You’re going to see a lot of different-looking draft power rankings across the AFL industry this year, which proves just how polarising the 2026 class is — despite, as one scout put it, there being “something for everyone”. Here’s our first attempt.
Foxfooty.com.au presents its first top 30 2026 AFL Draft Power Rankings after the national championships — and months out from the 2026 AFL national draft, , which begins with the first round on Thursday November 19 before the remaining rounds on Friday November 20.
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TOP 30 AFL DRAFT 2026 RANKINGS — JULY EDITION
Dougie Cochrane of Team Boak. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
1. DOUGIE COCHRANE
Position: Utility
Size: 196cm
Clubs: Central District/Port Districts
The Power have a ripper lined up in Cochrane, who’s still widely regarded by scouts as the best player in this year’s draft class — despite barely playing in 2026. SA Under 18 coach Tony Bamford said earlier this year Cochrane had “all the tools you’d want in a modern AFL player”. Cochrane, the son of former Port Adelaide and North Melbourne utility Stuart Cochrane, is a tantalising, athletic and well-rounded utility. He’s a terrific runner, neat by foot and has strong marking ability, while he has the size and versatility to play across all thirds of the field. Cochrane has been sidelined this year , undergoing knee surgery in March after battling tendinitis. The Power are closely managing his rehabilitation and return to play timeline, but there’s hope he’ll return to the field in the coming weeks. The Power received a huge boost in November last year when they were granted Next Generation Academy access to Cochrane, whose older brother Tom is in his second season on Port Adelaide’s rookie list.
Cody Walker making his VFL debut for Carlton. Picture: Tony GoughSource: News Corp Australia
2. CODY WALKER
Position: Midfielder
Size: 188cm
Clubs: Bendigo Pioneers/Echuca
Another club-tied player near the top! This time a Blue in Walker, who’s tied to Carlton under the father-son rule, as his dad Andrew Walker played 202 games for the Blues and was their leading goalkicker in 2011. Andrew was taken with Pick 2 in the 2003 draft – and there’s every chance Walker is selected with the same pick 23 years later. The on-baller gave Baggers supporters a breathtaking glimpse into his enormous potential earlier this month. In his first game back from a short-term shoulder issue, Walker produced a dazzling display against SA in the under 18 carnival, finishing with 35 disposals, a whopping 18 contested possessions, five clearances and five inside 50s in a losing cause for Vic Country. That performance solidified his standing as a genuine top-three pick. Walker in July last year formally agreed to join the Blues as a 2026 father-son selection – around 15 months before the deadline – rather than nominate Richmond as part of its Next Generation Academy. Since then, Walker has worked closely with the Blues, continuing his development in the revamped Carlton Academy and training with the AFL squad. He also looked like a ready-made player in four games for the Blues’ VFL side with his body shape, core strength and movement, averaging 22.0 disposals, 5.5 marks, 3.5 inside 50s and 3.0 clearances. Scouts believe the next step in his development is to improve his kicking efficiency, while the fact he was caught by a few Vic Metro players in Vic Country’s last carnival game suggested he’s not the finished product yet. But he’s ready to go — and the prospect of Walker joining Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh and Jagga Smith in Carlton’s midfield is mouth-watering for Blues fans.
Harry Van Hattum of the AFL National Academy. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
3. HARRY VAN HATTUM
Position: Ruck
Size: 204cm
Clubs: Northern Knights/St Mary’s
It was joked in the lead-up to the Dreamtime at the ‘G clash that Essendon and Richmond were playing for the ‘Van Hattum Cup’, as the loser would put itself in Seat 1A for the wooden spoon and Pick 1 in the national draft. Since then, some doubt has crept in as to whether the Knights ruck was genuinely the best open-pool prospect in the 2026 class. But Van Hattum made an imposing statement against Vic Country in the final game of the Under 18 national championships. Van Hattum saved his best carnival game until last, exploding out of the blocks against Vic Country and showcasing both his mobility and penetrating field kicking to finish with game-high clearances (6) and contested possessions (12), to go with 17 disposals, five inside 50s and 23 hit-outs. An athletic, hard-working and skilful 204cm ruck-forward with a great vertical leap and ruck craft, Van Hattum looks like a big man who’ll thrive at AFL level with the new ruck rules introduced in 2026. With a query over the future of Richmond’s ruck stocks, should the Tigers make Harry a priority?
