Preview 2026 National Draft Thread

[perplexed]

Aidan McCartney, the son of Jason, will have the choice to join either North Melbourne as a father-son or Sydney through its Academy program, and will do his AFL Academy week with the Roos.

Great that Aidan is training with us. But no Sam Harris or Archie Devine. Didn't we invite them?

 

[giantroo]

Great that Aidan is training with us. But no Sam Harris or Archie Devine. Didn't we invite them?

Not part of the AFL Academy squad. Sam will get his chance to play in our VFL team when he isn't playing Coates league/local footy or champs.

 

[the big lebowski]

Aidan McCartney, the son of Jason, will have the choice to join either North Melbourne as a father-son or Sydney through its Academy program, and will do his AFL Academy week with the Roos.

WHO IS TRAINING AT YOUR CLUB?​

Adelaide: Jack Gordon, Ethan Herbert, Gabriel Patterson
Brisbane: Caylen Murray
Carlton: Lewis Houndsome, Cody Walker
Collingwood: Tate Hodgson, Harry Van Hattum
Essendon: -
Fremantle: Heath Mellody, Benji van Rooyen
Geelong: Jack Pickett, Noah Williams
Gold Coast: Archie Hill
Greater Western Sydney: Ethan Matthews
Hawthorn: Harrison Chapman
Melbourne: Xavier Ladbrook, Darcy Szerszyn
North Melbourne: Aidan McCartney
Port Adelaide: Dougie Cochrane, Kodah Edwards
Richmond: Tanner Armstrong
St Kilda: Arki Butler
Sydney: -
West Coast: Garrison Kenh, Koby LeCras
Western Bulldogs: -

That can only be taken as a positive surely

 

[Groucho]

That can only be taken as a positive surely

You’d think so , although maybe he just wants to see what North have to offer as he’d already be familiar with the Swans set up

 

[the big lebowski]

You’d think so , although maybe he just wants to see what North have to offer as he’d already be familiar with the Swans set up

Sure, I’m not saying it means it’s a lock. But it’s sure as hell better than doing it in Sydney

 

[shinboner magic]

Not sure why they call it a draft anymore. Way too over compromised

All to appease the nthn state teams - it’s laughable

 

[Jimmy's Hot Dogs]

Although he doesn’t have the option, it would have been good to get Koby Lecras training at North.

 

[ferball]

You’d think so , although maybe he just wants to see what North have to offer as he’d already be familiar with the Swans set up

Yeah true.

But at the same time if you're a kid and your dad went thru what he did then you saw that come back game (all of which happened before you were born.) I dunno but if it was me I'd want to play there because of that game on is own.

It was one of the greatest moments in footy, not for the usual reasons either.

Its a similar thing to why Nick Blakey felt the connection he did to the Swans imo.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Aidan McCartney, the son of Jason, will have the choice to join either North Melbourne as a father-son or Sydney through its Academy program, and will do his AFL Academy week with the Roos.

WHO IS TRAINING AT YOUR CLUB?​

Adelaide: Jack Gordon, Ethan Herbert, Gabriel Patterson
Brisbane: Caylen Murray
Carlton: Lewis Houndsome, Cody Walker
Collingwood: Tate Hodgson, Harry Van Hattum
Essendon: -
Fremantle: Heath Mellody, Benji van Rooyen
Geelong: Jack Pickett, Noah Williams
Gold Coast: Archie Hill
Greater Western Sydney: Ethan Matthews
Hawthorn: Harrison Chapman
Melbourne: Xavier Ladbrook, Darcy Szerszyn
North Melbourne: Aidan McCartney
Port Adelaide: Dougie Cochrane, Kodah Edwards
Richmond: Tanner Armstrong
St Kilda: Arki Butler
Sydney: -
West Coast: Garrison Kenh, Koby LeCras
Western Bulldogs: -

Good sign imo.

Generally, the Sydney/GWS/Brisbane/GC academy players train with their respective academy!

 

[chubbspeterson]

Aidan McCartney, the son of Jason, will have the choice to join either North Melbourne as a father-son or Sydney through its Academy program, and will do his AFL Academy week with the Roos.

WHO IS TRAINING AT YOUR CLUB?​

Adelaide: Jack Gordon, Ethan Herbert, Gabriel Patterson
Brisbane: Caylen Murray
Carlton: Lewis Houndsome, Cody Walker
Collingwood: Tate Hodgson, Harry Van Hattum
Essendon: -
Fremantle: Heath Mellody, Benji van Rooyen
Geelong: Jack Pickett, Noah Williams
Gold Coast: Archie Hill
Greater Western Sydney: Ethan Matthews
Hawthorn: Harrison Chapman
Melbourne: Xavier Ladbrook, Darcy Szerszyn
North Melbourne: Aidan McCartney
Port Adelaide: Dougie Cochrane, Kodah Edwards
Richmond: Tanner Armstrong
St Kilda: Arki Butler
Sydney: -
West Coast: Garrison Kenh, Koby LeCras
Western Bulldogs: -

Gabe Patterson and Jack Gordon would be exactly the electric forward type Crows would want given Dove interest.
Harrison Chapman is definitely the wing type the Hawks like to draft. Showed a bit in the futures game.
Would've been nice to get a look at Darcy Szerszyn given our lack of medium defenders.
Interesting Dees are looking at him given they took Xavier Taylor, but I guess they have to replace Lever soon.

 

[DesertRoo]

Yeah true.

But at the same time if you're a kid and your dad went thru what he did then you saw that come back game (all of which happened before you were born.) I dunno but if it was me I'd want to play there because of that game on is own.

It was one of the greatest moments in footy, not for the usual reasons either.

It’s a similar thing to why Nick Blakey felt the connection he did to the Swans imo.

In terms of atmosphere that game was up there with the premierships.
Was insane, even how no one left the game straight afterwards.

 

[Lomas]

Yeah true.

But at the same time if you're a kid and your dad went thru what he did then you saw that come back game (all of which happened before you were born.) I dunno but if it was me I'd want to play there because of that game on is own.

It was one of the greatest moments in footy, not for the usual reasons either.

It’s a similar thing to why Nick Blakey felt the connection he did to the Swans imo.

I watched that game before I was a north supporter, and it sure moved me.

 

[ferball]

In terms of atmosphere that game was up there with the premierships.
Was insane, even how no one left the game straight afterwards.

I was watching it from Northern NSW but it was incredible. The crowd sounded wild and the vibe was electric. That last few minutes was hair standing up on the back of my neck.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Harry Van Hattum (he told me he’s now 206cm) and Tate Hodgson this morning

View attachment 2509681

From the 2026 AFL draft discussion thread!

Van Hattum looks like a monster. Good to see Hodgson back in full training after missing most of last year.

I'm certain Hodgson will end up a gun CHB. Such a natural interceptor.

 

[King Corey]

From the 2026 AFL draft discussion thread!

Van Hattum looks like a monster. Good to see Hodgson back in full training after missing most of last year.

I'm certain Hodgson will end up a gun CHB. Such a natural interceptor.

Wow he's already training with an AFL club.

My 2nd many degrees removed ITK tall player in 2 years.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Wow he's already training with an AFL club.

My 2nd many degrees removed ITK tall player in 2 years.

Made the AFL academy side despite only playing the one game last year, so he is obviously highly rated by the clubs.

Hope he ends up a north player!!