Preview 2026 AFL Draft General Discussion

[Davo-27]

When the footy show used to show hangers from the u18s those players usually went on to be players at AFL level.

 

[#BallMagnet]

When are the VM & VC squads going to drop for the National Champs?
I think the SA squad has been training since late April.
WA also underway I believe..

 

[eDPS]

When are the VM & VC squads going to drop for the National Champs?
I think the SA squad has been training since late April.
WA also underway I believe..

Both squads don’t usually come out at the same time but both should be out before the end of the month.

 

[Rancid Trogs]

I saw this on another forum and thought I'd share - the rankings are obviously very early but it kinda shows what the new rules might lead to on draft night:

"Just ran a fun little exercise to see how the new draft rules play out in real time. I've used my current power rankings for the draftees ( which are available at: https://readingtheplay.wordpress.com/draft-hub/ ) and some assumed list needs / traits factored in for clubs, along with the following ladder generated via the AFL website's predictor tool:

1. Sydney
2. Fremantle
3. Hawthorn
4. Brisbane
5. Geelong
6. Gold Coast
7. Adelaide
8. Western Bulldogs
9. Collingwood
10. St Kilda
11. North Melbourne
12. Greater Western Sydney
13. Melbourne
14. Port Adelaide
15. Essendon
16. Carlton
17. West Coast
18. Richmond

I've also ensured all previously traded picks are included, but have not predicted any future trades (ie. Butters).

To ensure all bid matching and compensation picks line up, I've used the PommyinOz simulator at: https://pommyinozytdraftsim2026.netlify.app/

There are a few bugs currently, but I've made it work by overriding erroneous pick slides / compensation with the trade feature. It's a fun little tool.

The draft I've run until the end of the second round, including the compensation picks between rounds 1 and 2 for clubs pushed back early by bids. As you can, there is significant pick movement as a result of matching bids given the new rules.

This is a very early look at it, but already, it looks a better system than previously (and this year's draft pool already looks to have some quality and depth).

MOCK DRAFT:

Pick #1: PAD - Dougie Cochrane (matched with picks #5 & #21, future deficit of 184 points)
Pick #2: CAR - Cody Walker (matched with picks #4 & #18, get pick #24 back)
Pick #3: RIC - Harry Van Hattum
Pick #4: WCE - Noah Williams
Pick #5: ESS - Arki Butler
Pick #6: MEL - Clancy Snell
Pick #7: GWS - Gus Teixeira
Pick #8: NTH - Kodah Edwards
Pick #9: STK - Ethan Drever
Pick #10: COL - Gabriel Patterson
Pick #11: WBD - Xavier Ladbrook
Pick #12: ADE - Heath Mellody
Pick #13: FRE - Lucas Robinson (matched with picks #17 & #37, future deficit of 120 points)
Pick #14: MEL - Ethan Herbert
Pick #15: GEE - Jack Pickett
Pick #16: BRI - Darcy Szerszyn
Pick #17: HAW - Koby LeCras

Pick #18: RIC - Harrison Chapman
Pick #19: WCE - Marlon Neocleous
Pick #20: WBD - Khaled El-Souki (matched with picks #31 & #48, future deficit of 226 points)
Pick #21: ESS - Cody Templeton

Pick #22: RIC - Jackson Phillips
Pick #23: RIC - Tanner Armstrong (matched with pick #38, future deficit of 311 points)
Pick #24: WCE - Archie Van Dyk
Pick #25: ESS - Blake Justice (wouldn't be able to match a bid up to pick #36)
Pick #26: CAR - Will Malady
Pick #27: PAD - Kale Matthews-Hampton
Pick #28: GWS - Aidan McCartney (SYD cannot match due to not having a F1 for deficit)
Pick #29: HAW - Jacob McNicol
Pick #30: CAR - Lewis Houndsome
Pick #31: HAW - Harrison Leeder
Pick #32: COL - Sam Gayfer
Pick #33: ADE - Tyson Bradley
Pick #34: CAR - Max Downes
Pick #35: GEE - Lachlan Hicks
Pick #36: BRI - Will Antrobus
Pick #37: HAW - Clancy Stuart
Pick #38: SYD - Tate Hodgson"

