Preview 2026 National Draft Thread

[King Corey]

He did sky a few kicks

 

[chubbspeterson]

I’m only just getting around to having a look at this year’s crop. Looking very strong to me overall, both with individual talent and the level of the early games.

There could be some really interesting shenanigans come the second half of the season with the combination of the wildcard top 10, upcoming Tassie drafts, potentially extra end of round 1 picks, and two of the teams with high end f/s needing as much draft capital as possible (and likely to be near the bottom).

A good mix of everything. Perhaps not the superstars apart from HVH and Butler, but it's early days.
A lot more key position talent deeper in the draft. There should be some real gems in the 30's & 40's.

Teams finishing bottom five and getting an end of R1 PP vs finishing 13th-11th in the nothing zone will be fascinating.
That might stimulate some trades into 2027 as well by * (Bewick) and Port (Salopek and Pilot) for 2027 R1 picks with the end or R1 PP or potential Butters/Merrett trades.
For us if we are prepared to split our R1 if no HVH or Butler in the mix, then I guess it doesn't matter

Then matching bids with only two picks should bring in selections closer by one.

Blues should have enough capital with two R1's to match Walker. They may even trade another big name.

Port should have a bottom 5 pick and picks from the Butters trade to match Cochrane.
What they do to get picks in 2027 for their top 10 F/S and NGA will be interesting.
Which team puts their 2027 R1 on the table to get * (Hawks) late 2026 R1 or Port (Dogs) R1 or end of R1 PP?
They may push for more picks in 2027 with Butters/Merrett trades and hold onto any 2026 picks as well.
Will be curious to see how they get enough picks for 2027. I guess Georgiades or Bergman could be traded.

 

[noobermensch]

Kodah Edwards was back after missing a week, with a carbon copy of his first game. Once again influential at stoppage and round the ground when deployed as a midfielder and looking extremely dangerous as a forward. His ability to win 1v1s with clever body work is a real highlight, as is his powerful first step to create separation. Similar to week one, he wasn’t always as composed with the ball as you’d like to see.

 

[SWMD]

2026 matching (full points, no discount, two picks max, no top-4 loading):

Pick 1 bid (3000 pts):
Hold 3 + lowest 12 (2178 + 1140 = 3318).
Hold 5 + lowest 10 (1795 + 1276 = 3071).
Hold 8 + lowest 6 (1443 + 1659 = 3102).


Pick 2 bid (2481 pts):
Hold 3 + lowest 15 or lower (easily clears with mid picks).
Hold 5 + lowest 13 (1795 + 1080 ≈ 2875).
Hold 8 + lowest 9 (1443 + 1355 = 2798).


Pick 3 bid (2178 pts):
Hold 5 + lowest 18 or lower.
Hold 8 + lowest 12 (1443 + 1140 = 2583).


Mid to late first rounders are likely to be efit most by moving up the order not down.

How can North best benefit on the port and carlton bids?

May be opportunity to move the order adding something to 2026 R1

 

[Shinboner Supremacy]

Calder Colleague Sam Harris, son of former North Melbourne hard nut Daniel, picked up 23 possessions and could have capped a great game only to finish with 0.3. Harris spent time with the Elite Roos program last year.

 

[noobermensch]

Neocleous is building into his season nicely, putting together his best game so far in round 3 in helping Gippsland to a solid win. He started forward for most of the game but used his running power to roam up the ground and provide a marking outlet for his teammates in transition. He used the ball well, applied strong defensive pressure and mostly important hit the scoreboard with 4 goals.

 

[Shermanator]

Kodah Edwards was back after missing a week, with a carbon copy of his first game. Once again influential at stoppage and round the ground when deployed as a midfielder and looking extremely dangerous as a forward. His ability to win 1v1s with clever body work is a real highlight, as is his powerful first step to create separation. Similar to week one, he wasn’t always as composed with the ball as you’d like to see.

This kid is unreal. Wardlaw tenacity with Daicos reflexes.

I can see why you like him Noobs. Looks like a ripper.

 

[noobermensch]

Drever must be moving up draft boards after a seriously impressive first two games of the new season. His numbers in this one pop off the page, but his influence on the game was just as immense, winning contests all over the ground with power and physicality. With the game close in the closing minutes Drever made the difference with a goal from a clearance in forward 50 and then a tackle to win possession at the center bounce and driving the ball forward for another important score.

 

[shinboner magic]

2026 matching (full points, no discount, two picks max, no top-4 loading):

Pick 1 bid (3000 pts):
Hold 3 + lowest 12 (2178 + 1140 = 3318).
Hold 5 + lowest 10 (1795 + 1276 = 3071).
Hold 8 + lowest 6 (1443 + 1659 = 3102).


Pick 2 bid (2481 pts):
Hold 3 + lowest 15 or lower (easily clears with mid picks).
Hold 5 + lowest 13 (1795 + 1080 ≈ 2875).
Hold 8 + lowest 9 (1443 + 1355 = 2798).


Pick 3 bid (2178 pts):
Hold 5 + lowest 18 or lower.
Hold 8 + lowest 12 (1443 + 1140 = 2583).


Mid to late first rounders are likely to be efit most by moving up the order not down.

