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Preview 2026 National Draft Thread

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giantroo said:
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shinboner magic said:
Oh **** off
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As much as I’d love to stick it to Port and Carlton (particularly Port), they’ve been planning for these drafts for multiple years only for the AFL to pull the carpet from underneath them.

If you are going to make changes to draft rules, academy etc there needs to be at least a few years grace before those rules come into affect.

The constant changing of the goal posts without proper consultation from the clubs is what has allowed GC and to a lesser extent Bris & Sydney accumulate so much talent over the last 3/4 years.
 
roos_fanatic08 said:
To be honest I haven’t really noticed any real stand out half backs with genuine line breaking speed in this draft class.

Harrison Chapman is probably one that could go back there and have an impact. He is quick and really glides across the field in that Lachie Whitfield sort of style, but he has more been playing as a wingman.

Kai Parker is another who likes to provide run and carry, but again he is on the taller/leaner side. Been a bit inconsistent to start the year off too.

Billy Wigmore from the jets played that distributor role last year but for whatever reason the jets have thrown him more forward this year. He is impacted the scoreboard but I think hens be better served in the backline.

Ethan Drever from Ballarat/Rebels has some real drive and power in his game, would be suited to half back, but he is currently one of the most consistent mids in the talent league so I’m tipping he’ll stay in the midfield.

Don’t know enough about the SA or WA pool for the time being, but I’m hoping to watch some games from those leagues in the next few weeks
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Billy Wigmore sounds like a tough hombre name, plus he’s from the Jets. Win.
 

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roos_fanatic08 said:
As much as I’d love to stick it to Port and Carlton (particularly Port), they’ve been planning for these drafts for multiple years only for the AFL to pull the carpet from underneath them.

If you are going to make changes to draft rules, academy etc there needs to be at least a few years grace before those rules come into affect.

The constant changing of the goal posts without proper consultation from the clubs is what has allowed GC and to a lesser extent Bris & Sydney accumulate so much talent over the last 3/4 years.
Click to expand...
Yeah I tend to agree.

If you're gonna make these changes make them two or three years out so teams can prepare. The AFL seems to prefer doing stuff on the fly at the last minute tho.
 
roos_fanatic08 said:
As much as I’d love to stick it to Port and Carlton (particularly Port), they’ve been planning for these drafts for multiple years only for the AFL to pull the carpet from underneath them.

If you are going to make changes to draft rules, academy etc there needs to be at least a few years grace before those rules come into affect.

The constant changing of the goal posts without proper consultation from the clubs is what has allowed GC and to a lesser extent Bris & Sydney accumulate so much talent over the last 3/4 years.
Click to expand...
Well kako was gifted to * without proper warning.
This league is like April fools day, every day
 
LB2Snake said:
Billy Wigmore sounds like a tough hombre name, plus he’s from the Jets. Win.
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Courage in spades. Was an intercept marking machine last year and a lot of them were filling the hole and going back with the light across half back.
 
roos_fanatic08 said:
As much as I’d love to stick it to Port and Carlton (particularly Port), they’ve been planning for these drafts for multiple years only for the AFL to pull the carpet from underneath them.

If you are going to make changes to draft rules, academy etc there needs to be at least a few years grace before those rules come into affect.

The constant changing of the goal posts without proper consultation from the clubs is what has allowed GC and to a lesser extent Bris & Sydney accumulate so much talent over the last 3/4 years.
Click to expand...

Sticking it to Carlton in particular, and Poooort, overrides any logic.
 
LB2Snake said:
What are his foot skills like roos_fanatic08 ?
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Hit and miss.

Technique wise, a really nice kick. Last year would try and take on a bit too much risk and turn it over too often for my liking.

This year he has been playing a bit more through the midfield and a bit more forward. So the DE would probably be a bit higher
 
Williams is making a habit of picking up these BOG medals on the biggest of junior footy stages and picks up another one here. It was a difficult day for his team, but Noah was one of the few who stood out. Difficult to showcase his dash on such a heavy deck, Noah instead attacked the contest, winning plenty of footy but shining the most with his defensive actions, tackling hard and making them stick against mature bodies, and coming up with a number of other disruptive defensive actions.

