Preview 2026 National Draft Thread

[Shinboner Supremacy]

Watched bits a pieces of the Jets/Cannons game this afternoon.

Close eye on Sam Harris, he was one Calder’s best with 16 disposals and a goal but they were comprehensively beaten by the Western Jets. Found the footy but not much go forward. Often shorter kicks and handballs out of congestion.

Going very very early on this one. But Western Jets CHF Jake Miller has all the hall marks of a future champion key forward. Kid is only 16 but he ended up with 21 disposals, kicked 3.2 and had 11 marks. Felt like he was involved in every goal scoring chain. Carey-like impact.

Genuinely think he is one of the best/most natural CHF’s I’ve seen come through juniors in a long long time. This far out and you can already see superstar traits. He has vice like hands, swagger, physicality and genuine forward craft.

Miller is very similar to Nate Caddy. Nice left peg on him.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Pretty sure PC was a Western Jet

Paul Curtis - Melton Panthers.

 

[LB2Snake]

Paul Curtis - Melton Panthers.

But what Coates team? I was sure he played for the jets. Melton is pretty West no?

 

[Shinboner Supremacy]

But what Coates team? I was sure he played for the jets. Melton is pretty West no?

Yep Western Jets

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

But what Coates team? I was sure he played for the jets. Melton is pretty West no?

Yeah.

It was a reference to his pre match intro on the big screen.

 

[Themanbun]

Pretty sure PC was a Western Jet

Yup

 

[ferball]

Pretty sure PC was a Western Jet

X too.

 

[noobermensch]

If we didn't already have enough super exciting prospects for 2027 Archie Simpson announced himself as another one to watch in his first U18's performance for North Adelaide. As we saw in his U16 Champs run, Archie doesn't always find a stack of the footy, but he's absolutely maximum damage when he does get it, his blistering pace, power, and agility allowing him to break lines, dance around opponents, and find space inside 50 for shots on goal, his four majors in this game key in helping the Roosters to victory.

 

[chubbspeterson]

This Gippy power team looks strong.
Cody Templeton is a gun mid/fwd, classy, tenacious, tough goal kicker.
Will malady impressive too. Marlon hasn’t dominated.
Didn’t know much about them but Levi macumber looks quick off half back and Keenan boi has got a bit of pace, agility and class.
Leo Stephenson and ash Mounsey have got some athleticism and class about them as well.
Xavier ladbrook been okay down back as a tall left foot unicorn but he’s got a skinny frame that will take time to fill out. Not totally sold on him.

We may have to be wary sliding too far in the top 10 as it will be strong.
Just not sure how we get points to match Aidan (hopefully late 20s or 30s r2 bid with his injury) and Archie (hopefully more r3 or r4) unless we trade players or a team wants to trade out.
Maybe hawks with three r2 picks (they may have hodge to match though) or teams who may trade players like * or blues perhaps that may have 2027 f/s nga kids. Let’s hope we can get some more picks.

 

[Passmore]

We need Malady

 

[noobermensch]

Big HVH monstered the ruck in this game with his size, competitiveness and touch, providing silver service to his midfielders. He also clunked a couple of big contested marks, kicked a couple of goals and all around put together an exciting first up performance.

 

[noobermensch]

A blistering start from Arki Butler who tore the Ranges apart in the opening 15 minutes of this game with one of the most dynamic and damaging displays of footy you'll see at this level. He kicked three of his four goals in this span, as well as getting involved in some decisive chains of ball movement for the Dragons as they opened up a significant early lead that they never surrendered. While he faded out of the game in the second half, his opening salvo stamped him as one to watch for the very pointy end of this year's draft.

 

[noobermensch]

Some excellent numbers from Cody Templeton in round one. Playing the mid/fwd role that many elite junior prospects settle into these days, Cody found plenty of the footy inside and outside the contest and slotted 4 majors in helping his team to a big win. His disposal by foot was a bit wayward, both field kicking and in front of goal, something to keep an eye on as we progress through the year.

