Preview AFL Draft thread 2026

[r2blues2]

If Cochrane is bid on at #1, then there is no real other incentive for teams that have pick 2-6 to bid on walker. They gain the extra pick at end of the first round because the bid on Cochrane. The only reason would be that they bid is so we dont have the second first round pick (syd). The real treat is if they pick walker instead of Cochrane first. That is where the real issue is.

Plus another big issue is if we don’t finish bottom 10 then we loose out on our 10% discount to match. Imagine bid on at 1 and we finish in top 10

 

[ray8182]

Wanted to watch Steed and Van Rooyen most and they haven’t disappointed. Not sure Van Rooyen will be a ruck at the higher level, could be a key forward option like his brother.

Steed is BOG by a mile, will come in to calculations at the pointy end of the draft on this performance despite being a little undersized.

Steeds highlights cam up on my YouTube feed. Hadn’t heard of him. Well they made me sit-up and take notice. His strong running and aggressive style of play really stood out. Looking at his build looks like he has the legs of a runner but the core of a stronger more physical player. If you had of told me he’s expected to be top 5 in draft l would have accepted it.

Will be watching to see how his year progresses because could be a bolter.

 

[bluebaggerjuls]

Reckon Cody’s kicking in a few games notably yesterday and the 2nd academy game v Richmond will be enough to drop his draft stock atleast past pick 1.

 

[Gointocarlton]

Reckon Cody’s kicking in a few games notably yesterday and the 2nd academy game v Richmond will be enough to drop his draft stock atleast past pick 1.

Fluff a few more dispolals and add a drink driving charge and we should get him with a 2nd rounder

 

[ferrisb]

Fluff a few more dispolals and add a drink driving charge and we should get him with a 2nd rounder

Just remember, you don't have to get caught drink driving, you only need to refuse to take the breath test

 

[Lukey Skywalker]

I recall a bloke named Chad Warner

1

Chad Warner

Age

25

Ht

185cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.0

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

2.5

2star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.5

3star

CL

0.0

1star

D

7.0

1star

K

4.5

2star

HB

2.5

2star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.5

2star

CL

0.0

1star

D

7.0

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

2.5

3star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.5

4star

CL

0.0

1star

coming g through & his kicking was not elite & goes alright.

Cody looks more composed with disposal in the vfl then under 18s as nes not trying to do to much & takes abit more care in his disposal then having 35 plus every week in the unders.

 

[katmanblue]

Well if Cody slides to pick 10…

 

[marcmurphy3]

I recall a bloke named Chad Warner coming g through & his kicking was not elite & goes alright.

Cody looks more composed with disposal in the vfl then under 18s as nes not trying to do to much & takes abit more care in his disposal then having 35 plus every week in the unders.

I think his kicking will be ok for the role he plays. Just need to ensure we have some classy users around him.

His kicking on the video yesterday wasnt actually that bad. Hit some nice passes. Had one shocker out on the full and a few long kicks that didnt come off the boot well.

 

[ferrisb]

I recall a bloke named Chad Warner coming g through & his kicking was not elite & goes alright.

I'd settle for Walker sliding down to pick #39 like Warner

 

[chickendippas]

Reckon Cody’s kicking in a few games notably yesterday and the 2nd academy game v Richmond will be enough to drop his draft stock atleast past pick 1.

In a normal year, yes.

This year it’s almost certain there will be a bid at 1 regardless. We just need to hope it’s Cochrane, rather than Cody.

Just demonstrates how stupid these rule changes are.

 

[juzza316]

I'd settle for Walker sliding down to pick #39 like Warner

As opposed to the equivalent of 2-3 first rounders which is what Walker is going to cost

 

[The Blue Weirdo]

I think his kicking will be ok for the role he plays. Just need to ensure we have some classy users around him.

His kicking on the video yesterday wasnt actually that bad. Hit some nice passes. Had one shocker out on the full and a few long kicks that didnt come off the boot well.

I've only watched Cody's VFL action, you wouldn't describe his kicking 'laser like', but he's got penetration and 'wheighting' to create good F50's.

 

[ray8182]

Cody’s kicking is a bit hit and miss. I think that’s a fair statement. I would be a little careful using examples like Dangerfield and Warner as reasons why kicking won’t be that important for Cody. Dangerfield and Warner are two of the most powerful players in an open men’s competition and l dont think there kicking is that bad. I don’t think Cody is as powerful as those players and will need to rely on his kicking more than them. I would liken Cody more to a sam Walsh

18

Sam Walsh

Age

25

Ht

184cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.1

5star

K

13.5

5star

HB

11.6

5star

M

5.1

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

3.4

5star

No current season stats available

D

26.2

5star

K

15.4

5star

HB

10.8

5star

M

6.0

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

4.8

5star

. Excellent endurance and just keeps on going. We get a bit frustrated with Walsh’s kicking at times and it might be the same with Cody.

