Preview 2026 AFL Draft General Discussion

[eDPS]

Vic Metro and Country played off in a trial today which Metro won with a strong last quarter. Lochie Burrows starred in a new role at half back for Metro, Jake Miller and Clancy Snell had a very good battle.

Cody Walker was really good in the middle and worked well with Drever who had more impact outside than inside compared to his recent games. Williams played midfield but did most of his damage outside of stoppages and I really liked his leadership out there. Antrobus and Harrington were lethal with their kicking at half back and Gus Kennedy was really solid often playing on Arki Butler. Neocleous was fairly involved as a high forward and went into the middle in the last quarter I’m not sure he is a top 10 prospect.

Phillips was better once moved into the middle after starting on a wing. Malady started forward and then went to a wing and looked good in both roles, Templeton and Ladbrook started well but both tailed off as the game went on. Elliott had some great moments including a big pack mark in the 3rd quarter. Elek and O’Brien both looked good ruck and forward.


Metro rotated a lot of players through the middle which included Teixiera/Knapp/Tippet/Hicks/Harris/Krasna/MacGowan/Cooke. I thought Teixiera and MacGowan looked the best when they were in the middle. Cooke and Harris each kicked 3 goals when rotating forward, Arki Butler was very poor but perhaps had the highlight of the day with an awesome crumb and lovely kick inside 50 to Leeder.

Leeder and Gayfer both provided great targets despite not getting reward on the scoreboard, Leeder in particular needs a lot of work on his set shot routine but he has some serious talent. The key defenders for Metro struggled to defend well although Bradley had some nice intercepts.


The big takeaways for me in this game was the revelation of Burrows as a tough and skilful defender and Jake Miller furthers his pick 1 credentials for 2027 with his work rate amongst the best I’ve seen in a young key forward.

 

[txbyhull]

Vic Metro and Country played off in a trial today which Metro won with a strong last quarter. Lochie Burrows starred in a new role at half back for Metro, Jake Miller and Clancy Snell had a very good battle.

Cody Walker was really good in the middle and worked well with Drever who had more impact outside than inside compared to his recent games. Williams played midfield but did most of his damage outside of stoppages and I really liked his leadership out there. Antrobus and Harrington were lethal with their kicking at half back and Gus Kennedy was really solid often playing on Arki Butler. Neocleous was fairly involved as a high forward and went into the middle in the last quarter I’m not sure he is a top 10 prospect.

Phillips was better once moved into the middle after starting on a wing. Malady started forward and then went to a wing and looked good in both roles, Templeton and Ladbrook started well but both tailed off as the game went on. Elliott had some great moments including a big pack mark in the 3rd quarter. Elek and O’Brien both looked good ruck and forward.


Metro rotated a lot of players through the middle which included Teixiera/Knapp/Tippet/Hicks/Harris/Krasna/MacGowan/Cooke. I thought Teixiera and MacGowan looked the best went they where in the middle. Cooke and Harris each kicked 3 goals when rotating forward, Arki Butler was very poor but perhaps had the highlight of the day with an awesome crumb and lovely kick inside 50 to Leeder.

Leeder and Gayfer both provided great targets despite not getting reward on the scoreboard, Leeder in particular needs a lot of work on his set shot routine but he has some serious talent. The key defenders for Metro struggled to defend well although Bradley had some nice intercepts.


The big takeaways for me in this game was the revelation of Burrows as a tough and skilful defender and Jake Miller furthers his pick 1 credentials for 2027 with his work rate amongst the best I’ve seen in a young key forward.

How did you see Clancy Snell’s performance against champs level KPFs?

 

[eDPS]

How did you see Clancy Snell’s performance against champs level KPFs?

Miller have him a workout that’s for sure but he has some good moments himself, Snell would have likely dominated if allowed to intercept a bit deeper. Miller worked him up high and then worked him back going back aswell.

 

[#BallMagnet]

Vic Metro and Country played off in a trial today which Metro won with a strong last quarter. Lochie Burrows starred in a new role at half back for Metro, Jake Miller and Clancy Snell had a very good battle.

Cody Walker was really good in the middle and worked well with Drever who had more impact outside than inside compared to his recent games. Williams played midfield but did most of his damage outside of stoppages and I really liked his leadership out there. Antrobus and Harrington were lethal with their kicking at half back and Gus Kennedy was really solid often playing on Arki Butler. Neocleous was fairly involved as a high forward and went into the middle in the last quarter I’m not sure he is a top 10 prospect.