 

[tigs2010]

I saw this on another forum and thought I'd share - the rankings are obviously very early but it kinda shows what the new rules might lead to on draft night:

"Just ran a fun little exercise to see how the new draft rules play out in real time. I've used my current power rankings for the draftees ( which are available at: https://readingtheplay.wordpress.com/draft-hub/ ) and some assumed list needs / traits factored in for clubs, along with the following ladder generated via the AFL website's predictor tool:

1. Sydney
2. Fremantle
3. Hawthorn
4. Brisbane
5. Geelong
6. Gold Coast
7. Adelaide
8. Western Bulldogs
9. Collingwood
10. St Kilda
11. North Melbourne
12. Greater Western Sydney
13. Melbourne
14. Port Adelaide
15. Essendon
16. Carlton
17. West Coast
18. Richmond

I've also ensured all previously traded picks are included, but have not predicted any future trades (ie. Butters).

To ensure all bid matching and compensation picks line up, I've used the PommyinOz simulator at: https://pommyinozytdraftsim2026.netlify.app/

There are a few bugs currently, but I've made it work by overriding erroneous pick slides / compensation with the trade feature. It's a fun little tool.

The draft I've run until the end of the second round, including the compensation picks between rounds 1 and 2 for clubs pushed back early by bids. As you can, there is significant pick movement as a result of matching bids given the new rules.

This is a very early look at it, but already, it looks a better system than previously (and this year's draft pool already looks to have some quality and depth).

MOCK DRAFT:

Pick #1: PAD - Dougie Cochrane (matched with picks #5 & #21, future deficit of 184 points)
Pick #2: CAR - Cody Walker (matched with picks #4 & #18, get pick #24 back)
Pick #3: RIC - Harry Van Hattum
Pick #4: WCE - Noah Williams
Pick #5: ESS - Arki Butler
Pick #6: MEL - Clancy Snell
Pick #7: GWS - Gus Teixeira
Pick #8: NTH - Kodah Edwards
Pick #9: STK - Ethan Drever
Pick #10: COL - Gabriel Patterson
Pick #11: WBD - Xavier Ladbrook
Pick #12: ADE - Heath Mellody
Pick #13: FRE - Lucas Robinson (matched with picks #17 & #37, future deficit of 120 points)
Pick #14: MEL - Marlon Neocleous
Pick #15: GEE - Jack Pickett
Pick #16: BRI - Darcy Szerszyn
Pick #17: HAW - Koby LeCras

Pick #18: RIC - Harrison Chapman
Pick #19: WCE - Marlon Neocleous
Pick #20: WBD - Khaled El-Souki (matched with picks #31 & #48, future deficit of 226 points)
Pick #21: ESS - Cody Templeton

Pick #22: RIC - Jackson Phillips
Pick #23: RIC - Tanner Armstrong (matched with pick #38, future deficit of 311 points)
Pick #24: WCE - Archie Van Dyk
Pick #25: ESS - Blake Justice (wouldn't be able to match a bid up to pick #36)
Pick #26: CAR - Will Malady
Pick #27: PAD - Kale Matthews-Hampton
Pick #28: GWS - Aidan McCartney (SYD cannot match due to not having a F1 for deficit)
Pick #29: HAW - Jacob McNicol
Pick #30: CAR - Lewis Houndsome
Pick #31: HAW - Harrison Leeder
Pick #32: COL - Sam Gayfer
Pick #33: ADE - Tyson Bradley
Pick #34: CAR - Max Downes
Pick #35: GEE - Lachlan Hicks
Pick #36: BRI - Will Antrobus
Pick #37: HAW - Clancy Stuart
Pick #38: SYD - Tate Hodgson"

Pretty sure that 2nd round goes Rich, Rich, Wc, Wc, Ess, Ess in that scenario as the compo pick is a 2nd rounder not end of 1st.