Gus Teixeira of Vic Metro. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
4. GUS TEIXEIRA
Position: Forward-midfielder
Size: 181cm
Clubs: Sandringham Dragons/East Malvern
Might be a bit high for some, but Teixeira elevated his stocks over Vic Metro’s near-flawless 4-0 carnival campaign. A forward-midfielder renowned for his speed, powerful kicking skills and goal sense, Teixeira booted 7.8 and averaged 17.0 disposals, 7.2 score involvements, 4.2 marks, 4.2 tackles and 114.1 ranking points from four games. In Metro’s big win over the Allies, Teixeira was his side’s most influential four-quarter performer, kicking 4.3 from 21 disposals, nine score involvements and seven marks, playing with great energy both close to goal and between the arcs. While Teixeira might end the season with one of the best highlight reels, it was pleasing to see him apply great defensive pressure across the carnival.
Arki Butler of Victoria Metro. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
5. ARKI BUTLER
Position: Forward-midfielder
Size: 183cm
Clubs: Sandringham Dragons/Beaumaris
Some would have Butler higher than this — and it’s easy to see why with his talent, athletic traits and AFL upside. Butler has had some big games so far this season. He kicked off his Talent League season with 4.2 from 26 disposals against the Eastern Ranges, while he booted a whopping 8.6 from 33 disposals in a school game for Brighton Grammar last month. In the national champs, Butler kicked 2.2 from 14 touches, six score involvements and five inside 50s against WA, before adding another 2.2 from 15 disposals, 10 marks and eight score involvements against the Allies a week later. His carnival was cut short halfway through his third game against South Australia when he suffered a collarbone injury that’ll sideline him for around two months. Still, scouts got a glimpse of his skills and freakish talent around goal.
Ethan Drever of Vic Country. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
6. ETHAN DREVER
Position: Midfielder
Size: 188cm
Clubs: GWV Rebels/Ballarat
This guy has lots of fans at AFL club land, for he’s arguably the most well-rounded open-pool prospect. Drever is strong and agile in the contest, versatile, aerobically powerful, clean with ball in hand and has a piercing kick — traits that have seen him draw comparisons to Giants star Finn Callaghan. He took out Vic Country’s MVP award after a dazzling carnival, kicking four goals and averaging 20.0 disposals, 5.0 score involvements, 4.5 inside 50s, 4.2 tackles and 101.2 ranking points. Drever’s trademark explosiveness out of stoppage was on full display against WA and SA, leading to two near identical goals on the run from outside 50. It comes after Drever’s brilliant start to the season for the Rebels, booting eight goals and averaging 29.1 disposals, 7.4 clearances, 6.4 inside 50s and 6.0 tackles from his eight Talent League games so far. He has all the hallmarks of a top-three pick, but we were hesitant to put him too high up at this stage after he somewhat faded out of some of Country’s recent games. Still, we’re a Drever Believer.
Ethan Matthews of the- Giants Academy. Picture: Phil HillyardSource: News Corp Australia
7. ETHAN MATTHEWS
Position: Midfielder
Size: 186cm
Clubs: GWS Giants Academy/Ingleburn
A classy left-footed midfielder with high footy IQ who wins his own ball with aplomb and controls the tempo of matches, Matthews looms as the Giants’ best academy graduate since Tom Green in 2019. After booting eight goals and averaging 35.3 disposals, 6.3 marks and 5.7 clearances at Talent League level for the Giants, Matthews produced a colossal champs game against Vic Country, finishing with 35 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 11 clearances, 11 inside 50s, nine score involvements, eight marks, six tackles and 691m gained. It was the game that put Matthews in the top-five conversation – and a bid in that range would almost certainly wipe out the Giants’ first and second-round picks, considering Adam Kingsley’s team is now right in wildcard contention. Matthews missed the back-end of the Allies’ carnival due to a foot issue. There’s an argument, if fit, he could play on a wing for the Giants’ AFL side, which highlights just how physically prepared he appears for the top level.