 
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noobermensch said:
Williams is making a habit of picking up these BOG medals on the biggest of junior footy stages and picks up another one here. It was a difficult day for his team, but Noah was one of the few who stood out. Difficult to showcase his dash on such a heavy deck, Noah instead attacked the contest, willing plenty of footy but shining the most with his defensive actions, tackling hard and making them stick against mature bodies, and coming up with a number of other disruptive defensive actions.

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Played local footy with his dad in Geelong great kid hard working
 
SWMD said:
roos_fanatic08

who's the closest thing to Lachie Ash we can take with our first?
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It's hard to know where they will all rank in terms of R1 or R2.

Heath Mellody doesn't quite have line breaking speed, but has some class.

Noah Williams from Falcons has a bit of dash, played mostly mid, but could play off half back.

Harrison Chapman a tall wing/mid, strong runner, uses it well, played half back in the futures game.

Ethan Drever more a mid, but could definitely provide drive off half back.

Kai Parker from Northern looks pretty athletic but not really an elite distributor.
roos_fanatic08 said:
To be honest I haven’t really noticed any real stand out half backs with genuine line breaking speed in this draft class.

Harrison Chapman is probably one that could go back there and have an impact. He is quick and really glides across the field in that Lachie Whitfield sort of style, but he has more been playing as a wingman.

Kai Parker is another who likes to provide run and carry, but again he is on the taller/leaner side. Been a bit inconsistent to start the year off too.

Billy Wigmore from the jets played that distributor role last year but for whatever reason the jets have thrown him more forward this year. He is impacted the scoreboard but I think hens be better served in the backline.

Ethan Drever from Ballarat/Rebels has some real drive and power in his game, would be suited to half back, but he is currently one of the most consistent mids in the talent league so I’m tipping he’ll stay in the midfield.

Don’t know enough about the SA or WA pool for the time being, but I’m hoping to watch some games from those leagues in the next few weeks
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Other players in later rounds - some MSD overagers and mids that could maybe play half back.

Jake Eime from Central Districts (SANFL u18s) will be one to watch, believe he's made the SA squad and is described as a lightly built speedster averaging 23 touches, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 3 i50s, 4 rebound 50s @ 90% D.E.

Wil Antrobus from Dandy an overage player with a penetrating left foot kick.

Jamison Leeson from Northern is very athletic with a nice kick on him, mostly plays mid though. Not that tall.

Jake Beams from Tassie has some dash like Colby, penetrating kick, but can turn it over a bit.

Jordan Knapp an overager from Eastern played mostly mid, but has a bit of class.

Jackson Hewitt from Bushrangers has some run and rebound about him, but not quite lightning quick.

Isa Merhi from Calder is only 171cm, got some speed and prepared to take risks with his left foot.

Jackson Phillips from Dandy mostly a mid, but could certainly play off half back.

Levi Macumber from Gippy power has a bit of speed about him.

Leo Stephenson more a wing for Gippy, helps transition from defense to attack, nice penetrating kick

Noah Willits from Bendigo played more mid/wing but has some class

Zac Dalli from Western has a bit of dash about him, but reminds me of Hugo Ralphsmith.
 
chubbspeterson said:
It's hard to know where they will all rank in terms of R1 or R2.

Heath Mellody doesn't quite have line breaking speed, but has some class.

Noah Williams from Falcons has a bit of dash, played mostly mid, but could play off half back.

Harrison Chapman a tall wing/mid, strong runner, uses it well, played half back in the futures game.

Ethan Drever more a mid, but could definitely provide drive off half back.

Kai Parker from Northern looks pretty athletic but not really an elite distributor.

Other players in later rounds - some MSD overagers and mids that could maybe play half back.

Jake Eime from Central Districts (SANFL u18s) will be one to watch, believe he's made the SA squad and is described as a lightly built speedster averaging 23 touches, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 3 i50s, 4 rebound 50s @ 90% D.E.

Wil Antrobus from Dandy an overage player with a penetrating left foot kick.

Jamison Leeson from Northern is very athletic with a nice kick on him, mostly plays mid though. Not that tall.

Jake Beams from Tassie has some dash like Colby, penetrating kick, but can turn it over a bit.

Jordan Knapp an overager from Eastern played mostly mid, but has a bit of class.

Jackson Hewitt from Bushrangers has some run and rebound about him, but not quite lightning quick.

Isa Merhi from Calder is only 171cm, got some speed and prepared to take risks with his left foot.

