List Mgmt. 2026 AFL Draft Prospects And Discussion

[1970crow]

This is the biggest joke. Diminishes those with legitimate indigenous identity.

we had this discussion not long ago and the prevailing view seemed to be the opposite. Until Port get an NGA out of it that is.

 

[johnnypanther]

This is what I find strange. How far back does it go? Was this the intent ever of the NGA program.

Family Background: Dougie's father, former AFL player Stuart Cochrane, recently explored and verified the family's Indigenous lineage on his maternal side. The family had disconnected from their cultural roots over several generations, leading to a delayed discovery.
Dougie Cochrane's Aboriginal heritage, which qualified him for the AFL's Next Generation Academy (NGA) program with Port Adelaide, traces back to the Ngunawal (Ngunnawal) people. This Indigenous Australian group is traditionally associated with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surrounding New South Wales regions, such as around Canberra.

i call BS

 

[Archie87]

NGAs were meant to be about identifying young talent from diverse backgrounds at like 14-15 and supporting them in getting onto an AFL list. No issues with that e.g. Port and Pilot in 2027.

It shouldn't for signing up the best 17 year old in the country who is already part of the established pathways and was always getting drafted.

Port getting access to Cochrane is one of the biggest draft rorts in recent years and that's saying something. I'm surprised other AFL clubs haven't highlighted the insanity of it. The AFL made the sensible decision with the Hawks and Greeves but, in their "infinite wisdom", did the opposite with Cochrane.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

NGAs were meant to be about identifying young talent from diverse backgrounds at like 14-15 and supporting them in getting onto an AFL list. No issues with that e.g. Port and Pilot in 2027.

It shouldn't for signing up the best 17 year old in the country who is already part of the established pathways and was always getting drafted.

Port getting access to Cochrane is one of the biggest draft rorts in recent years and that's saying something. I'm surprised other AFL clubs haven't highlighted the insanity of it. The AFL made the sensible decision with the Hawks and Greeves but, in their "infinite wisdom", did the opposite with Cochrane.

Port picked a good year to be rubbish and miss the finals

If they were threatening, looking ominous then it would have been a Riewoldt/Lions ruling

 

[conVINCEd]

Is Jermaine Miller still tracking well?

 

[Punchy Bassett]

What happened with Mitch Stevens in the end?

 

[hugecannon]

What happened with Mitch Stevens in the end?

Undrafted - I think another poster said he was training with WWWT.

He’d be a good get for the crows SANFL side.

 

[BrissyCrow]

After reading through this post it made me start to think about the handover of the AFC from the AFL to its members. I havent seen any updates about the timing and whether its still happening. Has any one got and new details regarding this .I

 

[1970crow]

After reading through this post it made me start to think about the handover of the AFC from the AFL to its members. I havent seen any updates about the timing and whether its still happening. Has any one got and new details regarding this .I

Reckon it’s 2028. The first thing we hear will be how the board have decided to not hand power to the members and will continue appointing themselves.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Can someone explain how luke Hodge's son qualifies for BRIS Academy ......this is just demented playing with the system

 

[Mutineer]

Can someone explain how luke Hodge's son qualifies for BRIS Academy ......this is just demented playing with the system

Same way Nick Blakey got to the Swans as a member of their Academy during his development years with his family residing there.

 

[119others]

Can someone explain how luke Hodge's son qualifies for BRIS Academy ......this is just demented playing with the system

its just a complete and utter joke. as if he wasnt naturally going to play afl anyway so hardly needing to 'beat off' rival codes.

whats to stop buddy franklins kids ultimately then playing for the suns? ditto anyone else moving to seq, the fastest growing part of australia for the last 25 years (if not longer)

i can see the whole northern academy thing becoming one of the biggest stories this year in the game as lions and suns look likely top 4 imo. and the scary thing is, esp for the suns, is that the real impact of their 8 nga first rounders in the last 3 years (half top 10, and 3 x top 5) hasnt been felt yet.

 

[Freomaniac]

Random question.... I got this crows supporting mate that has been talking about a certain inside mid from my SANFL club which is South Adelaide.

Apparently gonna be looked at as a possible top 10 pick.

Inside mid with pace and only 18 years old

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Random question.... I got this crows supporting mate that has been talking about a certain inside mid from my SANFL club which is South Adelaide.