Heath Mellody of Western Australia. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
8. HEATH MELLODY
Position: Medium defender-midfielder
Size: 186cm
Clubs: Claremont/Wembley Downs
Probably the biggest individual ‘winner’ of the national championships after he emphatically answered one of the biggest questions surrounding this draft crop. Mellody came into this season with high external expectations after an excellent bottom-age season that saw him average 25.8 disposals, 6.2 marks and 5.6 tackles in the final five games of Claremont’s Colts premiership campaign playing primarily as a rebounding defender. But Mellody always had the class with ball in hand, beautiful kicking skills and athletic traits to dominate the modern game as a genuine midfielder — and dominate he did for WA across the recent Under 18 carnival. Mellody was moved into the midfield after half-time against Vic Country in WA’s third game and helped inspire his side’s epic comeback victory at Marvel Stadium. He then starred in a losing cause against the Allies five days later, impressing with his attack on the ball and ability to get from contest to contest. Mellody ended up as the No.1 ball-winner of the carnival, averaging 28.2 disposals, 6.2 score involvements and 5.0 marks. Mellody had put together an excellent year as a rebounding defender prior to the champs, but his final one-and-a-half carnival matches as a dominant midfielder proved he indeed has the scope to be an on-baller in the future.
Wil Malady of Victoria Country. Picture: Paul Kane/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
9. WIL MALADY
Position: Medium forward
Size: 193cm
Clubs: Gippsland Power/Bairnsdale
Purely on talent, Malady should be in the top-five conversation. The forward, who booted five goals in the Under 17s future game on AFL Grand Final day last year, has sticky hands and has awesome aerial presence, which were on display for Vic Country with several telling marks across the carnival. Malady kicked four goals from three games for Country, including 2.3 from 14 disposals against the Allies. He began the year with a bang, booting 6.1 from 16 disposals and seven marks in Gippsland Power’s Round 1 match. But recruiters probably wanted to see more from Malady during the champs and wonder how big an impact he can have inside 50 in the big league. Could he build his tank and be a damaging winger instead?
Mitchell Harris of South Australia. Picture: Mark Brake/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
10. MITCH HARRIS
Position: Key defender
Size: 196cm
Clubs: Woodville-West Torrens/Kadina
A big champs mover — to the point where we now have him as the No.1 key defender in the class. A tough and courageous 196cm defender out of Woodville-West Torrens, Harris has shown off his one-on-one defensive capabilities this year to complement his intercept game that blossomed in his bottom-age year. Harris played all four games for SA in the national champs, averaging 8.8 disposals and 1.5 intercept marks. His standout match came against Vic Country in Ballarat where he had some big moments when the game was on the line, neutralising crunch one-on-one contests and intercepting cleanly several times. There is a question mark over his ball use, but his aerial decision-making ability is excellent.
Leo Steed of Western Australia. Picture: Travis Hayto/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
11. LEO STEED
Position: Midfielder-small forward
Size: 177cm
Clubs: Swan Districts/South Perth
One of this year’s biggest pre-champs bolters – and he only enhanced his reputation during his four games for WA. A competitive, speedy, physical and hard-working prospect, Steed averaged 23.5 disposals, 10.2 contested possessions, 5.5 score involvements, 4.2 clearances and 4.0 tackles. The fact WA fell away against the Allies when Steed sat out the last quarter due to illness reinforced just how important and influential he was for his team. Like fellow WA products Aaron Naughton, Oscar Allen, Logan McDonald and Koltyn Tholstrup before him, Steed has had ample WAFL league exposure this year and thrived for Swan Districts, booting 6.4 and averaging 13.5 disposals per match. He’s in the top-10 mix.