Jackson Phillips from Dandy mostly a mid, but could certainly play off half back.

Levi Macumber from Gippy power has a bit of speed about him.

Leo Stephenson more a wing for Gippy, helps transition from defense to attack, nice penetrating kick

Noah Willits from Bendigo played more mid/wing but has some class

Zac Dalli from Western has a bit of dash about him, but reminds me of Hugo Ralphsmith.
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Leo Stephenson is a bottom ager.
Macumber kicked 5 goals last week for gippy power so forward line could be his go.
 
EDFL follower said:
Leo Stephenson is a bottom ager.
Macumber kicked 5 goals last week for gippy power so forward line could be his go.
Click to expand...
Oh ok wasn't aware. There's a lot of bottom age kids and some are quite good.
Good to hear that with Macumber can play fwd.
I'm still catching up on recent games, that's just what I've seen the first two rounds.
 

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Kodah Edwards continued his strong start to the season by being among the best for the Academy in game one. He played through the midfield in the first three quarters finding plenty of the footy, his clean hands at ground level and slick handball in tight spaces both highlights. He was moved into the forward line in the fourth quarter and showed that he can be dangerous down there, presenting well on the lead and scrapping to create scoring opportunities.

 
ESPN April Power Rankings

These are ESPN's top prospects for April as we gain ground toward November's 2026 AFL Draft.

1. Dougie Cochrane (Port Adelaide NGA)
Central Districts/South Australia
FWD/MID, 195cm

There isn't much Dougie can't do on a footy field. At 195cm the athletic tall has played the majority of his juniors as a roaming key forward, providing outlets with his strong hands in the air and turning to go with a freewheeling flair. Cochrane is a booming kick of the football and such a difficult matchup thanks to his agility at ground level.

It's that navigation through traffic which makes some recruiters believe he will become a midfielder in time, though his 2026 plans have been put on the backburner after undergoing knee surgery to address tendinitis. Cochrane will be in a race to return for the national championships but would still deserve a bid at no. 1 if he didn't play a game all season. Given mooted draft changes, Port Adelaide will be scrambling to find the points to match in the unlikely event Zak Butters did not leave the club at the end of the season.

2. Harry Van Hattum
Northern Knights/Vic Metro
RUC/FWD, 205cm

There's an aura around Van Hattum on the footy field. Standing at 205cm the ruck presents as a man mountain, physically developed to take on senior footballers right away. But it's the elite vertical leap and dexterity in the contest which offers untapped upside for the Knight. He's a good kick in space and is entrusted with the ball by teammates kicking inside 50, plus can make an impact up forward with his gravity consistently attracting multiple defenders. Van Hattum's follow-up work is reminiscent of Brodie Grundy's style of play and his hot start to 2026 is vaulting him up big boards.

3. Cody Walker (Carlton father-son)
Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
MID, 184cm

A name on the lips of recruiters since starring performances at the u16 championships, Walker is high-flying Blue Andrew's son and possesses that elite athletic pedigree. Where he differs is his contested work; Walker is a frenetic presence at stoppages, scrapping for hard balls and swooping on loose balls with speed and balance.

He has a unique running gait with long strides and a hunched back, and gains territory by exiting the stoppage into space and launching inside 50. The Pioneer has drawn significant attention from opposition teams and will do so all year as he continues to accumulate through the midfield. Carlton is well placed to match a bid on its father-son star with Sydney's first round pick in its hand, though is awaiting draft changes from the AFL.

4. Noah Williams
Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
DEF/MID, 177cm

The speed and evasive composure of Williams caught the eye in a best on ground performance at the Futures game at the MCG last September, and he backed it up with best on ground honours for the Academy on Sunday.

A creative halfback in the past, the Falcon has moved on-ball to great effect this season where his speed-endurance blend is always on show and his defensive aptitude matches the clinches. He creates time to use his preferred left with clean hands and shifty movement, always on the move to collect the ball at full tilt. His early rise into the top five is in part thanks to the evolution of modern footy, where players who thrive in transition are at a premium.

5. Kodah Edwards
South Adelaide/South Australia
MID, 183cm

Edwards is a wrecking ball at stoppages, throwing himself into the clinches with little regard for his own safety. That courage is matched in the air where he plays above his size and often careens back with the footy to impact on contests he has no right being involved in. While he isn't the type to burst out of the contest with running bounces, his impact always shows up in clearance numbers as he finds teammates on the fly.