 

[Harris 10]

Tend to agree. I think Butters and Cal Ward are the prime examples of that.

Far too often their players are under valued. Dunno if it’s the lack of private school influence or because the western region is considered lower socio economic.

They’ll have plenty drafted this year. Hicks, Wigmore, El Souki and probably Marron to start with.

How is Hicks looking?

 

[roos_fanatic08]

How is Hicks looking?

I reckon he'll end up as one of the top mids from this crop. Only thing that really hurts him is that he is a little on the shorter side for a modern midfielder (182cm).

Good athlete, high level IQ, toughness, bit of power in his running, and he goes hard.

 

[chubbspeterson]

TOP 5s | 2026 Talent League Preseason Testing

On the eve of the new Talent League season, check out which prospects featured atop the leaderboards at preseason testing.

central.rookieme.com

TOP 5s: 2026 TALENT LEAGUE PRESEASON TESTING​

STANDING VERTICAL JUMP:

1. Harley Hicks (GWV Rebels) – 89cm
Eq. 2. Beau Garrett (Eastern Ranges) – 81cm
Eq. 2. Grayson Lafaialii (Western Jets) – 81cm
Eq. 4. Joshua Djatschenko (Western Jets) – 80cm
Eq. 4. Ethan Drever (GWV Rebels) – 80cm

RUNNING VERTICAL JUMP:

Eq. 1. Sam Gayfer (Northern Knights) – 103cm
Eq. 1. Harry Van Hattum (Northern Knights) – 103cm
Eq. 3. Riley Downer (GWV Rebels) – 100cm
Eq. 3. Grayson Lafaialii (Western Jets) – 100cm
Eq. 3. Ollie Panozzo (Sandringham Dragons) – 100cm

20-METRE SPRINT:

1. Jack Nicholls (Sandringham Dragons) – 2.814 seconds
2. Micah Murphy (Sandringham Dragons) – 2.821 seconds
3. Finn Marsh (Dandenong Stingrays) – 2.833 seconds
4. Zac Dalli (Western Jets) – 2.834 seconds
5. Andrio Sousa (Dandenong Stingrays) – 2.838 seconds

AFL AGILITY TEST:

1. Van Rahilly (Geelong Falcons) – 7.756 seconds
2. Archer Lancaster (Bendigo Pioneers) – 7.814 seconds
3. Jamison Leeson (Northern Knights) – 7.845 seconds
4. Gus Kennedy (Dandenong Stingrays) – 7.882 seconds
5. Zac Antonellos (Eastern Ranges) – 7.884 seconds

YO-YO TEST:

Eq. 1. Jordan Fenton (Western Jets) – 22.1
Eq. 1. Jett Flower (Eastern Ranges) – 22.1
Eq. 3. Angus Brown (Sandringham Dragons) – 21.8
Eq. 3. Dan Ewing (GWV Rebels) – 21.8
Eq. 3. Jamison Leeson (Northern Knights) – 21.8

 

[noobermensch]

The expected move of Noah Williams into a full time midfield role this season produced a solid first up display. Even though his Falcons team copped a bit of a beating on the day, Noah showed the qualities that should see him thrive on ball in spite of his lack of size. He plays with a physical edge, loves the contested stuff, and enjoys applying defensive pressure. He has the burst of pace to carry the ball out of congestion into space where he can use his penetrating left boot.

 

[Sphynx]

TOP 5s | 2026 Talent League Preseason Testing

On the eve of the new Talent League season, check out which prospects featured atop the leaderboards at preseason testing.

central.rookieme.com

TOP 5s: 2026 TALENT LEAGUE PRESEASON TESTING​

STANDING VERTICAL JUMP:

1. Harley Hicks (GWV Rebels) – 89cm
Eq. 2. Beau Garrett (Eastern Ranges) – 81cm
Eq. 2. Grayson Lafaialii (Western Jets) – 81cm
Eq. 4. Joshua Djatschenko (Western Jets) – 80cm
Eq. 4. Ethan Drever (GWV Rebels) – 80cm

