Preview 2026 National Draft Thread

[chubbspeterson]

Archie Devine half back

Is he actually part of our NGA? Have we had enough contact time with him for him to qualify?
Maybe only Bulla is the only one taking part in it?

 

[The Nostradamus]

Is he actually part of our NGA? Have we had enough contact time with him for him to qualify?
Maybe only Bulla is the only one taking part in it?

Enough contact time?

Is that a new criteria?

I recall seeing articles that he was

 

[chubbspeterson]

Enough contact time?

Is that a new criteria?

I recall seeing articles that he was

Whether we've done the minimum hours of development and met the reporting requirements.
I know he was in one of our NGA camps a few years back, but not sure I've seen him since.

AFL cracks down on player eligibility in NGA revamp

Clubs must spend more time with Next Generation Academy prospects and register their interest earlier in order to get priority draft access

www.afl.com.au

In short, the changes will see clubs have to spend more time with NGA prospects, submit applications earlier and prove they have developed a player's talent before they are given the green light to access them at the draft.

The new rules, to be introduced in 2026, will also include:

• minimum requirements for clubs that clubs must meet to obtain draft concessions and NGA funding, including minimum number of players engaged, minimum hours of development of players and minimum reporting requirements;
• clubs having to submit applications in a player's 15th year, brought forward from their 16th year;
• allowing other clubs to pre-list NGA players who are not selected by their aligned clubs;
• dedicating a Category B rookie list spot for NGA eligible players, which is triggered once a club fills its first Category B rookie position;
• the AFL offering part-funding of Category B rookie contracts for Indian and Chinese players, with the funding on this incentive to be decided by the AFL;
• the formal introduction of the AFLW NGA draft concessions for the 2026 draft.

 

[shinboner magic]

Whether we've done the minimum hours of development and met the reporting requirements.
I know he was in one of our NGA camps a few years back, but not sure I've seen him since.

AFL cracks down on player eligibility in NGA revamp

Clubs must spend more time with Next Generation Academy prospects and register their interest earlier in order to get priority draft access

www.afl.com.au

In short, the changes will see clubs have to spend more time with NGA prospects, submit applications earlier and prove they have developed a player's talent before they are given the green light to access them at the draft.

The new rules, to be introduced in 2026, will also include:

• minimum requirements for clubs that clubs must meet to obtain draft concessions and NGA funding, including minimum number of players engaged, minimum hours of development of players and minimum reporting requirements;
• clubs having to submit applications in a player's 15th year, brought forward from their 16th year;
• allowing other clubs to pre-list NGA players who are not selected by their aligned clubs;
• dedicating a Category B rookie list spot for NGA eligible players, which is triggered once a club fills its first Category B rookie position;
• the AFL offering part-funding of Category B rookie contracts for Indian and Chinese players, with the funding on this incentive to be decided by the AFL;
• the formal introduction of the AFLW NGA draft concessions for the 2026 draft.

Don’t think that guys Nostradamus after all

 

[chubbspeterson]

Don’t think that guys Nostradamus after all

Well we may have met the requirements above, but club hasn't mentioned him all that much.

 

[King Corey]

Well we may have met the requirements above, but club hasn't mentioned him all that much.

Nuance is not his thing.

We were sleeping at the wheel re building a strong case for NGA of Sanders, I wouldn't assume we've got Devine just lined up and eligible "because".

(ie agreeing with you)

 

[The Dingrel]

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.

Yep was there, more grown men brought to tears than any funeral I been to!
Aiden needs to continue the fairy tale!

 

[chubbspeterson]

Nuance is not his thing.

We were sleeping at the wheel re building a strong case for NGA of Sanders, I wouldn't assume we've got Devine just lined up and eligible "because".

(ie agreeing with you)

It's at least a positive that Devine, Thomas and Bula have been mentioned in a few RookieMe articles as being tied to us and a CODESports one mentions Devine as an academy player for us, but little on it from the club confirming they are.

 

[Harris 10]

Hello to my old friend the National Draft thread.

So who we picking?

 

[Mute Point]

Hello to my old friend the National Draft thread.

So who we picking

The big question is do we bid on Dougie Cochrane with our pick 1?

 

[giantroo]

 

[noobermensch]

Hi Guys, I got out of the habit of linking stuff in here last year with you having traded out of your pick.

Any type of prospect you want to see here? Anything you definitely don't want me to link? I'm still in off season mode so I'm not pumping out a lot of content at this stage.

Here's one from today

----

Heath Mellody played an important role in helping Claremont secure victory in last year's Colts grand final. The Bulldogs struggle to handle his potent rebounding run off the half back line, one particular highlight being a running goal in the first quarter that helped Claremont get up and about. His athleticism allowed him to impact defensively in the air and at ground level.

Considered by many to be one of the top prospects from the 2026 WA crop it'll be interesting to see if Mellody gets a move into the midfield this season and how that effects his game.

 

[andana]

Elite player.




Likely to play most of the year at Hale School again.

 

[chubbspeterson]

Hi Guys, I got out of the habit of linking stuff in here last year with you having traded out of your pick.

Any type of prospect you want to see here? Anything you definitely don't want me to link? I'm still in off season mode so I'm not pumping out a lot of content at this stage.

Here's one from today

----

Heath Mellody played an important role in helping Claremont secure victory in last year's Colts grand final. The Bulldogs struggle to handle his potent rebounding run off the half back line, one particular highlight being a running goal in the first quarter that helped Claremont get up and about. His athleticism allowed him to impact defensively in the air and at ground level.