Edwards matches prolific stoppage work with eye-catching craft inside forward 50. He's strong in the air and smart at ground level to kick goals in bunches when resting deep, though his ball use in space continues to be his main challenge.

6. Arki Butler
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
MID/FWD, 182cm

There's a lot of Toby Greene in Sandringham's no. 4, who has stepped into the midfield after plying his trade to great effect across half forward until now. Butler reads the ball off hands superbly well and is a brilliant mark above his head, though hasn't been one touch at ground level to start the season. Up forward he's smart and classy around goals and can find a lot of the ball without being a focal point.

7. Marlon Neocleous
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
FWD/MID, 168cm

A late call-up to the Academy's games, Neocleous offers an abundance of energy and pizzazz as a small forward. He has tricks in the air and on the ground with a wicked sidestep and composure in front of goals. Growth in his game is coming further up the ground where he likes the ball in his hands and can pinpoint kicks through the corridor. Neocleous sits somewhere between Nick Watson and Lachy Dovaston as a highly-regarded small forward prospect at this early juncture.

8. Lucas Robinson (Fremantle NGA)
South Fremantle/Western Australia
MID, 191cm

Robinson is a big-bodied inside midfielder that thrives in the heat of the contest. He gets first hands on the ball with a big radius to snare the ball off taps and can handpass off either fist through physical pressure. Like all gun inside midfielders Robinson embraces contact well and stands up through tackles. Despite being overlooked for AFL Academy opportunities, his contest work and excellent aerial game around the ground gives him massive upside at the next level. A Dockers NGA prospect, Robinson has some traits similar to Nat Fyfe and is the best prospect to come out of the Wheatbelt since the Fremantle legend.


9. Ethan Herbert
North Adelaide/South Australia
RUC, 200cm

Herbert is a rangy ruck with great hands around the contest to involve himself in link-up play. He presents as a Tim English type with strong running power to present on leads around the ground, but he's also been overwhelming for opposition rucks in the contest so far too. It's been a massive start to his campaign with the Roosters - and glimpses of forward craft for the Academy were positive. Match-ups with Van Hattum and Benji Van Rooyen at the championships will go a long way to solidifying his draft stock.

10. Heath Mellody
Claremont/Western Australia
MID/DEF, 184cm

The ultra classy Mellody can play many positions and fit into any system, such is his all-round game. He's an interceptor off halfback with strong reading of the play and timing in his attack on the ball, and it's with ball in hand where he really shines. In the forward half Mellody is high impact with incisive use off either foot and the running power to tuck the ball under his arm and burst through the paint of 50. His contested game is a wait and see up to this point with his penetration and skills more suited to outside roles still.

11. Cody Templeton
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
MID/FWD, 180cm

A powerful small forward or midfielder that is splitting those roles to perfection early in the season, Templeton is at the centre of many attacking chains for the Power. He breaks tackles with a flick of the hips and can get a head of steam up barrelling inside 50. Few are harder at the contest, though rushed disposal has been his undoing across the past 18 months.

12. Jack Pickett
Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
FWD, 194cm

Pickett's top-age season has been cruelled by an ACL at training, ruling him out of the campaign. He's been the draft's most prolific goalkicker for nearly 24 months, presented full-chested at ballcarriers and imposing himself physically in the air. His set shot routine is beautiful to make his opportunities count and recruiters won't quickly forget his impact as a deep forward.

13. Clancy Snell
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
DEF, 196cm

A do-it-all defender showing potential to be the best defender in the class, Snell is an alert interceptor at his best coming forward to chop off attacks. He offers safe hands in the air and reliable disposal by foot out of the backline, plus the closing speed and long arms to get timely fists in when required. Snell will be highly coveted in defensive systems requiring proactive roll-up to the ball-carrier where he can make quick decisions and has the speed to close down angles.

14. Lewis Houndsome
Northern Knights/Vic Metro
FWD/RUC, 198cm

Houndsome offers some of the best hands in the pool, including a massive catch radius on the lead and the physicality to chop out in the ruck. While limited in what he offers at ground level there's no questioning his elite traits in the air; he could lead both contested marks and goals in the Talent League this year.

