Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\nFoxfooty.com.au assesses every club\u2019s draft haul and predicts the players most likely to debut in their team\u2019s first game of next year (excluding those recruits who already have AFL experience). <\/p>\n
ADELAIDE CROWS<\/p>\n
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The Crows went for two tall forwards with their two picks in Mitch Marsh (191cm) and Archie Ludowyke (197cm), but don\u2019t expect them to feature in the club\u2019s senior team too early for several reasons. Not only are Adelaide\u2019s tall forwards well established, but both Marsh and Ludowyke will need time to develop their frames and find a rhythm at state league level. Ludowyke, took, is coming off a PCL injury that pre-maturely ended his 2025 draft campaign. There are some clubs who believe Marsh could be a defender at AFL level, but the sense is the Crows drafted him with the intention to play him inside the forward arc. <\/p>\n
BRISBANE LIONS<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a school of thought that if Daniel Annable was on back-to-back premier Brisbane\u2019s AFL list this year, he\u2019d be a regular member of the reigning premiers\u2019 line-up. It\u2019s remarkable to contemplate, but that\u2019s how highly regarded the Lions academy graduate has been regarded. A strong-bodied, well-balanced on-baller, the courageous Annable has excellent stoppage craft, is strong in his attack on the ball, clean and a high metres gained player. It\u2019ll be a tough team to break into \u2014 which will be his only barrier \u2014 but Annable is as ready-to-go as any 2025 draftee. The outside chance would be 21-year-old winger Tai Hayes, who played 16 VFL games for the dominant Southport Sharks and averaged 15.9 disposals and 4.5 marks per outing. Does Cal Ah Chee\u2019s exit open up a spot for either Annable or Hayes? Fellow Lions recruits Koby Evans and Cody Curtin will almost certainly chip away at state league level at the start of next season. <\/p>\n
Draftee teary after missing big moment! | 01:24<\/p>\n
CARLTON<\/p>\n
Another Dean has landed at the Blues \u2014 and there\u2019s a strong chance Harry Dean is lining up next to Jacob Weitering for Carlton\u2019s first match in 2026. Dean impressed recruiters all season with his power, toughness, competitiveness and intercept ability. In a national carnival game for Vic Country against Vic Metro where he 22 disposals, 11 intercepts and eight marks, Dean looked like a man against boys, playing with a presence and confidence that personified his rise. Not only is it a romantic Carlton pick, but Dean also fills a big list need for the Blues. The other sneaky early debut chance is Talor Byrne \u2014 a 174cm forward with awesome goal sense. In the same carnival game Dean dominated, Byrne starred with five goals to significantly boost his draft prospects. Considering the Blues have struggled to settle on a small forward mix in recent years, don\u2019t be surprised if Byrne plays early, should he have a strong, uninterrupted pre-season. Jack Ison is an eye-catching, smooth-moving player, but should begin his debut AFL year at VFL level. <\/p>\n
COLLINGWOOD<\/p>\n
The Pies selected four players on night two of the draft \u2014 and their best early debut chance is probably their final selection in Angus Anderson. A 189cm midfielder known for his contested ball-winning ability, leadership and composure, Anderson was a SANFL star for Sturt, averaging 22 touches and five tackles across 18 games. That included 24 touches, nine marks and a goal in Sturt\u2019s grand final triumph, which earned him the Jack Oatey Medal for best afield. Traditionally, if you pick a 22-year-old in the national draft, you\u2019re thinking they can have an early impact for your club. Swan Districts product Sam Swadling \u2014 a genuine ball magnet \u2014 would be an outside chance. A hard-working, composed and clean midfielder, Swadling had a couple of strong WAFL league games this season, which might help his hopes of an early AFL debut. Fellow on-baller Tyan Prindable had some strong performances for Brisbane\u2019s VFL side this year but will likely begin his maiden AFL season in Collingwood\u2019s reserves side. NGA graduate Zac McCarthy \u2014 a 199cm forward-ruck \u2014 is clearly a long-term proposition for the Pies but has enormous AFL upside. <\/p>\n
