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ADELAIDE
PICKS: 16, 48, 55, 61
The Crows had explored their options to add a second first-round pick or shuffle up the board a touch. But they are staying put now, having decided they didn’t want to trade a future first-round pick into this year given the strength of the 2026 draft. There are plenty of names in the mix for Adelaide but it will be a wait and see who gets through. What life after Taylor Walker looks like is front of mind for the Crows, who have been linked to key forwards Mitch Marsh, Archie Ludowyke and Aidan Schubert. But small forward Lachy Dovaston, rebounding defender Oskar Taylor and key defender Blake Thredgold are among other players set to come into consideration. What Adelaide targets later in the order will depend on what they do with their first pick and who is still available. However, Cody Curtin – a 200cm key forward who is the younger brother of current Crows star Dan – has been linked.
BRISBANE
PICKS:17, 23, 44, 51, 57
The Lions’ main target this year is midfielder Dan Annable, who has come through the club’s Academy program. Richmond looks most likely to place a bid on Annable. If that comes at pick 6, Brisbane would require 1493 points to match it, effectively chewing up picks 17 and 23. Brisbane has put pick 17 on the trade table for any clubs looking to move up the order, but there has been little interest in those selections late in the teens. Brisbane has access to three other Academy prospects in 182cm defender Harrison Bridge, 204cm ruckman Isaac Waller, and 181cm mid-forward Tyan Prindable. Waller has rival interest in the rookie draft, while Geelong and Collingwood has interest in Prindable in the national draft. The Lions will also search for another quality player or two out the back of the order, depending on who is still available, with powerful Western Jets prospect Oskar Ainsworth among their options.
CARLTON
PICKS: 9, 11, 43, 54
The Blues’ hand is set to change dramatically on draft night, with picks 9 and 11 being placed on the trade table. Carlton has spoken to Essendon about trading pick 9 for picks 21, 27 and 30. Pick 11 could also be moved to North Melbourne in a swap for pick 25 and a future second-round selection. The reason for the trades is that an early bid on father-son prospect Harry Dean now looks certain, with the 194cm key defender in the sights of West Coast. If the Eagles bid on Dean at pick 3 – after placing a bid on Zeke Uwland at pick 2 – Carlton would have to cough up 1960 points to match it. A trade with the Bombers would bank a few extra points to match such a bid, while the trade with the Kangaroos would also help bank some more points to match an early bid on father-son prospect Cody Walker next year. The Blues are likely to have another bid to match in the late teens or early 20s on Jack Ison this year. Ison is a 191cm midfielder-forward with a deft left boot.
COLLINGWOOD
PICKS: 39, 45, 56, 58, 67
The Magpies’ first pick will wind in a few spots, but a bid on Next Generation Academy prospect Zac McCarthy could come before that point and swallow it up if Collingwood decides to match on the exciting 199cm forward-ruck. If that’s the case, the Magpies will be searching for some hidden gems at the tail end of the draft. They won’t pick father-son prospect Tom McGuane, but are considering another NGA prospect in small forward Jai Saxena as a possible late or rookie pick. Big-bodied Murray Bushrangers midfielder Riley Onley is one name who has been linked to Collingwood later in the order.
ESSENDON
PICKS: 5, 6, 21, 27, 30
The Bombers look set to hold three top-10 picks when the draft kicks off on Wednesday night, having held productive talks with Carlton. They are leading contenders to secure pick 9 from the Blues, in exchange for picks 21, 27 and 30. While there has been talk about Essendon moving up further to grab pick 2 from West Coast, that now looks highly unlikely. Sullivan Robey, Xavier Taylor and Lachy Dovaston all watched Bombers training last week and are players of interest. But Robey and Taylor are also firmly in Richmond’s mix and the Tigers have the two picks before Essendon. South Australian duo Dyson Sharp and Sam Cumming and West Australian Jacob Farrow are also in the Bombers’ mix. Essendon has two Next Generation Academy members available to it as well in Adam Sweid and Hussien El Achkar. The Bombers have not made any firm commitments to either player and could let another club have Sweid if a bid comes for him in the early 20s. The mooted trade with Carlton looks set to complicate that even more, though, with Essendon to be left with no second-round picks to match a bid. El Achkar looms as a late or rookie selection.