15. Gabe Patterson
Glenelg/South Australia
FWD/MID, 184cm

Patterson is an aggressive forward-half midfielder, loving to take the ball north-south and set up attacking forays with dynamism. He can break tackles with power and often looks for the shortest way to home through aggressive movement through the corridor and penetrative kicks into the 50.


Gabe Patterson is a powerful forward-half midfielder who loves to burst and take territory. Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
16. Xavier Ladbrook
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
DEF, 201cm

Ladbrook is unique in his aerobic power for his size, and it's a trait that can see him move up to a wing and cause headaches in the air. Down back there are few more reliable defenders aerially. He gets a timely fist in consistently and blankets his opponent for quarters at a time with stout positioning off back shoulder.

17. Marcus Prasad
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
FWD/MID, 167cm

Prasad may be the cleanest prospect in the pool. His one touch accumulation around the contest is superb and buys him more time to wheel onto his left boot, though he often gives his passes too much air with chip kicks. He's dangerous in the forward 50 with his capacity to swoop on loose balls and get the ball to boot quickly, and he runs out games well in this forward-midfield split. There are limitations given his size but it doesn't stop the Stingray from attacking the ball and opponents with vigour.

18. Caylen Murray (Brisbane Academy)
Lions Academy/Allies
DEF/MID, 183cm

A classy distributor that plays off halfback or on-ball, Murray is the next in a long line of talent out of the Lions Academy to garner first round consideration. He has grit at the coalface to match the polish on the outside and will be the leading Allies prospect in 2026.

19. Garrison Kenh (West Coast NGA)
East Perth/Western Australia
DEF, 182cm

Kenh is a fantastic interceptor with a springy leap and courage to sit under high balls and jump into leading lanes. There are some holes in his game around transition spread and link-up play where he can get caught making poor decisions, particularly by hand, but he's difficult to stop at full pace and can be damaging with ball in hand when he finds pockets of space. The Eagles NGA prospect put in a terrific display first up for a strong Royals outfit in round one.

20. Koby LeCras
West Perth/Western Australia
FWD, 192cm

LeCras has the height to compete aerially but it's his ground level craft on a wing or at half forward that has clubs keen. The nephew of West Coast goalkicker Mark, the Falcon has stop-on-a-dime evasiveness and can hit the scoreboard under pressure with great technique in his snaps. His set shot routine is flawless and he doesn't need many touches to have an impact.
 
Going early on this, I really hope we take Clancy Snell. Gippsland Power/Vic Country. DEF, 196cm

A do-it-all defender showing potential to be the best defender in the class, Snell is an alert interceptor at his best coming forward to chop off attacks. He offers safe hands in the air and reliable disposal by foot out of the backline, plus the closing speed and long arms to get timely fists in when required. Snell will be highly coveted in defensive systems requiring proactive roll-up to the ball-carrier where he can make quick decisions and has the speed to close down angles.
 
My Left Foote said:
ESPN April Power Rankings

These are ESPN's top prospects for April as we gain ground toward November's 2026 AFL Draft.

1. Dougie Cochrane (Port Adelaide NGA)
Central Districts/South Australia
FWD/MID, 195cm

There isn't much Dougie can't do on a footy field. At 195cm the athletic tall has played the majority of his juniors as a roaming key forward, providing outlets with his strong hands in the air and turning to go with a freewheeling flair. Cochrane is a booming kick of the football and such a difficult matchup thanks to his agility at ground level.

It's that navigation through traffic which makes some recruiters believe he will become a midfielder in time, though his 2026 plans have been put on the backburner after undergoing knee surgery to address tendinitis. Cochrane will be in a race to return for the national championships but would still deserve a bid at no. 1 if he didn't play a game all season. Given mooted draft changes, Port Adelaide will be scrambling to find the points to match in the unlikely event Zak Butters did not leave the club at the end of the season.

2. Harry Van Hattum
Northern Knights/Vic Metro
RUC/FWD, 205cm

There's an aura around Van Hattum on the footy field. Standing at 205cm the ruck presents as a man mountain, physically developed to take on senior footballers right away. But it's the elite vertical leap and dexterity in the contest which offers untapped upside for the Knight. He's a good kick in space and is entrusted with the ball by teammates kicking inside 50, plus can make an impact up forward with his gravity consistently attracting multiple defenders. Van Hattum's follow-up work is reminiscent of Brodie Grundy's style of play and his hot start to 2026 is vaulting him up big boards.