ESSENDON<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a good chance all of Essendon\u2019s top three picks are pushing for Round 1 selection next season. Of the trio, Dyson Sharp appears the most likely as a bankable, ready-to-play inside midfielder. He was a regular for Sturt\u2019s SANFL league team this season, averaging 14.3 disposals and 3.1 clearances from nine matches. Don\u2019t discount Sullivan Robey either, for he has the frame and attributes required to have an early AFL impact. The Eastern Ranges product is super competitive with an infectious willingness to hunt the ball. He\u2019s powerful, energetic and confident, while he spreads well from congestion. Jacob Farrow, whose kicking, running and rebounding are his biggest weapons, played three WAFL league matches for the Falcons this year, highlighted by a 22-disposal, nine-mark outing against East Perth in Round 16. Rebounding defender Max Kondogiannis will be eased in via the VFL, but NGA graduate Hussien El Achkar could be a sneaky chance of an early debut. <\/p>\n
Eagles select Duursma, Duff-Tytler | 02:50<\/p>\n
FREMANTLE<\/p>\n
The Dockers wanted speed and energy forward of centre, picking up Adam Sweid and Tobyn Murray at the national draft. Of the duo, Murray looks like a strong Round 1 contender. Murray is a speedy, powerful small forward out of Geelong VFL who\u2019s tough in the contest and covers the ground well with good endurance. Don\u2019t completely discount an early AFL game for Sweid, who impressed in 2025 his defensive pressure, natural ball-winning ability, cleanliness, class and composure at stoppages. But 20-year-old Murray would be a more likely chance at the moment. <\/p>\n
GEELONG CATS<\/p>\n
It\u2019s tough to see either of Geelong\u2019s national draftees playing in the AFL side come round one next year. The Cats pounced on South Australian winger Harley Barker with their first pick, but he\u2019s still on his recovery journey after suffering an ACL injury this season. The beauty of Geelong\u2019s list means they can afford to ease him into the start of his AFL career. Hunter Holmes, the brother of superstar Cat Max, also found his way to the Cattery and possesses similar athletic traits to his older brother. Hunter Holmes has explosive speed and can work up and down the wing, but he\u2019s not quite yet ready for the physical demands of the AFL and it\u2019s a tough side to break into anyway. <\/p>\n
GOLD COAST SUNS<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a genuine chance that both of Gold Coast\u2019s top five draftees in Zeke Uwland and Dylan Patterson are both in Damien Hardwick\u2019s Opening Round side for 2026. Uwland is a strong candidate to play as a winger next year, especially when you consider the fact that Brayden Fiorini departed the club for Essendon during the trade period. Uwland is the younger brother of defender Bodhi and plays a little bit like Sydney\u2019s Errol Gulden, possessing a pinpoint kick and the ability to break the game open. Patterson is an excitement machine and could slot into the half-back line alongside the likes of Daniel Rioli and John Noble, giving Hardwick a plethora of rebounding options. Suns Academy product Jai Murray is another name who could be an outside chance to feature in Opening Round but it\u2019s more likely that he has to begin his career in the VFL system. Fellow Academy duo Beau Addinsall and Koby Coulson will likely develop in the state league alongside Tasmanian bolter Avery Thomas too. <\/p>\n
No. 2 pick ticks off childhood goals | 02:01<\/p>\n
GWS GIANTS<\/p>\n
The Giants are stacked for defensive talent which means both Oskar Taylor and Finn Davis are very long odds to feature in Opening Round. The talented duo were selected at the draft with an eye to the future, potentially figuring as part of Adam Kingsley\u2019s set up more prominently when players like Lachie Whitfield are in the twilight of their careers. Taylor is considered the quintessential modern-day attacking half-back with speed, kicking ability, one-on-one strength and a defence-first mindset, while Davis was somewhat of a bolter but also has AFL attributes. Their third pick of the national draft, 31-year-old Jake Stringer, is probably a fair chance of adding to his 227 AFL games and 392 goals!<\/p>\n
HAWTHORN<\/p>\n
