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June 12, 2026 \u2014 12:14pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n The next potential AFL stars are about to get their chance to shine.<\/p>\n The boys\u2019 under-18 championships will be held from June 13 to July 19 between Vic Country, Vic Metro, South Australia, Western Australia and the Allies, comprising players from the ACT, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland and Tasmania.<\/p>\n After conversations with club recruiters, we have selected 15 standout prospects ahead of the championships, including a couple who will miss out because of injuries.<\/p>\n This draft class is generally viewed as a stronger one than the 2025 crop, but will also be compromised by academy and father-son-eligible talent.<\/p>\n Among the players considered for this list but missed out were Caylen Murray, Gabe Patterson, Leo Steed, Wil Malady, Marlon Neocleous and Jackson Phillips.<\/p>\n Arki Butler<\/p>\n The grandson of St Kilda premiership player Allan Davis, who made 250 VFL\/AFL appearances across four clubs, is one of the most exciting, skilful and classy players in this year\u2019s crop. Butler\u2019s combativeness also appeals to recruiters, but they would like to see more consistency and defensive commitment from him. The top-10 prospect is playing mostly as a midfielder in the Talent League, but projects as a forward at the next level.<\/p>\n AFL talent ambassador Kevin \u201cShifter\u201d Sheehan says: \u201cI barracked for St Kilda, and he\u2019s a chip off the grandfather\u2019s block \u2013 they are so similar, even with their mannerisms; the way he walks, and his mercurial ability to win the ball and turn his opponents inside out. Arki does freakish things, is athletically sound, and capable of doing special things, like a modern-day Stevie J [Johnson].\u201d<\/p>\n Dougie Cochrane<\/p>\n The potential No.1 pick will miss the championships, and possibly the rest of the season, while recovering from patella surgery after battling knee tendinitis. Port Adelaide had a big win when the AFL approved Cochrane joining their Next Generation Academy once his Indigenous heritage was verified. It remains unclear which position he will settle in, but he can play at both ends or through the midfield. That is a question mark for some recruiters \u2013 likening him to Jack Lukosius \u2013 but others rave about his versatility and skill set at his height.<\/p>\n Shifter says: \u201cHe is hopeful to play at the back end of the year, but he was well-exposed in his 16th and 17th years, and was even outstanding as a 15-year-old. He\u2019s strong overhead, a great user of the ball and decision-maker, and is still untapped at senior level as to where he might end up playing because he\u2019s capable in any zone. He is certainly in the top handful [of prospects].\u201d<\/p>\n Ethan Drever<\/p>\n Drever is storming up draft boards, and reminds some scouts of star Roo Luke Davies-Uniacke. He has won at least 25 disposals in every game for the Rebels this year, regularly kicks goals, boasts good acceleration, makes quick decisions, has a penetrating kick, and is strong and competitive in the contest. The knockers say he needs to improve his stoppage work, and he may start as a winger rather than an inside midfielder at AFL level.<\/p>\n Shifter says: \u201cThe game is, to a large degree, about winning contested footy, and this is a bloke with the size to compete against the bigger boys. He\u2019s a hard-working inside mid, but capable of playing other spots as well. He has good vision [in the contest], clean hands, is ultra-consistent, makes good decisions, and his work rate is fantastic. His output has been brilliant in the first part of the year.\u201d<\/p>\n Kodah Edwards<\/p>\n Some recruiters like Edwards more than others, but the ones who rate him really rate him. He is a hard-nosed, contested ball-winning midfielder who impacts the game up forward as well \u2013 where he may start his AFL career \u2013 in a similar vein to Richmond\u2019s top-10 pick last year, fellow South Australian Sam Cumming. Edwards marks the ball well overhead for his height, but is not a great runner, which is his most common critique.<\/p>\n Shifter says: \u201cKodah\u2019s been named South Australia\u2019s captain, which is no surprise. He\u2019s the ultimate professional in the way he goes about it, a model of consistency, kicks goals almost every game, and is effective inside and outside the contest. His 17th year was dominant, and everything he\u2019s done this year, including for the AFL Academy, indicates he is an elite talent.\u201d<\/p>\n Khaled El Souki<\/p>\n A broken ankle will sideline the Western Bulldogs\u2019 Next Generation Academy product from the championships, but he already has everyone\u2019s attention. El Souki\u2019s draft range starts in the top 10, such is his high-end talent, but don\u2019t be surprised if he slides in the order by November. He kicks goals in various ways \u2013 and lots of them \u2013 and even showed he can play some midfield minutes, although he will need to improve his running ability.