized forward.

 

[Warhorse]

Mellor can run through the middle a bit better but Henry looked very capable in defence as an U18. I'm not seeing them as that similar. Henry a higher level talent who hasn't come on

 

[D BRIDGE]

Mellor can run through the middle a bit better but Henry looked very capable in defence as an U18. I'm not seeing them as that similar. Henry a higher level talent who hasn't come on

Biggest difference is Mellor is strong-bodied, strong 1 v 1 and can break tackles + stand up in them.

Henry is the complete opposite of that.

If Henry doesn't get it done in the air or out the back door... he doesn't offer much more.