Considered by many to be one of the top prospects from the 2026 WA crop it'll be interesting to see if Mellody gets a move into the midfield this season and how that effects his game.

Big fan of Mellody. Really impressive in the futures game, but hadn't seen this.
I think wing/hbf and defenders would be a good place to start.
Could you do one of Harrison Chapman when you get a chance? Type of transition runner we could use imo.

 

[#BallMagnet]

Big fan of Mellody. Really impressive in the futures game, but hadn't seen this.
I think wing/hbf and defenders would be a good place to start.
Could you do one of Harrison Chapman when you get a chance? Type of transition runner we could use imo.

My Pies should definitely be looking to bring in this type of transition runner that can roll through the middle as well at times. Need more than just one of them also. Desperately needed.
Matthews is another to try and pry out of the GWS Academy and SA has a similar type Wing in Croker. Both left footers also.
Jenkin twins out of the Sydney Academy, but they're on the smaller side compared to the others.

 

[chubbspeterson]

My Pies should definitely be looking to bring in this type of transition runner that can roll through the middle as well at times. Need more than just one of them also. Desperately needed.
Matthews is another to try and pry out of the GWS Academy and SA has a similar type Wing in Croker. Both left footers also.
Jenkin twins out of the Sydney Academy, but they're on the smaller side compared to the others.

For sure. I think a lot teams will be keen on Chapman with his traits if he can accumulate more footy.
Not sure how he is defensively, but runs hard in transition and used it really efficiently in the futures game.

 

[Passmore]

noobermensch back to BAU this season. Any input on potential top 4 picks thanks.

 

[King Corey]

Heath Mellody = The Pop

 

[noobermensch]

noobermensch back to BAU this season. Any input on potential top 4 picks thanks.

You'll no doubt be happy to learn that the clear top 2 picks are both club tied. Yay.

Outside of those two (Dougie Cochrane and Cody Walker) here are a few others to check out that will be in the top 10 mix:

Arki Butler probably ranked 3 for me at the moment. A mid/forward with pace and damage who can kick bags:






I really like Harry Van Hattum, shaping into more of a ruck as he keeps growing (up to 206cm now) but powerful in the air and can kick goals when forward:




Marlon Neocleous, the extreme lack of size might become more of an issue this year, but he finds plenty of the footy, kicks goals and is creative:





One of my favourites is Cody Templeton. Flying under the radar a little at this stage but he's a real mature leader, hard at it, and can pull out moments of magic.


https://youtu.be/0Ciw5YojgNE
https://youtu.be/CUyRw0kLSzk

Plenty of others that are in that top 10 mix of course, Gabe Patterson, Archie Van Dyk, Louis Houndshome etc, but that's a good amount to get started with.

 

[kanga kanga kanga]

Van Hattum with the new ruck rules will be the one, can also play forward to a high level

him and goad is a pretty nice duo.

 

[Passmore]

Love it noobermensch . And yes tied prospects is in our BAU.

 

[ferball]

Heath Mellody = The Pop

Heath Mellody = The four games in Hobart means we'll play finals!

 

[Firebat]

Any sub 180cm mid paced half forwards going around? Be good if they have a form of soft tissue injuries as well so we can muse on how good they could be

 

[year of the roo]

Heath Mellody = the unchained

 

[chubbspeterson]

You'll no doubt be happy to learn that the clear top 2 picks are both club tied. Yay.

Outside of those two (Dougie Cochrane and Cody Walker) here are a few others to check out that will be in the top 10 mix:

Arki Butler probably ranked 3 for me at the moment. A mid/forward with pace and damage who can kick bags:






I really like Harry Van Hattum, shaping into more of a ruck as he keeps growing (up to 206cm now) but powerful in the air and can kick goals when forward:




Marlon Neocleous, the extreme lack of size might become more of an issue this year, but he finds plenty of the footy, kicks goals and is creative:





One of my favourites is Cody Templeton. Flying under the radar a little at this stage but he's a real mature leader, hard at it, and can pull out moments of magic.


https://youtu.be/0Ciw5YojgNE
https://youtu.be/CUyRw0kLSzk

Plenty of others that are in that top 10 mix of course, Gabe Patterson, Archie Van Dyk, Louis Houndshome etc, but that's a good amount to get started with.

Arki is pretty talented. Think he could just about play anywhere with his pace.
Quite a handful as a matchup with his body work and speed up forward.

Van Hattum seriously agile for a 206cm high marking ruck/fwd. Showed he can go forward and kick goals.
Houndsome is good as well at 199cm, pretty agile and aggressive with his tackling.
They likely make more sense if we wanted another fwd/ruck to complement Aidan (if he picks us).

Marlon certainly gets involved with his speed anywhere across the ground, but size may deter teams.
They may end up rating Patterson ahead of Marlon with the extra height/size and marking ability.

Cody Templeton didn't exactly show what he was capable of in the futures game.
You can see flashes of Heeney potential as that mid/fwd type.
I'd like to see him take more contested marks vs getting goals from crumbing and free kicks.

Any of Noah Williams, Mellody and Chapman would make some sense for us off wing/hbf.
Not sure where all three would be ranked in the scheme of things with the club tied one's though.

Should be an interesting one to follow. There's always a bolter like Tauru or Robey.