Preview 2026 AFL Draft General Discussion

[weltschmerz]

Which kids hopes and dreams will we ruin next!!

Arki Butler looking like a really good non-club-tied prospect

 

[Davo-27]

Which kids hopes and dreams will we ruin next!!

IF you get rid of that coeterie group including Dodoro, new admin that have the teams best interest at heart, new coach and coaching group, new s&c trainers with good reps and a deeper squad you might not ruin them..... but it seems even reviews into your club get ignored by the people in power, so good luck with that...

 

[KillaKanga]

Some good early insights!!

 

[bulldogs201616]

El Souki looks like something.

 

[eDPS]

Murray vs Gippsland

Murray

3 Tanner Armstrong - 176cm
Inside/Outside Midfielder

Found plenty of the ball and worked hard all day, won plenty of his own ball and worked hard on the outside. Not sure he will end up a midfielder at the next level but has shown good footy smarts and workrate.

11 Jackson Hewitt- 182cm
Rebound Defender

Just a solid defender able to intercept mark and also run off and create drive from half back. Not sure yet about his speed/athleticism but certainly has some good IQ able to both attack and defend.

12 Blake Newton - 185cm
Forward/Midfielder

Definitely shows some Lalor/Rayner vibes. Very strong overhead and over the ball and looks to have some pretty high upside. Was often tasked with much taller players when forward and found it hard to really get going there but showed his best work in the midfield able to win clearances and make an impact.

15 Rhys Osborne - 184cm
Inside Midfielder

A really tough two way running midfielder who is clean at the stoppage and works really hard defensively to assist his defenders. Not flashy but has some traits to work with.

21 Mackenzie Calleja - 195cm
Key Defender

A MSD prospect he was very solid down back taking some good intercept marks and generally used the ball really well and made good quick decisions. Was under a lot of pressure with the way the ball came in from a rampant Gippsland side and held up very well.

Gippsland

6 Judd Burgiel - 178cm
Inside Midfielder

An old fashioned footballer nothing fancy he just hits contests hard and tackles hard and is clean and smart enough around the ground to have an impact. Tough to really see his draft range at this stage but looks like he will be a consistent player for Gippy.

7 Keenan Boi - 183cm
Forward

Has plenty of energy as a forward with good speed and defensive anticipation able to both hit the scoreboard and also set up goals himself.

10 Cody Templeton - 179cm
Midfielder/Forward

More of the same from Templeton who showed his midfield and forward craft as a bottom ager last year. Could have had a big day missing a few shots as well. Still looks like an early draft prospect

11 Marlon Neocleous - 168cm
Midfielder/Forward

Played more midfield time and when forward found the ball up the ground more. Still very classy and balanced with ball in hand and doesn’t have to get a tonne of the ball to be damaging.

15 Thomas Macmillan - 180cm
Rebound Defender

Just a very classy and composed player at half back with his left foot a real weapon for him, might need to see more of his defensive chops against a quality team to get a real gauge on him.

16 Oscar Henwood - 185cm
Forward/Midfielder

Gee this kid looks a talent for 2027, super classy and impactful with some Isaac Heeney

5

Isaac Heeney

Age

30

Ht

185cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.2

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

7.7

5star

M

4.9

5star

T

4.1

5star

CL

2.2

4star

D

14.3

3star

K

8.8

4star

HB

5.5

3star

M

4.8

4star

T

2.5

3star

CL

0.8

3star

D

10.4

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.4

4star

CL

0.8

3star

like talent. Will be keen to see how he goes this year.

33 Will Malady - 190cm
Hybrid Forward

He is still that Will Hayward

19

Will Hayward

Age

27

Ht

186cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.6

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

3.4

3star

T

2.8

4star

G

1.1

4star

D

9.0

2star

K

4.3

2star

HB

4.7

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

2.7

4star

G

0.7

4star

D

9.4

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

3.4

5star

G

1.4

5star

style of player with good athleticism and a hard matchup as a forward. I think forward and wing will be his go for the next level, he was far too smart and athletic for Murray.

40 Xavier Ladbrook - 200cm
Key Defender

Very solid down back rarely beaten in the air and generally composed with ball in hand although would really like to see him tested on a quality key forward. Still a little unsure on his skills at times but he has talent.

