Preview 2026 AFL Draft General Discussion

[KanesBurner]

I personally think it’s runs pretty deep.
I reckon there’s plenty of talent to be found depending on what you are targeting or needs.
A great spread of all positional types well into the later rounds not in the limelight.

I’ve seen it mentioned a few places that there’s a lot of under agers in the state and club teams, is that correct? Or is it correct but also happens most years.

 

[#BallMagnet]

I’ve seen it mentioned a few places that there’s a lot of under agers in the state and club teams, is that correct? Or is it correct but also happens most years.

This is a common occurrence.
Best way to give them exposure and to see if they are up to the level is play them occasionally as bottom agers.

 

[eaglespremiers]

Bit of this year and a bit of next year but Calder are playing a Northern Territory U18 side on Thursday night at Highgate Reserve, 6:15pm.

Are you sure about this? We've (Bendigo) got NT on Sunday.

 

[Yoda_]

Are you sure about this? We've (Bendigo) got NT on Sunday.

yeah, 100% they are

NT playing 4 games it seems

23/4 v Calder (Highgate)
26/4 v Bendigo (ETU Stadium)
9/5 v GWV (TIO Stadium)
16/5 v Western Jets (TIO Stadium)

 

[MarcMaverick]

yeah, 100% they are

NT playing 4 games it seems

23/4 v Calder (Highgate)
26/4 v Bendigo (ETU Stadium)
9/5 v GWV (TIO Stadium)
16/5 v Western Jets (TIO Stadium)

That's a tight schedule.

 

[Yoda_]

That's a tight schedule.

save on flights for the kids you would think

 

[MarcMaverick]

save on flights for the kids you would think

Probably, but it looks like remember when we had the 2020 season and teams were playing off three to four day break.

 

[eaglespremiers]

yeah, 100% they are

NT playing 4 games it seems

23/4 v Calder (Highgate)
26/4 v Bendigo (ETU Stadium)
9/5 v GWV (TIO Stadium)
16/5 v Western Jets (TIO Stadium)

Our boys didn't play this week (apart from a handful who were in the Vic trial games and Cody, who I don't think will play this week anyway) so it will be interesting to see what effect this has on the contest.

 

[SaintLoopy]

Our boys didn't play this week (apart from a handful who were in the Vic trial games and Cody, who I don't think will play this week anyway) so it will be interesting to see what effect this has on the contest.

The schedule was released for WA. They are playing the Allies & Vic Country within 5 days in Melbourne. A Friday & then the following Wednesday. Only 1 away trip.

 

[eaglevision]

The schedule was released for WA. They are playing the Allies & Vic Country within 5 days in Melbourne. A Friday & then the following Wednesday. Only 1 away trip.

Is it posted somewhere?

 

[SaintLoopy]

Is it posted somewhere?

AAMI WA Football State 18s squad picked for expanded winter program - WA Football

The initial AAMI WA Football State 18s squad has been selected ahead of the first of six trial games this weekend.

wafootball.com.au

At the bottom of this article

 

[Futbolista]

Here he is courtesy of Noobermensch. The hot sauce from WA.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Here he is courtesy of Noobermensch. The hot sauce from WA.

Has to be his nickname now.

 

[baggersforflaggers]

Any trial games this weekend?

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Courtesy of Michael Alvaro from RMC:

2026 SOUTH AUSTRALIA U18 SQUAD​

Central District (3): Dougie Cochrane, Jake Eime, Jack Gordon
Glenelg (7): Ben Copping, Harvey Croker, Kai Edwards, Harry Franz, Jobe Janeway, Jacob McNicol, Gabriel Patterson
North Adelaide (4): Ethan Herbert, Sam Tassone, Memphis Webb, Zackariah Young
Norwood (1): Kai Ivins*
South Adelaide (5): Hudson Boal*, Kodah Edwards, Cain Florance, Zemes Pilot*, Archie Van Dyk
Sturt (6): Harvey Chapman*, Taj Garrett*, Huge Jaeschke, Kale Matthews-Hampton, Jack Nelson, Lachie Werts
West Adelaide (5): Laurence Andriani*, Charlie Bradford, Dean Hatedakis*, Anthony Long, Lincoln Pitt**
Woodville-West Torrens (4): Mitchell Harris, Blake Karpany, Jack Leys, Jack Slattery**

* – denotes bottom-age
** – denotes over-age

 

[THE_GUN]

HVH should be getting more hype! The kid is a unicorn considering his athletic profile and height.