FREMANTLE
PICKS: 20, 47, 64, 72
The Dockers could become known as ‘Bidmantle’ after the first night of the draft, having been linked to a raft of players tied to other clubs. Adam Sweid (Essendon), Jack Ison (Carlton), Harry Kyle (Sydney), Lachie Carmichael (Sydney), Beau Addinsall (Gold Coast) and Tylah Williams (West Coast) have been just some of the club-tied prospects in the Dockers’ sights. Fremantle could quite easily land one of those players if it wants them at pick 20, given the clubs they are tied to are no certainty to match an early bid. Other names linked to the Dockers include small forward Lachy Dovaston, medium forward Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves and defender Blake Thredgold. The Dockers also have access two NGA prospects of their own in Toby Whan and Ryda Luke. The pair could be late or rookie picks, or be added as category B rookies if no rival bids are made on them, with Collingwood and St Kilda potential bid threats for Whan.
GEELONG
PICKS:19, 40
Geelong will take just two selections in the national draft, but there are plenty of players linked to them given the uncertainty in the 20-40 range. Sandringham Dragons tall Archie Ludowyke has been consistently linked to Geelong, a selection that would make sense given the lack of 195cm+ key forwards on their list. As has Eastern Ranges inside bull Ollie Greeves, who tested his tank last week with a last-minute 2km time trial. Local Falcons product Josh Lindsay and sparkplug small forward Latrelle Pickett may be gone by the time the Cats are on the clock but would be right in their thinking, along with x-factor forward Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves, athletic key defender Blake Thredgold, and his South Australian teammate Harley Barker. Geelong bidded on Brisbane premiership player Ty Gallop earlier than most expected, and the Cats could place bids on Suns Academy duo Jai Murray and Beau Addinsall or Carlton NGA prospect Jack Ison. The Cats have also taken a liking to St Kilda NGA prospect Kye Fincher, and a bid at their second choice – which would move in after club bids – would leave the Saints with a difficult decision. Running machine ruck Louis Emmett’s range starts at Geelong’s first pick, but he may be available at their second selection. They are also big fans of Emmett’s Oakleigh Chargers teammate Max Kondogiannis, an underrated intercept defender, and are among Murray Bushrangers key forward Liam Hetherton and lively forward WA forward Leon Kickett’s suitors. Don’t be surprised to see the Cats take Hunter Holmes, the younger brother of dual Carji Greeves medallist Max, who is a late draft or rookie option with upside.
Geelong Falcons speedster Hugo Mikunda is a local contender at pick 40, but it appears unlikely the Cats will select NGA forward Jesse Mellor at that point, opening the door for several clubs at the back-end of the draft. If he doesn’t attract a bid, Geelong will likely slot him into their final Category B rookie. The Mellor situation has a domino effect for NGA prospect and AFL Academy graduate Ben Rongdit, whose best chance of joining the Cats is as a Category B rookie after an ACL blow in May. Geelong will take one regular rookie selection along with re-adding delisted duo George Stevens and Keighton Matofai-Forbes. The Cats have also shown interest in a trio of mature-agers in Fothergill-Round-Mitchell medallist Tom Blamires, a ready-made halfback, and had Cats VFL players Tobyn Murray and Marcus Herbert in for medicals after their season finished up. They have also tracked WA all-Australian Fred Rodriguez, SA forward-mid Blake Oodshorn-Bennier, Brisbane academy mid-forward Tyan Prindable, and Western Jets quartet Finn Davis, Oskar Ainsworth, Tom Burton and Tom McGuane, a Collingwood father-son who the Pies won’t take in the national draft.
