Opinion txbyhull 2026 Draft Thread

[txbyhull]

Vague idea of a mock draft. Some trades in there pre-draft; Butters, Walter, Humphrey, Gruz, Marshall, Ridley, Cripps, Merrett, FRE F1 all moving. Trades not the important part, not really worth discussing.

I find it very hard to see where some of the Northern Academy boys that I just haven't seen enough of going (Hill, Murray, Owen).

• Strong mid run through the late Top 10 and mid 1st round; Williams, Gus, Drever, Kodah, Robinson, Matthews, Chapman.
• Not many high level KPP in the mid range, I find them to either be good enough for the top 10 or late, exceptions being Herbert who is too good to not go 1st round in my view, Ladbrook who will convince a club to pick him on potential, Bradley who is one of few 1st round KPD, and Pickett who would be the number 1 KPF without the knee.
• Lots of good mids with question marks in the 2nd round; Phillips, Van Dyk, Knapp, Hicks.

Edit: I just realised that Archie Hill was the wrong academy guy. I meant for Brisbane to select Murray or Owen whichever is better at by draft time. I don’t especially rate either, probably Owen

 

[blueiris]

View attachment 2616644

Vague idea of a mock draft. Some trades in there pre-draft; Butters, Walter, Humphrey, Gruz, Marshall, Ridley, Cripps, Merrett, FRE F1 all moving. Trades not the important part, not really worth discussing.

I find it very hard to see where some of the Northern Academy boys that I just haven't seen enough of going (Hill, Murray, Owen).

• Strong mid run through the late Top 10 and mid 1st round; Williams, Gus, Drever, Kodah, Robinson, Matthews, Chapman.
• Not many high level KPP in the mid range, I find them to either be good enough for the top 10 or late, exceptions being Herbert who is too good to not go 1st round in my view, Ladbrook who will convince a club to pick him on potential, Bradley who is one of few 1st round KPD, and Pickett who would be the number 1 KPF without the knee.
• Lots of good mids with question marks in the 2nd round; Phillips, Van Dyk, Knapp, Hicks.

What earth have done with the Lions picks

 

[txbyhull]

What earth have done with the Lions picks

as in why did I pick who I did, or how did the picks end up where they did

 

[blueiris]

as in why did I pick who I did, or how did the picks end up where they did

The second I haven’t really been following the draft yet this season

 

[txbyhull]

The second I haven’t really been following the draft yet this season

I think in this I had Bailey staying (important for drafting), Marshall leaving to Richmond for their second, and bringing in Riddler in a pick swap with Essendon to move.

Picks wise it was

Xavier Ladbrook 200cm KPD skilled and versatile but slight, people get a bit upset when you do the comp but its a bit Nik Cox-y. I think Brisbane are the right kind of club for him to develop properly and with ZZ, Gallop, Ladbrook there is a strong young KPD group going forward.

George Gale one of WA's best, high 180's half back / mid great ball use elite IQ. He can blossom in a professional atmosphere like Brisbane. Only concern is his athleticism but great character great work ethic etc. hence the sky is the limit view.

Accidentally picked Archie Hill bc I got my academy players wrong but I'd probably go Matthew Owen to replace Marshall on the list. Not anywhere near as good but brings the same hard running both ways.

 

[EDFL follower]

1	Cody Walker
2	Dougie Cochrane
3	Harry Van Hattum
4	Gus Teixeira
5	Noah Williams
6	Arki Butler
7	Clancy Snell
8	Kodah Edwards
9	Marlon Neocleous
10	Ethan Herbert
11	Ethan Drever
12	Heath Mellody
13	Khaled El Souki
14	Koby LeCras
15	Gabriel Patterson
16	Harrison Chapman
17	Xavier Ladbrook
18	Jack Pickett
19	Darcy Szerszyn
20	Lucas Robinson
21	Kale Matthews-Hampton
22	Caylen Murray
23	Archie Van Dyk
24	George Gale
25	Wil Malady
26	Archie Hill
27	Jordan Knapp
28	Cody Templeton
29	Tanner Armstrong
30	Ethan Matthews
31	Matthew Owen
32	Garrison Kenh
33	Jackson Phillips
34	Tyson Bradley
35	Sam Gayfer
36	Harvey Spawton-Guy
37	Lachlan Hicks
38	Jacob McNicol
39	Leo Steed
40	Albert MacGowan
41	Archie Devine
42	Finlay Yeo
43	Tate Hodgson
44	Flynn Woolhouse
45	Aidan McCartney
46	Lewis Houndsome
47	Marcus Prasad
48	Harry Franz
49	Jack Gordon
50	Harrison Leeder
51	Benji Van Rooyen
52	Mitchell Harris
53	Thatcher Simmons
54	Jamayson Ketchup
55	Seb Marsic
56	Harvie Cooke
57	Cain Florance
58	Blake Justice
59	Keenan Boi
60	Guy Jenkin
61	Jermaine Miller
62	Mitchell Stirling
63	Archie Daffy
64	Memphis Webb
65	Levi Mucumba
66	Charlie Nash
67	Archie Lancaster
68	Sam Harris

Nice to see 7 Gippy Power boys in your list. Seems like alot for one team doesnt it?

 

[txbyhull]

Nice to see 7 Gippy Power boys in your list. Seems like alot for one team doesnt it?

