AFL 2026: Which clubs are banking on their rivals’ decline to boost draft capital? – AFL News

Carlton and Melbourne will be hoping that Sydney and Gold Coast underperform in 2026, and cash in on their first-round selections.

After trade dealings with the Swans and Suns which saw champion players Christian Petracca and Charlie Curnow swap teams, the Blues and Demons were left with top picks for the 2026 AFL Draft.

For Carlton, the selection will go a long way in ensuring that father-son gun Cody Walker can be accounted for in draft points, whilst also accumulating much-needed picks for any other targeted prospects.

The Blues are also hopeful that Gold Coast, as well as North Melbourne, slide down the AFL ladder, holding a second-round pick from each.

Hawthorn is another club that has a keen eye on their rivals’ 2026 campaign, having traded in second-round selections from GWS and St Kilda.

Depending on how the Giants and Saints finish, their picks could help in the chase for Essendon star Zach Merrett, who was denied a move to the Hawks.

However, all this discussion could be moot come the 2026 trade period and draft, with clubs likely to engage in more pick swaps before the draft in 12 months’ time.

SEE MORE: 2026 AFL Draft Order

2026 DRAFT PICK MOVEMENTS

IN
OUT

Adelaide
third-round pick (ESS)
fourth-round pick (NM)

Brisbane
third-round pick (HAW) third-round pick (MELB)
third-round pick (CARL)

Carlton
first-round pick (SYD)
second-round pick (GC)
second-round pick (NM)
third-round pick (BL)
second-round pick (PORT)
third-round pick (SYD)

Collingwood
fourth-round pick (GWS)
fourth round-pick (SYD)
third-round pick (SYD)

Essendon

third-round pick (ADE)

Fremantle

Geelong

Gold Coast

first-round pick (MELB)
second-round pick (CARL)
third-round pick (PORT)

GWS
second-round pick (MELB)
second-round pick (HAW)
third-round pick (MELB)
fourth-round pick (COLL)

Hawthorn
second-round pick (GWS)
second-round pick (STK)
fourth-round pick (MELB)
third-round pick (BL)
fourth-round pick (SYD)

Melbourne
first-round pick (GC)
third-round pick (GWS)
second-round pick (GWS)
third-round pick (BL)
fourth-round pick (HAW)

fourth-round pick (ADE)
second-round pick (CARL)

Port Adelaide
second-round pick (CARL)
third-round pick (GC)

Richmond

St Kilda

second-round pick (HAW)

Sydney
third-round pick (CARL)
third-round pick (COLL)
fourth-round pick (HAW)
first-round pick (CARL)
third-round pick (WCE)
fourth-round pick (COLL)

West Coast
third-round pick (SYD)
fourth-round pick (WB)

fourth-round pick (WCE)