{"id":300621,"date":"2025-11-22T03:23:06","date_gmt":"2025-11-22T03:23:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/300621\/"},"modified":"2025-11-22T03:23:06","modified_gmt":"2025-11-22T03:23:06","slug":"afl-2026-which-clubs-are-banking-on-their-rivals-decline-to-boost-draft-capital-afl-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/300621\/","title":{"rendered":"AFL 2026: Which clubs are banking on their rivals\u2019 decline to boost draft capital? – AFL News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Carlton and Melbourne will be hoping that Sydney and Gold Coast underperform in 2026, and cash in on their first-round selections.<\/p>\n

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

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.<\/p>\n

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

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.<\/p>\n

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

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.<\/p>\n

SEE MORE:\u00a02026 AFL Draft Order<\/a><\/p>\n

2026 DRAFT PICK MOVEMENTS<\/p>\n

IN
\nOUT<\/p>\n

Adelaide
\nthird-round pick (ESS)
\nfourth-round pick (NM)<\/p>\n

Brisbane
\nthird-round pick (HAW) third-round pick (MELB)
\nthird-round pick (CARL)<\/p>\n

Carlton
\nfirst-round pick (SYD)
second-round pick (GC)
second-round pick (NM)
third-round pick (BL)
\nsecond-round pick (PORT)
third-round pick (SYD)<\/p>\n

Collingwood
\nfourth-round pick (GWS)
fourth round-pick (SYD)
\nthird-round pick (SYD)<\/p>\n

Essendon<\/p>\n

third-round pick (ADE)<\/p>\n

Fremantle<\/p>\n

Geelong<\/p>\n

Gold Coast<\/p>\n

first-round pick (MELB)
second-round pick (CARL)
third-round pick (PORT)<\/p>\n

GWS
\nsecond-round pick (MELB)
\nsecond-round pick (HAW)
third-round pick (MELB)
fourth-round pick (COLL)<\/p>\n

Hawthorn
\nsecond-round pick (GWS)
second-round pick (STK)
fourth-round pick (MELB)
\nthird-round pick (BL)
fourth-round pick (SYD)<\/p>\n

Melbourne
\nfirst-round pick (GC)
third-round pick (GWS)
\nsecond-round pick (GWS)
third-round pick (BL)
fourth-round pick (HAW)<\/p>\n

fourth-round pick (ADE)
\nsecond-round pick (CARL)<\/p>\n

Port Adelaide
\nsecond-round pick (CARL)
third-round pick (GC)<\/p>\n

Richmond<\/p>\n

St Kilda<\/p>\n

second-round pick (HAW)<\/p>\n

Sydney
\nthird-round pick (CARL)
third-round pick (COLL)
fourth-round pick (HAW)
\nfirst-round pick (CARL)
third-round pick (WCE)
fourth-round pick (COLL)<\/p>\n

West Coast
\nthird-round pick (SYD)
fourth-round pick (WB)<\/p>\n

fourth-round pick (WCE)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n


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