41 Clancy Snell - 195cm
Key Defender

Again it’s hard to really rate players when they play in such a one sided game but he looked every bit a top 10 calibre key defender in this game. Very strong overhead and read the game beautifully and his skills were also a real highlight.

 

[weltschmerz]

El Souki looks like something.

He should spend the next eight months or so taking a break from footy, you know, focusing on his VCE, having a hit of cricket. No need to burn himself out on footy (until after the draft).

 

[roos_fanatic08]

El Souki looks like something.

If you end up getting Butters you’ll be burning a lot of draft capital to get him over the line.

Wonder if that means you might miss your shot with El Souki? Especially if he is bid on mid to late first round.

 

[txbyhull]

Bottom 5 clubs to possibly receive an Eo1R compensation pick should a bid be matched within the top 5.

Richmond and Essendon would have received a pick each in the 2025 draft, West Coast also (pending specifics).

I understand where they are coming from with this. Top talent being tied means that bottom clubs aren't getting complete access to the best talent, and with Tasmania coming in some of these clubs won't be getting serious influxes of youth for 2 more years. In all likelihood affects West Coast, Essendon, Richmond, and any of North, Port, Melbourne, etc.

 

[GeTrain]

This extra picks seems better as a trade asset as opposed to drafting an extra kid to bring in on the night. Teams tend to pay overs for the first pick of the 2nd day because there's players left on their draft board that they didn't expect.

 

[tigs2010]

Bottom 5 clubs to possibly receive an Eo1R compensation pick should a bid be matched within the top 5.

Richmond and Essendon would have received a pick each in the 2025 draft, West Coast also (pending specifics).

I understand where they are coming from with this. Top talent being tied means that bottom clubs aren't getting complete access to the best talent, and with Tasmania coming in some of these clubs won't be getting serious influxes of youth for 2 more years. In all likelihood affects West Coast, Essendon, Richmond, and any of North, Port, Melbourne, etc.

WC wouldn't have because they bid with a compo. But assume theyd have just bid on Zeke at 1 if the rule was in place.

 

[txbyhull]

WC wouldn't have because they bid with a compo. But assume theyd have just bid on Zeke at 1 if the rule was in place.

Indeed, that is what Cal said in the video, and what I refer to when I say pending specifics.

Idea being that a compensation pick could not generate a compensation pick I suppose.

As you say it would just mean that bids come earlier.

 

[bluebaggerjuls]

would all but guarantee pick 1 would be a bid

 

[txbyhull]

would all but guarantee pick 1 would be a bid

which by all accounts it should be, just based off the bottom age year(s). Should be 1 and 2 right now

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Bottom 5 clubs to possibly receive an Eo1R compensation pick should a bid be matched within the top 5.

Richmond and Essendon would have received a pick each in the 2025 draft, West Coast also (pending specifics).

I understand where they are coming from with this. Top talent being tied means that bottom clubs aren't getting complete access to the best talent, and with Tasmania coming in some of these clubs won't be getting serious influxes of youth for 2 more years. In all likelihood affects West Coast, Essendon, Richmond, and any of North, Port, Melbourne, etc.

Geez would’ve been handy over the last 5 years for North’s rebuild…

2020 - extra first round pick for JUH bid
2021 - we likely bid on Daicos or Darcy and net an extra end of first round pick.
2022 - extra pick for Will Ashcroft bid
2023 - extra pick for Jed Walter bid
2024 - we likely bid on Levi Ashcroft and we net an extra end of first round pick.

5 extra selections would have been far handier than the random compo picks that we were forced to trade for potatoes like Logue, Tucker and Fisher.

 

[txbyhull]

Geez would’ve been handy over the last 5 years for North’s rebuild…

2020 - extra first round pick for JUH bid
2021 - we likely bid on Daicos or Darcy and net an extra end of first round pick.
2022 - extra pick for Will Ashcroft bid
2023 - extra pick for Jed Walter bid
2024 - we likely bid on Levi Ashcroft and we net an extra end of first round pick.

5 extra selections would have been far handier than the random compo picks that we were forced to trade for potatoes like Logue, Tucker and Fisher.

I agree, we would've had an end of first in each of the last 2 drafts. Given the tall depth of both we would probably have better young ruck and KPD stocks.

