The upcoming AFL Draft is set to unveil the next wave of generational stars, but how many list changes are still yet to happen?
This year’s intake is set to use at least 54 picks on the night from 18 clubs, while 63 selections are tipped to be the maximum.
Under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed ahead of the 2023 season and running to the 2027 campaign – before Tasmania join the competition – the AFL confirmed a total of up to 44 players allocated across three categories: Primary list (36-38), Category A Rookie (no more than 6) and Category B Rookie (no more than 2).
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However, the AFL introduced a third Category B Rookie spot, which is specific to signing First Nations players to help boost the Indigenous talent in the top-flight competition.
Clubs have to use three picks at the draft, but that can also include upgraded rookies or re-drafted delisted players.
To free up primary list spots, nine players were delisted with the intention of being re-drafted later this month.
Port Adelaide is tipped to use the most selections in this year’s draft after improving its hand following the departure of free agent superstar Zak Butters, with the parallel five-club mega trade also netting the Power strong picks.
In addition to the first selection of the 2026 draft and the expected second-round pick, Essendon also have Picks 17 and 25.
Carlton, Collingwood, Melbourne, Richmond, Sydney and West Coast will also be major players in the draft, with four selections at most.
The Tigers have a pair of top-five selections after selling away a 2027 first-round pick to Port Adelaide.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 20: Richmond’s draft picks, Sam Lalor, Josh Smillie and Harry Armstrong pose for a photo during the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft at Marvel Stadium on November 20, 2024 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Gold Coast will only use Pick 8, which they attained from Ben King’s departure as a free agent.
Clubs will also have the chance to add players to their list – if there are vacancies – via the Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) that runs over the summer months as well as Category B pick-ups.
2027 AFL List Sizes (Current)
Club
Senior List
Rookies
Total
Adelaide
33 players
4 (+0 cat B)
37
Brisbane*
32 players
2 (+1 cat B)
35
Carlton
31 players
4 (+1 cat B)
36
Collingwood*
33 players
4 (+0 cat B)
37
Essendon
31 players
5 (+2 cat B)
38
Fremantle*
31 players
6 (+1 cat B)
38
Geelong
35 players
2 (+2 cat B)
39
Gold Coast*
35 players
4 (+2 cat B)
41
GWS
33 players
3 (+3 cat B)
39
Hawthorn
34 players
2 (+2 cat B)
38
Melbourne
31 players
6 (+1 cat B)
38
North Melbourne
34 players
5 (+0 cat B)
39
Port Adelaide
30 players
6 (+1 cat B)
37
Richmond
33 players
4 (+0 cat B)
37
St Kilda*
34 players
2 (+3 cat B)
39
Sydney
33 players
4 (+2 cat B)
39
West Coast
33 players
10 (+2 cat B)
45
33 players
4 (+0 cat B)
37
(Table derived from DraftGuru)
2026 AFL Draft Order (Current)
Full round-by-round breakdown here.
Adelaide
15, 32, 35, 43, 56, 92, 110
1900
Brisbane
21, 27, 28, 45, 79, 97, 115
1909
Carlton
13, 18, 31, 50, 61, 72, 90, 108
2416
Collingwood
11, 30, 67, 68, 70, 88, 106
1659
Essendon
1, 17, 25, 80, 98
4469
Fremantle
19, 40, 60, 63, 78, 96, 114
1034
Geelong
36, 57, 62, 75, 93, 111
317
Gold Coast
8, 81, 85, 103
1443
GWS
9, 20, 26, 59, 77, 86, 104
2673
Hawthorn
29, 37, 71, 94, 107, 112
776
Melbourne
4, 14, 48, 52
3130
North Melbourne
33, 49, 66, 74, 84, 102
468
Port Adelaide
7, 12, 22, 24, 34, 46, 65, 101
4484
Richmond
2, 5, 44, 99
4443
St Kilda
10, 16, 41, 51, 69, 87, 105
2477
Sydney
6, 38, 39, 47, 54, 76, 95, 113
2325
0
West Coast
3, 23, 58, 64, 73, 82, 100
2831
Bulldogs
42, 53, 55, 83, 89, 91, 109
230