Preview 2026 MSD Draft Prospects

[roos_fanatic08]

Early days, but it’ll come around very fast.

Some early names to look out for.

Harry Scott 188cm inside mid Richmond VFL. Was on the radar last year and has started the season well.

Louie Montgomery, 184cm half back with GWS VFL side. Avg’d 19 disposals last year, powerful athlete with good decision making. Very unlucky to not get drafted a few years back.

Zac Becker 191cm Sturt half back. Trained with us over the preseason and was considered unlucky to not get an SPP spot. I’d say he’ll still be on the radar.

Xavier Bamert 18 year old, playing with North in the VFL. Burst athlete with solid footy IQ. Versatile type who can play on all 3 lines.

Oscar Van Dam 20 year old big bodied defensive midfielder who is physical. Capable of playing across half back as well.

Not too sure who ended up getting overage spots in the Talent League but I’m sure a few prospects will announce themselves there too.

 

[The Nostradamus]

thredgold to inactive list

Becker msd

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Speaking of Montgomery, he killed it in GWS first VFL game of the year. Playing across half back he set up attack after attack. 29 disposals 90% DE, 5 intercepts and 5 score involvements.

Big watch for mine.

 

[LB2Snake]

I hope we continue on the path of “ready to play now” and avoid the project types.

 

[kool kangas]

Early days, but it’ll come around very fast.

Some early names to look out for.

Harry Scott 188cm inside mid Richmond VFL. Was on the radar last year and has started the season well.

Louie Montgomery, 184cm half back with GWS VFL side. Avg’d 19 disposals last year, powerful athlete with good decision making. Very unlucky to not get drafted a few years back.

Zac Becker 191cm Sturt half back. Trained with us over the preseason and was considered unlucky to not get an SPP spot. I’d say he’ll still be on the radar.

Xavier Bamert 18 year old, playing with North in the VFL. Burst athlete with solid footy IQ. Versatile type who can play on all 3 lines.

Oscar Van Dam 20 year old big bodied defensive midfielder who is physical. Capable of playing across half back as well.

Not too sure who ended up getting overage spots in the Talent League but I’m sure a few prospects will announce themselves there too.

If Zac Becker is still available to get to us then by all means he's the one. He was no doubt left hurting at not getting the final spot so will be out to prove us wrong and consolidate a spot in the team for the future.

 

[Heaps of fun]

I hope we continue on the path of “ready to play now” and avoid the project types.

I just hope we continue to pick good talents. The other thing is they can't be slow. Slow players are done.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

If Zac Becker is still available to get to us then by all means he's the one. He was no doubt left hurting at not getting the final spot so will be out to prove us wrong and consolidate a spot in the team for the future.

A bit to play out between now and then.

Might be others who announce themselves as genuine AFL capable talent.

Hope for his sake missing our list spot hasn’t disheartened Becker too much and he can attack the SANFL season.

 

[DuckYeah]

thredgold to inactive list

Becker msd

Too slow

 

[chubbspeterson]

Early days, but it’ll come around very fast.

Some early names to look out for.

Harry Scott 188cm inside mid Richmond VFL. Was on the radar last year and has started the season well.

Louie Montgomery, 184cm half back with GWS VFL side. Avg’d 19 disposals last year, powerful athlete with good decision making. Very unlucky to not get drafted a few years back.

Zac Becker 191cm Sturt half back. Trained with us over the preseason and was considered unlucky to not get an SPP spot. I’d say he’ll still be on the radar.

Xavier Bamert 18 year old, playing with North in the VFL. Burst athlete with solid footy IQ. Versatile type who can play on all 3 lines.

Oscar Van Dam 20 year old big bodied defensive midfielder who is physical. Capable of playing across half back as well.

Not too sure who ended up getting overage spots in the Talent League but I’m sure a few prospects will announce themselves there too.

Jacob Marron 195cm defender at western might be another one to track as an overage player I believe if he develops further this year.

 

[Midas]

Just the best player, take that one. Mannagh, Lambert, Blamires, Newcomb. No projects, just the best player in the VFL.

 

[Supreme_Chancellor]

thredgold to inactive list

Becker msd

Chadwiko

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Speaking of Montgomery, he killed it in GWS first VFL game of the year. Playing across half back he set up attack after attack. 29 disposals 90% DE, 5 intercepts and 5 score involvements.

Big watch for mine.

Another strong game for Montgomery with GWS win over Collingwood’s VFL side. 28 disposals, 5 marks and 5 intercepts.

 

[Sphynx]

Another strong game for Montgomery with GWS win over Collingwood’s VFL side. 28 disposals, 5 marks and 5 intercepts.

He’s built just like his old man as well, but with decent leg speed and power.

Hes a much better AFL prospect than Becker imo.

