Phantom Draft Davo-27's 2026 Draft Thread

[Davo-27]

Thanks for the run down Davo-27.
Could you maybe elaborate on those 3 you noted as being a little disappointed in and the reasoning.
Media pundits have been in particular pumping up both Templeton & Clancy as sure fire prospects so its good to hear a different view from the norm.

The trials are a good chance to impress for champs selection, its an important game and they both had below average games in one of the handful of games players get to impress against high level opponents and with high level team mates, there are more opportunities, they didnt perform in one of the first opportunities this season.

 

[EDFL follower]

Are there any stats anywhere from the country/metro games?

 

[Davo-27]

From the vic trials on Sunday 2 players really stood out

Jordan Knapp - he really impressed me, he has good contested ability and has a good outside running game, decision making skills and disposal skills seem good to very good, he seemed a level above most others, i would have him top 15 at this stage, if he keeps these performances up, he could be a top 10 chance, im curious to see how he goes at the champs.

Gus Teixiera - again he really impressed me, inside and outside game like Knapp, he seems to be a ball magnet, wherever he played mid or forward, the ball would follow him and he worked hard to give vm a big advantage, he had more disposal, but wasnt as precise as Knapp skill-wise so i would rate him a top 20 pick atm, keen to see more at champs.

Both these guys tore vic country apart in the first game and both are likely to have AFL careers imo, they have the inside and outside combo most clubs are looking for.

 

[Davo-27]

I will do an eatly top 40 prediction, its prior to the u18s champs, so its going to be a little speculative, but i really like these prospects, i might have missed a few, Jai Debono, Benji Van Rooyen, Tate Hodgson, Clancy Snell and Cooper Hodge unlucky not to be included...

2026 Top 40 Early Prediction, prior to u18s champs.

1. Dougie Cochrane 195cm Cent Dist KPD
2. Cody Walker 184cm Bend Mid
...................................... Elite
3. Harry Van Hattum 205cm North Ruck
4. Arki Butler 182cm Sand Sml Forw/Mid
5. Kodah Edwards 183cm Sth Adel Mid
6. Jack Pickett 194cm Geel KPF
7. Ethan Herbert 200cm Nth Adel Ruck
8. Heath Mellody 184cm Clare Wing/Mid
9. Gabriel Patterson 184cm Glenlg Sml Forw
10. Jackson Phillips 182cm Dand Mid
11. Noah Williams 174cm Geel Mid/Forw
12. Marcus Prasad 167cm Dand Mid
13. Wil Malady 190cm Gipps Med Forw
14. Xavier Ladbrook 201cm Gipps KPD
15. Caylen Murray 183cm Bris Mid
16. Ethan Drever 188cm GWV Mid
17. Matthew Owen 179cm Bris Mid
18. Koby LeCras 192cm West Perth Med Forw/KPF?
19. Marlon Neocleous 168cm Gipps Sml Forw/Mid
20. Seb Marsic 194cm Oak KPF
21. Albert MacGowan 187cm Sand Mid
22. Lachlan Hicks 183cm West Mid
23. Lucas Robinson 191cm Sth Frem Mid/hbf
24. Leo Steed 174cm Swan D Wing/Mid
25. Garrison Kenh 182cm East Perth hbf
26. Guy Jenkin 177cm Syd A Wing
27. Darcy Szerszyn 188cm Dand Med Def
28. Jordan Knapp 179cm East Mid
29. Archie Van Dyk 185cm Sth Adel Mid
................................... 1st rounders
30. Lewis Houndsome 198cm North KPF/Ruck
31. Khaled El-Souki 175cm West Sml Forw
32. Max Downes 182cm North Mid
33. Cain Florance 176cm Sth Adel Mid
34. Archie Hill 182cm GCS A Flanker
35. Tanner Armstrong 177cm Murr Mid
36. Cody Templeton 180cm Gipps Mid
37. Harvie Cooke 176cm North Mid
38. Jermaine Miller 171cm North (SA) Sml Forw
39. Aidan McCartney 192cm Syd A KPF
40. Jacob McNichol 177cm Glenlg Mid

