Preview 2026 MSD Draft Prospects

[roos_fanatic08]

What’s the “not allowed” story?

Pinnuck was asked to trial with us at the same time as Blamires and Becker. AFL wouldn’t allow it because he didn’t register for the previous AFL draft. Was a bit ridiculous because he was in the draft pool for the 6-7 prior drafts.

 

[year of the roo]

More like Louis Pillock, am I right?!

 

[LB2Snake]

Pinnuck was asked to trial with us at the same time as Blamires and Becker. AFL wouldn’t allow it because he didn’t register for the previous AFL draft. Was a bit ridiculous because he was in the draft pool for the 6-7 prior drafts.

Such a typical AFL decision. I bet it’s changed this year. The dodgiest organisation in Australia. Why would they stop someone from possibly fulfilling their dream over semantics. Pathetic.

 

[giantroo]

Spoiler

‘Cut above VFL’: Xavier Bamert rises quickly at Roos​

Overlooked in last year’s draft, Xavier Bamert has taken a head-down, bum-up approach at North Melbourne VFL — and as Paul Amy writes, it’s impressing the recruiters who snubbed him last year.

Paul Am
April 17, 2026 - 9:30AM



They went to watch the Australian Academy team, weighing up the country’s top-end Under 18 talent against North Melbourne’s VFL side.
But AFL recruiters also took note of a young Roo running around Arden St.

They knew him. They had seen Xavier Bamert playing for Sandringham Dragons in 2024 and ’25, and for Vic Metro at the national Under 18 championships. But no club’s interest extended to drafting him.

It’s reasonable to assume a few of them will take another look at the left-footer ahead of the mid-season draft.

Bamert’s start to the VFL season with North suggests he’s taken a head-down, bum-up approach since the disappointment of having his name uncalled in last year’s national and rookie drafts.

Xavier Bamert of the Kangaroos celebrates a goal against the AFL National Academy team at Arden Street: Photo: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

One recruiter saw a player who was strong in the air, lean and running at an “elite’’ level.

“He obviously got a kick in the arse last year, but it’s been good for him,’’ the scout said. “He’s knuckled right down. He looked fantastic. Actually, he looked a cut above VFL level. He’s matured and tidied up his footy.”

Bamert, 19, confirmed two things.

Yes, he had been wounded after being overlooked, despite his manager, Nick Gieschen, stressing that it was a distinct possibility.

“Probably there was a period of two or three weeks where I was pretty flat, didn’t talk to anyone and all that sort of stuff,’’ he said. “But after that it was, ‘Where to now?’ I’ve always been a driven person, so that was the next thing for me, getting on with it.’’

And yes, he had put in some hard yards at the Kangaroos during the pre-season. Much of it was spent with the AFL squad and he marvelled at how the players went about their football.

“I pretty much got to do all of it … it was a pretty good gig actually,’’ Bamert said.

“I was able to get to almost every single session.

“Was painful knowing you’re not actually part of the team but getting to learn off those guys and pretty much live like an AFL player for a pre-season was awesome.’

Xavier Bamert shoots out a handball for North. Photo: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
Bamert’s arrival at North came after a phone call from VFL coach Adam Marcon

Adam Marcon

Age

33

Ht

180cm

Wt

80kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

19.0

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

7.5

5star

M

6.5

5star

T

2.5

4star

CL

1.5

4star

No current season stats available

D

19.0

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

7.5

5star

M

6.5

5star

T

2.5

4star

CL

1.5

4star

and was low-key.

He said no one knew who he was or particularly cared.

That was fine by him.

“I just wanted to get stuck into it and work on a few things and get back to enjoying footy, I guess,’’ he said.

“You can get caught up in things … performance, how everyone else is going and what other people are doing.