He will win the Fothergill-Round if he’s not drafted mid year.

 

[giantroo]

Young VFL defender catching the eye early in 2026

After exposure late in 2025, the Calder Cannons graduate has had a standout first fortnight this year.

www.zerohanger.com

 

[King Corey]

Jacob Marron 195cm defender at western might be another one to track as an overage player I believe if he develops further this year.

Can't draft Marron.

Shermanator would BBQ him and consume with a pint of Matso's.

 

[Shermanator]

Can't draft Marron.

Shermanator would BBQ him and consume with a pint of Matso's.

Coat with Garlic Butter and straight onto the grill!

 

[Merlin007]

Young VFL defender catching the eye early in 2026

After exposure late in 2025, the Calder Cannons graduate has had a standout first fortnight this year.

www.zerohanger.com

These non AFL aligned VFL clubs putting in the work to bring these kids on only to then lose them in the MSD or SSP need better financial compensation. 10k is an insult

 

[Dinkers]

These non AFL aligned VFL clubs putting in the work to bring these kids on only to then lose them in the MSD or SSP need better financial compensation. 10k is an insult

It's now a feeder comp, not a great but here we are.

 

[Merlin007]

It's now a feeder comp, not a great but here we are.

Well I think that’s the point - if the game is going to keep alive the pathway there has to be something in it for the clubs sustaining the pathway, otherwise there’s more Preston’s ahead

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Josh Tovey another KPP to look out for.

194-95cm 20 years old, playing for Port Melbourne. Playing as genuine CHF and pushing up into the midfield at times. Has strong hands in that Trembath mould, and isn’t the finished product when it comes to his kicking. But some of the raw ingredients are there.

Round 1: 22 disposals, 5 marks and kicked 3.0

Round 2: 28 disposals, 7 marks, kicked 2.0 but interestingly had 7 clearances as well.

 

[giantroo]

https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/how-mentally-demanding-gravel-sessions-sparked-devils-win/news-story/763d074e07cb25997028c18729f3d781

Max Mapley Draft Profile

central.rookieme.com

Devils ruckman turns ‘unknown’ status into advantage​

Tasmania Devils ruckman Max Mapley believes being an “unknown” talent could be used to his advantage in the early stages of the VFL season.

Mapley was given the number one ruck spot for Saturday’s VFL debut against Coburg and the Clarence youngster impressed against Cooper Keogh who had previously been touted as an AFL hopeful.

The 20-year-old said he was “surprised” to be named but was proud to pull on the Devils’ jumper.

“I have been learning a lot from guys like Andrew Phillips who has definitely helped a lot, just being able to work different things into my game not just in the ruck but around as well,” Mapley said.

Tasmania Devils ruckman Max Mapley enjoys a first hitout in the VFL. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“A lot of people were talking about the ruck for Tassie and how we would go in that department, it’s nice to not be that known I guess to start off with because it gives me the advantage as well.”

Mapley eventually finished with 14 hit-outs to go with 11 disposals, six tackles and a brilliant goal against the Lions.

He now faces another huge test in the form of Port Melbourne big man Sam Grant who recorded 54 hit-outs against Sandringham in their season opener.

“Every week is going to be a big challenge and no doubt whoever I come up against is going to be another tough task,” Mapley said.

“It is all about doing homework and checking tapes and seeing how they go about it, chatting with my coaches on the best way around it as well.

“Can’t take short cuts in the AFL so have to do the hard yards and will make sure I give our midfield the opportunity to get the best use of the footy.”

Max Mapley celebrates his goal against Coburg. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

 

[DunderHead]

Just the best player, take that one. Mannagh, Lambert, Blamires, Newcomb. No projects, just the best player in the VFL.

This probably the best play.

The only other option is a mature ruckman. Feels like we will pick up some tall kids in this next draft but if CCJ goes we will need ruck coverage. MSD would be the right place to get that going earlier rather than later.

 

[Shinboner Supremacy]

Just get the best state level player ready to go. No project players just best player outside the league ready for an opportunity and is built for AFL football

 

[King Hansen]

So I guess most would just take Becker as most of you wanted him for the SSP and seemed so certain about it.....

 

[roos_fanatic08]

So I guess most would just take Becker as most of you wanted him for the SSP and seemed so certain about it.....

He had a decent game on the weekend.

17 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles and 7 rebound 50's.

I'm sure we as a club are keeping tabs on him.

I'd also be keeping a close eye on one of his teammates, Alex Holt, who was pretty unlucky not to get drafted in his draft year a few years ago. Has stepped up to playing senior footy in the SANFL in the last 12 months and is playing bloody good footy. More of a smaller defender, but his link up play has improved considerably and he is very accountable on those smaller/mid sized forwards.