Harrison Chapman of the AFL National Academy. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
12. HARRISON CHAPMAN
Position: Wing
Size: 190cm
Clubs: Eastern Ranges/Boronia
Chapman looked like an AFL player during the champs with his aggressive transition ability, outside run and powerful kicking. After averaging 23.3 disposals and 5.1 marks from eight Talent League games for the Ranges, clubs were looking forward to seeing him against the country’s top talent at the champs. When the game was up for grabs against the Allies in the first term, the hard-running Chapman was everywhere on his way to 18 disposals and seven score involvements. Then in Vic Metro’s final match against Vic Country, Chapman showed his modern-day AFL traits, displaying his aerobic workrate, disciplined positioning and precise ball use to finish with one goal from 18 disposals and nine score involvements. He’s drawn comparisons to Sydney’s Justin McInerney.
Caylen Murray of the AFL National Academy. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
13. CAYLEN MURRAY
Position: Medium defender
Size: 181cm
Clubs: Brisbane Lions Academy/Maroochydore
The Lions this decade have been asked to match first-round bids on Will Ashcroft, Jaspa Fletcher, Levi Ashcroft, Sam Marshall and Daniel Annable under the old points system. And the Lions might have to do the same again this year with Murray, who “just looks like a first-round pick”, according to one scout spoken to by foxfooty.com.au. An aggressive, line-breaking defender-midfielder, Murray is in Position A to claim the Allies’ MVP award, averaging 24.0 disposals, 6.8 marks, 5.0 rebound 50s and 112.8 ranking points from four games. While there are some who question his defensive capabilities, Murray is speedy and a polished distributor of the footy — and AFL clubs have taken full notice.
Clancy Snell of the Gippsland Power. Picture: Craig Dooley/AFL PhotosSource: AFL Photos
14. CLANCY SNELL
Position: Key defender
Size: 197cm
Clubs: Gippsland Power/Mirboo
Some talent-watchers believe Snell is a top-10 pick and still the best key defender in the class — because while he’s still raw, his upside is enormous and his week-to-week reliability is sound. Snell was busy in Vic Country’s defensive 50 during the carnival, averaging 13.0 disposals and 2.5 rebound 50s across four games. Impressively, he averaged 2.2 intercept marks — ranked fourth in the competition. Snell is renowned for his ability to balance his assertive intercept skills with his defensive one-on-one competitiveness. He was exposed at times during the carnival, but the Country defence was constantly under siege due to the lack of pressure up the ground.
Kodah Edwards of the AFL National Academy. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
15. KODAH EDWARDS
Position: Midfielder
Size: 184cm
Clubs: South Adelaide/Willunga
One of the harder prospects to place at the moment, but Edwards is still one of the more prolific inside, contested ball-winning midfielders in the class. The SA captain played all four games for his state, averaging 22.0 disposals, 9.0 contested possessions, 7.2 score involvements, 5.2 inside 50s and 104.9 ranking points. Edwards’ final game against Vic Country was important. On the weekend, he stepped up to SANFL league level and acquitted himself well on debut, picking up 16 disposals, seven marks, three clearances and three tackles against ladder-leaders Glenelg. Edwards played as a half-forward who pinch-hit on the ball on the weekend — and scouts believe that should be his role at the next level, as he’s proven this year with his sound front-half work.
Toby Krasna of the Knights. Picture: Rob Lawson/AFL PhotosSource: News Corp Australia
16. TOBY KRASNA
Position: Wing
Size: 181cm
Clubs: Northern Knights/Preston Bullants
A champs bolter who clubs have quickly fallen in love with. Krasna has ample AFL traits with his class, run, agility and elusiveness, plus he can burst away from congestion to find space. And when in space, Krasna seems to have more time than most on the field to hit targets with his shrewd right-foot kick. The winger played three of Vic Metro’s four games — he missed the finale against Vic Country due to hamstring soreness — booting three goals and averaging 19.0 disposals, 7.3 score involvements, 10.3 handball receives and 3.7 inside 50s. Looks like a solid first-round pick now, but he shapes as the kind of player who could soar up draft boards with a big back-end to his 2026 campaign.