Phillips was better once moved into the middle after starting on a wing. Malady started forward and then went to a wing and looked good in both roles, Templeton and Ladbrook started well but both tailed off as the game went on. Elliott had some great moments including a big pack mark in the 3rd quarter. Elek and O’Brien both looked good ruck and forward.


Metro rotated a lot of players through the middle which included Teixiera/Knapp/Tippet/Hicks/Harris/Krasna/MacGowan/Cooke. I thought Teixiera and MacGowan looked the best went they where in the middle. Cooke and Harris each kicked 3 goals when rotating forward, Arki Butler was very poor but perhaps had the highlight of the day with an awesome crumb and lovely kick inside 50 to Leeder.

Leeder and Gayfer both provided great targets despite not getting reward on the scoreboard, Leeder in particular needs a lot of work on his set shot routine but he has some serious talent. The key defenders for Metro struggled to defend well although Bradley had some nice intercepts.


The big takeaways for me in this game was the revelation of Burrows as a tough and skilful defender and Jake Miller furthers his pick 1 credentials for 2027 with his work rate amongst the best I’ve seen in a young key forward.

Arki on notice for me.
Needs a big champs to justify his supposed lofty draft rankings.
Has been pretty inconsistent so far this season as he’s been exposed to more midfield minutes.

Not sure how much midfield time he’ll get at champs as Metro have strong prospects in that area already better suited so I think he’ll be predominantly played forward.

Talented, but a big watch for me.

 

[eDPS]

Arki on notice for me.
Needs a big champs to justify his supposed lofty draft rankings.
Has been pretty inconsistent so far this season as he’s been exposed to more midfield minutes.

Not sure how much midfield time he’ll get at champs as Metro have strong prospects in that area already better suited so I think he’ll be predominantly played forward.

Talented, but a big watch for me.

He played pure forward today

 

[footballsack35]

Metro rotated a lot of players through the middle which included Teixiera/Knapp/Tippet/Hicks/Harris/Krasna/MacGowan/Cooke. I thought Teixiera and MacGowan looked the best went they where in the middle.

I'm telling you now by the end of champs MacGowan will be known as a top 5 midfielder in this draft class.

 

[eDPS]

I'm telling you now by the end of champs MacGowan will be known as a top 5 midfielder in this draft class.

He played a lot on the wing, personally think he should be in the middle more.

 

[Rancid Trogs]

These guys dropped an updated top 50 last week:

2026 Top 50 Draft Power Rankings: V2.0

The 2026 draft pool had long been framed as a strong one. Six weeks into the underage season however, there was a growing sense that the strength might be more perceived than proven. Recent comprom…

readingtheplay.wordpress.com

 

[tigs2010]

These guys dropped an updated top 50 last week:

2026 Top 50 Draft Power Rankings: V2.0

The 2026 draft pool had long been framed as a strong one. Six weeks into the underage season however, there was a growing sense that the strength might be more perceived than proven. Recent comprom…

readingtheplay.wordpress.com

This is you writing these articles right?

 

[Rancid Trogs]

This is you writing these articles right?

Nah, I found them last year and subscribed to their website cause I liked their stuff. Get emails when they release something so share here when it's relevant.

 

[tigs2010]

Nah, I found them last year and subscribed to their website cause I liked their stuff. Get emails when they release something so share here when it's relevant.

Should take credit, they’re a good read

 

[ItsAllAboutMe]

A lot of post comparing Van Hattum to Sean Darcy

4

Sean Darcy

Age

27

Ht

203cm

Wt

111kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.1

3star

K

3.4

1star

HB

6.6

4star

CL

2.4

4star

HO

28.8

5star

D

6.8

1star

K

2.0

1star

HB

4.8

3star

CL

1.8

4star

HO

20.3

5star

D

11.4

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

6.8

5star

CL

2.6

5star

HO

32.0

5star

, is this not a massive concern considering the new ruck rules and how they have affected the big, non athletic rucks this year.. Seems a huge gamble for a club to use the first open pick on a player with these sort of question marks hovering over them.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

A lot of post comparing Van Hattum to Sean Darcy, is this not a massive concern considering the new ruck rules and how they have affected the big, non athletic rucks this year.. Seems a huge gamble for a club to use the first open pick on a player with these sort of question marks hovering over them.