3. Cody Walker (Carlton father-son)
Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
MID, 184cm

A name on the lips of recruiters since starring performances at the u16 championships, Walker is high-flying Blue Andrew's son and possesses that elite athletic pedigree. Where he differs is his contested work; Walker is a frenetic presence at stoppages, scrapping for hard balls and swooping on loose balls with speed and balance.

He has a unique running gait with long strides and a hunched back, and gains territory by exiting the stoppage into space and launching inside 50. The Pioneer has drawn significant attention from opposition teams and will do so all year as he continues to accumulate through the midfield. Carlton is well placed to match a bid on its father-son star with Sydney's first round pick in its hand, though is awaiting draft changes from the AFL.

4. Noah Williams
Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
DEF/MID, 177cm

The speed and evasive composure of Williams caught the eye in a best on ground performance at the Futures game at the MCG last September, and he backed it up with best on ground honours for the Academy on Sunday.

A creative halfback in the past, the Falcon has moved on-ball to great effect this season where his speed-endurance blend is always on show and his defensive aptitude matches the clinches. He creates time to use his preferred left with clean hands and shifty movement, always on the move to collect the ball at full tilt. His early rise into the top five is in part thanks to the evolution of modern footy, where players who thrive in transition are at a premium.

5. Kodah Edwards
South Adelaide/South Australia
MID, 183cm

Edwards is a wrecking ball at stoppages, throwing himself into the clinches with little regard for his own safety. That courage is matched in the air where he plays above his size and often careens back with the footy to impact on contests he has no right being involved in. While he isn't the type to burst out of the contest with running bounces, his impact always shows up in clearance numbers as he finds teammates on the fly.

Edwards matches prolific stoppage work with eye-catching craft inside forward 50. He's strong in the air and smart at ground level to kick goals in bunches when resting deep, though his ball use in space continues to be his main challenge.

6. Arki Butler
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
MID/FWD, 182cm

There's a lot of Toby Greene in Sandringham's no. 4, who has stepped into the midfield after plying his trade to great effect across half forward until now. Butler reads the ball off hands superbly well and is a brilliant mark above his head, though hasn't been one touch at ground level to start the season. Up forward he's smart and classy around goals and can find a lot of the ball without being a focal point.

7. Marlon Neocleous
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
FWD/MID, 168cm

A late call-up to the Academy's games, Neocleous offers an abundance of energy and pizzazz as a small forward. He has tricks in the air and on the ground with a wicked sidestep and composure in front of goals. Growth in his game is coming further up the ground where he likes the ball in his hands and can pinpoint kicks through the corridor. Neocleous sits somewhere between Nick Watson and Lachy Dovaston as a highly-regarded small forward prospect at this early juncture.

8. Lucas Robinson (Fremantle NGA)
South Fremantle/Western Australia
MID, 191cm

Robinson is a big-bodied inside midfielder that thrives in the heat of the contest. He gets first hands on the ball with a big radius to snare the ball off taps and can handpass off either fist through physical pressure. Like all gun inside midfielders Robinson embraces contact well and stands up through tackles. Despite being overlooked for AFL Academy opportunities, his contest work and excellent aerial game around the ground gives him massive upside at the next level. A Dockers NGA prospect, Robinson has some traits similar to Nat Fyfe and is the best prospect to come out of the Wheatbelt since the Fremantle legend.


9. Ethan Herbert
North Adelaide/South Australia
RUC, 200cm

Herbert is a rangy ruck with great hands around the contest to involve himself in link-up play. He presents as a Tim English type with strong running power to present on leads around the ground, but he's also been overwhelming for opposition rucks in the contest so far too. It's been a massive start to his campaign with the Roosters - and glimpses of forward craft for the Academy were positive. Match-ups with Van Hattum and Benji Van Rooyen at the championships will go a long way to solidifying his draft stock.

10. Heath Mellody
Claremont/Western Australia
MID/DEF, 184cm

The ultra classy Mellody can play many positions and fit into any system, such is his all-round game. He's an interceptor off halfback with strong reading of the play and timing in his attack on the ball, and it's with ball in hand where he really shines. In the forward half Mellody is high impact with incisive use off either foot and the running power to tuck the ball under his arm and burst through the paint of 50. His contested game is a wait and see up to this point with his penetration and skills more suited to outside roles still.

