List Mgmt. 2026 AFL Draft

[_RT_]

For those wondering who TMH is, that is Harry Van Hattum who is currently seen as the likely first available pick after Cochrane and Walker bids.

 

[Calcium Man]

Cant see us taking more than 6 or 7 kids next draft. Weve turned over 14/42 (33%) in 2 years. Another 7 takes us to 21/42 (50%). Ive excluded Gray from these figures as hes older.

We should be starting to get an idea on holes we need to fill even if its a Houli/Grigg type trade or a cheaper level FA to compliment the kids.

This should probably be our last draft and the year after our 27-29 picks should be on the table to bring a star kid or 2 from 22-25 drafts home (Reid x 2, CDT types)

Could get Lindsay back too

 

[THE_GUN]

Carlton has 2 x R1 picks next year, they'll be able to match any bid for Walker without worry. Port is an interesting one currently have 1 x R1 2 x R2 & 2 x R3 next year. Depending on how they tighten up the bidding process they may need to do some trading

Port will finish outside the top 12 teams and will have a top 6 pick plus the 2nd rounders they can move up to cover a #1 bid even without Butters bounty

 

[tigs2010]

Could get Lindsay back too

 

[tigs2010]

Port will finish outside the top 12 teams and will have a top 6 pick plus the 2nd rounders they can move up to cover a #1 bid even without Butters bounty

Yeah Port are in a world of trouble. Can only assume Dougie still breast feeds otherwise no reason to be so desperate to play there.

 

[Smitb11]

Im really hoping 2026 for Richmond is another draft focused year before Tassie dominates the draft from 2027 and beyond. Besides it being another compromised draft at the top end, the open pool of available talent is looking very promising, and their is an abundance of players that can play multiple positions.

2027 is the year to be worrying about free agency.

 

[Oldmanuncle]

Cant see us taking more than 6 or 7 kids next draft. Weve turned over 14/42 (33%) in 2 years. Another 7 takes us to 21/42 (50%). Ive excluded Gray from these figures as hes older.

We should be starting to get an idea on holes we need to fill even if its a Houli/Grigg type trade or a cheaper level FA to compliment the kids.

This should probably be our last draft and the year after our 27-29 picks should be on the table to bring a star kid or 2 from 22-25 drafts home (Reid x 2, CDT types)

The worry there is those 27-29 picks & trying to lure talent are up against all the Tasmanian concessions.
We will have a war chest to go spending but Tassies warchest will dwarf ours.

 

[THE_GUN]

The worry there is those 27-29 picks & trying to lure talent are up against all the Tasmanian concessions.
We will have a war chest to go spending but Tassies warchest will dwarf ours.

Nobody would want to go to tassie if they can get close to the money in melbourne

 

[_RT_]

Port will finish outside the top 12 teams and will have a top 6 pick plus the 2nd rounders they can move up to cover a #1 bid even without Butters bounty

That's pretty much what I said, depending on how the AFL changes things Port could need to do some trading to move up the order to be able to match with 2 x R1 picks if that is how it changes.

 

[_RT_]

I mean there is a worry, they wanted to move 9 and 11 to next year for a reason.

But I’ve already crossed him and Dougie off my list, in the Annable/Uwland basket of could give a shit.

Be interesting if we were to finish last to see if we would bid on them at 1 & 2 or just take out pick and let the others make bids behind us.

 

[THE_GUN]

Be interesting if we were to finish last to see if we would bid on them at 1 & 2 or just take out pick and let the others make bids behind us.

100% we should

Walker was our academy and have every right to be demanding Carlton pay full dollar
And port cheating the system let them spend their Butter collateral to get him

 

[_RT_]

Will be interesting to see how we manage it. I've seen a few comments saying the core of our rebuild is done but look at the possible changes coming next year:

Retirements: Lynch, Prestia, Broad, Vlastuin?

Possible delist depending on their years: Smith, Tresize, Sonsie, Rioli, Clarke, Fawcett, Lefau, Green

I probably would've taken at least one extra player this year or maybe two and cut a couple of the guys above. Going to have to hit FA and likely draft 6-7 players at minimum. I hope the 2026 draft will be good because we need it to be.

