A Devils VFL ace is preparing to be snapped up by besieged Essendon as the first overall pick at the 2026 mid-season draft.
Plus, the latest draft whispers around the competition as proceedings get underway at 6:30pm AEST on Tuesday night.
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A total of 429 players nominated for the draft, with up to 19 picks set to be made as the country’s best state-league and over-age talent prepare to have their AFL dreams realised.
Twelve clubs hold at least one pick on Tuesday night, while four clubs have two picks, and three teams – Port Adelaide, Collingwood and Melbourne – hold three selections. Keep scrolling for the full order.
West Australian rebounder Jaxon Artemis is the overwhelming favourite to be picked at No.1 by the Bombers, now led by interim coach Dean Solomon after Brad Scott’s dismissal on Tuesday morning.
Artemis, a teaching assistant when he wasn’t tearing it up for Tasmania, averaged 18.3 disposals across six VFL games as an “explosive” half-backer.
Devils coach Jeromey Webberley called Artemis “that Lachie Whitfield, Nick Blakey-style player”, given his counterattacking talents.
He’s set to slot in nicely next to Archie Roberts and Jacob Farrow in Essendon’s young backline.
Richmond, which had been set to pick first until it beat Essendon last Friday night, had done the most work on him, but he’s also had multiple meetings with the Bombers.
“It’s been a very hectic couple of weeks. I can tell you that for sure. It’s been different, but I am pretty calm. I assume tomorrow night I will be a bit different,” he told Code Sports on Monday.
“I spoke to Essendon once last week and have got a meeting with (list boss) Matt Rosa today (Monday), so we will see after that.”
The Tigers have been linked with Geelong VFL star Kye Annand – a 200-centimetre key defender – with The Age reporting on Monday that the club is “well-placed to secure Annand” with the second pick.
Annand’s Cats teammate Marcus Herbet – an accumulating midfielder – is also in the mix in the early stages, while for ruck-needy clubs, West Adelaide’s Caleb May has been a name thrown around leading up to Tuesday’s intake.
Collingwood is one of those clubs hunting a tapster. With Oscar Steene (ACL) sidelined for the season, The Age’s Peter Ryan reports the Pies “have been looking at” Frankston’s Harrison Coe and Carlton’s Flynn Riley.
The Magpies, armed with three picks, could address several different areas of need, having also previously been linked with Coburg stalwart Mitch Podhajski as a forward option.
Ryan added the Western Bulldogs — with Tim English interrupted this year — were also “having a good look” at Coe, who’s averaged 16.3 disposals across eight VFL games this year.
Former Collingwood and North Melbourne forward Jaidyn Stephenson leads the ex-AFL-listed names pressing for a reprieve, in dazzling form with Coburg – booting 5.4 at the weekend.
And while the majority of nominees are mature-agers plying their trades in state leagues, 27 Talent League over-agers have put their hands up, led by Sandringham Dragons forward Oliver Griffin.
The draft order was determined by reverse ladder position following Round 11, with last-placed Essendon holding the first overall selection.
The draft will be held remotely, with clubs confirming their picks via an online system.
FULL 2026 MID-SEASON DRAFT ORDER
Round 1
1. Essendon
2. Richmond
3. West Coast Eagles
4. Carlton
5. Port Adelaide
6. North Melbourne
7. St Kilda
8. Collingwood
9. Western Bulldogs
10. Adelaide Crows
11. Melbourne
12. Hawthorn
Round 2
13. West Coast Eagles
14. Port Adelaide
15. Collingwood
16. Melbourne
Round 3
17. Port Adelaide
18. Collingwood
19. Melbourne
HOW TO WATCH
The 2026 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft will be broadcast via AFL Media from 6:30pm AEST on Tuesday, May 26. You can follow every pick live below.
Follow the 2026 Mid-Season Draft in our live blog below!