Marlon Neocleous of Victoria Country. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
17. MARLON NEOCLEOUS
Position: Small forward-midfielder
Size: 169cm
Clubs: Gippsland Power/Traralgon
The ‘Nuke’! Gosh he’s exciting. On-lookers were reminded of Neocleous’ reliability and professionalism when he stepped up on the ball for Vic Country against the Allies after Cody Walker and Noah Williams went down with injury. The Traralgon product finished with one goal from 21 disposals, 11 score involvements and five clearances. He had an imposing start to the season for the Gippsland Power, highlighted by a four-goal, 20-disposal outing against the Eastern Ranges. A disciplined half-forward who makes good decisions and plays the high-forward connector role well, Neocleous is in the first-round mix.
Jake Eime of South Australia. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
18. JAKE EIME
Position: Medium defender
Size: 183cm
Clubs: Central District/Golden Grove
Another young gun with a great athletic profile who enhanced his prospects with an eye-catching national carnival for the Croweaters. After recording 18 disposals in both games against WA and the Allies, Eime exploded in a losing cause against Vic Metro, racking up 27 disposals, five rebound 50s, four inside 50s and 558m gained. He averaged 20.2 disposals across four games and went at an impressive 78.6 per cent efficiency by foot. The Central District product has AFL-like run and carry capability and he’s not afraid to back his speed and take the game on. While he needs to work on his body strength and his handball game, Eime is a great runner and high-end athlete that AFL clubs have taken notice of.
Noah Williams of the AFL National Academy. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
19. NOAH WILLIAMS
Position: Small defender-midfielder
Size: 176cm
Clubs: Geelong Falcons/St Josephs
Arguably out of top-10 calculations for now, but there’s a lot to like about Williams with his mix of speed, ball use, consistency, competitiveness and combativeness. He showcased his all-round game for Vic Country against SA with 20 disposals, six tackles, six intercepts, five inside 50s and five rebound 50s. It came five days after he was arguably Country’s best four-quarter performer in the loss to WA. Williams has a reputation for standing up in big games. He was named Team Boak’s best player in the Under 17s futures match on AFL Grand Final day last year, while he won the medal as the AFL Academy’s best player against North Melbourne VFL earlier this year after amassing 17 disposals, 10 contested possessions, eight tackles and four clearances. Williams looks a safe, reliable first-round pick, but recruiters are still trying to work out where he sits in the pecking order. Some believe he shapes as a small defender or high half-back.
Jackson Phillips of Victoria Country. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
20. JACKSON PHILLIPS
Position: Midfielder
Size: 184cm
Clubs: Dandenong Stingrays/Langwarrin
A skilful, versatile and clean midfielder who’s attracting ample interest from AFL clubs. Phillips averaged 16.2 disposals from four games for Vic Country, but teased on-lookers with some big moments and flashes of brilliance – none bigger than a brilliant one-handed pick-up and long-range goal against WA at Marvel Stadium. While he’s not the quickest player in the pool, Phillips has clean hands, midfield versatility and great skills, particularly his ability to dispose of the ball efficiently off either foot.
Tyson Bradley is presented the Victoria Metro MVP medal. Picture: Jordan Sacchetta/AFL PhotosSource: Getty Images
21. TYSON BRADLEY
Position: Key defender
Size: 196cm
Clubs: Sandringham Dragons/Highett
Some scouts believe Bradley now deserves to be in the ‘best key defender’ conversation alongside Mitch Harris and Clancy Snell after he claimed Vic Metro’s MVP award. Bradley averaged more intercept marks (3.2) than any other player in the competition, along with 14.5 disposals and 5.0 inside 50s. He led the stingy Metro defence with aplomb, showcasing both one-on-one strength and ability to pick off opposition kicks, while he also went at 88.6 per cent kicking efficiency — rated No.1 of all players who played four games. Bradley is calm and composed, both in contest and then with ball in hand.