How can North best benefit on the port and carlton bids?

May be opportunity to move the order adding something to 2026 R1

This mooted idea of getting another pick if f/s+ nga pushes picks down will be taken advantage of.
Clubs will just bid to get the extra picks

 

[noobermensch]

Another relatively quiet game from Arki Butler. He started quite well in the opening term, showing the pace and kicking skills that allow him to create incisive attacking moments for his team. He drifted out of the game as it progressed and barely touched the footy in the second half. There were clear signs of frustration from him, including starting a melee at one point.

 

[chubbspeterson]

This kid is unreal. Wardlaw tenacity with Daicos reflexes.

I can see why you like him Noobs. Looks like a ripper.

He impressed me in the futures game along with Marlon.
Kodah is only 183cm but got some x-factor, good overhead, tackles, goal sneak and hunts groundballs.
Good to see that he can play a bit of midfield.
I think we could use someone with a bit more height/size, but the team that gets him will have a good one.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Wonder who will get the call up the academy game with the likes of Cochrane, Van Hattam etc injured.

 

[PokerRoo]

roos_fanatic08 I was that a young Calder Cannon, Nate Jenkins kicked 7 Goals. What are your thoughts on him?

 

[noobermensch]

It turns out Marcus Prasad is not actually club tied to Melbourne after all, so this might be a good opportunity for fans of other clubs to remind themselves of his exciting talent. He's been super consistent through the first three weeks of the talent league season, finding the footy up the ground and getting dangerous inside forward 50. When he's around the ball he's always involved, throwing himself into contested situations with a bravery that belies his slight frame, and when he finds space he can damage with his pace, evasiveness and skills.

 

[giantroo]

 

[chubbspeterson]

It turns out Marcus Prasad is not actually club tied to Melbourne after all, so this might be a good opportunity for fans of other clubs to remind themselves of his exciting talent. He's been super consistent through the first three weeks of the talent league season, finding the footy up the ground and getting dangerous inside forward 50. When he's around the ball he's always involved, throwing himself into contested situations with a bravery that belies his slight frame, and when he finds space he can damage with his pace, evasiveness and skills.

He's very dangerous with his pace, evasivenss and left foot skills. He's always buzzing around to impact things.
He's surprisingly good in the air as well with his ability to take a mark.
Be interesting to see where he sits in the draft order. Got late pick gem like Talor Byrne vibes.

 

[chubbspeterson]

Hawks have got a gun NGA in Keenan Boi from Gippy Power. Just has "it".
Quick, athletic, clean, classy, hard at it and got some real x-factor.

 

[chubbspeterson]

roos_fanatic08 I was that a young Calder Cannon, Nate Jenkins kicked 7 Goals. What are your thoughts on him?

Looks promising as an underage player. Might get snapped up (pre-listed) by Tassie like Jake Miller.
High leap and strong mark, but not sure he looks as athletic and skilled as Jake Miller.

 

[hoffseason gains 01]

Arki Butler a couple of quiet games in a row. Could be similar to FOS where 17th year form and a couple of good games this year keep him in the top 3, but could also be a steal for us if his form isn’t great and he slips to picks 6-10, where we most likely will be picking.

 

[chubbspeterson]

Arki Butler a couple of quiet games in a row. Could be similar to FOS where 17th year form and a couple of good games this year keep him in the top 3, but could also be a steal for us if his form isn’t great and he slips to picks 6-10, where we most likely will be picking.

Yep. Looks like he'll be a good player. I wouldn't mind the idea of adding someone with a bit more height and size, but he could at least play all across the ground just from what I've seen.
It's also pretty hard to find a 190cm+ athelete with a strong frame like a Sullivan Robey type.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

roos_fanatic08 I was that a young Calder Cannon, Nate Jenkins kicked 7 Goals. What are your thoughts on him?

Always impressive when an underage key forward is kicking bags. He seems to be dangerous whenever the ball is inside forward 50.

He is a bit like Larkey, in that he isn’t a super big/strong contested marking player but he gets a lot of opportunities through pure footy smarts and work rate.

Be interesting to see how his body and contested marking develops over the next 12-18 months.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Arki Butler a couple of quiet games in a row. Could be similar to FOS where 17th year form and a couple of good games this year keep him in the top 3, but could also be a steal for us if his form isn’t great and he slips to picks 6-10, where we most likely will be picking.

I reckon he is the type who will tear the champs apart, one of those players who plays better with quality around him.

 

[giantroo]

 

[giantroo]

MATCH DETAILS​

Australia U18 vs North Melbourne VFL
Sunday, April 12, 2026
12:30pm AEST
Arden Street Oval
Free entry

Australia U18 vs Richmond VFL
Saturday, April 18 2026
12:30pm AEST
IKON Park
Free entry

HOW TO WATCH

Both matches will be available to stream live and free on the AFL website and AFL Live Official App.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Man there are some kids who were stiff to not make that squad.

I'd argue that outside of Walker, Archie Van Dyk is the purest midfielder in this draft class.

Lucas Robinson very stiff as well considering he just had a BOG in his first WAFL senior game.

Marlon Neoculeous probably deserves to be in there too.