List Mgmt. 2026 Draft and Trade Thread

[bedford]

The new rules feel like a compromise that won't please anyone. I think Northern clubs should get first dibs on talents they develop given the challenges the other states don't face, but Gold Coast's and Brisbane's hauls in recent years were too much. The latter lucked out with Father Son picks which further distorted things.

Danny Daly Brisbane head of footy coming up on SEN , will be interesting

 

[RedOrWhite]

Danny Daly Brisbane head of footy coming up on SEN , will be interesting

I don't listen to Sen but would be open to seeing a transcript or summary.

 

[Kbroome]

Harry Kyle in 2025 says hi

This time last year Harry was a relatively unknown rookie prospect, and ended up going at pick 14

If Mason commits to footy, I feel like he could be a similar rise

 

[FreeAgent1]

If Mason commits to footy, I feel like he could be a similar rise

Nah will be Max King - great physical but too inconsistent

 

[Slingshot Footy]

I can’t wait for the new draft model to be totally exploited by a couple of ingenious list managers and analysts to make the AFL look dumb as usual.

I wonder how many amendments will be made after year one of the new system. As long as we don’t get shafted I’m excited and welcome the impending chaos.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I can’t wait for the new draft model to be totally exploited by a couple of ingenious list managers and analysts to make the AFL look dumb as usual.

I wonder how many amendments will be made after year one of the new system. As long as we don’t get shafted I’m excited and welcome the impending chaos.

Can’t see amendments being made till after the Tassie drafts. Going to assume that’s it for a few years

 

[Slingshot Footy]

Nah will be Max King - great physical but too inconsistent

I’m wary of the club drafting too many ‘athletes’ and not enough footy players. Sam Mitchell didn’t make it to where he is today because he was quick.

 

[Slingshot Footy]

Can’t see amendments being made till after the Tassie drafts. Going to assume that’s it for a few years

Until a club pulls a Nick Blakey and makes the AFL look foolish.

 

[Millky95]

My biggest issue is that the clubs have traded and drafted with these rules in mind for the upcoming season. Changing them mid-season is incredibly stupid. It should be done with enough notice to not impact last year's trades.

Don't even start me on how dumb trading future picks is too

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

I find it strange that, at a time when some are wondering out loud whether there is enough talent to support a 19th side (and, inevitably a 20th shortly afterwards), the AFL is choosing to strangulate the modest stream of talent that is now emerging from the northern states.

I’m also surprised it’s happening under the watch of Greg Swan and Tom Harley, both of whom should know better.

Im not surprised at all i said at the time dont expect any benefits for us

 

[RedOrWhite]

My biggest issue is that the clubs have traded and drafted with these rules in mind for the upcoming season. Changing them mid-season is incredibly stupid. It should be done with enough notice to not impact last year's trades.

Don't even start me on how dumb trading future picks is too

Agree, there should be some grace period given.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

The changes are outlined here:

Changes to AFL Player Movement confirmed

The AFL has today confirmed  changes  related  to  AFL player movement for 2026 onwards, following approval from the AFL Commission

www.afl.com.au

The post below has the actual document

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Agree, there should be some grace period given.

They were half notified in July- Carlton half prepared for it. Both Port/Carlton will match these bids easily

 

[Adnico26Parker]

Of note, no clubs have not been fully briefed on the final changes - the statement from Swann says that will happen "over the coming weeks"

 

[RedOrWhite]

They were half notified in July- Carlton half prepared for it. Both Port/Carlton will match these bids easily

Granted, still not enough imo. Carlton timed the start of their rebuild/refresh as well as they could given the circumstances.

 

[liz]

Im not surprised at all i said at the time dont expect any benefits for us

It's not about expecting benefits for us. It's about two administrators who have spent enough time in the northern markets, at club level and, in Harley's case, with AFLNSW too, to understand the challenges facing the AFL to attract and retain both supporters and playing talent in those states.

 

[bedford]

My biggest issue is that the clubs have traded and drafted with these rules in mind for the upcoming season. Changing them mid-season is incredibly stupid. It should be done with enough notice to not impact last year's trades.

Don't even start me on how dumb trading future picks is too

Daly said it should've been at least a year , but preferred about 3

 

[RedOrWhite]

I’m wary of the club drafting too many ‘athletes’ and not enough footy players. Sam Mitchell didn’t make it to where he is today because he was quick.

The best teams have the right mix of both.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Granted, still not enough imo. Carlton timed the start of their rebuild/refresh as well as they could given the circumstances.

Each to their own. Feel this cleans up a lot of last years mess albeit I hate the compensation picks on top. The AFL wants the top end protected as much as they can, and most can understand why.

 

[RedOrWhite]

Each to their own. Feel this cleans up a lot of last years mess albeit I hate the compensation picks on top. The AFL wants the top end protected as much as they can, and most can understand why.

Fwiw I largely agree with the changes. As I said a few posts back the Brisbane and GC hauls of recent years while either being at the top of the ladder or post rebuild already were borderline ridiculous.

 

[Membling]

Well.. another day, another time the AFL admin look inept and making knee jerk reactions.

Colour me shocked.

 

[RedOrWhite]

Well.. another day, another time the AFL admin look inept and making knee jerk reactions.

Colour me shocked.

Agree. As someone on the progressive side of most things, I think the AFL should just leave things be for a while now on the draft, rule changes and a bunch of other things. The constant changes in recent years have been confusing and frustrating.

 

[anotherletdown]

Ppffffff, this is such a shamozzle

Match with 2 picks, one discount per season, none if you made finals. Zero compensation. Does it really need to be any harder than that?

An early academy pick, a couple of free agents and the 2nd round will start at 25-30 under this system. So, what changed?? Same result, more confusion and more tactical bidding. Well done AFL boffins

 

[Jewelsbon]

It's not about expecting benefits for us. It's about two administrators who have spent enough time in the northern markets, at club level and, in Harley's case, with AFLNSW too, to understand the challenges facing the AFL to attract and retain both supporters and playing talent in those states.

Spoke to my friend who works there and they told me this is completely away from Harley's area, though very much in Swann's portfolio of responsibilities. My friend hadn't spoken to Harley and as far as they are aware, Harley had no input into the discussion at all.

 

[tombomb]

Well.. another day, another time the AFL admin look inept and making knee jerk reactions.

Colour me shocked.

I bag the current AFL on here as much as anyone, but this mess was created entirely by previous administrations.

It's easy to forget the good old days when Tom Hawkins was the near-consensus no.1 pick in 2006 and was given to Geelong for pick 41.