After the AFL Academy games and Vic Trials i want to make a few changes to my list

1-10 Cochrane, Walker, HVH, Butler, Edwards, Pickett, Mellody, Patterson, Williams, Herbert
11-20 Malady, Ladbrook, LeCras, Knapp, Neocleous, Drever, Phillips, Teixiera*, Owen, Armstrong
21-30 Marsic, Robinson, Murray, El Souki, Steed, Van Dyk, Prasad, Szerszyn, Kenh, Hicks
31-40 McCartney, Hill, Florance, Cooke, Miller, Tippett*, Fogarty*, Beasy*, G.Jenkin, Houndsome
41-50 MacGowan, McNichol, Downes, Templeton, Snell, B.Van Rooyen, Hodge, Hodgson, Debono, Gray*

 

[M Malice]

After the AFL Academy games and Vic Trials i want to make a few changes to my list

1-10 Cochrane, Walker, HVH, Butler, Edwards, Pickett, Mellody, Patterson, Williams, Herbert
11-20 Malady, Ladbrook, LeCras, Knapp, Neocleous, Drever, Phillips, Teixiera*, Owen, Armstrong
21-30 Marsic, Robinson, Murray, El Souki, Steed, Van Dyk, Prasad, Szerszyn, Kenh, Hicks
31-40 McCartney, Hill, Florance, Cooke, Miller, Tippett*, Fogarty*, Beasy*, G.Jenkin, Houndsome
41-50 MacGowan, McNichol, Downes, Templeton, Snell, B.Van Rooyen, Hodge, Hodgson, Debono, Gray*

From Lions academy boys, Cooper Hodge in front of Matthew Owen... Owen regressing/don't rate or Hodge improving?

 

[KissKiss]

From Lions academy boys, Cooper Hodge in front of Matthew Owen... Owen regressing/don't rate or Hodge improving?

Isnt that Owen at the end of the 11-20 group?

 

[M Malice]

Isnt that Owen at the end of the 11-20 group?

Bloody hell, thanks KK, I looked through that list 3-4 times and missed it... LOL!

Disregard my question Davo-27

 

[Davo-27]

3 players i like but i have not put in my top 50

Harrison Chapman - VM, quality player who i need to see more of
Memphis Webb - SA, was a good player in u16s, didnt see much footy in 2025, so im curious how he looks now
Lachlan McGlade - WA, exciting indigenous sml forw, looked good at u16s, curious how hes going now

 

[Mutineer]

3 players i like but i have not put in my top 50

Harrison Chapman - VM, quality player who i need to see more of
Memphis Webb - SA, was a good player in u16s, didnt see much footy in 2025, so im curious how he looks now
Lachlan McGlade - WA, exciting indigenous sml forw, looked good at u16s, curious how hes going now

Memphis Webb did his ACL in April last year.
Played his 1st game back last weekend 19 disposals, 7 clearances and 2.2.

 

[Davo-27]

Memphis Webb did his ACL in April last year.
Played his 1st game back last weekend 19 disposals, 7 clearances and 2.2.

I saw him in the SA Squad for u18s and his name rang a bell so thought i would mention him, looked at WA Squad and reminded me about McGlade, i also had been thinking about Harrison Chapman and wanting to mention he is also on my radar to see more of, good to see Webb come back from a knee injury, wish him the best.

 

[Davo-27]

