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!!

 

[chubbspeterson]

Good to see Jonty (or his doppelganger) keeping busy during the off-season!

 

[giantroo]

 

[King Corey]

Bad luck to the kid.

The whole Cochrane scenario is so north though.

Finally settled at North, we unnecessarily pushed him out for Michael Stevens.

One of the strangest like for like trades where both players and clubs were happy with the status quo but they swapped anyway coz...?

Of course the guy we flicked went on to spawn a No.#1 pick grade son.

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

If we get f***ed over again because of the Swines Academy...

When…

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

Wasn't expecting to see 168cm small fwd Marlon Neocleous projected that high.
He is exciting to watch but the melts would be something else if we drafted him.

With the forward talent we already have, he could form a nice neocleous with Dovaston, Curtis, Banch and Konstanty.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

McCartney (key forward)
Harris (inside mid)

If we can add 2 x half backs and a key back it'll be the perfect draft for us!

 

[The Nostradamus]

McCartney (key forward)
Harris (inside mid)

If we can add 2 x half backs and a key back it'll be the perfect draft for us!

Archie Devine half back

 

[chubbspeterson]

With the forward talent we already have, he could form a nice neocleous with Dovaston, Curtis, Banch and Konstanty.

Very good. It'll be interesting to see where he is projected. Is he too small for AFL level?
I'd probably take a Gabe Patterson type before him because of it, but I'd love to see a small kid make it like Marlon.
We could certainly use another electric forward. Patterson has some real speed and can stand on your head.
But I suspect the Crows will be looking strongly at Patterson given their interest in Dov.

 

[chubbspeterson]

McCartney (key forward)
Harris (inside mid)

If we can add 2 x half backs and a key back it'll be the perfect draft for us!

I really hope we have 5 or 6 list spots free entering the 2026 draft so we've got the flexibility to add as many as we want to address list needs and the potential to slide back for selections (2026 or 27) and/or trade into the order.
A decision on Hansen Jnr would be needed whether he's upgraded after 3 years on the rookie list I believe.
We need to add at least one key forward, one half back/wing and one defender (medium/key), then F/S or NGA.

McCartney or Houndsome/Van Hattum/Ladbrooke (Pickett/Malady are good, but more 3rd tall). Spawton-Guy late pick?
Classy strong running wing/hbf with good ball use (Melody, Williams, Butler, Chapman etc.)
Medium defender (Szerzyn)
Key back (Hodgson). Ideally both, but doubt we'd have the picks to do it.
Sam Harris
Archie Devine (is he confirmed in our NGA? Has he had enough contact hours to qualify? Only Bulla seen so far)

A livewire forward/mid like Gabe Patterson or Marlon is probably unlikely with our picks and less urgent this year.
We could certainly use someone in the front half with elite speed to complement Lachie longer term though.