 

[txbyhull]

I saw this on another forum and thought I'd share - the rankings are obviously very early but it kinda shows what the new rules might lead to on draft night:

"Just ran a fun little exercise to see how the new draft rules play out in real time. I've used my current power rankings for the draftees ( which are available at: https://readingtheplay.wordpress.com/draft-hub/ ) and some assumed list needs / traits factored in for clubs, along with the following ladder generated via the AFL website's predictor tool:

1. Sydney
2. Fremantle
3. Hawthorn
4. Brisbane
5. Geelong
6. Gold Coast
7. Adelaide
8. Western Bulldogs
9. Collingwood
10. St Kilda
11. North Melbourne
12. Greater Western Sydney
13. Melbourne
14. Port Adelaide
15. Essendon
16. Carlton
17. West Coast
18. Richmond

I've also ensured all previously traded picks are included, but have not predicted any future trades (ie. Butters).

To ensure all bid matching and compensation picks line up, I've used the PommyinOz simulator at: https://pommyinozytdraftsim2026.netlify.app/

There are a few bugs currently, but I've made it work by overriding erroneous pick slides / compensation with the trade feature. It's a fun little tool.

The draft I've run until the end of the second round, including the compensation picks between rounds 1 and 2 for clubs pushed back early by bids. As you can, there is significant pick movement as a result of matching bids given the new rules.

This is a very early look at it, but already, it looks a better system than previously (and this year's draft pool already looks to have some quality and depth).

MOCK DRAFT:

Pick #1: PAD - Dougie Cochrane (matched with picks #5 & #21, future deficit of 184 points)
Pick #2: CAR - Cody Walker (matched with picks #4 & #18, get pick #24 back)
Pick #3: RIC - Harry Van Hattum
Pick #4: WCE - Noah Williams
Pick #5: ESS - Arki Butler
Pick #6: MEL - Clancy Snell
Pick #7: GWS - Gus Teixeira
Pick #8: NTH - Kodah Edwards
Pick #9: STK - Ethan Drever
Pick #10: COL - Gabriel Patterson
Pick #11: WBD - Xavier Ladbrook
Pick #12: ADE - Heath Mellody
Pick #13: FRE - Lucas Robinson (matched with picks #17 & #37, future deficit of 120 points)
Pick #14: MEL - Marlon Neocleous
Pick #15: GEE - Jack Pickett
Pick #16: BRI - Darcy Szerszyn
Pick #17: HAW - Koby LeCras

Pick #18: RIC - Harrison Chapman
Pick #19: WCE - Marlon Neocleous
Pick #20: WBD - Khaled El-Souki (matched with picks #31 & #48, future deficit of 226 points)
Pick #21: ESS - Cody Templeton

Pick #22: RIC - Jackson Phillips
Pick #23: RIC - Tanner Armstrong (matched with pick #38, future deficit of 311 points)
Pick #24: WCE - Archie Van Dyk
Pick #25: ESS - Blake Justice (wouldn't be able to match a bid up to pick #36)
Pick #26: CAR - Will Malady
Pick #27: PAD - Kale Matthews-Hampton
Pick #28: GWS - Aidan McCartney (SYD cannot match due to not having a F1 for deficit)
Pick #29: HAW - Jacob McNicol
Pick #30: CAR - Lewis Houndsome
Pick #31: HAW - Harrison Leeder
Pick #32: COL - Sam Gayfer
Pick #33: ADE - Tyson Bradley
Pick #34: CAR - Max Downes
Pick #35: GEE - Lachlan Hicks
Pick #36: BRI - Will Antrobus
Pick #37: HAW - Clancy Stuart
Pick #38: SYD - Tate Hodgson"

Interesting exercise, have been waiting for uni stuff to finish up before starting my first proper mock of the season. looking at it like this, I think this class shapes up pretty well in comparison to at least last years

 

[Rancid Trogs]

Pretty sure that 2nd round goes Rich, Rich, Wc, Wc, Ess, Ess in that scenario as the compo pick is a 2nd rounder not end of 1st.

