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2026 AFL Draft Prospects And Discussion

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Mutineer

Mutineer

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Coates Talent League to have a change of name with Coates ending their sponsorship.


The AFL’s under-18 competition to change name from Coates Talent League​

Despite 36 of the 60 players taken in November’s national draft coming from the Coates Talent League, the country’s standout junior competition will look different next year.

The AFL’s under-18 competition is again on the hunt for a new name after Coates ended its sponsorship.
Known as the Coates Talent League, the equipment rental company chose not to renew its naming rights for the majority feeder of prime draft talent in boys and girls heading into 2026.

Coates’ departure from the league was confirmed last week.

The Coates branding will stay on during most communications leading into the AFLW Draft on December 15 but it will be largely referred to as just the ‘Talent League’, with that name to be in place until a new sponsor emerges.
In an email to officials Talent Competition Operations Coordinator Michaela Adair confirmed the change.

“Coates has confirmed it will not be renewing its partnership with the Talent League for the 2026 season.

“The AFL thanks Coates for its support and significant contribution of the Talent League over the past three seasons.

“We will now commence a phase-out of the Coates branding across Talent League assets.

“In the interim, please refer to the competition as the Talent League.”

Coates took over as naming rights sponsor of the competition in 2023, with the competition previously known as the NAB League.

NAB sponsored the league for four years starting in 2019.

It was previously known as the TAC Cup, which held naming rights from the league’s inception in 1992.
Most genuine prospects spend their draft years aligned with a Coates Talent League team, with 36 of the 60 players taken in the national draft last month from Talent League sides.

It includes 12 Victorian sides, teams from Tasmania and Northern Territory and academy teams aligned with Sydney, GWS Giants, Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast.

The Victorian clubs also compete in shorter under-16 competitions.
 
I think hindsight will look fondly on us saving our pick.

Not to be a doomsdayer but with our draw and bit less luck, a top 12 pick isn’t out of the equation and there’s a few SA boys who may be around the mark - Van Dyk in particular I really rate, but there’s others like Edwards and Patterson as well. Herbert also a local ruck option.
 
bigman said:
I think hindsight will look fondly on us saving our pick.

Not to be a doomsdayer but with our draw and bit less luck, a top 12 pick isn’t out of the equation and there’s a few SA boys who may be around the mark - Van Dyk in particular I really rate, but there’s others like Edwards and Patterson as well. Herbert also a local ruck option.
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Just as long as Powa are forced to pay through the ass for Dougie Cochrane!! :mad:
 
Mutineer said:
Just as long as Powa are forced to pay through the ass for Dougie Cochrane!! :mad:
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They don’t deserve to get him but at least they will pay a lot, Twomey has indicated as such.

Not that we were ever a chance to grab him (save for a disaster 2026) but I’ve still yet to have it explained why he’s eligible for Port’s NGA despite being living in metropolitan area.
 

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bigman said:
They don’t deserve to get him but at least they will pay a lot, Twomey has indicated as such.

Not that we were ever a chance to grab him (save for a disaster 2026) but I’ve still yet to have it explained why he’s eligible for Port’s NGA despite being living in metropolitan area.
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I’d be curious how it differs to North not being able to have access to Riley Sanders 2 years ago or Hawthorn not having access to Greeves as they were both NGA players weren’t they?
 
Patterson is another talented prospect in what looks to be another strong crop from SA. A small forward who can do a bit of everything and kicked bags of goals as a bottom ager. A quick first step and change of direction helps him slip tacklers or get out on the lead. He's dangerous at ground level and capable of leaping for marks.

 
bigman said:
They don’t deserve to get him but at least they will pay a lot, Twomey has indicated as such.

Not that we were ever a chance to grab him (save for a disaster 2026) but I’ve still yet to have it explained why he’s eligible for Port’s NGA despite being living in metropolitan area.
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Port have been making the zone lines fuzzy for 150 years, this was no doubt easy for them to manipulate.
 
noobermensch said:
Patterson is another talented prospect in what looks to be another strong crop from SA. A small forward who can do a bit of everything and kicked bags of goals as a bottom ager. A quick first step and change of direction helps him slip tacklers or get out on the lead. He's dangerous at ground level and capable of leaping for marks.

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We haven't had a sun-challenged-practically-albino list spot filled since himmelberg left and this guy is a good one for that spot I reckon.
 
hugecannon said:
I’d be curious how it differs to North not being able to have access to Riley Sanders 2 years ago or Hawthorn not having access to Greeves as they were both NGA players weren’t they?
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North did have access to Sanders however the rule at the time didn’t allow bids in the top 20 or 40 (can’t remember exactly)

Greeves was denied as the application came too late.

Very simple
 
Boak10 said:
North did have access to Sanders however the rule at the time didn’t allow bids in the top 20 or 40 (can’t remember exactly)

Greeves was denied as the application came too late.

Very simple
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Wasn't yours too late as well? I thought players had to enter your Academy before they were 15?
 
bigman said:
They don’t deserve to get him but at least they will pay a lot, Twomey has indicated as such.

Not that we were ever a chance to grab him (save for a disaster 2026) but I’ve still yet to have it explained why he’s eligible for Port’s NGA despite being living in metropolitan area.
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He lives in Ports zone and they have discovered his aboriginal heritage.
 
crows dude said:
He lives in Ports zone and they have discovered his aboriginal heritage.
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This is what I find strange. How far back does it go? Was this the intent ever of the NGA program.

