Preview AFL Draft thread 2026

[Jimmae]

So hypothetically if we finish bottom 4 and eagles finish bottom.

Eagles get pick 1 (bid on walker) and additional end of first round pick

Carlton give up two first round picks for walker.

That is absolutely nuts if that is right.

The rule should be if you finish bottom 5 then you just need to match a bid on your academy or F/S with your top 5 pick only.

So we wouldn't also get an end of first after that? Seems bizarre.

 

[Gointocarlton]

Prepare the KC's Wrighty.

 

[Bluebag13]

I have no idea how, but we need to manfacture a way of getting in walker and another top 10 pick along with a couple of 2nd and 3rd rounders. We need to get in more talent, and cant rely on taking 1 high pick.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

I have no idea how, but we need to manfacture a way of getting in walker and another top 10 pick along with a couple of 2nd and 3rd rounders. We need to get in more talent, and cant rely on taking 1 high pick.

If the club can't strongarm the AFL into holding off on the rule changes for another year I think there's really only one way of doing so...

If the AFL had any brains however they would look at the dire state of Essendon, Carlton and Ports lists right now and realise that changing the rules round bidding and F/S, NGA etc right as they're all finally about to benefit from it is going to be a disaster for each of them and prolong the period of time they're likely to be shit for.

 

[Bluebag13]

If the club can't strongarm the AFL into holding off on the rule changes for another year I think there's really only one way of doing so...

If the AFL had any brains however they would look at the dire state of Essendon, Carlton and Ports lists right now and realise that changing the rules round bidding and F/S, NGA etc right as they're all finally about to benefit from it is going to be a disaster for each of them and prolong the period of time they're likely to be shit for.

we cant rely on the AFL to do anything other than be a basket case, so trade alert is what i am thinking as well

 

[bluebaggerjuls]

If the club can't strongarm the AFL into holding off on the rule changes for another year I think there's really only one way of doing so...

If the AFL had any brains however they would look at the dire state of Essendon, Carlton and Ports lists right now and realise that changing the rules round bidding and F/S, NGA etc right as they're all finally about to benefit from it is going to be a disaster for each of them and prolong the period of time they're likely to be shit for.

Should at the very least be a significant discount for teams that finish bottom 4 and a good discount for teams that miss the 10

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Should at the very least be a significant discount for teams that finish bottom 4 and a good discount for teams that miss the 10

That was one of the proposed rule changes so we'd better hope it's back at that 30% discount or something similar.

Right now I'm struggling to see how we get the talent in the door over the next two years without trading the great wall himself.

If we can find a way to get another top talent in next to Cody this year and then have two cracks at top talents next year we're a long way towards fixing the talent dearth we have right now.

Issue is so much of our list is well past their peak in terms of value on the market, we're left with not a lot of options to actually get those draft picks in outside of the extreme which comes with massive drawbacks in itself.

 

[bradfisher14]

If the club can't strongarm the AFL into holding off on the rule changes for another year I think there's really only one way of doing so...

If the AFL had any brains however they would look at the dire state of Essendon, Carlton and Ports lists right now and realise that changing the rules round bidding and F/S, NGA etc right as they're all finally about to benefit from it is going to be a disaster for each of them and prolong the period of time they're likely to be shit for.

None of the players that we would contemplate trading are worth anything significant on the market.

 

[Gokz]

Our issues run deeper than just getting Cody Walker in

He will just be another loser in 5 years

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

None of the players that we would contemplate trading are worth anything significant on the market.

That's the crucial part of it. Getting Curnow out the door last year was a blessing in disguise.

Would be lucky to get a 2nd rounder out of anyone over the age of 25 on our list outside of Walsh, Weitering, McKay and Cripps.

 

[Blue_Fusion]

So we wouldn't also get an end of first after that? Seems bizarre.

The way it's worded, sounds like you only get the end of first round pick if your top 5 pick gets pushed back... not consumed...

 

[Blue_Fusion]

If the club can't strongarm the AFL into holding off on the rule changes for another year I think there's really only one way of doing so...

If the AFL had any brains however they would look at the dire state of Essendon, Carlton and Ports lists right now and realise that changing the rules round bidding and F/S, NGA etc right as they're all finally about to benefit from it is going to be a disaster for each of them and prolong the period of time they're likely to be shit for.

Finishing last will do it. Guaranteed.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Finishing last will do it. Guaranteed.

Not even looking like we'll have to tank for it at this rate

 

[Blue_Fusion]

Not even looking like we'll have to tank for it at this rate

I've looked at the fixture, unless something big happens, we are really going to struggle to win 4-5 games this year.

The Eagles have shown improvement too... so have North...

It will be a battle between us and Essendon... that king's bday clash might even determine it.

 

[bradfisher14]

I've looked at the fixture, unless something big happens, we are really going to struggle to win 4-5 games this year.

The Eagles have shown improvement too... so have North...

It will be a battle between us and Essendon... that king's bday clash might even determine it.

Richmond will be down there with us too

 

[Blue and Silver]

Without going crazy, if our current ladder position (16th) is where we finish, and Sydney (4th) is as well.

Then we are looking at Pick 3 (2178) and Pick 14 (1024).

That would be sufficient to match any bid.

Now the trick is that we may want to trade 3 down if Cody isn't bid on in the first 2 picks OR trade for more points to cover a bid at 4 on (assuming NO premium that would be 940 points ish)

I think it's possible to get Cody and another player in the top 10.

Lot to play out however.

 

[Bletch]

The good news, if you can call it that, is that Weagles are now unlikely to get further assistance (like Norf did).

 

[juzza316]

Surely the AFL are taking their time to see how bad us Port and Bombers are. Hopefully they have seen enough from this weekend to postpone any rules changes.

 

[bluebaggerjuls]

Surely the AFL are taking their time to see how bad us Port and Bombers are. Hopefully they have seen enough from this weekend to postpone any rules changes.

caro said last week they were announcing them this week.

 

[all seeing eye]

Hope you guys are seriously kicking ass at AFL house , else we are all seriously screwed.

 

[bluebaggerjuls]

Hope you guys are seriously kicking ass at AFL house , else we are all seriously screwed.

Here’s hoping our recent shit performances leads to the afl heavily discounting the points u need based off ladder position

 

[Bletch]

If we, * and the Swampies finish bottom 3, it becomes very easy. No bidding on Cody & Cochrane this year, or Bewick next year. Everyone happy.

 

[Jimmae]

Going to want to see another month or so of footage, but right now this is looking like a deep draft rather than a stellar top end.