That's what I thought as it's worded as a second round compensation tied to finishing position. But all of the mainstream media are going with the in-between rounds so I have no idea?

Can anyone confirm what it will look like?

 

[Calcium Man]

That's what I thought as it's worded as a second round compensation tied to finishing position. But all of the mainstream media are going with the in-between rounds so I have no idea?

Can anyone confirm what it will look like?

The pick is a 2nd round compo so assume that means right after your 2nd rounder

 

[Adnico26Parker]

I saw this on another forum and thought I'd share - the rankings are obviously very early but it kinda shows what the new rules might lead to on draft night:

"Just ran a fun little exercise to see how the new draft rules play out in real time. I've used my current power rankings for the draftees ( which are available at: https://readingtheplay.wordpress.com/draft-hub/ ) and some assumed list needs / traits factored in for clubs, along with the following ladder generated via the AFL website's predictor tool:

1. Sydney
2. Fremantle
3. Hawthorn
4. Brisbane
5. Geelong
6. Gold Coast
7. Adelaide
8. Western Bulldogs
9. Collingwood
10. St Kilda
11. North Melbourne
12. Greater Western Sydney
13. Melbourne
14. Port Adelaide
15. Essendon
16. Carlton
17. West Coast
18. Richmond

I've also ensured all previously traded picks are included, but have not predicted any future trades (ie. Butters).

To ensure all bid matching and compensation picks line up, I've used the PommyinOz simulator at: https://pommyinozytdraftsim2026.netlify.app/

There are a few bugs currently, but I've made it work by overriding erroneous pick slides / compensation with the trade feature. It's a fun little tool.

The draft I've run until the end of the second round, including the compensation picks between rounds 1 and 2 for clubs pushed back early by bids. As you can, there is significant pick movement as a result of matching bids given the new rules.

This is a very early look at it, but already, it looks a better system than previously (and this year's draft pool already looks to have some quality and depth).

MOCK DRAFT:

Pick #1: PAD - Dougie Cochrane (matched with picks #5 & #21, future deficit of 184 points)
Pick #2: CAR - Cody Walker (matched with picks #4 & #18, get pick #24 back)
Pick #3: RIC - Harry Van Hattum
Pick #4: WCE - Noah Williams
Pick #5: ESS - Arki Butler
Pick #6: MEL - Clancy Snell
Pick #7: GWS - Gus Teixeira
Pick #8: NTH - Kodah Edwards
Pick #9: STK - Ethan Drever
Pick #10: COL - Gabriel Patterson
Pick #11: WBD - Xavier Ladbrook
Pick #12: ADE - Heath Mellody
Pick #13: FRE - Lucas Robinson (matched with picks #17 & #37, future deficit of 120 points)
Pick #14: MEL - Marlon Neocleous
Pick #15: GEE - Jack Pickett
Pick #16: BRI - Darcy Szerszyn
Pick #17: HAW - Koby LeCras

Pick #18: RIC - Harrison Chapman
Pick #19: WCE - Marlon Neocleous
Pick #20: WBD - Khaled El-Souki (matched with picks #31 & #48, future deficit of 226 points)
Pick #21: ESS - Cody Templeton

Pick #22: RIC - Jackson Phillips
Pick #23: RIC - Tanner Armstrong (matched with pick #38, future deficit of 311 points)
Pick #24: WCE - Archie Van Dyk
Pick #25: ESS - Blake Justice (wouldn't be able to match a bid up to pick #36)
Pick #26: CAR - Will Malady
Pick #27: PAD - Kale Matthews-Hampton
Pick #28: GWS - Aidan McCartney (SYD cannot match due to not having a F1 for deficit)
Pick #29: HAW - Jacob McNicol
Pick #30: CAR - Lewis Houndsome
Pick #31: HAW - Harrison Leeder
Pick #32: COL - Sam Gayfer
Pick #33: ADE - Tyson Bradley
Pick #34: CAR - Max Downes
Pick #35: GEE - Lachlan Hicks
Pick #36: BRI - Will Antrobus
Pick #37: HAW - Clancy Stuart
Pick #38: SYD - Tate Hodgson"

McCartney is tied to North and Sydney, so both clubs will have to pass for GWS to select him.

