Preview 2026 AFL Draft General Discussion

[Smitb11]

Who have been the clear standouts for the AFL Academy?

 

[roos_fanatic08]

They look in all sorts any time North have the ball. Defensive structure completely falling apart.

Who have been the clear standouts for the AFL Academy?

Really lacking a few bigger bodies around the midfield. Doesn’t seem like there are many half backs/mids in that 185+cm catergory this year compared to previous years.

Kodah Edwards and Walker are easily been the best for the academy side

 

[noobermensch]

Who have been the clear standouts for the AFL Academy?

Walker, Edwards. Williams to an extent. The midfield got on top when HVH was in the ruck, but I'm not sure I'd have him in the bests necessarily, looks a fraction off the pace after his injury.

Patterson has had good moments. Herbert has shown more as a forward than I've seen previously.

 

[Smitb11]

Walker, Edwards. Williams to an extent. The midfield got on top when HVH was in the ruck, but I'm not sure I'd have him in the bests necessarily, looks a fraction off the pace after his injury.

Patterson has had good moments. Herbert has shown more as a forward than I've seen previously.

How did Arki Butler and Tanner Armstrong look today also?

 

[noobermensch]

How did Arki Butler and Tanner Armstrong look today also?

Tanner was busy but not super impactful. Arki looked great when he had the ball (although did mess up a couple of kicks) but didn't do it consistently enough over the 4 quarters.

 

[eDPS]

Expect the trials to commence for VIC Metro and Country this coming weekend, I’ve already started some mock teams for them and seeing some positives in midfield depth for Vic Metro. Hoping to see some key forwards stake their claim but looking thin in that department for Vic Country.

 

[T4P]

it's about to become the richmond forum in here

 

[#BallMagnet]

I know they don't play together but for the supposed best prospects in the country I can't but feel a little disappointed with the result of today's Academy game.
Will be interesting to see if they now mix it up a bit position wise or bring in or drop a few for a few others to get a run.
Might be another tough challenge vs Richmond VFL this week.

 

[giantroo]

Khaled El Souki with 6 goals for the Jets today. His stocks will continue to rise.

Now into top 20 calculations according to Twomey. Believes the Dogs wont have the picks to match a bid.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

 

[bulldogs201616]

Now into top 20 calculations according to Twomey. Believes the Dogs wont have the picks to match a bid.

That's if we get Butters I'm not confident we will get him.

 

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Based only on this video, which is just about all I know about Cody, are we concerned with his foot skills, also played inside.. Is not exactly the type of player I would be wanting to give up 2 x top 10 picks for when we are so desperate for outside mids with elite skills.

 

[EDFL follower]

Gippsland power have 3 playing for the academy this weekend - Ladbrook, Malday and Neocleus plus another 11 playing in the country/metro trial games including 4 bottom agers. Would have to be the most that we have ever had from Gippsland.

 

[eDPS]

Gippsland power have 3 playing for the academy this weekend - Ladbrook, Malday and Neocleus plus another 11 playing in the country/metro trial games including 4 bottom agers. Would have to be the most that we have ever had from Gippsland.

Guessing

Clancy Snell
Cody Templeton
Thomas MacMillan
Keenan Boi
Judd Burgiel
Levi Macumber
Oliver Wilson
Cohen Dent
Oscar Henwood
Leo Stephenson
Henry Allsop

 

[EDFL follower]

Guessing

Clancy Snell
Cody Templeton
Thomas MacMillan
Keenan Boi
Judd Burgiel
Levi Macumber
Oliver Wilson
Cohen Dent
Oscar Henwood
Leo Stephenson
Henry Allsop

Good guess.
No Oliver Wilson (at st kinda vfl) or Stephenson (suspended for 4 weeks for a rough tackle)
Charlie fisher and Augustus Finsterer are in.

 

[eDPS]

Good guess.
No Oliver Wilson (at st kinda vfl) or Stephenson (suspended for 4 weeks for a rough tackle)
Charlie fisher and Augustus Finsterer are in.

Those two are good picks aswell, you have one of the best names in the AFL if Finsterer gets drafted lol

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Wrong year (and thread) but Cohen Dent's surely 7ft now.

A couple of photos I've seen of him and he's almost all of the frame.

 

[eaglespremiers]

Gippsland power have 3 playing for the academy this weekend - Ladbrook, Malday and Neocleus plus another 11 playing in the country/metro trial games including 4 bottom agers. Would have to be the most that we have ever had from Gippsland.

Lol, back when I was growing up I played for Buln Buln in the EDFL.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

 

[#BallMagnet]

Who’s been dropped for him to come in?

 

[eDPS]

Who’s been dropped for him to come in?

They don’t really drop anyone but if they did it would be one of Neocleous/Matthews-Hamton/Smiler who came in as cover for injuries.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Sonny Smiller won’t play this week after featuring as an injury replacement against the Kangaroos.

Watch LIVE: Top draft prospects take on Richmond VFL

The 2026 Marsh AFL National Academy Boys squad will represent Australia for the second time on Saturday when they take on Richmond’s VFL side

www.afl.com.au

 

[Adnico26Parker]

 

[baggersforflaggers]

Can you put the lists up please.? Can’t see them properly without a Twitter account.

 

[Calcium Man]

Are the games Saturday or Sunday?

Also I’m assuming they won’t be streamed?