I'm hoping that we've got a plan to stagger the retirements of Lynch Prestia Broad & Vlastuin. Letting them all depart at the end of 2026 would leave a massive hole in terms of the experience that we have. For mine Prestia and Lynch 2026 then Tigga & Broad in 2027 would be ideal, but it's going to need a couple of Jonty Armstrong Sims & Fawcett to stand up and become genuine KPF options for us heading into 2027 for it not to impact too much.

 

[Barnzy]

I'm hoping that we've got a plan to stagger the retirements of Lynch Prestia Broad & Vlastuin. Letting them all depart at the end of 2026 would leave a massive hole in terms of the experience that we have. For mine Prestia and Lynch 2026 then Tigga & Broad in 2027 would be ideal, but it's going to need a couple of Jonty Armstrong Sims & Fawcett to stand up and become genuine KPF options for us heading into 2027 for it not to impact too much.

Yeah agree Prestia and Lynch are cooked on field so you'd lock them in.

Broad has already announced he's retiring at the end of this contract hasn't he? So ideally Vlastuin is the one you get an additional year out of but it would be up to him as he might've had enough. All 4 retiring next year seems very realistic.

 

[Oldmanuncle]

Nobody would want to go to tassie if they can get close to the money in melbourne

Agree with that but I don't think the offers will be close, they have the entire cap + the extra 5 million over 2 years as a starting point.

 

[THE_GUN]

I'm hoping that we've got a plan to stagger the retirements of Lynch Prestia Broad & Vlastuin. Letting them all depart at the end of 2026 would leave a massive hole in terms of the experience that we have. For mine Prestia and Lynch 2026 then Tigga & Broad in 2027 would be ideal, but it's going to need a couple of Jonty Armstrong Sims & Fawcett to stand up and become genuine KPF options for us heading into 2027 for it not to impact too much.

I think Prestia & Broad will retire end of 2026
Lynch & Nank 2027
Vlastuin & Short 2028

 

[Infamy]

Im really hoping 2026 for Richmond is another draft focused year before Tassie dominates the draft from 2027 and beyond. Besides it being another compromised draft at the top end, the open pool of available talent is looking very promising, and their is an abundance of players that can play multiple positions.

2027 is the year to be worrying about free agency.

I 100% agree, though any big FA signing could also offset any FA we lose in the other direction, so that will need to be managed. I wouldn't want to try and land a big fish until we have organically developed with our kids to start pushing for the Top 8.

 

[hammer180]

Cant see us taking more than 6 or 7 kids next draft. Weve turned over 14/42 (33%) in 2 years. Another 7 takes us to 21/42 (50%). Ive excluded Gray from these figures as hes older.

We should be starting to get an idea on holes we need to fill even if its a Houli/Grigg type trade or a cheaper level FA to compliment the kids.

This should probably be our last draft and the year after our 27-29 picks should be on the table to bring a star kid or 2 from 22-25 drafts home (Reid x 2, CDT types)

In an ideal world we could probably take 2 or 3 before tanner in this draft, probably match 1 of our fathersons and maybe another is good enough to be rookied. We'd have 2 or 3 firsts with armstrong around that also. Would give us 12-15 firsts in the last 3 yrs then work around the edges of the list.

 

[tigs2010]

Watched Dyl & Jesse discuss next year ladder prediction.

Jesse had us 16th above Dees & Eagles with Essendon 15th.

Dylan had us 15th above Bombers, Port & Eagles.

Either would give us pick 3 in open pool if the new tougher rules come in as Port would either have to match a pick 1 bid or take Dougie at 2.

 

[Oldmanuncle]

Watched Dyl & Jesse discuss next year ladder prediction.

Jesse had us 16th above Dees & Eagles with Essendon 15th.

Dylan had us 15th above Bombers, Port & Eagles.

Either would give us pick 3 in open pool if the new tougher rules come in as Port would either have to match a pick 1 bid or take Dougie at 2.

Does either of them realise that Essendon finished their season with 13 straight losses?
The only side they're finishing on top of is tassie.

 

[tigs2010]

Does either of them realise that Essendon finished their season with 13 straight losses?
The only side they're finishing on top of is tassie.

Think theyve baked in some credit for nearly running out of players.

Im still a little concerned with how young our current forward line is for 2026.

 

[KrispyKreme]

Be interesting if we were to finish last to see if we would bid on them at 1 & 2 or just take out pick and let the others make bids behind us.