If l was a recruiter and had a top 3 pick, cody wouldn’t be an automatic selection but he would be on the short list.

 

[JJBagger]

Cody’s kicking is a bit hit and miss. I think that’s a fair statement. I would be a little careful using examples like Dangerfield and Warner as reasons why kicking won’t be that important for Cody. Dangerfield and Warner are two of the most powerful players in an open men’s competition and l dont think there kicking is that bad. I don’t think Cody is as powerful as those players and will need to rely on his kicking more than them. I would liken Cody more to a sam Walsh. Excellent endurance and just keeps on going. We get a bit frustrated with Walsh’s kicking at times and it might be the same with Cody.

If l was a recruiter and had a top 3 pick, cody wouldn’t be an automatic selection but he would be on the short list.

Cody is more powerful than Warner was. Also is still considered comfortably a top 2 player coming out of this draft. Hes a better prospect than Warner at this stage. We really need to can the talking down of Cody. He’s got superstar level potential

 

[agro]

I think he’s slipped to around 20 to 30.

 

[SurreyBlue]

Cody’s kicking is a bit hit and miss. I think that’s a fair statement. I would be a little careful using examples like Dangerfield and Warner as reasons why kicking won’t be that important for Cody. Dangerfield and Warner are two of the most powerful players in an open men’s competition and l dont think there kicking is that bad. I don’t think Cody is as powerful as those players and will need to rely on his kicking more than them. I would liken Cody more to a sam Walsh. Excellent endurance and just keeps on going. We get a bit frustrated with Walsh’s kicking at times and it might be the same with Cody.

If l was a recruiter and had a top 3 pick, cody wouldn’t be an automatic selection but he would be on the short list.

Dangerfield's kicking is horrendous.

 

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Nick Daicos had knocks on his kicking in his draft year, was talked about as an accumulator that doesn't hurt the opposition.

 

[Jatz]

Nick Daicos had knocks on his kicking in his draft year, was talked about as an accumulator that doesn't hurt the opposition.

I still think there are times that holds true. He's obviously a superstar but there are certainly games where he gets disposals for disposals sake.

 

[Sector 7G]

I think his kicking will be ok for the role he plays. Just need to ensure we have some classy users around him.

His kicking on the video yesterday wasnt actually that bad. Hit some nice passes. Had one shocker out on the full and a few long kicks that didnt come off the boot well.

I think it is good that people are starting to look for a reason not to select him. It is disappointing that teams are given an incentive to bid on him or I think he might slip outside the top 5, which would be a bargain for us.

 

[Espio]

Cody's superpower is to burst from and often forward of the contest, unassisted, that is a rare trait indeed and puts opposition under extreme duress. At pace, yep he miskicks a few, but his core skill set is not easily replaced regardless of how silky the next kid is.

 

[Michael Jezz]

Cody has an injured shoulder and can't kick, late first rounder.
Worth the Swans Pick

 

[HavUEvaSeenTheRain]

Plus another big issue is if we don’t finish bottom 10 then we loose out on our 10% discount to match. Imagine bid on at 1 and we finish in top 10

The annoying thing is if we can’t afford Walker at pick 1 and he isn’t the legitimate pick 1 then he won’t get a bid but If we can afford to match even if he isn’t the best prospect he will be bid on (Assuming Cochrane doesn’t do too much)
Fingers crossed Cochrane and another player turn it on in the back half of the season and then we won’t have anything to worry about. We might even be able to trade down

 

[JJBagger]

I still think there are times that holds true. He's obviously a superstar but there are certainly games where he gets disposals for disposals sake.

And he’s still universally regarded as a top 3 player in the game

 

[marcmurphy3]

Nick Daicos had knocks on his kicking in his draft year, was talked about as an accumulator that doesn't hurt the opposition.

No he didnt. His kicking has always been great. Getting cheap touches vs poor ball use arent the same thing.

Not writing Walker off by any means, but we should not be comparing his kicking to Daicos. Thats serious navy blue goggles stuff .

 

[marcmurphy3]

I think it is good that people are starting to look for a reason not to select him. It is disappointing that teams are given an incentive to bid on him or I think he might slip outside the top 5, which would be a bargain for us.

I dont think he'd slip that far but if it was even line ball between him and another prospect I doubt he gets bid on at 1, if not for this rule.