2027 40 to keep a watch on

Baxter Sruk 186cm East Mid
Griffin Barker 186cm West Mid
Taj Garrett 187cm Sturt Wing
Taj Murray 182cm GCS A Wing (GCS A)
Angus Abbonizio 183cm Subi Mid
Zemes Pilot 191cm Sth Adel Forw (Port NGA)
Jake Miller 197cm West KPF
Jake Beams 181cm Tas Mid (Tas Zone)
Axel Walsh 200cm E. Perth KPF
Riley Travaglia 186cm Bend Mid/Def
Max Thompson 174cm Bend Forw
Tevita Rodan 180cm Cald Mid (Port FS)
Archie Simpson 182cm Nth Adel Forw
Koby Bewick 177cm Cald hbf/Mid (Ess FS)
Tom Steinfort 193cm Geel Forw
Mason Whitney 177cm Tas forw (Tas Zone)
Sam Husband 178cm Tas hbf/Wing/Mid (Tas Zone)
Kyan Walters 179cm Geel Mid
Eli Kravic 184cm Oak Mid/Forw
Laurence Andriani 171cm Wst Adel Mid
Lachlan Pring 187cm GWV KPD
Toby Hellessey 194cm GWV KPF
Harper McCullough 176cm Oak Mid/Forw
Harvey Chapman 191cm Sturt Med Def/KPD
James Artemis 176cm E Frem Wing/Mid
Cohen Dent 210cm Gipps Ruck
Kai Ivins 182cm Norw Mid
Angus Brown 173cm Sand forw
Jett Flower 183cm East Wing/hbf
Max Gulliver 178cm Tas Forw/Mid (Tas Zone)
Oliver Boddenberg 181cm Murr Mid/Forw
Kye Inferrera 184cm Perth Mid
Jacob Kee 188cm Clare Forw/Def
Brayden Whimpress 194cm C Dist KPF
Flynn Tomasini 188cm Perth KPD
Harrison Welsh 179cm GWV Mid
Mitch Upton 190cm East Wing
Campbell White 186cm Cald Flanker
Campbell Rooks 181cm North Flanker
Corey Ah-Mu 196cm Dand KPF/KPD

 

[Davo-27]

Noah McMenamin 192cm Western Jets good intercept marking defender, could be an interesting prospect?

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Cohen Dent 210cm Gipps Ruck

I wonder if he's stopped or if he has 213+ in him.

 

[Mutineer]

2027 40 to keep a watch on

Baxter Sruk 186cm East Mid
Griffin Barker 186cm West Mid
Taj Garrett 187cm Sturt Wing
Taj Murray 182cm GCS A Wing (GCS A)
Angus Abbonizio 183cm Subi Mid
Zemes Pilot 191cm Sth Adel Forw (Port NGA)
Jake Miller 197cm West KPF
Jake Beams 181cm Tas Mid (Tas Zone)
Axel Walsh 200cm E. Perth KPF
Riley Travaglia 186cm Bend Mid/Def
Max Thompson 174cm Bend Forw
Tevita Rodan 180cm Cald Mid (Port FS)
Archie Simpson 182cm Nth Adel Forw
Koby Bewick 177cm Cald hbf/Mid (Ess FS)
Tom Steinfort 193cm Geel Forw
Mason Whitney 177cm Tas forw (Tas Zone)
Sam Husband 178cm Tas hbf/Wing/Mid (Tas Zone)
Kyan Walters 179cm Geel Mid
Eli Kravic 184cm Oak Mid/Forw
Laurence Andriani 171cm Wst Adel Mid
Lachlan Pring 187cm GWV KPD
Toby Hellessey 194cm GWV KPF
Harper McCullough 176cm Oak Mid/Forw
Harvey Chapman 191cm Sturt Med Def/KPD
James Artemis 176cm E Frem Wing/Mid
Cohen Dent 210cm Gipps Ruck
Kai Ivins 182cm Norw Mid
Angus Brown 173cm Sand forw
Jett Flower 183cm East Wing/hbf
Max Gulliver 178cm Tas Forw/Mid (Tas Zone)
Oliver Boddenberg 181cm Murr Mid/Forw
Kye Inferrera 184cm Perth Mid
Jacob Kee 188cm Clare Forw/Def
Brayden Whimpress 194cm C Dist KPF
Flynn Tomasini 188cm Perth KPD
Harrison Welsh 179cm GWV Mid
Mitch Upton 190cm East Wing
Campbell White 186cm Cald Flanker
Campbell Rooks 181cm North Flanker
Corey Ah-Mu 196cm Dand KPF/KPD

Davo I'll give you another top prospect for next year I think you've missed West Adelaide's Dean Hatedakis, a speedy attacking running defender with excellent pressure and all round good skills especially by foot. Won't surprise if he plays Nationals for SA as an underager this year. Also done OK with squirts on ball for Westies.