 

[txbyhull]

McCartney is tied to North and Sydney, so both clubs will have to pass for GWS to select him.

I was under the impression he had to nominate one or the other prior to the draft?

 

[Adnico26Parker]

I was under the impression he had to nominate one or the other prior to the draft?

Sorry yes poor wording. He'd have to nominate one.

 

[THE_GUN]

I saw this on another forum and thought I'd share - the rankings are obviously very early but it kinda shows what the new rules might lead to on draft night:

"Just ran a fun little exercise to see how the new draft rules play out in real time. I've used my current power rankings for the draftees ( which are available at: https://readingtheplay.wordpress.com/draft-hub/ ) and some assumed list needs / traits factored in for clubs, along with the following ladder generated via the AFL website's predictor tool:

1. Sydney
2. Fremantle
3. Hawthorn
4. Brisbane
5. Geelong
6. Gold Coast
7. Adelaide
8. Western Bulldogs
9. Collingwood
10. St Kilda
11. North Melbourne
12. Greater Western Sydney
13. Melbourne
14. Port Adelaide
15. Essendon
16. Carlton
17. West Coast
18. Richmond

I've also ensured all previously traded picks are included, but have not predicted any future trades (ie. Butters).

To ensure all bid matching and compensation picks line up, I've used the PommyinOz simulator at: https://pommyinozytdraftsim2026.netlify.app/

There are a few bugs currently, but I've made it work by overriding erroneous pick slides / compensation with the trade feature. It's a fun little tool.

The draft I've run until the end of the second round, including the compensation picks between rounds 1 and 2 for clubs pushed back early by bids. As you can, there is significant pick movement as a result of matching bids given the new rules.

This is a very early look at it, but already, it looks a better system than previously (and this year's draft pool already looks to have some quality and depth).

MOCK DRAFT:

Pick #1: PAD - Dougie Cochrane (matched with picks #5 & #21, future deficit of 184 points)
Pick #2: CAR - Cody Walker (matched with picks #4 & #18, get pick #24 back)
Pick #3: RIC - Harry Van Hattum
Pick #4: WCE - Noah Williams
Pick #5: ESS - Arki Butler
Pick #6: MEL - Clancy Snell
Pick #7: GWS - Gus Teixeira
Pick #8: NTH - Kodah Edwards
Pick #9: STK - Ethan Drever
Pick #10: COL - Gabriel Patterson
Pick #11: WBD - Xavier Ladbrook
Pick #12: ADE - Heath Mellody
Pick #13: FRE - Lucas Robinson (matched with picks #17 & #37, future deficit of 120 points)
Pick #14: MEL - Marlon Neocleous
Pick #15: GEE - Jack Pickett
Pick #16: BRI - Darcy Szerszyn
Pick #17: HAW - Koby LeCras

Pick #18: RIC - Harrison Chapman
Pick #19: WCE - Marlon Neocleous
Pick #20: WBD - Khaled El-Souki (matched with picks #31 & #48, future deficit of 226 points)
Pick #21: ESS - Cody Templeton