“I had areas to work on. The knock on me, I think, has been cleanliness, sort of below-the-knees stuff. That’s what I’ve been focusing on, trying to become that one-touch player, as you see with Lachie Neale

9

Lachie Neale

Age

32

Ht

177cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

27.0

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

15.5

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.7

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

28.3

5star

K

13.9

5star

HB

14.4

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

7.4

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

and all those other elite midfielders. It seems like they’re moving in slow motion when they get a ground ball.’’

Bamert – out of the club he calls “the home of footy’’, East Malvern Knights – figured in the Sandringham Dragons’ Talent League premiership in 2024, the high point of a season in which he was cut down by injuries and played only four matches. Twice he cut his knee with his own boot studs.

Xavier Bamert on the run for the Dragons last year. Photo: Rob Lawson/AFL Photos

He was appointed captain of the Dragons last year and led them to the grand final. They fell short in their quest for a fourth consecutive flag.

Playing in 16 Talent League matches, Bamert was named in the best seven times, but he thought his season so-so.

“I didn’t play my best brand of footy,’’ he said. “There was a feeling inside of me that I could have given a lot more. But I wasn’t able to. I’ve never been a high possession-getter inside mid. I’ve been that kid who gets the ball and tends to use it pretty well. So stats don’t really wind me up. I just felt last year was an almost year, a could-have-been year. ’’

With the likes of Sam Grlj, Oliver Greeves and Jack Dalton hitting stride, Bamert was pushed on to a wing for the nationals, where he averaged 12.8 disposals. AFL talent guru Kevin Sheehan thought him “serviceable’’ for Metro.

“I got stuck out there. That’s not a bad thing,’’ Bamert said. “It’s good to show versatility. But I didn’t show my best at the champs.’’

Dragons coach Rob Harding, a Bamert fan, agreed.

“Getting shuffled out to a wing, where he hadn’t really played and hadn’t planned for, it rattled him a little bit. His champs weren’t at the level he was capable of,’’ Harding said.

He suspected his skipper – who finished Year 12 as a bottom-age player – had put too much pressure on himself.

Recruiters have noted Xavier Bamert’s progress with the Kangaroos. Photo: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Still, he thought Bamert would be drafted.

“I was thinking a club would grab him late, if not in the national draft. He had more than enough runs on the board to be rookied,’’ Harding said. “We thought him and Rory Wright were the stiffest from our club.’’

The Kangaroos have used Bamert as a half-forward and he’s quickly adapted to the role.

“I’ve come to love it, getting up, getting back, kicking a few goals,’’ he said.

Marcon called Bamert a “no fuss, tough, powerful, team-first player’’ who could play in almost any position.

“He’s a gun,’’ he said.

Perhaps one or two recruiters at Arden St last Sunday are thinking the same.

 

[chubbspeterson]

Missed opportunity to rookie someone like Bamert. Not sure we needed both Scott and Fisher on the list.

 

[Its a Process]

Missed opportunity to rookie someone like Bamert. Not sure we needed both Scott and Fisher on the list.

Agree. Reckon we could take 2 at the midseason draft as well, a back up ruckman who can actually jump would be handy as well with a Bamert.

 

[My Left Foote]

Missed opportunity to rookie someone like Bamert. Not sure we needed both Scott and Fisher on the list.

Definitely don't need Fisher on the list. Should have swallowed our pride, admitted the error of our ways and paid him out.

 

[longsufferingsupporter]

Definitely don't need Fisher on the list. Should have swallowed our pride, admitted the error of our ways and paid him out.

Unfortunately errors are made to admit you have made an error shows that you’re incompetent.
Fisher will see out his contract .

 

[chubbspeterson]

Agree. Reckon we could take 2 at the midseason draft as well, a back up ruckman who can actually jump would be handy as well with a Bamert.

I don't think we'll have two MSD picks. Don't even have one at this point unless we LTI Thredgold.
Mature ruck I think we'd add end of the year as a rookie.

 

[Passmore]

Missed opportunity to rookie someone like Bamert. Not sure we needed both Scott and Fisher on the list.