11. Cody Templeton
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
MID/FWD, 180cm

A powerful small forward or midfielder that is splitting those roles to perfection early in the season, Templeton is at the centre of many attacking chains for the Power. He breaks tackles with a flick of the hips and can get a head of steam up barrelling inside 50. Few are harder at the contest, though rushed disposal has been his undoing across the past 18 months.

12. Jack Pickett
Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
FWD, 194cm

Pickett's top-age season has been cruelled by an ACL at training, ruling him out of the campaign. He's been the draft's most prolific goalkicker for nearly 24 months, presented full-chested at ballcarriers and imposing himself physically in the air. His set shot routine is beautiful to make his opportunities count and recruiters won't quickly forget his impact as a deep forward.

13. Clancy Snell
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
DEF, 196cm

A do-it-all defender showing potential to be the best defender in the class, Snell is an alert interceptor at his best coming forward to chop off attacks. He offers safe hands in the air and reliable disposal by foot out of the backline, plus the closing speed and long arms to get timely fists in when required. Snell will be highly coveted in defensive systems requiring proactive roll-up to the ball-carrier where he can make quick decisions and has the speed to close down angles.

14. Lewis Houndsome
Northern Knights/Vic Metro
FWD/RUC, 198cm

Houndsome offers some of the best hands in the pool, including a massive catch radius on the lead and the physicality to chop out in the ruck. While limited in what he offers at ground level there's no questioning his elite traits in the air; he could lead both contested marks and goals in the Talent League this year.

15. Gabe Patterson
Glenelg/South Australia
FWD/MID, 184cm

Patterson is an aggressive forward-half midfielder, loving to take the ball north-south and set up attacking forays with dynamism. He can break tackles with power and often looks for the shortest way to home through aggressive movement through the corridor and penetrative kicks into the 50.


Gabe Patterson is a powerful forward-half midfielder who loves to burst and take territory. Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
16. Xavier Ladbrook
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
DEF, 201cm

Ladbrook is unique in his aerobic power for his size, and it's a trait that can see him move up to a wing and cause headaches in the air. Down back there are few more reliable defenders aerially. He gets a timely fist in consistently and blankets his opponent for quarters at a time with stout positioning off back shoulder.

17. Marcus Prasad
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
FWD/MID, 167cm

Prasad may be the cleanest prospect in the pool. His one touch accumulation around the contest is superb and buys him more time to wheel onto his left boot, though he often gives his passes too much air with chip kicks. He's dangerous in the forward 50 with his capacity to swoop on loose balls and get the ball to boot quickly, and he runs out games well in this forward-midfield split. There are limitations given his size but it doesn't stop the Stingray from attacking the ball and opponents with vigour.

18. Caylen Murray (Brisbane Academy)
Lions Academy/Allies
DEF/MID, 183cm

A classy distributor that plays off halfback or on-ball, Murray is the next in a long line of talent out of the Lions Academy to garner first round consideration. He has grit at the coalface to match the polish on the outside and will be the leading Allies prospect in 2026.

19. Garrison Kenh (West Coast NGA)
East Perth/Western Australia
DEF, 182cm

Kenh is a fantastic interceptor with a springy leap and courage to sit under high balls and jump into leading lanes. There are some holes in his game around transition spread and link-up play where he can get caught making poor decisions, particularly by hand, but he's difficult to stop at full pace and can be damaging with ball in hand when he finds pockets of space. The Eagles NGA prospect put in a terrific display first up for a strong Royals outfit in round one.

20. Koby LeCras
West Perth/Western Australia
FWD, 192cm

LeCras has the height to compete aerially but it's his ground level craft on a wing or at half forward that has clubs keen. The nephew of West Coast goalkicker Mark, the Falcon has stop-on-a-dime evasiveness and can hit the scoreboard under pressure with great technique in his snaps. His set shot routine is flawless and he doesn't need many touches to have an impact.
Click to expand...

What makes Cochrane extra Northish was his old man spending 8 years on our list for SFA games as a certified whipping boy, only to come good and be traded for a much worse player in Michael Stevens at our instigation.

So our ROI for all that time was giving Port Adelaide a questionable NGA pick #1.
 

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