Pick #22: RIC - Jackson Phillips
Pick #23: RIC - Tanner Armstrong (matched with pick #38, future deficit of 311 points)
Pick #24: WCE - Archie Van Dyk
Pick #25: ESS - Blake Justice (wouldn't be able to match a bid up to pick #36)
Pick #26: CAR - Will Malady
Pick #27: PAD - Kale Matthews-Hampton
Pick #28: GWS - Aidan McCartney (SYD cannot match due to not having a F1 for deficit)
Pick #29: HAW - Jacob McNicol
Pick #30: CAR - Lewis Houndsome
Pick #31: HAW - Harrison Leeder
Pick #32: COL - Sam Gayfer
Pick #33: ADE - Tyson Bradley
Pick #34: CAR - Max Downes
Pick #35: GEE - Lachlan Hicks
Pick #36: BRI - Will Antrobus
Pick #37: HAW - Clancy Stuart
Pick #38: SYD - Tate Hodgson"

Thats a good result for richmond to get 3 kids before the Armstrong kid gets a bid

 

[Wild Bill]

The pick is a 2nd round compo so assume that means right after your 2nd rounder View attachment 2610105

AFL has lost the plot. Finishing 14th you get an early 2nd rounder - 13th you get nothing. How could the AFL look at this and think what a great idea??

When common sense isn’t common at all.

 

[txbyhull]

AFL has lost the plot. Finishing 14th you get an early 2nd rounder - 13th you get nothing. How could the AFL look at this and think what a great idea??

When common sense isn’t common at all.

I think it mostly comes from top 5 because it’s rare that all of that bottom 5 group are really really bad. It’s usually the bottom 3 or 4 that actually deserve the assistance. Would probably be better if it was wins based

 

[Wild Bill]

I think it mostly comes from top 5 because it’s rare that all of that bottom 5 group are really really bad. It’s usually the bottom 3 or 4 that actually deserve the assistance. Would probably be better if it was wins based

Now that is common sense.

Dee’s have finished back to back 14th with 18 wins!! Same time Tigers and Eagles have won 6 & 7 games and they get similar assistance.

This won’t last long.

 

[Wrenny]

I saw this on another forum and thought I'd share - the rankings are obviously very early but it kinda shows what the new rules might lead to on draft night:

"Just ran a fun little exercise to see how the new draft rules play out in real time. I've used my current power rankings for the draftees ( which are available at: https://readingtheplay.wordpress.com/draft-hub/ ) and some assumed list needs / traits factored in for clubs, along with the following ladder generated via the AFL website's predictor tool:

1. Sydney
2. Fremantle
3. Hawthorn
4. Brisbane
5. Geelong
6. Gold Coast
7. Adelaide
8. Western Bulldogs
9. Collingwood
10. St Kilda
11. North Melbourne
12. Greater Western Sydney
13. Melbourne
14. Port Adelaide
15. Essendon
16. Carlton
17. West Coast
18. Richmond

I've also ensured all previously traded picks are included, but have not predicted any future trades (ie. Butters).

To ensure all bid matching and compensation picks line up, I've used the PommyinOz simulator at: https://pommyinozytdraftsim2026.netlify.app/

There are a few bugs currently, but I've made it work by overriding erroneous pick slides / compensation with the trade feature. It's a fun little tool.

The draft I've run until the end of the second round, including the compensation picks between rounds 1 and 2 for clubs pushed back early by bids. As you can, there is significant pick movement as a result of matching bids given the new rules.

This is a very early look at it, but already, it looks a better system than previously (and this year's draft pool already looks to have some quality and depth).

MOCK DRAFT:

Pick #1: PAD - Dougie Cochrane (matched with picks #5 & #21, future deficit of 184 points)
Pick #2: CAR - Cody Walker (matched with picks #4 & #18, get pick #24 back)
Pick #3: RIC - Harry Van Hattum
Pick #4: WCE - Noah Williams
Pick #5: ESS - Arki Butler
Pick #6: MEL - Clancy Snell
Pick #7: GWS - Gus Teixeira
Pick #8: NTH - Kodah Edwards
Pick #9: STK - Ethan Drever
Pick #10: COL - Gabriel Patterson
Pick #11: WBD - Xavier Ladbrook
Pick #12: ADE - Heath Mellody
Pick #13: FRE - Lucas Robinson (matched with picks #17 & #37, future deficit of 120 points)
Pick #14: MEL - Marlon Neocleous
Pick #15: GEE - Jack Pickett
Pick #16: BRI - Darcy Szerszyn
Pick #17: HAW - Koby LeCras