Ideally you'd move Fisher on. Is there any precedence of a player getting paid out 2 years early?

 

[pupstar]

Ideally you'd move Fisher on. Is there any precedence of a player getting paid out 2 years early?

I have real trouble believing Clarko would not move on a player through pride. He is all about winning as he has been from the time he started coaching. He is 100% man enough to admit he was wrong and do what's right for the club if that is what he truly believes.

 

[Passmore]

I have real trouble believing Clarko would not move on a player through pride. He is all about winning as he has been from the time he started coaching. He is 100% man enough to admit he was wrong and do what's right for the club if that is what he truly believes.

I've no doubt he'd have no issue moving anyone on.

More a case of "we should have paid Fisher out so we had an extra spot"...how many players get dumped with 2 years left? He's got 1 at the end of this year so it's more realistic.

 

[LB2Snake]

Is it possible we get rid of someone like fisher before the MSD? Or is it too late now?

 

[chubbspeterson]

Ideally you'd move Fisher on. Is there any precedence of a player getting paid out 2 years early?

Probably not. Binns with 1 year left was recent. Scott was the more likely one imo.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Is it possible we get rid of someone like fisher before the MSD? Or is it too late now?

You can open up a list spot if a player chooses to retire. Think Shaun Grigg did it in his final year.

 

[SpiderBurton22]

Gone down media Street. Good work by his management. Build the hype so he gets picked up

 

[LB2Snake]

Gone down media Street. Good work by his management. Build the hype so he gets picked up

We mustn’t rate him……didn’t hide him

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Still reckon Louie Montgomery would be my number one priority. Played in the GWS Swans VFL match and was the cleanest player on the ground. 18 disposals at 94%DE.

 

[LB2Snake]

Still reckon Louie Montgomery would be my number one priority. Played in the GWS Swans VFL match and was the cleanest player on the ground. 18 disposals at 94%DE.

Type of player roos_fanatic08 ?

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Type of player roos_fanatic08 ?

Son of Brett Montgomery. Could’ve went to Port as a Father son but they overlooked him for some bizarre reason.

Powerfully built half back who has a really solid athletic profile. Good leap, good speed and booming left foot kick. Intercepts but also links up really well. Has improved his composure since his juniors years so now his kicking is a real asset and he hardly wastes a disposal.

 

[Friday Night Lights]

Son of Brett Montgomery. Could’ve went to Port as a Father son but they overlooked him for some bizarre reason.

Powerfully built half back who has a really solid athletic profile. Good leap, good speed and booming left foot kick. Intercepts but also links up really well. Has improved his composure since his juniors years so now his kicking is a real asset and he hardly wastes a disposal.

Yes please

 

[LB2Snake]

Son of Brett Montgomery. Could’ve went to Port as a Father son but they overlooked him for some bizarre reason.

Powerfully built half back who has a really solid athletic profile. Good leap, good speed and booming left foot kick. Intercepts but also links up really well. Has improved his composure since his juniors years so now his kicking is a real asset and he hardly wastes a disposal.

B Montgomery wasn’t very tall, so his so around the same size? Might be why he was overlooked.

 

[King Corey]

Son of Brett Montgomery. Could’ve went to Port as a Father son but they overlooked him for some bizarre reason.

Powerfully built half back who has a really solid athletic profile. Good leap, good speed and booming left foot kick. Intercepts but also links up really well. Has improved his composure since his juniors years so now his kicking is a real asset and he hardly wastes a disposal.

I seriously trust your judgement. You land just about every call.

Let's get Louis!

 

[roos_fanatic08]

I seriously trust your judgement. You land just about every call.

Let's get Louis!

Fire enough shots at the dart board and occasionally a few will stick

 

[pupstar]

B Montgomery wasn’t very tall, so his so around the same size? Might be why he was overlooked.

I remember he definitely played a lot taller than he was.