Apparently gonna be looked at as a possible top 10 pick.

Inside mid with pace and only 18 years old

Kodah Edwards?

Was in the AFL national academy I think

 

[Mostyn]

Wasn't there a good South Adelaide kid who surprisingly missed out on the Academy?

 

[#BallMagnet]

Wasn't there a good South Adelaide kid who surprisingly missed out on the Academy?

South Adelaide have 3 or 4 top liners this year.

Van Dyk (unsure how he missed AFL Academy selection)
Edwards
White
Florance

 

[Thunderstruck]

Be Edwards or Van Dyk if we are talking top 10. Both are quality, Edwards has Robbie Gray

9

Robbie Gray

Age

38

Ht

183cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.9

5star

K

9.8

4star

HB

10.1

5star

M

3.5

4star

T

3.2

5star

G

1.4

5star

D

13.3

3star

K

6.0

2star

HB

7.3

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.6

4star

G

0.6

4star

D

10.4

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.8

3star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.4

4star

G

1.4

5star

like qualities and Van Dyk is a real modern tall mid in the making and great overhead.

 

[noobermensch]

A good test for one of SA's top prospects Archie Van Dyk with his team facing off against Sturt who would ultimately end the season as premiers. Van Dyk showed his excellent aerial strength for a midfielder and racked up plenty of the footy, having a strong impact around the contest. His disposal by foot suffered under the pressure of the Sturt midfielders, his left foot kicking particularly scrappy.

 

[noobermensch]

Can someone explain how luke Hodge's son qualifies for BRIS Academy ......this is just demented playing with the system

Its the way the system is set up in the northern states, its not Cooper or the Hodge family "gaming the system".

The only way for a prospect in QLD to get access to development pathways (champs/rep squads etc) is to join up with the academy that covers their regional zone. It also grants access to elite junior footy in general via talent league play.

There's essentially no other option if you want to play junior footy in QLD or NSW at the highest level.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Its the way the system is set up in the northern states, its not Cooper or the Hodge family "gaming the system".

The only way for a prospect in QLD to get access to development pathways (champs/rep squads etc) is to join up with the academy that covers their regional zone. It also grants access to elite junior footy in general via talent league play.

There's essentially no other option if you want to play junior footy in QLD or NSW at the highest level.

Is there a residential timeframe that needs to be met ?

 

[noobermensch]

Is there a residential timeframe that needs to be met ?

I dont think so. If there was, you'd be in a situation where any kid that moved to QLD would be completely locked out of playing elite junior footy.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Really?

So there's actually no Queensland U16 or U18 team or squad or coaches or trainings?

The Lions and Suns Academies just merge for the national carnival, collect a maroon guernsey and play?

 

[ET Sloane Home]

Really?

So there's actually no Queensland U16 or U18 team or squad or coaches or trainings?

The Lions and Suns Academies just merge for the national carnival, collect a maroon guernsey and play?

There isn't a QLD team at all in the U18. They combine with ACT, NT, NSW, and Tas to make the Allies team.

Only 5 teams at the champs. Vic Metro, Vic Country, SA, WA, and Allies

 

[Mutineer]

Chris Cavanagh's article today in the Hun on all clubs Father/Son/Academy in the 2026 draft has no mention of top ager Jack Rutten which seems odd. To my knowledge the Calder Cannons are yet to release their 2026 squad but it would be quite odd for Jack Rutten to miss out given he played a handful of games last year as an underager and showed some decent talent. Anthony Long the only Crows prospect mentioned.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/every-fatherson-and-academy-prospect-aligned-to-your-club-in-the-2026-afl-draft/news-story/1dd225729a1e7330b6a68853f39b1cf7

TOP FATHER-SON AND ACADEMY PROSPECTS TIED TO EVERY CLUB FOR 2026
ADELAIDE
Anthony Long (Academy)

The nephew of Essendon great Michael Long, Anthony is a member of the AFL’s Indigenous National Academy as well as being part of Adelaide’s Next Generation Academy. The 188cm forward spent a week training with the Crows in January. He kicked 11 goals from six games for West Adelaide in the SANFL under-18s last year, before returning to local club Jervois in the River Murray Football League.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

This is a good move ....interesting though, it's been brought in when Tassie is starting up