GOLD COAST
PICKS: 15, 18, 24, 28, 29, 36, 52 (3773 draft points)
Expect some wheeling and dealing from Gold Coast and draft night as it hopes to secure a handful of academy talents. But can the Suns get them all under the new bidding system and draft value index? You would back them in considering their recent track record, with the Suns’ pick 15 and 18 on the table to bank more points. However, they haven’t got a great deal of interest from clubs. Suns Academy gun Zeke Uwland is poised to receive a bid from West Coast at pick two, which would cost the club 2232 draft points – more than half of their current total. Blistering halfback Dylan Patterson, who some recruiters view as the No.1 talent in the country, also appears likely to receive a bid inside the top-five from Richmond. Uwland and Patterson are clearly the priority for recruiting manager Kall Burns, but those early bids could have ramifications for smooth-mover Jai Murray, and U18 All Australians Beau Addinsall and Koby Coulson. Murray could be the first to attract a bid as early as late in the first round despite missing most of the season with an ACL rupture. Addinsall range is also poised to begin there, with Geelong, Fremantle and North Melbourne potential threats in the 20s, while underrated 180cm midfielder Coulson shapes as the slider of the five. They have looked at Ted Clohesy, brother of Suns wingman Sam, and 2021 first-round pick Ben Hobbs as ready-made options, who they could add via the rookie draft or the supplemental selection period.
GWS
PICKS: 12, 35, 73
Usually active players at the draft, GWS It is set for a quieter period with the possibility of using just one national draft selection. The Giants have committed to redrafting Jake Stringer and Conor Stone, delisting them in order to have three senior list vacancies, after St Kilda’s late backflip on Leek Aleer. GWS don’t mind thinking outside the square, and while it would seem early, and the Giants have done their homework work on Latrelle Pickett after a breakout season with Glenelg’s reserves side. The Giants have taken small forwards Phoenix Gothard and Ollie Hannaford with first-round picks in recent years, but 19-year-old Pickett could impact right away with Darcy Jones with for most of the 2025 with an ACL injury. Oskar Taylor, a first-round bolter in more ways than one, has been strongly linked to GWS and would be a trademark Giants selection with his late season rise, light frame and upside. South Australian wingman Harley Barker’s range likely begins at the Giants, while key forward Archie Ludowyke, who models his game on Aaron Cadman, and exciting SA forward Mitch Marsh are others in the mix. The Giants may consider using a second selection if a player they like slides down the board. GWS has filled its two Category B rookie spots, but Giants Academy utility Riley Hamilton shapes as a potential rookie option after impressing as a 19-year-old at the national championships. GWS were big fans of Geelong College draft smokey Forbes Gilmour, a national high-jumper, earlier in the year and have also shown interest in Sandringham Dragons halfback Rory Wright. The Giants confirmed in September they will add delisted Don Jayden Laverde post-draft.
HAWTHORN
PICKS: 10, 22, 59, 66
Hawthorn loves a smooth-mover, and the Hawks have linked to four in the first-round range that can complement Sam Mitchell’s running game. At the top of the list is West Perth rebounder Jacob Farrow if he remains on the board, but that’s a big if. Speedster Sam Grlj may slide all the way through to the Hawks if he is passed up by the Tigers early on. The Hawks are among a group of clubs in the 10-20 range considering Josh Lindsay, whose piercing left boot would suit them nicely. The Hawks had 20m sprint winner Oskar Taylor in at the club last week and his range starts at their selection, while SA key defender Blake Thredgold and lively small forward Latrelle Pickett are others they have shown interest in. All three may be off the board between their first two selections. Hawthorn unsuccessfully tried to add Ollie Greeves to its Next Generation Academy at the beginning of the year, and he should be right in the Hawk’ hitting zone at their second selection. SA runner Harley Barker shapes as a long-term option at their second pick after rupturing his ACL after the national champs. Later on, the Hawks are among the clubs tha
MELBOURNE
PICKS:7, 8, 37, 63, 65
Melbourne has two picks at the top of the order and late Cam Nairn is firmly in the Demons’ sights, receiving a late invite to night one of the draft. The SA medium forward or winger is highly rated by clubs, offers versatility and is well-rounded with his elite endurance and clean hands overhead. WA defender-midfielder Jacob Farrow is also right in contention, with his range set to start at Melbourne’s two picks, and Sam Cumming would be difficult to pass up if Essendon doesn’t pounce first. Eastern Ranges goalsneak Lachy Dovaston will enter draft calculations from Melbourne’s selections onwards, while SA tall Aidan Schubert fills a need as an athletic forward-ruck. The Demons have shown interest in Schubert, but there is a view he slides further. There were also early murmurs Melbourne will partner Kysaiah Pickett with his cousin, Glenelg goalsneak Latrelle Pickett. Melbourne is among the clubs in the 30s who could put bidding pressure on St Kilda for NGA prospect Kye Fincher. Melbourne committed mid-year to taking 201cm developing tall Kalani White, son of Melbourne great Jeff, as a father-son prospect, and he appears unlikely to receive a national draft bid. In that scenario, the Demons could either add him as a rookie or take with their last national draft pick. The Demons have filled their Category B rookie allotments after selecting college basketballer Oscar Berry, but NGA graduate Toby Sinnema is expected to be a train-on player with the Dees if he isn’t picked as a rookie.