Competition for spots is fierce at the Hawks right now, which means their quartet of draftees probably begin AFL life in the VFL with Box Hill. Where Sam Mitchell and the Hawks initially deploy the versatile Cameron Nairn is a point of intrigue but it\u2019s highly unlikely he walks straight into the AFL side, while Sandringham Dragons product Jack Dalton is an absolute ball magnet who the club clearly rates given it traded up the order for him. Dalton, who plays a similar role to vice-captain Dylan Moore, probably has to bide his time in the state league to begin with, while both key forward Aidan Schubert and winger Matt LeRay will almost certainly develop their craft at Box Hill. <\/p>\n
MELBOURNE<\/p>\n
You can just about pencil this in, Melbourne\u2019s forward line next year will feature both Kysaiah Pickett and his cousin and new draftee Latrelle come round one. The Dees have been tracking Latrelle Pickett for several years now and were impressed with his improvements in 2025. A real draft bolter, Pickett came from the clouds after dominating for Glenelg in the SANFL reserves but is now set to strut his stuff on the MCG. A dynamic small forward with plenty of pace, goal sense and X-factor, Pickett will no doubt be a fan favourite. If Eastern Ranges product Xavier Taylor continues his upwards trajectory, he might just be too good to not play in the Dees\u2019 season opener. Taylor has a strong combination of one-on-one stopping ability and offensive drive which will likely make him a staple of Melbourne\u2019s back half throughout the next decade, especially given the likes of Steven May and Jake Lever aren\u2019t getting any younger. Melbourne\u2019s third pick of the national draft, Gippsland Power\u2019s Thomas Matthews, will likely feature at reserves level to begin his AFL career. <\/p>\n
‘You’re still crying!’: Grlj breaks down | 02:04<\/p>\n
NORTH MELBOURNE<\/p>\n
Could all three North Melbourne national draftees feature in round one?! Small forward Lachy Dovaston \u2014 who has drawn comparisons to Hawthorn\u2019s Nick Watson \u2014 will almost certainly work in tandem with gun Roo Paul Curtis and ex-Dee Charlie Spargo, adding some much-needed spark to North Melbourne\u2019s front half. Key defender Blake Thredgold fills a need and had fans in the first-round given his strength and competitiveness, so the fact he slipped through to the Roos was a huge win. Could Alastair Clarkson and the coaching staff throw him straight into the deep end and play him early? North Melbourne\u2019s key defensive posts have looked vulnerable in recent times, so if he can prove his readiness and put together a big pre-season, there\u2019s definitely a chance. Geelong Falcons product Hugo Mikunda is a nice ball user who can break the lines and looked comfortable on VFL debut with Werribee earlier this season and could also push for selection if he has a strong summer given he offers something different to North Melbourne\u2019s current on-ball brigade. <\/p>\n
RICHMOND<\/p>\n
The Tigers targeted midfielders with their two top-10 selections, investing in a pair of Sam\u2019s: North Adelaide\u2019s Sam Cumming and Oakleigh Chargers\u2019 Sam Grlj. Both are good Round 1 chances. Despite his 2025 season being cut short by a shoulder injury, Cumming is a great chance. One talent-watcher this year labelled him \u201cthe prototype AFL midfielder\u201d. Highly regarded for his class, power, speed, agility and competitiveness \u2014 both in the air and at ground level \u2014 Cumming has a terrific all-round profile and made a splash for North Adelaide\u2019s league team in his limited opportunities. But also, don\u2019t rule out Grlj, who looked at home in the defensive half during his two matches for Richmond\u2019s VFL side in early August with hauls of 18 and 15 disposals and already has AFL-level running capacity. It\u2019s expected Grlj will begin AFL career in defence, with scope to push into the midfield as he develops. The Tigers\u2019 last two picks, Zane Peucker and Noah Roberts-Thomson, probably start at state league level, although keep tabs on Peucker over the pre-season as scouts this year loved his competitiveness \u2014 both in the air and at ground level. <\/p>\n
PILE ON! Father-son draftee swarmed | 05:07<\/p>\n
ST KILDA<\/p>\n