RUNNING VERTICAL JUMP:

Eq. 1. Sam Gayfer (Northern Knights) – 103cm
Eq. 1. Harry Van Hattum (Northern Knights) – 103cm
Eq. 3. Riley Downer (GWV Rebels) – 100cm
Eq. 3. Grayson Lafaialii (Western Jets) – 100cm
Eq. 3. Ollie Panozzo (Sandringham Dragons) – 100cm

20-METRE SPRINT:

1. Jack Nicholls (Sandringham Dragons) – 2.814 seconds
2. Micah Murphy (Sandringham Dragons) – 2.821 seconds
3. Finn Marsh (Dandenong Stingrays) – 2.833 seconds
4. Zac Dalli (Western Jets) – 2.834 seconds
5. Andrio Sousa (Dandenong Stingrays) – 2.838 seconds

AFL AGILITY TEST:

1. Van Rahilly (Geelong Falcons) – 7.756 seconds
2. Archer Lancaster (Bendigo Pioneers) – 7.814 seconds
3. Jamison Leeson (Northern Knights) – 7.845 seconds
4. Gus Kennedy (Dandenong Stingrays) – 7.882 seconds
5. Zac Antonellos (Eastern Ranges) – 7.884 seconds

YO-YO TEST:

Eq. 1. Jordan Fenton (Western Jets) – 22.1
Eq. 1. Jett Flower (Eastern Ranges) – 22.1
Eq. 3. Angus Brown (Sandringham Dragons) – 21.8
Eq. 3. Dan Ewing (GWV Rebels) – 21.8
Eq. 3. Jamison Leeson (Northern Knights) – 21.8

With that testing HVH is essentially at Nic Natanui levels at center bounces.

 

[hoffseason gains 01]

With that testing HVH is essentially at Nic Natanui levels at center bounces.

And an inch taller too

 

[chubbspeterson]

With that testing HVH is essentially at Nic Natanui levels at center bounces.

Certainly looks it to the eye as well. Some leap on him.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Certainly looks it to the eye as well. Some leap on him.

To add to that, the kids who can jump good are (generally) the longer leaner types.

Van Hattum is doing it while being well advanced physically.

No mean feat, and bodes well for his future development having such a strong athletic base.

From memory Sam Darcy had a high 87-89cm vertical, which would give Van Hattam a huge reach advantage over someone like him and we already know how unstoppable Darcy is on the lead.

 

[King Corey]

Levi Macumber = The Sandwich

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Just imagine that we would’ve had this at our disposal during our rebuild.

2020 - extra first round pick for JUH bid
2021 - we likely bid on Daicos or Darcy and net ourselves an extra end of first round pick.
2022 - extra pick for Will Ashcroft bid
2023 - extra pick for Jed Walter bid
2024 - we likely bid on Levi Ashcroft and we net ourselves an extra end of first round pick.

Just our luck again that something like this comes in when we have been shafted time and time again by academy selections and F/S.

**** me.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Big HVH monstered the ruck in this game with his size, competitiveness and touch, providing silver service to his midfielders. He also clunked a couple of big contested marks, kicked a couple of goals and all around put together an exciting first up performance.

The reach @2.46 would be damn near impossible to stop.

 

[Disco Dew]

Just imagine that we would’ve had this at our disposal during our rebuild.

2020 - extra first round pick for JUH bid
2021 - we likely bid on Daicos or Darcy and net ourselves an extra end of first round pick.
2022 - extra pick for Will Ashcroft bid
2023 - extra pick for Jed Walter bid
2024 - we likely bid on Levi Ashcroft and we net ourselves an extra end of first round pick.

Just our luck again that something like this comes in when we have been shafted time and time again by academy selections and F/S.

**** me.

That is a ****ing awful idea… let’s fix the compromised draft by, uhhh, compromising it further.
The boffins in charge of this joint are actually ******ed.
Doubt it gets up but if it does yeah I’ll be shitted off that it comes in after our 5 years of misery… though to be fair we’ve probably got another 5 coming up