Macumber and Boi are more so just 'have taken notice of', I don't think they're world beaters by any means. Templeton, Neo, Malady, Ladbrook, Snell though it wouldn't surprise me if 4 of them go in the first 2 rounds.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

View attachment 2616644

Vague idea of a mock draft. Some trades in there pre-draft; Butters, Walter, Humphrey, Gruz, Marshall, Ridley, Cripps, Merrett, FRE F1 all moving. Trades not the important part, not really worth discussing.

I find it very hard to see where some of the Northern Academy boys that I just haven't seen enough of going (Hill, Murray, Owen).

• Strong mid run through the late Top 10 and mid 1st round; Williams, Gus, Drever, Kodah, Robinson, Matthews, Chapman.
• Not many high level KPP in the mid range, I find them to either be good enough for the top 10 or late, exceptions being Herbert who is too good to not go 1st round in my view, Ladbrook who will convince a club to pick him on potential, Bradley who is one of few 1st round KPD, and Pickett who would be the number 1 KPF without the knee.
• Lots of good mids with question marks in the 2nd round; Phillips, Van Dyk, Knapp, Hicks.

Edit: I just realised that Archie Hill was the wrong academy guy. I meant for Brisbane to select Murray or Owen whichever is better at by draft time. I don’t especially rate either, probably Owen

You've already got a Yeo, let us have one

 

[txbyhull]

You've already got a Yeo, let us have one

Nooooo, take another inside mid

 

[txbyhull]

You've already got a Yeo, let us have one

I actually do think there’s a good chance that Freo consider not matching Robinson in favour of matching Yeo. Positionally far more valuable to the current list, and I could see someone potting a mid 1st bid on Robinson.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Nooooo, take another inside mid

In all seriousness, I would be disappointed to pass on Yeo. Robinson I've consigned to someone liking much more than us and bidding at a preposterous spot.

Personally, I see our list requirement number 1 being basically Josh Lindsay. Need an actual elite kick down back, preferably one that can hold their own defensively or JL wont give them a sniff. Any around the range of our first pick? Seems Mellody is the easiest answer

 

[txbyhull]

In all seriousness, I would be disappointed to pass on Yeo. Robinson I've consigned to someone liking much more than us and bidding at a preposterous spot.

Personally, I see our list requirement number 1 being basically Josh Lindsay. Need an actual elite kick down back, preferably one that can hold their own defensively or JL wont give them a sniff. Any around the range of our first pick? Seems Mellody is the easiest answer

Could definitely see a world where Freo move heaven and earth for Melody in the mid to late 1st. Him and Yeo would be a great haul. He is the prototypical overlap run and good use by foot player from the back half, even if he isn't a freak of nature in terms of frame or athleticism. Gale is another that would be of interest especially if freo have an ability to scale his athleticism to AFL standard. Very smart very good user

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Could definitely see a world where Freo move heaven and earth for Melody in the mid to late 1st. Him and Yeo would be a great haul. He is the prototypical overlap run and good use by foot player from the back half, even if he isn't a freak of nature in terms of frame or athleticism. Gale is another that would be of interest especially if freo have an ability to scale his athleticism to AFL standard. Very smart very good user

Any names around the 15-20 mark not from WA that fit the bill?

 

[txbyhull]

Any names around the 15-20 mark not from WA that fit the bill?

Darcy Szerszyn will probably be around that range if i were to guess who is more your third tall or intercepting defender that rebounds, a Caylen Murray or Archie Hill bid, Sam Tassone could fly up the board if he has a good champs I forgot him I thinK

 

[Donflicted]

In all seriousness, I would be disappointed to pass on Yeo. Robinson I've consigned to someone liking much more than us and bidding at a preposterous spot.

Personally, I see our list requirement number 1 being basically Josh Lindsay. Need an actual elite kick down back, preferably one that can hold their own defensively or JL wont give them a sniff. Any around the range of our first pick? Seems Mellody is the easiest answer

Would you see freo then passing on Robinson?

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Would you see freo then passing on Robinson?

In my dream world, he slips into the 2nd round and we get both but realistically I see some club liking him a lot more than Freo do and we cant match. Assuming we finish top 4, wherever the bid comes has to be where we rate him or we'd have to gut 1 and a half drafts to match.

I'd be pretty confident he's not an auto match for us with the new rules, I dont think anyone that finishes top 4 can auto match anymore.

 

[Donflicted]

In my dream world, he slips into the 2nd round and we get both but realistically I see some club liking him a lot more than Freo do and we cant match. Assuming we finish top 4, wherever the bid comes has to be where we rate him or we'd have to gut 1 and a half drafts to match.

I'd be pretty confident he's not an auto match for us with the new rules, I dont think anyone that finishes top 4 can auto match anymore.

Yeah i agree i think clubs will now start to weigh list needs and best talent as well similar with us and Sweid last year
no dig at Sweid but we had higher needs to fill then to match

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Yeah i agree i think clubs will now start to weigh list needs and best talent as well similar with us and Sweid last year
no dig at Sweid but we had higher needs to fill then to match

Seems like a good pass from your guys honestly. I havent seen too much to get excited at with Sweid outside intent and effort

 

[Donflicted]

Seems like a good pass from your guys honestly. I havent seen too much to get excited at with Sweid outside intent and effort

Maybe but he may be the type that hits his strides next year as all players develop at different rates and ages he seems like a good kid so i wish the best for him i just think him being a smaller contested mid at the time wasnt a need for us

I think his going to be a bit of a fan favorite at Freo due to that intent and effort bit like Nyugen for us