The Saints loading up during the trade period means it\u2019s less likely they\u2019ll look at blooding their pair of fresh draftees early in the season. Charlie Banfield and Kye Fincher will likely be waiting until later in the campaign to get a look-in at senior level, set to ply their trade at reserves level in the meantime. But Banfield\u2019s running ability should mean he\u2019ll quickly enamour himself with the St Kilda coaching staff, having run the Western Australia state combine 2km trial in 6:08. And remember, the Saints like their runners, targeting Tobie Travaglia, Hugh Boxshall and Darcy Wilson in recent drafts. St Kilda will be pleased just to have been able to snare Fincher, its Next Generation Academy product who fortunately drew a rival bid later than expected on Thursday night. Fincher possesses an appealing combination of strength and speed, as well as precise kicking and marking ability. <\/p>\n
SYDNEY SWANS<\/p>\n
The Swans probably don\u2019t pick Billy Cootee \u2014 arguably the biggest bolter of the second night \u2014 unless they think he can play under Dean Cox quickly. A mature-age selection out of the SANFL, who won Norwood\u2019s club champion award this year, Cootee was unranked on the Fox Sports Lab list but made his way to the Swans with the 42nd selection. But at 22 years of age, the accomplished midfielder-forward is regarded for his work ethic and previously captained Essendon\u2019s VFL outfit. Harry Kyle was Sydney\u2019s first selection of the draft and is its highest-touted talent, receiving an earlier-than-desired bid from the Giants at no.14, but he and fellow Academy graduate Max King are considered longer-term prospects and shouldn\u2019t be expected to play seniors early on. Kyle is a 188-centimetre defender hybrid with the potential to play in the guts down the track, with his run and dash a big feature of his game. Meanwhile, forward King is one of the most athletic prospects of this year\u2019s class but didn\u2019t quite put it all together, though he\u2019s got enormous potential at the top level. Then there\u2019s Jevan Phillipou, the younger brother of the Saints\u2019 Mattaes, whose raw talents could propel him to an early-season debut if he puts together a strong pre-season. Capable of playing in the midfield later in his career due to his game-breaking abilities, Phillipou is expected to start his AFL journey across half-forward. <\/p>\n
Pick No.1! Duursma becomes an Eagle | 04:17<\/p>\n
WEST COAST EAGLES<\/p>\n
First overall pick Willem Duursma is as plug-and-play as they come, and he\u2019ll slot into Andrew McQualter\u2019s midfield from the get-go alongside Harley Reid and veteran Elliot Yeo. Incisive Geelong Falcons half-backer Josh Lindsay will be hard to deny an early-season selection due to his ball use \u2014 the 19th overall pick was thought of by many as the best kicker in this year\u2019s class. Slotting him in as a decision-maker alongside the running Tom McCarthy should pay dividends for the rebuilding Eagles in the long term. Meanwhile, fourth overall choice Cooper Duff-Tytler will be afforded plenty of time to develop at the top level and mightn\u2019t see a heap of senior action in his debut season, pending injury. But Next Generation Academy graduate Tylah Williams is someone who could see some early time in the seniors if he can have an impact in the pre-season. A pure small forward type, Williams will be relied on to help fill the void left by Liam Ryan and likely Jamie Cripps in 2027. Then there\u2019s Sam Allen, who went inside the top 30 and might be ahead of schedule, but he\u2019ll likely also be eased in. <\/p>\n
WESTERN BULLDOGS<\/p>\n
Lachie Carmichael shapes as the best chance to earn an early debut for the Bulldogs, having flashed his distributive abilities across the half-backline. And the Dogs have been in search of such players, also scooping up Connor Budarick in the trade period, so if Carmichael has a big pre-season, expect him to be in the selection frame. Meanwhile, tall utility Louis Emmett and father-son prospect Will Darcy will be afforded plenty of time to develop their game at the top level. Emmett enters the AFL fray as a ruck-forward type with impressive athleticism and notable running ability, but clubs believe Emmett can transition into a key defender at the top level \u2014 potentially filling that Dogs void in the long term. Patience will be required with the younger Darcy, who\u2019s one of the rawest prospects of the class. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Many recent draftees will be on the periphery of Opening Round\/Round 1 selection in 2026, but some 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