Resource Noob's 2026 Draft Prospect Video Thread

[noobermensch]

Emerging defensive prospect Mitch Harris was named best on for the U18s in their trial match on the weekend. I'm not fully confident I was able to get every interaction for Mitch due to the iffy nature of the broadcast but wanted to get this up anyway for people to check out as Mitch has started to generate some draft buzz in recent weeks.

 

[noobermensch]

An impressive and well-rounded performance from Leo Steed playing for the WA U18s on the weekend. His outside run was as impressive as it always is, but he balanced that with some tough contested work, winning plenty of clearances and applying strong tackling pressure. Steed played an important part in the decisive last few minutes, helping his team to surge the ball forward twice to score the goals that clinched victory.

 

[noobermensch]

A serious contender for the number 1 pick in 2027, Axel Walsh has had his injury issues over the last year but is back just in time to tune up for this year's Champs series. He was extremely active playing ruck in the first quarter, dominating the hit outs and providing strong follow up at ground level. He also competed well in the air taking a number of strong grabs. As the game progressed, he was moved into other roles and became less influential which is to be expected given his long injury layoff.

 

[noobermensch]

The MSD is always a difficult one to separate the real from the noise, but it seems as though Jaxon Artemis is a hot fancy to be one of the first names read out this year. He's had a strong start for a Tassie team that's had some big moments early in the season. He's not the finished product, lacking some polish with his skills and decision making at times, but Artemis is a super competitor who's extremely disruptive in the air and the ground across the half back line and runs hard both ways to link up and create options for his team.

 

[noobermensch]

If the rumours are true it looks likely the Bombers may well draft a local lad in the upcoming MSD. Nicholas Staropoli had a real odyssey in this one, playing brief stints on the wing, forward line and through the midfield, but it was as a defender that he shone and that seems likely to be his home at the next level. 7 of his 8 marks were direct intercepts from opposition kicks, and he showed a really nice turn of pace on occasion to burn off his opponent exiting defence.

 

[noobermensch]

Mellody was one of the U18s best in the trial match over the weekend. He played the first half at half back, providing drive for his team with his dash and strong ball skills. In the second half he moved into the midfield and showed that he has untapped potential through there, winning a decent amount of footy and operating will in congested space. He played an important role in his teams late surge to victory, kicking the goal that drew scores level.

 

[noobermensch]

Archie Elliott has been one of the more productive forwards in the Talent League through the first half of the season. He regularly hits the scoreboard and could have been leading the overall goal kicking charts with a little more accuracy in front of the big sticks, but he certainly knows how to create scoring chances for himself. He's smaller in stature but loves to fly for his marks and scraps well at ground level with his strong frame. He booted four goals in this one and drew the ball all game but unfortunately missed a sitter late in the game that could have made the difference in a close loss.

 

[noobermensch]

Another look at Jaxon Artemis who pundits are suggesting will be the first name read out at next weeks mid season draft. He was among the best for Tassie in this game, providing strong rebounding run off the half backline and finding plenty of the footy. Like his previous outing showcased on this channel, his disposal was solid without being super damaging and included a couple of errors, but it seems to be his dash and drive combined with an improving defensive game that has clubs interested.

 

[noobermensch]

Marcus Herbert is a more mature option from Geelong's VFL program who looms as a potential mid season draft pickup this week. Herbert has played for several seasons at half back but has shown this year that he's more than capable of running through the midfield. He demonstrated that midfield prowess in this game where he dominated, racking up a stack of the footy and driving his team forward. His run on the spread and decision making with the ball were highlights here, also managing to get forward and slot a couple of majors.

 

[noobermensch]

After being overlooked at last year's national draft Xavier Bamert could realise his AFL dream in the coming days at the mid season draft. Bamert is a versatile type who works super hard out on the field and plays with toughness and physicality. He's a nice size for a mid/flanker and strong overhead, which should allow him to be a bit of a swiss army knife type role player at the next level.

 

[noobermensch]

Sam Toner produced the best performance of his career at this level at the perfect time ahead of the upcoming mid season draft that takes place in a few days time. Toner is a raw athletic prospect who motored up and down his wing in this game, finding plenty of the footy and hitting the scoreboard. While he has some rough edges that need to be smoothed off with further development (as seen with some of his decision making and skill execution in this game) he seems like the kind of prospect the rookie list was made for, one that could pay off for a club willing to take a chance on his upside.

 

[noobermensch]

Kye Annand from the Geelong VFL program shapes as a potential MSD option for teams looking to bolster their key defender stocks. In this game he showed his ability to shut down an opponent, take intercept marks and run off to rebound with efficient disposal.

 

[noobermensch]

Reports are that Hugo Hall-Kahan has MSD interest from multiple teams and could get handed an AFL lifeline tomorrow after previously being on the Sydney Swans list. After starting his career as a forward, Hall-Kahan has been converted into a rebounding half back and has shown himself capable of racking up a stack of the footy for Williamstown with his strong outside run and enough aerial presence to match up on both small and medium forwards.

 

[noobermensch]

A second look at MSD fancy Marcus Herbert, this time playing more in his traditional rebounding half back role. Finding heaps of the footy as he always seems to, his attack and ability to disrupt in the air was impressive for a guy his size. Herbert is rumoured to be of interest to Richmond at pick 2, but if not there seems likely to be scooped up by one of a number of teams that have expressed interest.