NORTH MELBOURNE
PICKS: 25, 26, 46 (before mooted trade for Carlton’s pick 9)
North Melbourne currently has consecutive second round picks, but the Roos are in the box seat to secure Carlton’s pick 11 in exchange for pick 25 and a future second-rounder. If the Roos secure pick 11, Geelong Falcons distributor Josh Lindsay would come into their thinking. Athletic big man Aidan Schubert fills a need as a versatile forward-ruck, as does Eastern Ranges goalsneak Lachy Dovaston. The Roos have done plenty of homework on rising Sturt key defender Blake Thredgold, but would 11 be too early – even after matched bids? He will likely be off the board by their next selection. North Melbourne is expected to snap up wingman Harley Barker if he is still on the board at their second round pick, and could bid on Suns Academy midfielder Beau Addinsall if he slides. The Roos are among the contenders for Oakleigh Chargers ruck Louis Emmett, who has a wide range, while Blake Oodshorn-Bennier is a later option.
PORT ADELAIDE
PICKS: 49, 69, 74
The Power will only be bit players in this year’s draft. They have left the door open to potentially pick one player out the back of the order if there is still someone on the board that they like. That selection may be Geelong VFL small forward Tobyn Murray, who the Power are right into, or Western Jets rebounder Finn Davis. The Power have never loved this year’s draft and have been instead busy trying to bank points to match a bid on potential No. 1 pick Dougie Cochrane next year. The AFL officially ticked off Cochrane as a NGA prospect for Port Adelaide last week, given his Indigenous heritage. The son of former Port Adelaide player Stuart and brother of current Power rookie Tom, Dougie is a 196cm tall who has shown an ability to play in all three areas of the ground. He featured in five games at senior level for Central District in the SANFL this year, kicking four goals on debut.
RICHMOND
PICKS: 3, 4, 38, 68
Richmond has back-to-back selections after picks three and four, but their actual draftees will likely be later after academy bids. ‘Bidmond’ is set to return, with the Tigers known to be fans of Dylan Patterson – who fits their need for speed – and key defender Harry Dean. A bid on Lions Academy midfielder Dan Annable is also a possibility. Rival clubs expect Eastern Ranges defender and Richmond fan Xavier Taylor to become a Tiger, but are less certain about their second pick. Lightning quick defender-mid Sam Grlj has been thrown around as a possibility, having impressed with their VFL program, but the Tigers have said publicly they will go best available rather than reach for a need. Ranges bolter Sullivan Robey and Wenworth turned SA mid-forward Sam Cumming appear to be more likely options. It will be a fascinating watch to see if the Tigers match a bid for Louis Kellaway, the son of former defender Duncan Kellaway, which could come in the back-half of the draft. The Tigers would consider exciting Dandenong Stingrays forward Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves if he slides to their third pick, and are among clubs in the 30s in the mix for St Kilda NGA prospect Kye Fincher, athletic Tasmanian defender Avery Thomas and Oakleigh Chargers interceptor Max Kondogiannis. Geelong Falcons small forward Hugo Mikunda, WA midfielder Fred Rodriguez, versatile and quick utility Tom Burton, and agile South Australian Noah Roberts-Thomson are other options the Tigers have tracked in the back-half of the draft.