 

[EDFL follower]

Oscar Henwood from Gippsland Power will be in the mix next year. Starting to play well the last few games.

 

[eDPS]

Oscar Henwood from Gippsland Power will be in the mix next year. Starting to play well the last few games.

Currently a top 10 calibre talent for me next year, has some Isaac Heeney about him.

 

[Davo-27]

2027 40 to keep a watch on

Baxter Sruk 186cm East Mid
Griffin Barker 186cm West Mid
Taj Garrett 187cm Sturt Wing
Taj Murray 182cm GCS A Wing (GCS A)
Angus Abbonizio 183cm Subi Mid
Zemes Pilot 191cm Sth Adel Forw (Port NGA)
Jake Miller 197cm West KPF
Jake Beams 181cm Tas Mid (Tas Zone)
Axel Walsh 200cm E. Perth KPF
Riley Travaglia 186cm Bend Mid/Def
Max Thompson 174cm Bend Forw
Tevita Rodan 180cm Cald Mid (Port FS)
Archie Simpson 182cm Nth Adel Forw
Koby Bewick 177cm Cald hbf/Mid (Ess FS)
Tom Steinfort 193cm Geel Forw
Mason Whitney 177cm Tas forw (Tas Zone)
Sam Husband 178cm Tas hbf/Wing/Mid (Tas Zone)
Kyan Walters 179cm Geel Mid
Eli Kravic 184cm Oak Mid/Forw
Laurence Andriani 171cm Wst Adel Mid
Lachlan Pring 187cm GWV KPD
Toby Hellessey 194cm GWV KPF
Harper McCullough 176cm Oak Mid/Forw
Harvey Chapman 191cm Sturt Med Def/KPD
James Artemis 176cm E Frem Wing/Mid
Cohen Dent 210cm Gipps Ruck
Kai Ivins 182cm Norw Mid
Angus Brown 173cm Sand forw
Jett Flower 183cm East Wing/hbf
Max Gulliver 178cm Tas Forw/Mid (Tas Zone)
Oliver Boddenberg 181cm Murr Mid/Forw
Kye Inferrera 184cm Perth Mid
Jacob Kee 188cm Clare Forw/Def
Brayden Whimpress 194cm C Dist KPF
Flynn Tomasini 188cm Perth KPD
Harrison Welsh 179cm GWV Mid
Mitch Upton 190cm East Wing
Campbell White 186cm Cald Flanker
Campbell Rooks 181cm North Flanker
Corey Ah-Mu 196cm Dand KPF/KPD

If i were building a club and i could take 12 players prior to the draft ie Tassie List Manager, i would take these players...

Baxter Sruk - Eastern, whispers are he is currently in a moon boot, but is keen to go to Tassie to sign on and finish his schooling in Tassie, so it seems he is likely on the move already, goal kicking attacking midfielder, which is a good start

Jake Miller - Western, a KPF with huge potential, very agile in the Jeremy Cameron mold of KPF, i would pick him as he could be a star

Taj Garrett - Sturt, some outside run on the wing, hbf or even midfield, one of SAs best prospects

Max Thompson - Bendigo, quality half forw, beautiful skills and can kick bags, high quality target imo

Archie Simpson - Nth Adel, i love his speed and forward craft, talented small forw from SA

Angus Abbonizio - Subiaco, ball magnet, hard working inside mid, high endurance, gets clearances and gets hardball for others to be credited with clearances

Axel Walsh could also be a target, very highly rated 200cm kpf, but has had a few injuries and needs to show more to be certain, i also really liked what i saw from Riley Travaglia.

There are others i also like, but i think these are locks already...

these are the must gets as well as Beams, Husband, Whitney and Gulliver who they should get from the Tas Zone is a great haul...

