Preview 2026 AFL Draft General Discussion

[Half Back Pocket]

Gippy Power playing 6 bottom agers every game so far with another one injured - these were the 7 that they had in the vic country 16s squad last year.
Dent, Little, Stephenson, Allsop, Henwood and Fisher. Pendergast has been injured but I expect he will come straight into the team once ready. They have also played Thorley in 2 games. When the school kids leave they may give a couple of others a few games.

Love it. The ‘27 crew are gonna be

 

[Jen2310]

If Tigers finish last and bid on Walker & then Cochrane with their first pick do they get 2 end of 1st round picks as compensation?

No. Just the one.

 

[giantroo]

North VFL vs AFL Academy this Sunday 12:30pm @ Arden St.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

North VFL vs AFL Academy this Sunday 12:30pm @ Arden St.

Any names pop up as replacements?

 

[giantroo]

Any names pop up as replacements?

You mean the team? Not yet.

 

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Is Butler the likely #1 live prospect in the draft? How does he compare to say Sam Lalor?

 

[txbyhull]

Is Butler the likely #1 live prospect in the draft? How does he compare to say Sam Lalor?

I’d say HVH

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Is Butler the likely #1 live prospect in the draft? How does he compare to say Sam Lalor?

I think he's more likely to end up in the 5-8 range end of year despite being freakishly talented. His midfield craft isn't quite at the level of other mid/fwd types of previous years like Lalor, Humphrey, JHF from what I've seen so far. Imo that will mean he doesn't quite crack the top 5 just following the trends of previous years drafts.

As a small forward however, he is without a doubt one of the most damaging, electrifying prospects I've seen come through since I started following the draft. Body work and forward smarts are impeccable, elite kicking to other leading forwards... He's just a gun there. Complete match winner.

I understand why he's been shifted into the midfield this year but nearly every time he's kicked the ball when he's up forward he seems to create a goal or at least a chance and that seems far too valuable an asset to pass up for a decent (not game breaking) midfield performance imo.

I think Toby Greene is pretty close to the perfect player comparison for him both in terms of his damage up forward and his good, but not exceptional midfield work. Lalor in my eyes is closer to a Dusty/DeGoey mid who rolls forward type which is why he went as high as he did.

All very subjective though.

 

[eaglevision]

I think he's more likely to end up in the 5-8 range end of year despite being freakishly talented. His midfield craft isn't quite at the level of other mid/fwd types of previous years like Lalor, Humphrey, JHF from what I've seen so far. Imo that will mean he doesn't quite crack the top 5 just following the trends of previous years drafts.

As a small forward however, he is without a doubt one of the most damaging, electrifying prospects I've seen come through since I started following the draft. Body work and forward smarts are impeccable, elite kicking to other leading forwards... He's just a gun there. Complete match winner.

I understand why he's been shifted into the midfield this year but nearly every time he's kicked the ball when he's up forward he seems to create a goal or at least a chance and that seems far too valuable an asset to pass up for a decent (not game breaking) midfield performance imo.

I think Toby Greene is pretty close to the perfect player comparison for him both in terms of his damage up forward and through the midfield. Lalor in my eyes is closer to a Dusty/DeGoey type.

All very subjective though.

Think he ends up top 5 including Dougie and Cody but your assessment and player comparisons are spot on.

 

[Sphynx]

I think he's more likely to end up in the 5-8 range end of year despite being freakishly talented. His midfield craft isn't quite at the level of other mid/fwd types of previous years like Lalor, Humphrey, JHF from what I've seen so far. Imo that will mean he doesn't quite crack the top 5 just following the trends of previous years drafts.

As a small forward however, he is without a doubt one of the most damaging, electrifying prospects I've seen come through since I started following the draft. Body work and forward smarts are impeccable, elite kicking to other leading forwards... He's just a gun there. Complete match winner.

I understand why he's been shifted into the midfield this year but nearly every time he's kicked the ball when he's up forward he seems to create a goal or at least a chance and that seems far too valuable an asset to pass up for a decent (not game breaking) midfield performance imo.

I think Toby Greene is pretty close to the perfect player comparison for him both in terms of his damage up forward and his good, but not exceptional midfield work. Lalor in my eyes is closer to a Dusty/DeGoey mid who rolls forward type which is why he went as high as he did.

All very subjective though.

What mid craft did Lalor have and show?

He barely played.

Hes also played majority forward so far at AFL level. Not the best comparison.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

What mid craft did Lalor have and show?

He barely played.

Hes also played majority forward so far at AFL level. Not the best comparison.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion and everyone sees the game differently, but from my memory Lalor was a pretty dominant on baller who could rest forward and kick goals at either position in u18s despite the injury woes. He was a beast in and around stoppages and hitting up targets through the middle of the ground.

At AFL level he hasn't developed the tank to play heavy midfield minutes yet, but even in his brief stints on ball you can see the talent and explosiveness to get out of traffic and burst through tackles. He's pretty good up forward too but he's destined for more midfield minutes as he improves his fitness more which imo is his most damaging position.