North Adelaide’s Ethan Herbert in action for the SA. Picture: Peter Argent/SANFLSource: Supplied Source Known
22. ETHAN HERBERT
Position: Ruck-key forward
Size: 201cm
Clubs: North Adelaide/Walkerville
Couldn’t have done much more to enhance his draft stocks across the past few months for SA. Blessed with freakish groundball cleanliness and aerobic capacity for a guy of his size, Herbert relishes ruck craft — although recruiters believe the big man may ultimately be better suited to a key forward role at AFL level. Yet during SA’s campaign, he was at his most influential when playing on the ball as a roaming ruck. With Jobe Janeway left out of SA’s team for the final game against Vic Country, Herbert was given the chance to lead the Croweaters’ ruck division — and he thrived. His spread and ability to impact around the ground was impressive on his way to collecting 20 disposals, 11 contested possessions, seven inside 50s, six clearances, five intercepts and five tackles. Herbert averaged 15.8 disposals, 6.0 clearances and 9.0 hit-outs for the carnival. Herbert has been given ample opportunities inside 50 at various levels this season, but he’s still at his most influential when playing on the ball as a roaming ruck. Could he play a Rowan Marshall-like role at an AFL club? Or could he reach for the stars and aim to follow in Luke Jackson’s versatile footsteps?
George Gale of Western Australia. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
23. GEORGE GALE
Position: Midfielder
Size: 190cm
Clubs: Claremont/Swanbourne
A hard-working midfielder who’s racked up big numbers at every level he’s played at this year, Gale has ample AFL traits. His elite running power allows him to get to more contests than his opponents, while he’s a good overhead mark for his size and has a high footy IQ. Gale led the WA midfield group superbly in the national carnival, averaging 27.8 disposals, 5.2 marks and 5.0 inside 50s. That followed a bottom-age season in Claremont’s Colts premiership side before a productive summer in the gym where he put on crucial size. He had a great start to his 2026 Colts season too, averaging 31.0 disposals and 5.4 marks from his first three games. The query is how high Gale’s ceiling is, but ultimately he couldn’t have done much more so far this season to impress the 18 clubs.
Khaled El Souki of Victoria Metro. Picture: Lachie Chugg/AFL PhotosSource: Getty Images
24. KHALED EL SOUKI
Position: Small forward
Size: 176cm
Clubs: Western Jets/Newport
Don’t underestimate this Bulldogs NGA prospect, who some scouts believe could attract a bid in the teens come draft night. El Souki has starred for the Jets at Talent League level this year, booting 31 goals and averaging 17.9 disposals and 3.3 tackles from 10 games. An ankle injury ruled him out of the early stages of Vic Metro’s carnival campaign, but he returned for the final game against Vic Country and caught the eye. The small forward applied great pressure, set up his teammates for scores and threatened the scoreboard himself to finish with 1.2 from 10 disposals, six score involvements and five tackles, reinforcing why many clubs have him in the first-round mix. The Bulldogs will have the right to match a bid on El Souki come November, but whether they’ll have the draft capital to ultimately match under the new bidding rules remains a mystery, considering they’ll almost certainly have to part with ample picks if Port Adelaide free agent Zak Butters officially nominates the Bulldogs.
Koby LeCras of the AFL National Academy. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
25. KOBY LECRAS
Position: Medium forward
Size: 193cm
Clubs: West Perth/Manning
Didn’t feature at all during the champs, but clubs haven’t forgotten LeCras’ talent and upside. LeCras — the son of former Kangaroo Brent LeCras and nephew of All-Australian and premiership Eagle Mark LeCras — has the size, goal sense and marking capability to play as a medium forward, but also the workrate, composure and damaging field kick to push onto a wing and impact. LeCras was a standout for the AFL Academy earlier this year, booting 1.1 from 10 touches against North Melbourne VFL then kicking 3.0 from 18 disposals and seven marks a week later against Richmond VFL. One week later, LeCras suffered a knee injury in his WAFL league debut for West Perth, with scans revealing a partial ACL tear. He hasn’t played since, but he remains in the first-round mix.
Sam Gayfer of Victoria Metro. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
26. SAM GAYFER
Position: Key forward
Size: 194cm
Clubs: Northern Knights/Banyule
Scouts, above all, want to see aspiring AFL key forwards be competitive — and Gayfer does that in spades. The Knights goalkicker is competitive in the air and on the ground, while he has great speed for a player of his size, a great pair of hands and a genuine love to tackle. After kicking 19 goals in eight Talent League games for the Knights, Gayfer stood up on the national stage to be the dominant forward of the championship-winning Vic Metro. He booted a team-high 10 goals and averaged 11.0 disposals and 4.2 marks (1.8 contested) from four games. A familiar surname for Magpies fans, with Gayfer the nephew of premiership Magpie Mick Gayfer.