Family Background: Dougie's father, former AFL player Stuart Cochrane, recently explored and verified the family's Indigenous lineage on his maternal side. The family had disconnected from their cultural roots over several generations, leading to a delayed discovery.
Dougie Cochrane's Aboriginal heritage, which qualified him for the AFL's Next Generation Academy (NGA) program with Port Adelaide, traces back to the Ngunawal (Ngunnawal) people. This Indigenous Australian group is traditionally associated with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surrounding New South Wales regions, such as around Canberra.
 
Eagleboy2011 said:
This is what I find strange. How far back does it go? Was this the intent ever of the NGA program.

Family Background: Dougie's father, former AFL player Stuart Cochrane, recently explored and verified the family's Indigenous lineage on his maternal side. The family had disconnected from their cultural roots over several generations, leading to a delayed discovery.
Dougie Cochrane's Aboriginal heritage, which qualified him for the AFL's Next Generation Academy (NGA) program with Port Adelaide, traces back to the Ngunawal (Ngunnawal) people. This Indigenous Australian group is traditionally associated with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surrounding New South Wales regions, such as around Canberra.
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This is the biggest joke. Diminishes those with legitimate indigenous identity.
 

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TheLeftFist8 said:
This is the biggest joke. Diminishes those with legitimate indigenous identity.
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Correct ....so does 5% work too .....another wrought by the AFL, failing to think thru the basic repercussions

I can't wait for the first sperm donor father/son
 
sanfl.com.au

SANFL announces new Academies coaching roles - SANFL

sanfl.com.au sanfl.com.au

Capture.PNG
New SANFL Academies Coaches Mark Clayton (Port Adelaide, far left) and Chris Trapp (Adelaide, far right) with SA U18 players Zack Young (left) and Anthony Long (right) with SANFL U18 Academy Manager Tony Bamford (middle).
 

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So effectively the whole of the the very talent rich catchment area of the Murray Bushrangers.

www.carltonfc.com.au

Blues receive new regional NGA zone in historic first

The Carlton Football Club welcomes the AFL’s recent re-zoning of Next Generation Academy boundaries and is excited to receive a regional zone for the first time in the Club’s history.
www.carltonfc.com.au www.carltonfc.com.au
 
Note the late birthday too!!

central.rookieme.com

2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Rucks to run rampant

Blockbuster ruck battles will take centre stage at next year's National Championships, if this emerging group of talls is anything to go by.
central.rookieme.com central.rookieme.com

Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide/SA)
Ruck | 200cm | 01/11/2008

Arguably the most dominant bottom-age player in the SANFL Under 18 competition this year, Herbert put up big numbers in the ruck. Leaning on his craft and mobility, he averaged 17.9 disposals, 6.4 clearances, and 26.4 hitouts across 16 games for North Adelaide. His clean set of hands aided strong follow-up work and there is potential for the 200cm big man to develop his forward craft. He was only kept out of South Australia’s Under 18 side this year by All-Australian ruck Sam Ainsworth, but kept him honest at training and would comfortably have held his own at the level.

Lewis Houndsome (Northern Knights/VM)
Key Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 29/05/2008

A man mountain who plays with serious presence, Houndsome has already proven to be a big-game player. Perhaps his greatest achievement was a best afield performance as Parade College took out its third consecutive Herald Sun Shield, impressing with his mobility and contested marking prowess around the ground. That breakout came after also winning best on ground honours in the ACC Grand Final. At 199cm, Houndsome’s base is up forward but his reach and physical makeup lend to becoming a very handy secondary ruck, especially when teaming up with Harry Van Hattum for the Knights and Vic Metro.

Cooper Ramsay (East Fremantle/WA)
Ruck | 203cm | 09/01/2007

There are massive wraps on Ramsay, who turned out for just one WAFL Colts game this year and two in 2024. The soccer convert was discovered at a ‘come and try’ day for tall talent and slotted into Western Australia’s Under 16 side as an over-ager last year. He would have been his state’s mainline ruck this year if not for stress fractures in his shin, but still earned a state combine invite and AFL clubs are clearly all over his raw athleticism. He’s the type of prospect who falls into the category of ‘plenty to work on, but plenty to work with’, so will be one to watch if he gets a clean run at it.

Harry Van Hattum (Northern Knights/VM)
Ruck/Key Forward | 202cm | 01/07/2008

Standing at an imposing 202cm, Van Hattum is far more than just a hulking physical prospect. He is highly athletic for his size, capable of closing in hard on packs or standing up in them to mark overhead. He covers good ground to complement his ruck craft and is capable of providing a target either down the line or deep forward. There is plenty of talk already to suggest Van Hattum could be the leading key position player in 2026, drawing comparisons to this year’s fourth pick, Cooper Duff-Tytler. He won the Knights’ Rising Star award this year and earned a Vic Metro debut, turning out against Vic Country.

Benji van Rooyen (Claremont/WA)
Ruck | 203cm | 17/09/2008

van Rooyen will be hoping to follow big brother Jacob into the AFL ranks next year. Projecting to have over 10cm of height over his elder sibling, the Claremont tall gets first access to the ball with his sheer reach and developing ruck craft. He’s wiry but super clean overhead and effective on the follow-up, making for nimble play at such a lofty height. The 17-year-old held down Western Australia’s starting ruck role this year and has begun to enhance his impact around the ground, as shown during Claremont’s run to a third-consecutive Colts flag.
 

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