Well hopefully Richmond saw how stupid it was of E-Girls to not bid on Uwland and Patterson 1&2, they weren’t able to get Addinsal. Just shows you get these bids out of the way.

 

[4tune8]

I mean there is a worry, they wanted to move 9 and 11 to next year for a reason.

But I’ve already crossed him and Dougie off my list, in the Annable/Uwland basket of could give a shit.

Cant see us taking more than 6 or 7 kids next draft. Weve turned over 14/42 (33%) in 2 years. Another 7 takes us to 21/42 (50%). Ive excluded Gray from these figures as hes older.

We should be starting to get an idea on holes we need to fill even if its a Houli/Grigg type trade or a cheaper level FA to compliment the kids.

This should probably be our last draft and the year after our 27-29 picks should be on the table to bring a star kid or 2 from 22-25 drafts home (Reid x 2, CDT types)

Im really hoping 2026 for Richmond is another draft focused year before Tassie dominates the draft from 2027 and beyond. Besides it being another compromised draft at the top end, the open pool of available talent is looking very promising, and their is an abundance of players that can play multiple positions.

2027 is the year to be worrying about free agency.

The worry there is those 27-29 picks & trying to lure talent are up against all the Tasmanian concessions.
We will have a war chest to go spending but Tassies warchest will dwarf ours.

Agree with that but I don't think the offers will be close, they have the entire cap + the extra 5 million over 2 years as a starting point.

I 100% agree, though any big FA signing could also offset any FA we lose in the other direction, so that will need to be managed. I wouldn't want to try and land a big fish until we have organically developed with our kids to start pushing for the Top 8.

I think that we all have to realise that we wont be hitting the draft in 2026.

It's already compromised by not having access to the top 2 picks, add in compo for Merrett & Butters to teams that could finish below us and our natural pick 4 (if we finish 15th) or pick 3 could blow out to picks 7 or 8. Even if we finish last we'll still only have pick 3.

2026 is the last year that we can access (buy) players without the competition of Tassies huge war chest, they'll also have access to 18 OOC players in 2027, those 2 things blow us out of the water and take the whole FA market out of the equation. They'll also be able to buy players who are contracted as they have to use some of those 1st round picks as trades. The combined power of their draft capital, access to OOC players and massive warchest virtually wipes out the player market.

We'll be using what is likely to be a relatively high pick (3-8) in a relatively good draft, combined with F1 2027 & F1 2028 plus F2's (with oppo's expectation that they'll be high picks) to buy players, doesn't really matter whether they're contracted or not, obviously FA's don't cost picks and there'll be a couple we chase, but we'll also be chasing contracted players on top of that. We'll also have a huge amount of cash to splash after banking the cap this year and next year, gotta use it or lose it.

This strategy has already been outlined by the list managers (and Yze), they are on record as saying that we'll be having a look at the players on the list this year and then hit the market hard to address the identified shortcomings.

 

[tiger_tough]

Id be surprised if we didn't take at least our first pick to the draft next year and then unload on a couple of high end free agents.

 

[tigs2010]

Id be surprised if we didn't take at least our first pick to the draft next year and then unload on a couple of high end free agents.

Yep with teams able to ask for 3 x 1st rounders you'd wanna have a bloody good player on the hook when you're picking in the top 5 with the first of those picks.

 

[_RT_]

ESPN Way Too Early Top 10

1. Dougie Cochrane (Port Adelaide NGA)
Central Districts/South Australia
FWD/MID, 196cm

There are few players to come through the pathways with the profile of Cochrane. The roaming key forward is springy and has a burst of speed to separate on the lead, which he also uses as a tall midfielder to exit congestion. He's a long, booming kick of the football and times his leaps to perfection with sticky hands, marking out in front and competing well in packs. His aerial dominance, dexterity on the ground and athletic profile is a ridiculous combination, and he kicked four goals - in the first half - of his SANFL debut to rubberstamp credentials. Cochrane's Indigenous background ties him to the Power.

2. Cody Walker (Carlton Father-Son)
Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
MID, 184cm

Walker runs with the familiar hunch of his dad Andrew, but he's a very different player to the high-flying forward. A pure midfielder with growing contested craft, Walker is at his best in space with lightning agility coupled with confidence to hold onto the ball and pick out damaging options. He gets forward to kick long running goals, uses his power in one-on-one contests and runs all day with an elite work ethic. Walker is already training with the Blues in the lead-in to Christmas.