Van Hattum has a 103cm vertical jump. With his leap/height/wingspan combo he'd have just about every ruck in the comp covered for reach.

 

[Luxor]

A lot of post comparing Van Hattum to Sean Darcy, is this not a massive concern considering the new ruck rules and how they have affected the big, non athletic rucks this year.. Seems a huge gamble for a club to use the first open pick on a player with these sort of question marks hovering over them.

One of the biggest positives to his game from everything I've read about him appears to be his athleticism for his size, so you get the best of both worlds.
Doubt any clubs will be worried about him adapting to the new ruck rules, if anything it seems like they would be a benefit to him as he can leap at the centre ball up but still wrestle at stoppages around the ground.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Cal Twomey's 25 draft prospects to watch at the Under 18 Championships

Cal Twomey's 25 draft prospects to watch at the U18 Championships

Cal Twomey takes a look at 25 prospects to watch ahead of the Marsh AFL National Under-18 Boys Championships

www.afl.com.au

 

[ItsAllAboutMe]

One of the biggest positives to his game from everything I've read about him appears to be his athleticism for his size, so you get the best of both worlds.
Doubt any clubs will be worried about him adapting to the new ruck rules, if anything it seems like they would be a benefit to him as he can leap at the centre ball up but still wrestle at stoppages around the ground.

View attachment 2634382

He is also 18, and at 110kg is the exact same weight that Darcy was in his draft year, he will naturally put on extra weight and size as he ages, regardless of how lean he wants to be. I am glad it wont be Carlton with the #1 pick because seems a fair risk. I say this having only seen highlights, he might just be the next Victor Wambanyama.

 

[Luxor]

He is also 18, and at 110kg is the exact same weight that Darcy was in his draft year

Interesting point but I doubt that Darcy was noted for his athleticism back in his draft year and I wonder what his vertical leap test results were, if anyone who was posting back then can remember.

Also is probably slightly taller than Darcy was at that age even if they're the same weight?

 

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Interesting point but I doubt that Darcy was noted for his athleticism back in his draft year and I wonder what his vertical leap test results were, if anyone who was posting back then can remember.

Also is probably slightly taller than Darcy was at that age even if they're the same weight?

This is prob the best I have seen, so not entirely the same with big questions on Darcys endurance and overall athleticism.

Toast Thread 'ND Pick #38 - Sean Darcy'

Mar 18, 2017

Name: Sean Darcy
Position: Ruck
Height: 202cm
Weight: 101kg
DOB: 12 June 1998
Club: Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
Player Comparison: Shane Mumford

DRAFT PROFILE

WHEN you are 201cm and 113kg as a 17 year-old, it is hard not to be noticed and in Sean Darcy’s case, he has certainly done his draft chances no harm this season. The monster ruck has thrown his weight around in the TAC Cup and National Under 18s Championships, easily beating...

• wayToGo_
• Replies: 12
• Forum: Freo Player Watch

• 

 

[Dupogi]

One of the biggest positives to his game from everything I've read about him appears to be his athleticism for his size, so you get the best of both worlds.
Doubt any clubs will be worried about him adapting to the new ruck rules, if anything it seems like they would be a benefit to him as he can leap at the centre ball up but still wrestle at stoppages around the ground.

View attachment 2634382

Sounds like an ACL waiting to happen

 

[THE_GUN]

Sounds like HVH is perfect for the 2 clubs at the top of the draft board in Essendon & Richmond
But taking a Ruck with effectively the live pick #1. There are risks

Im more in the get a Cheaper Ruck like Madden and another player with the top pick which ever is the best Mid available
Drever really starting to look like he will be in the top 3 conversations now

 

[Haggas]

 

[txbyhull]

View attachment 2634914

What do you think you’re seeing in Sam Gayfer that a lot of others maybe aren’t?

 

[anotherletdown]

View attachment 2634914

No Swans Academy players (available players) in the top 50, fine by me.

 

[txbyhull]

No Swans Academy players (available players) in the top 50, fine by me.

Can't say that many of them are performing over and above at the moment to be fair. I haven't watched enough of the KPF (Pig something?) to really know but he's kicking goals in the Coates, and I like that long jumper too.

 

[Jen2310]

No Swans Academy players (available players) in the top 50, fine by me.

Cal was talking up the swans crop recently