ST KILDA
PICKS: 50, 62, 70
The Saints had been linked to a potential trade back into the first round of the draft, but it would be a shock if that happened now. They have Kye Fincher available as a Next Generation Academy member, but whether or not they match a bid on him will be determined by where one comes. Should a bid come on Fincher earlier than the mid-30s, St Kilda is every chance to let the midfielder go. Matching a bid too early would put the Saints into a points deficit and could affect the club’s first-round draft pick next year. Pick 50 is expected to come in a few spots after other bids are matched, with St Kilda set to search for one or two gems at the tail end of the draft. Which players slide through to that late point of the draft is anyone’s guess.
SYDNEY
PICKS: 31, 32, 42, 60, 71 (1036 draft points)
Sydney has four academy prospects to choose from, and three of them – Harry Kyle, Lachlan Carmichael and Max King – could attract first-round bids. Can they secure the talented trio with the revised draft value index and limited draft capital? If the Swans do, they will likely go into draft points deficit next year. Bids in the teens and early 20s will put pressure on the Swans and also wipe selections from the draft board. Kyle is the favourite to have his name called first, a versatile and athletic prospect with plenty of scope. Carmichael is a reliable defender who earned MVP status at both U16 and U18 level, with his range set to begin at the Western Bulldogs in the first round. Geelong, Fremantle and North Melbourne could place bids on King, a high upside 191cm forward, in the late first-early second round range. AFL Academy graduate Noah Chamberlain may slide through to the rookie draft, where he can be added as a Category B rookie. Depending how bids impact their draft hand, Oakleigh Chargers defender Max Kondogannis, his teammate Hunter Holmes (brother of Max), Tasmanian small forward Jack Miller, Sturt midfielder-forward Noah Roberts-Thomson, St Kilda NGA playmaker Kye Fincher are options in the back-half of the draft. Sydney are fans of Dandenong Stingrays duo Tairon Ah-Mu, a key forward, and Callum Smith, the grandson of Kevin Bartlett. The Swans have committed to re-adding delisted veterans Jake Lloyd and Dane Rampe in the rookie draft.
WEST COAST
PICKS: 1, 2, 13, 34, 41
The Eagles are expected to grab midfielder-forward Willem Duursma at No. 1 on Wednesday night before beginning the bidding wars. Gold Coast is bracing for a potential bid at pick 2 on Academy prospect Zeke Uwland, while West Coast also has Carlton father-son Harry Dean in its sights and is every chance to place a bid on him too. Ruckman-forward Cooper Duff-Tytler is widely favoured to join West Coast with its second selection, but the Eagles are also big fans of Sullivan Robey and Dyson Sharp and haven’t completely ruled out trading that second selection and sliding back. Essendon has spoken to West Coast about moving up the board, but an impressive eleventh-hour offer would need to be put forward for that to be considered. The Eagles are also open to either moving up or moving back their third selection, depending on how the early picks shake out. West Australian rebounding defender Jacob Farrow is unlikely to still be on the board, but South Australian key forward Aidan Schubert is another player who has been linked there. West Coast has NGA prospects Tylah Williams and Koby Evans available to it later in the order or as rookies, along with father-son prospect Charlie Banfield. Rivals suspect a bid could come for Williams as early as night one.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
PICKS:14, 33, 53
The Bulldogs are in a promising position to snare a first-round slider. Geelong Falcons defender Josh Lindsay is one of those as a top-five contender earlier in the year, and has been strongly linked to the Dogs. Eastern Ranges small forward Lachy Dovaston is another who they have put a lot of time into him, but does he offer the speed they need in the front half? Mature-age livewire Latrelle Pickett could offer them that dash. Speaking of speed, Oakleigh Chargers halfback or defender Sam Grlj would have to be considered if he fell that far. The Bulldogs are also open to live trades, especially if it helps them get future picks in the door. Swan Districts goalsneak Leon Kickett is a small forward that could come into their thinking at their second pick. Father-son prospect Will Darcy is expected to be taken in the national draft with the Dogs’ last pick, with a rival bid unlikely before then. A late developer like his brother Sam, Will was out of sight for most of the year with Scotch College before being added to the Oakleigh Chargers program during the season.
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