 

[Haggas]

If i were building a club and i could take 12 players prior to the draft ie Tassie List Manager, i would take these players...

Baxter Sruk - Eastern, whispers are he is currently in a moon boot, but is keen to go to Tassie to sign on and finish his schooling in Tassie, so it seems he is likely on the move already, goal kicking attacking midfielder, which is a good start

Jake Miller - Western, a KPF with huge potential, very agile in the Jeremy Cameron mold of KPF, i would pick him as he could be a star

Taj Garrett - Sturt, some outside run on the wing, hbf or even midfield, one of SAs best prospects

Max Thompson - Bendigo, quality half forw, beautiful skills and can kick bags, high quality target imo

Archie Simpson - Nth Adel, i love his speed and forward craft, talented small forw from SA

Angus Abbonizio - Subiaco, ball magnet, hard working inside mid, high endurance, gets clearances and gets hardball for others to be credited with clearances

Axel Walsh could also be a target, very highly rated 200cm kpf, but has had a few injuries and needs to show more to be certain, i also really liked what i saw from Riley Travaglia.

There are others i also like, but i think these are locks already...

these are the must gets as well as Beams, Husband, Whitney and Gulliver who they should get from the Tas Zone is a great haul...

It’s a very good draft and great time for Tassie to come in. I think it’s a bit too much to be honest

 

[Bob Neil]

Maybe I'm missing something but I don't quite understand what the incentive would be for the very top 17yo prospects (who as top prospects have a high likelihood of being drafted) to sign up early with Tasmania and lock in to a new club when there's every chance that they could be taken in the main draft by another club who might be more appealing? I think I'm right in saying that the draftees are not (unlike those pre-drafted by GCS or GWS) bound to accept any offer from Tassie.

Are there financial incentives (higher first contract, paid in 17th year, other one-off payments) and/or risk mitigation (take the certain offer versus the risk of the open draft) that will come into play here?

The way I see it it is the 'middling' draft prospects for whom there is a genuine risk (18 months out) that they might go undrafted for whom the prospect of a guaranteed offer from Tassie would be compelling...but is that who Tassie really wants to load up on?

Is this how others are seeing this situation or am I missing something?

 

[FF Trevor]

Maybe I'm missing something but I don't quite understand what the incentive would be for the very top 17yo prospects (who as top prospects have a high likelihood of being drafted) to sign up early with Tasmania and lock in to a new club when there's every chance that they could be taken in the main draft by another club who might be more appealing? I think I'm right in saying that the draftees are not (unlike those pre-drafted by GCS or GWS) bound to accept any offer from Tassie.

Are there financial incentives (higher first contract, paid in 17th year, other one-off payments) and/or risk mitigation (take the certain offer versus the risk of the open draft) that will come into play here?

The way I see it it is the 'middling' draft prospects for whom there is a genuine risk (18 months out) that they might go undrafted for whom the prospect of a guaranteed offer from Tassie would be compelling...but is that who Tassie really wants to load up on?

Is this how others are seeing this situation or am I missing something?

i believe it also a guaranteed 4 years too. Maybe a full prep year before the rigors of AFL, and the team system is attractive also? Not sure

 

[Davo-27]

It’s a very good draft and great time for Tassie to come in. I think it’s a bit too much to be honest

Tassie will need to stack up on talent because they WILL be raided until they are regular finalists...

 

[Mighty Eagles]

Is someone with a CODE Sports account able to paste Shifter's Top 70 Prospects in here?

 

[Haggas]

Tassie will need to stack up on talent because they WILL be raided until they are regular finalists...

Yeah fair point

 

[Davo-27]

Oscar Henwood from Gippsland Power will be in the mix next year. Starting to play well the last few games.

He played at the vic trials, i didnt notice him so i wonder if he makes the vic country squad?

 

[EDFL follower]

He played at the vic trials, i didnt notice him so i wonder if he makes the vic country squad?

He played well that day. He was unavailable for under 16 voc country last year due to injury but I imagine he would be very close to being selected this year. Was highest rated player on the ground on the weekend