Pick #18: RIC - Harrison Chapman
Pick #19: WCE - Marlon Neocleous
Pick #20: WBD - Khaled El-Souki (matched with picks #31 & #48, future deficit of 226 points)
Pick #21: ESS - Cody Templeton

Pick #22: RIC - Jackson Phillips
Pick #23: RIC - Tanner Armstrong (matched with pick #38, future deficit of 311 points)
Pick #24: WCE - Archie Van Dyk
Pick #25: ESS - Blake Justice (wouldn't be able to match a bid up to pick #36)
Pick #26: CAR - Will Malady
Pick #27: PAD - Kale Matthews-Hampton
Pick #28: GWS - Aidan McCartney (SYD cannot match due to not having a F1 for deficit)
Pick #29: HAW - Jacob McNicol
Pick #30: CAR - Lewis Houndsome
Pick #31: HAW - Harrison Leeder
Pick #32: COL - Sam Gayfer
Pick #33: ADE - Tyson Bradley
Pick #34: CAR - Max Downes
Pick #35: GEE - Lachlan Hicks
Pick #36: BRI - Will Antrobus
Pick #37: HAW - Clancy Stuart
Pick #38: SYD - Tate Hodgson"

Got Marlon twice @ 14 & 19

 

[Rancid Trogs]

Got Marlon twice @ 14 & 19

Good pick up!

I checked back and the original has been edited to change one to Herbert - I've updated here too

 

[Wrenny]

Good pick up!

I checked back and the original has been edited to change one to Herbert - I've updated here too

Hopefully Richmond do get back to back picks.

Picking HVH, Chapman & Neocleous whilst matching a bid for Armstrong would be a good hall. Potentially Daffy late/rookie if he keeps progressing.

 

[Miller1971]

I saw this on another forum and thought I'd share - the rankings are obviously very early but it kinda shows what the new rules might lead to on draft night:

"Just ran a fun little exercise to see how the new draft rules play out in real time. I've used my current power rankings for the draftees ( which are available at: https://readingtheplay.wordpress.com/draft-hub/ ) and some assumed list needs / traits factored in for clubs, along with the following ladder generated via the AFL website's predictor tool:

1. Sydney
2. Fremantle
3. Hawthorn
4. Brisbane
5. Geelong
6. Gold Coast
7. Adelaide
8. Western Bulldogs
9. Collingwood
10. St Kilda
11. North Melbourne
12. Greater Western Sydney
13. Melbourne
14. Port Adelaide
15. Essendon
16. Carlton
17. West Coast
18. Richmond

I've also ensured all previously traded picks are included, but have not predicted any future trades (ie. Butters).

To ensure all bid matching and compensation picks line up, I've used the PommyinOz simulator at: https://pommyinozytdraftsim2026.netlify.app/

There are a few bugs currently, but I've made it work by overriding erroneous pick slides / compensation with the trade feature. It's a fun little tool.

The draft I've run until the end of the second round, including the compensation picks between rounds 1 and 2 for clubs pushed back early by bids. As you can, there is significant pick movement as a result of matching bids given the new rules.

This is a very early look at it, but already, it looks a better system than previously (and this year's draft pool already looks to have some quality and depth).