Jack Pickett of Team Docherty. Picture: Josh Chadwick/AFL Photos/via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
27. JACK PICKETT
Position: Key forward
Size: 193cm
Clubs: Geelong Falcons/Torquay
We haven’t — and won’t — seen him play this year, but Pickett remains one of the most highly-touted key position prospects in the 2026 draft crop. That’s off the back of his ridiculously good bottom-age year, which saw him kick 31 goals in eight Talent League games for the Geelong Falcons, as well as 25 majors from eight APS matches for Geelong Grammar. He was also among Team Docherty’s best players in the Under 17 futures match on AFL Grand Final Day, booting two goals. Pickett entered this year as a genuine top-10 prospect, but suffered a season-ending knee injury in late March where he ruptured both his ACL and MCL. He’s a powerful lead-up forward with a good set of hands and can get on his bike when required.
Lochie Burrows of the Dragons. Picture: Craig Dooley/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
28. LOCHIE BURROWS
Position: Utility
Size: 181cm
Clubs: Sandringham Dragons/Bentleigh
Burrows is now high on many AFL club draft boards after an excellent 2026 campaign to date, especially across his four games for Vic Metro. He averaged 13.0 disposals, 5.8 marks and went at 78.8 per cent efficiency by foot playing as a wing/half-back. But the numbers don’t tell the full story with Burrows, whose elite aerobic capacity, discipline to his role, cleanliness with ball in-hand and general energy on the field is eye-catching. So often he would provide an option for Metro in space streaming into the forward half because he’d aggressively outworked his opponent. The fact Burrows played a more defensive role so well is even more noteworthy considering he’d been playing as a high forward for the Sandringham Dragons earlier in the year, booting eight goals and averaging 15.8 disposals, 4.5 tackles, 4.3 inside 50s and 4.3 marks from four Talent League games. Clubs can see Burrows having a significant impact on the field at an AFL club.
Gabriel Patterson of South Australia. Picture: Travis Hayto/AFL Photos via Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
29. GABRIEL PATTERSON
Position: Medium forward
Size: 185cm
Clubs: Glenelg/Plympton
A bit lower than what many had him at the start of the year. Still, Patterson is a powerful and dynamic forward-half player you can’t take your eyes off. While he struggled for consistency across the champs — which wasn’t helped by an interrupted lead-in due to a shoulder injury — he reminded on-lookers of his huge upside in SA’s match against WA, booting three goals from nine disposals. One on-looker said Patterson “looked like the most talented player on the field”. The Glenelg product was one of the AFL Academy’s strongest performers in April, booting a goal against each of North Melbourne and Richmond’s VFL sides. Last weekend, he returned to the Tigers’ Under 18s side and dominated, booting 5.1 from 14 disposals and six marks. Patterson is the son of 96-game Magpie Stephen Patterson, meaning he’s ineligible to join Collingwood as a father-son selection. However his sister, Violet, was a father-daughter pick to Collingwood’s AFLW team nearly two years ago.
George Dimer of Victoria Metro. Picture: Jordan Sacchetta/AFL PhotosSource: AFL Photos
30. GEORGE DIMER
Position: Small forward
Size: 173cm
Clubs: Sandringham Dragons/East Brighton
Recruiters have warmed to Dimer after his eye-catching carnival for Vic Metro. He was arguably his side’s best player in the big win over the Allies, booting 3.2 from 20 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 11 score involvements and four intercepts in a damaging and clean display. It came a week after he laid seven tackles against WA. Overall, he averaged 16.0 disposals, 8.3 contested possessions, 5.7 marks and a team-high 124.4 ranking points across three games. But here’s the best Dimer carnival stat: Of his 48 disposals, 26 of them led to Metro scores, proving he’s a high-damage player. Dimer works hard up the ground to present as a link option and selflessly bring teammates into the game, while he’s also dangerous within striking distance with his goal sense and front-and-centre crumbing ability.