List Mgmt. 2026 Young Talent Time

[Tonga Bob]

​

Yeah I know it's still 2025 but the discussions have already begun.

Jasper Chellappah has three WA boys in his too early top 10, with Lucas Robinson at 7.

Way-too-early AFL Draft Power Rankings: The top 10 for 2026

Twelve months out from the 2026 AFL Draft, this is ESPN's way-too-early top 10 prospects to track.

www.espn.com.au

Cal Twomey of course only has one, no Lucas.

Stars of the future: 10 draft prospects to watch in 2026

Callum Twomey looks ahead to the best prospects for the 2026 Telstra AFL Draft

www.afl.com.au

So does Jonty Ralphsmith, though he has a couple more including Lucas in his 'worth a mentions'.

AFL Draft: 10 of the leading prospects for 2026

It’s never too early to look at the AFL Draft!

www.zerohanger.com

 

[Barnabus]

WA are always at our best 12 months out from draft day.

 

[King Huskii]

WA are always at our best 12 months out from draft day.

I wonder how much Robinson slides

 

[Lach72]

I wonder how much Robinson slides

It was interesting what happened with Greeves.

And next year is a stronger draft.

 

[Ge3ks]

Is this the last good draft before Tassie hoovers up all the talent?

 

[Superkoops]

Is this the last good draft before Tassie hoovers up all the talent?

After 2026 ND yes. They are hoovering up quite a bit of mature aged talent from WAFL/SANFL/VFL for their VFL team.

 

[Tundrawolf]

I find it hard to believe that Marlon Neocleous at 168cm will be a top 5 selection next year.

 

[Tundrawolf]

Is this the last good draft before Tassie hoovers up all the talent?

Unfortch yes, and Freo supporting East Perth ruck Axel Walsh will be at the top of their list.

 

[Lach72]

I find it hard to believe that Marlon Neocleous at 168cm will be a top 5 selection next year.

He was pretty good in that futures game iirc.

But you’re right. Being that short is going to make it hard for him.

 

[fnerd]

I find it hard to believe that Marlon Neocleous at 168cm will be a top 5 selection next year.

The nuke!!!

Worth drafting just for the nickname!

 

[pK75]

Here we go again! I for one will not be upset if Robinson slides, we need all the legs up we can get.

 

[Joao]

Robinson will end up Cat B.

The average draft rating of our academy players at 17 in phantoms is about 50 places higher than the actual draft.

 

[Jezzitizle]

Reading between the lines, would it be accurate to say Robinson is fairly slow and not a good kick?

That’s rookie territory these days.

 

[Docker82]

Robinson will end up Cat B.

The average draft rating of our academy players at 17 in phantoms is about 50 places higher than the actual draft.

I don't think any Academy player went significantly lower than pro phantom drafters said they would. This board overrated Whan, Luke, Hart etc - simple as that.

I don't reckon we have any idea where Robinson goes at this point.

He's rated top 10 by ESPN despite Twomey leaving him out. Reckon he's between 8-15 at this point. He could slide significantly, he could go top ten.

 

[Joao]

I don't think any Academy player went significantly lower than pro phantom drafters said they would. This board overrated Whan, Luke, Hart etc - simple as that.

I don't reckon we have any idea where Robinson goes at this point.

He's rated top 10 by ESPN despite Twomey leaving him out. Reckon he's between 8-15 at this point. He could slide significantly, he could go top ten.

I reckon ours have been historically (bar Henry). I won't talk to anyone else's because I have NFI.

I reckon it's not remotely uncommon for WA products to be miles off. Fred for example. Strnadica might have been up the top of phantoms a year out as well. Don't remember where Farrow was a year ago but I'd be surprised if he was top 10.

I'm happy with the call. Robinson will likely be 40+.

Also, how many of us even knew who Luke was? I had NFI he existed until he kicked those 8.

 

[Suma Says]

Players develop significantly in their draft year. Thats just the nature of the beast. Its not isolated to WA or Freo NGAs.

Half of Twomeys top 10 last year ended up going very late or even undrafted.
A significant number of the AFL Academy players from last year suffered the same fate.

You see players who are not on anyones radar as late as post Championships end up going top 10, and you see players who are rated first rounders after the Championships end up going undrafted.

 

[Docker82]

Players develop significantly in their draft year. Thats just the nature of the beast. Its not isolated to WA or Freo NGAs.

Half of Twomeys top 10 last year ended up going very late or even undrafted.
A significant number of the AFL Academy players from last year suffered the same fate.

You see players who are not on anyones radar as late as post Championships end up going top 10, and you see players who are rated first rounders after the Championships end up going undrafted.

Exactly this. I'm comfortable there's no correlation between NGA and going lower in the draft other than our fans overrating our players relative to actual draft ranking across the league.

Robinson could go higher or lower than he is rated now. All depends on next season really.

 

[greatgatsby]

Unfortch yes, and Freo supporting East Perth ruck Axel Walsh will be at the top of their list.

Is this a new word? I actually don't mind but do you need the 't'?

 

[Tundrawolf]

Is this a new word? I actually don't mind but do you need the 't'?

Unforch you're probably right - seems superfluous.

 

[Mr Cheese]

Unforch you're probably right - seems superfluous.

That was a beautiful example of constructive diplomacy. If only the rest of the world could watch and learn...

 

[Tonga Bob]

Don't have access to the article because why would I give the Worst my hard earned, but if the tweet is true then maybe WA Football's actually trying to do something about the dearth of top end WA talent in the last few years?

 

[freoextra]

Don't have access to the article because why would I give the Worst my hard earned, but if the tweet is true then maybe WA Football's actually trying to do something about the dearth of top end WA talent in the last few years?

I am sure Peter Bell will do what he can but from a budget point of view but
unless the AFL ponies up some extra cash we are way behind.

 

[Ysaye]

If people are going to get excited about a WA kid, this is the one to watch for next year:

 

[Quay Club]

If people are going to get excited about a WA kid, this is the one to watch for next year:

Is he Martin Mellody's son?

Martin was a three time B&F for the Sharks and was a pretty good player.

 

[Stevooo3940]

If people are going to get excited about a WA kid, this is the one to watch for next year:

That could be one of the worst highlight packages I've ever seen. Literally missed every target bar the hack kick out of a pack that luckily landed in a teammate's arms. A long way to go for this kid.