Hopefully a few you mention really announce themselves at the champs! I’ll be watching with interest.

Do we have actual numbers regarding his athleticism
speed , leap , agility etc

He looks great but have not watched him live and only vision doesnt really give a great indication
how does he compare to CDT's athleticism

 

[txbyhull]

Do we have actual numbers regarding his athleticism
speed , leap , agility etc

He looks great but have not watched him live and only vision doesnt really give a great indication
how does he compare to CDT's athleticism

Just from the looks of things he’s more elite athleticism in a traditional ruck sense compared to CDT where it’s more a point of difference against other rucks in skill set.

Don’t quote me but I read HVH having a 100+ running vertical, at 205cm, up there with your Nic Nat types

 

[THE_GUN]

Just from the looks of things he’s more elite athleticism in a traditional ruck sense compared to CDT where it’s more a point of difference against other rucks in skill set.

Don’t quote me but I read HVH having a 100+ running vertical, at 205cm, up there with your Nic Nat types

I think it was jen a pies supporter who mentioned he was now 208 cm last year on 1 of the draft threads
and he turns 18 in july

Kid looks like really becoming a massive unit in 3-4 years time

 

[txbyhull]

Kid looks like really becoming a massive unit in 3-4 years time

could have just written this

Kid has a monstrous frame, could well be the best ruck in the competition within 5 years

 

[Jen2310]

I think it was jen a pies supporter who mentioned he was now 208 cm last year on 1 of the draft threads
and he turns 18 in july

Kid looks like really becoming a massive unit in 3-4 years time

206cm, he mentioned to me when he trained with the pies in the preseason.
Have no reason to dispute his words haha

 

[Thunderstruck]

Courtesy of Michael Alvaro from RMC:

2026 SOUTH AUSTRALIA U18 SQUAD​

Central District (3): Dougie Cochrane, Jake Eime, Jack Gordon
Glenelg (7): Ben Copping, Harvey Croker, Kai Edwards, Harry Franz, Jobe Janeway, Jacob McNicol, Gabriel Patterson
North Adelaide (4): Ethan Herbert, Sam Tassone, Memphis Webb, Zackariah Young
Norwood (1): Kai Ivins*
South Adelaide (5): Hudson Boal*, Kodah Edwards, Cain Florance, Zemes Pilot*, Archie Van Dyk
Sturt (6): Harvey Chapman*, Taj Garrett*, Huge Jaeschke, Kale Matthews-Hampton, Jack Nelson, Lachie Werts
West Adelaide (5): Laurence Andriani*, Charlie Bradford, Dean Hatedakis*, Anthony Long, Lincoln Pitt**
Woodville-West Torrens (4): Mitchell Harris, Blake Karpany, Jack Leys, Jack Slattery**

* – denotes bottom-age
** – denotes over-age

Was wondering if they were going to include Gibson as an overager as he's been on fire this year so far and disappointed Simpson hasn't got a gig, he's good to watch.

 

[THE_GUN]

206cm, he mentioned to me when he trained with the pies in the preseason.
Have no reason to dispute his words haha

Thanks Jen
as a 17 year old thats massive

did you watch him at training ?
maybe some update about what his speed leap and agility was like from what you seen

 

[Jen2310]

Thanks Jen
as a 17 year old thats massive

did you watch him at training ?
maybe some update about what his speed leap and agility was like from what you seen

Yeah I did.
His athleticism was very much on show. Moves really well for a big man with his size.

 

[KrispyKreme]

Yeah I did.
His athleticism was very much on show. Moves really well for a big man with his size.

I watched his highlights and could see he can jump. Freak

 

[Jen2310]

I watched his highlights and could see he can jump. Freak

Has a really good leap, very agile.