3. Harry Van Hattum
Northern Knights/Vic Metro
RUC/FWD, 202cm

Van Hattum is one of the most exciting ruck prospects of the decade. He boasts a big frame to continue growing into but is already strong-bodied tall which, coupled with his leap and running power, makes him near-on impossible to contain. Van Hattum routinely grabs the ball out of the ruck, can follow up at ground level with skill and has evolved his forward game to become a presence when resting.

4. Arki Butler
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
MID/FWD, 180cm

Butler will set himself for a heavy dose of midfield time next year, but he has amazing value as a powerful small forward. The Dragons star is lively with good burst but earns most of his opportunity with smart reading of the play and positioning. His craft is elite in the forward half and he works himself into the ground when he gets chances on-ball.

5. Marlon Neocleous
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
FWD/MID, 168cm

Neocleous is diminutive, but don't pigeonhole him as a small forward. Up afield he can inject energy on-ball, and looms as a super damaging weapon in a variety of roles. Neocelous offers quintessential craft as a small forward, kicking goals in a variety of ways from open play and pressuring opponents with his proactiveness without the ball.

6. Heath Mellody
Claremont/Western Australia
MID/DEF, 181cm

Mellody had a strong season, then exploded in his finals campaign for Claremont to put himself in this upper echelon. A strong-running outside midfielder, his greatest strength may be his aerial work, able to link play with strong hands as an outlet on a wing, or intercept and kickstart play with his positioning off halfback. Mellody is a pure footballer with good instincts and smart decision-making.

7. Lucas Robinson (Fremantle NGA)
South Fremantle/Western Australia
MID, 189cm

The standout inside midfielder to this point is Robinson, a bulldozing contested player who only knows one way. Robinson's overwhelming strength and power sees him collect dizzying numbers with regulation, and he stood up well on grand final day against the Claremont midfield. Robinson can move forward with strong hands in the air, but often chooses to handball instead of kick. Linked to Fremantle due to his Zimbabwean heritage after the Dockers reviewed his status as a West Coast-tied prospect due to his home being on the other side of their NGA catchment.

8. Jack Pickett
Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
FWD, 193cm


Pickett plays as an old school deep forward, using his physicality to advantage and protecting the drop zone of the ball. He's an accurate and long-kicking set shot of the ball and thrives when the ball is delivered to advantage with great hands out in front on the lead. Pickett has a limited game outside of his excellent work as a presenting forward.

9. Koby LeCras
West Perth/Western Australia
FWD, 191cm

LeCras is the nephew of West Coast great Mark, but has added height and aerial ability to the sharpshooting medium forward. An elite reader of the ball in flight, LeCras does his work early to create position and routinely takes impressive contested marks inside 50. His nous to find the goals in open play is elite and he can move up the ground to impact in the air as well.

10. Kodah Edwards
South Adelaide/South Australia
MID, 183cm

There's a lot to like about Edwards' style of play, from his hard-nosed courage at the coalface to his energetic forward running and scoreboard impact. He's a quick-thinking midfielder who may play his best football up forward where his elite skill execution under pressure and want to impact physically are valuable traits. Edwards will endear himself to fans with his selfless style of play and unbelievable courage in the air.

 

[beema limapep]

So as a starting point, how do our selections look assuming we have a similar 2026 finishing bottom 3? On the face of things and not subject to other teams academy/father sons:-

Pick 3 - best available
Pick 21- Armstrong Academy?
Pick 39 - Leys F/S?
Pick 57 - Daffy F/S?
Pick 93- Pass

Plus we clearly need a ruck and free agents. I'm thinking 2 or 3 of:-

Ned Reeves/Max Knobel
Obviously Butters
Buku Khamis
Zac Bailey

33

Zac Bailey

Age

26

Ht

181cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.9

3star

HB

5.9

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

0.9

3star

D

12.9

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

5.6

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.4

3star

CL

0.7

3star

D

13.4

4star

K

6.6

3star

HB

6.8

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

2.8

5star

CL

0.6

3star

Lynch Prestia and Broad retire to there's probably another 2 or 3 to be delisted as per usual.