Butler on the other hand is a dominant small forward who is plying his trade as an on baller for now. He's doing so at a decent level, but he's nowhere near as damaging through the middle of the ground as Lalor or others were. His 'AFL talent' is his work up forward where he's pretty much untouchable and makes a fool out of just about everyone he matches up on.

 

[Jen2310]

 

[spky1234]

What mid craft did Lalor have and show?

He barely played.

Hes also played majority forward so far at AFL level. Not the best comparison.

Lalor's midfield ability has been clearly shown at both levels.

 

[giantroo]

Watch LIVE: Top draft prospects on show against North Melbourne

The Marsh AFL National Academy Boys squad will represent Australia in two matches against VFL opposition over the next week

www.afl.com.au

MATCH DETAILS​

Australia U18 vs North Melbourne VFL
Sunday, April 12, 2026
12:30pm AEST
Arden Street Oval
Free entry


Australia U18 vs Richmond VFL
Saturday, April 18 2026
12:30pm AEST
IKON Park
Free entry

HOW TO WATCH​

Both matches will be available to stream live and free on the AFL website and AFL Live Official App.

 

[bulldogs201616]

Done an early draft rankings.

1 Cody Walker (Bendigo) Blues FS
2 Dougie Cochrane (Port) Port NGA
3 Harry Van Huttum (Knights)
4 Arki Butler (Dragons)
5 Noah Williams (Falcons)
6 Marlon Neocleous (Power)
7 Kodah Edwards (South Adelaide)
8 Ethan Drever (Rebels)
9 Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide)
10 Lewis Houndsome (Knights)
11 Will Malady (Power)
12 Jack Pickett (Falcons)
13 Heath Mellody (Claremont)
14 Xavier Ladbrook (Gippsland Power)
15 Khaled El Souki (Jets) Dogs NGA

 

[FF Trevor]

Done an early drank rankings.

1 Cody Walker (Bendigo) Blues FS
2 Dougie Cochrane (Port) Port NGA
3 Harry Van Huttum (Knights)
4 Arki Butler (Dragons)
5 Noah Williams (Falcons)
6 Marlon Neocleous (Power)
7 Kodah Edwards (South Adelaide)
8 Ethan Drever (Rebels)
9 Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide)
10 Lewis Houndsome (Knights)
11 Will Malady (Power)
12 Jack Pickett (Falcons)
13 Heath Mellody (Claremont)
14 Xavier Ladbrook (Gippsland Power)
15 Khaled El Souki (Jets) Dogs NGA

I am definitely looking forward to Van Huttum V Herbert in the National Championships this year

 

[#BallMagnet]

2026 AAMI SA U18 Squad Finalised - SANFL

sanfl.com.au

Croweaters 2026 National Champs Squad just dropped

 

[Jen2310]

2026 AAMI SA U18 Squad Finalised - SANFL

sanfl.com.au

Croweaters 2026 National Camps Squad just dropped

A few bottom agers

 

[living_in_syd]

Done an early drank rankings.

1 Cody Walker (Bendigo) Blues FS
2 Dougie Cochrane (Port) Port NGA
3 Harry Van Huttum (Knights)
4 Arki Butler (Dragons)
5 Noah Williams (Falcons)
6 Marlon Neocleous (Power)
7 Kodah Edwards (South Adelaide)
8 Ethan Drever (Rebels)
9 Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide)
10 Lewis Houndsome (Knights)
11 Will Malady (Power)
12 Jack Pickett (Falcons)
13 Heath Mellody (Claremont)
14 Xavier Ladbrook (Gippsland Power)
15 Khaled El Souki (Jets) Dogs NGA

How do they compare to past years draft?

 

[weltschmerz]

Done an early drank rankings.

How many have you had?

 

[bulldogs201616]

How do they compare to past years draft?

This crop is stronger then last years in my opinion, it is deeper that's for sure. Best two players are club tied in Cochrane and Walker but Van Hutten, Williams and Butler aren't far behind and closing quickly

 

[dean33]

If Tigers finish last and bid on Walker & then Cochrane with their first pick do they get 2 end of 1st round picks as compensation?

No but we should. I might write to the afl.

 

[Calcium Man]

About time 188cm athletic midfielder GWV Rebel Ethan Drever started to get more fanfare from Twomey and co, been dominant in a fairly ordinary Rebels team with not a whole lot of support around him in a side with quite a few underagers playing. 1st round potential without a doubt.

He’s a gun. Was great again today vs Stingrays. Beautiful mover and his handballing in particular very good putting teammates into space around stoppage.

 

[txbyhull]

"Lineups, Team and Player stats will be available for Talent League games at the end of the round"

**** off AFL you absolutely plates

 

[Mutineer]

He’s a gun. Was great again today vs Stingrays. Beautiful mover and his handballing in particular very good putting teammates into space around stoppage.

Haha you're preaching to converted, I've watched every game Ethan has played for the Rebels....he's top end talent especially considering he's playing in a fairly average Talent League team in the Rebels this season....made up with a lot of underagers.