 

[bluebaggerjuls]

if Carlton had pick 3 or 4 and Walker was bid on at 1 I could see them not matching. Because it would be 4+ whatever to make the points + and extra end of first round pick. So in effect it now becomes 3 firsts for Walker instead of the initial 2

 

[bluebaggerjuls]

Does this also not blatantly encourage end of season tanking. If your in that 4-7 pick range there’s even more of an incentive to lose your last couple games

 

[hammer180]

Does this also not blatantly encourage end of season tanking. If your in that 4-7 pick range there’s even more of an incentive to lose your last couple games

They should make it bottom 3, most of the time there is a big gap between 3rd last and 4th last (last yr bit of an exception)

 

[Purple Pills]

Where can you find all the U18 boys talent league stats?

 

[eDPS]

Geelong vs Dandenong

Geelong

5 Noah Williams - 176cm
Midfielder

Should come at no surprise that his kicking was sensational with the left footer able to win the ball in dangerous positions and hit targets in even more dangerous spots. Definitely has some Gulden/Merrett vibes although his actual midfield craft might not be at their level yet.

8 Jack Pickett - 193cm
Key Forward

Fairly quiet game, played mostly deep and certainly did better when he was able to get some one on one contest. Still a bit iffy on him being a top 5 prospect, would like to see how he goes on some of the better key defenders aswell

25 Jett Elek - 201cm (MSD Prospect)
Ruck

The strong marking and athletic tall showed some great signs last year and still might be on the draft radar. Kicking at times can still be a concern but he certainly has some draft able traits.

Dandenong

3 Gus Kennedy - 187cm
Defender/Midfielder

Played mostly down back and was a solid and calm head there. Was physical at stoppages when he was in there aswell, he isn’t the flashiest player so might not be in that top 10 area at this stage.

4 Marcus Prasad - 168cm
Forward

The perfect small forwards game, he was super clean at ground level and worked up the ground to show he isn’t a one trick pony. Kicked an incredible goal on the boundary but also set up plenty of goals aswell with his class.

5 Bentley Avenell - 198cm
Key Forward

Might need to see a bit more but when your 198cm and kicking 3 goals your going to be on the radar somewhat. Need to see what he can do overhead.

7 Andrio Sousa - 179cm
Forward/Midfielder

Played a Gryan Miers

32

Gryan Miers

Age

27

Ht

179cm

Wt

81kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.4

4star

K

9.1

4star

HB

6.3

4star

M

4.1

4star

T

1.8

4star

G

1.1

4star

D

15.3

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

6.3

4star

M

4.6

4star

T

1.6

3star

G

0.9

4star

D

14.4

4star

K

8.4

4star

HB

6.0

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.2

4star

G

1.2

4star

sort of role as a high half forward able to link up and use his clean hands and foot skills to set up scoring chains. Was very clean in everything he did and moved very well, is more of an outside skinny player so might need to see more contest work.

8 Wil Antrobus - 176cm
Rebound Defender

A competitive and skilled left footer he was the designated kicker for Dandenong able to break the lines and showed great composure.

11 Jackson Phillips - 184cm
Midfielder

The surprise packet from the game, has a bit of Chad Warner

1

Chad Warner

Age

25

Ht

185cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.0

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

2.5

2star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.5

3star

CL

0.0

1star

D

7.0

1star

K

4.5

2star

HB

2.5

2star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.5

2star

CL

0.0

1star

D

7.0

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

2.5

3star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.5

4star

CL

0.0

1star

about him with his burst of speed and pick penetration. Might need to work on his endurance as his defensive actions weren’t always the strongest but was an offensive weapon in the midfield.

 

[Jen2310]

Where can you find all the U18 boys talent league stats?

for each game?
AFL app under talent league boys.

 

[bluebaggerjuls]

has anyone managed to confirm whether Prasad is Melbourne nga or not.

 

[curious George 21]

Yeah course mate, no knock just adding to the info! Keen for the first pre season WAFL colts game soon between East and South Fremantle(s). Few good boys running around there, would have loved to see Claremont early too.

Looks like the derby between south and east is going to be cancelled due to the weather. Not good for the East boys who’ve only had 1 scratch match this would’ve been the second.

 

[Rash]

anyone know when dougie is back?

 

[Jen2310]

anyone know when dougie is back?

Cal implied likely out for most of the year