MOCK DRAFT:

Pick #1: PAD - Dougie Cochrane (matched with picks #5 & #21, future deficit of 184 points)
Pick #2: CAR - Cody Walker (matched with picks #4 & #18, get pick #24 back)
Pick #3: RIC - Harry Van Hattum
Pick #4: WCE - Noah Williams
Pick #5: ESS - Arki Butler
Pick #6: MEL - Clancy Snell
Pick #7: GWS - Gus Teixeira
Pick #8: NTH - Kodah Edwards
Pick #9: STK - Ethan Drever
Pick #10: COL - Gabriel Patterson
Pick #11: WBD - Xavier Ladbrook
Pick #12: ADE - Heath Mellody
Pick #13: FRE - Lucas Robinson (matched with picks #17 & #37, future deficit of 120 points)
Pick #14: MEL - Ethan Herbert
Pick #15: GEE - Jack Pickett
Pick #16: BRI - Darcy Szerszyn
Pick #17: HAW - Koby LeCras

Pick #18: RIC - Harrison Chapman
Pick #19: WCE - Marlon Neocleous
Pick #20: WBD - Khaled El-Souki (matched with picks #31 & #48, future deficit of 226 points)
Pick #21: ESS - Cody Templeton

Pick #22: RIC - Jackson Phillips
Pick #23: RIC - Tanner Armstrong (matched with pick #38, future deficit of 311 points)
Pick #24: WCE - Archie Van Dyk
Pick #25: ESS - Blake Justice (wouldn't be able to match a bid up to pick #36)
Pick #26: CAR - Will Malady
Pick #27: PAD - Kale Matthews-Hampton
Pick #28: GWS - Aidan McCartney (SYD cannot match due to not having a F1 for deficit)
Pick #29: HAW - Jacob McNicol
Pick #30: CAR - Lewis Houndsome
Pick #31: HAW - Harrison Leeder
Pick #32: COL - Sam Gayfer
Pick #33: ADE - Tyson Bradley
Pick #34: CAR - Max Downes
Pick #35: GEE - Lachlan Hicks
Pick #36: BRI - Will Antrobus
Pick #37: HAW - Clancy Stuart
Pick #38: SYD - Tate Hodgson"

I reckon Caylen Murray and Archie Hill both get bids in Top 40.

Possibly Matthew Owen as well

 

[#BallMagnet]

Both squads don’t usually come out at the same time but both should be out before the end of the month.

Seems extremely late considering both squads kickoff their Champs campaign 14th June. Less than 4 weeks away.
Would have thought they'd like to get a good quantity of weeks together training, maybe a few hitout games in the leadup for continuity which the WA & SA squads look to be doing.

 

[eDPS]

Seems extremely late considering both squads kickoff their Champs campaign 14th June. Less than 4 weeks away.
Would have thought they'd like to get a good quantity of weeks together training, maybe a few hitout games in the leadup for continuity which the WA & SA squads look to be doing.

Would be ideal but that’s not how they role, for Metro teams in particular might have something to do with many being private school and not wanting to overload them earlier than they have to?

 

[roos_fanatic08]

What's the knock on Lachie Hicks from the Jets? Strikes me as such a pure footballer who rarely plays a bad game. Good inside/outside craft, running capacity and uses the ball pretty well. Surprised if he isn't pushing into top 10 calculations.

 

[Resigned]

Has anyone seen much of Ethan Matthews for the Giants seems to be killing it against talent league teams.

 

[MarcMaverick]

What's the knock on Lachie Hicks from the Jets? Strikes me as such a pure footballer who rarely plays a bad game. Good inside/outside craft, running capacity and uses the ball pretty well. Surprised if he isn't pushing into top 10 calculations.

Could be that he has a personality or an attitude problem that rubs the recruiters the wrong way. That can be the case. Probably the reason why NHH, was overlooked entirely.

 

[#BallMagnet]

Has anyone seen much of Ethan Matthews for the Giants seems to be killing it against talent league teams.

He's been the best pure prospect coming through the GWS Academy in the last 2 years and been very much overlooked by most draft pundits. Suits the modern game perfectly (Skill, Speed, Aerobic Capacity, IQ)
He may even become the highest rated Northern Academy prospect come draft time this year.
GWS might have to get creative as they only have 2 picks in this years draft which sits at 6 and 32 atm and I reckon he'll be bid on somewhere in the middle.
He also has a footballing clone in SA - Croker (Glenelg)