<\/p>\n Shifter says: \u201cHe has innate goal sense, which is backed up by terrific athletic ability, speed and agility. A quick glance at the sticks is all he needs, and once he\u2019s on a roll, you can\u2019t stop him.\u201d<\/p>\n Mitch Harris<\/p>\n Harris, who is likened to a combination of Harris Andrews and Sam Collins, might challenge Clancy Snell as the best key defender in the draft. His best performances are captivating, with his athleticism, aggression and marking ability at the forefront of his attributes. Being a tough country kid doesn\u2019t hurt either, and his upside is huge. That said, Harris is raw, can be inconsistent, and there is too big a gap between his best and worst.<\/p>\n Shifter says: \u201cHe\u2019s made sacrifices each week to travel from where he lives to train and play in the SANFL, and he is reaping the benefits of that investment with some dominant performances as a key defender. He makes great decisions, whether to mark as an interceptor or spoil, rebounds well, and has true grit that you want key defenders to have. He looms as a great \u2018watch me\u2019 prospect.\u201d<\/p>\n Ethan Herbert<\/p>\n Could Herbert be the next Luke Jackson? That is an ambitious projection for any prospect, but scouts are excited about what this versatile South Australian could become \u2013 although they want to see how he performs at the championships. His ground-ball work is outstanding for his height, and he effectively becomes an extra midfielder after the ruck contest. Others think Herbert might end up in a key post at either end.<\/p>\n Shifter says: \u201cHe plays like the old ruck-rover. His numbers are incredible around the ground in winning the footy, and he\u2019s a modern-day tall, in that he\u2019s not just about what he does at the centre-bounce hitouts. He\u2019s a link man as well, wins contested ball, gets around the ground very well, and can play as a marking forward. He will continue to grow and develop, and he\u2019s going to be exciting wherever he plays.\u201d<\/p>\n Xavier Ladbrook<\/p>\n Meet the No.1 swingman in this year\u2019s draft, a player who polarises but has fans who think he may end up being a top-10 selection. Ladbrook has played mostly as a defender, but is poised to spend considerable time in attack and the ruck at the championships. The expectation is he will take time to develop and become a more polished product, but his Mac Andrew-like athletic attributes make him an intriguing prospect with upside.<\/p>\n Shifter says: \u201cHe has fantastic size, covers the ground so well, sets up the play as a lefty not just with his feet but his hands as well, is so poised, one-touch overhead, and can play at both ends. He looks a potential swingman, and was the best player in the Australian side, playing deep in defence. He had one run-down tackle late in the game that was sensational and showed his competitive edge.\u201d<\/p>\n Ethan Matthews<\/p>\n The Giants have unearthed a beauty. Matthews is one of the form players in this draft class, and has won heaps of the ball at Talent League level and in trial games. One recruiter even likened the left-footer to Scott Pendlebury for how he finds time and space \u2013 lofty praise, indeed \u2013 while another called him a \u201cbeautiful mover\u201d. He is damaging in transition, continues to develop his stoppage craft and is trending towards being a top-10 pick.<\/p>\n Shifter says: \u201cI really like this young fella. He is not only a prolific ball-winner, but also has the subtleties that the smart players have. I\u2019ve seen him [do things such as] get a hand in to push the ball in the path of teammates. He\u2019s a good size, covers the ground well, a great decision-maker, reads the game well, and makes his teammates better. He comes from a part of Sydney we haven\u2019t had many top players from, so he\u2019s breaking new ground.\u201d<\/p>\n Heath Mellody<\/p>\n Mellody\u2019s had a few injury interruptions, but has a well-earned reputation as the best kick in the 2026 draft class. That status will ensure he is at least considered as a top-10 selection, particularly if he can perform strongly at the championships. Mellody is athletically gifted, kicks the ball well with both feet, and has played at half-back, in the midfield and on a wing. He projects as someone who could be a weapon on the outside for an AFL team.<\/p>\n Shifter says: \u201cHeath was super impressive last year, and has been dominant in games this year. He\u2019s as good a kick as you will see at underage level, and his decision-making and use on both sides are elite. He sets the play up, is composed, a one-touch player, and will probably start on a wing or at half-back.\u201d<\/p>\n Clancy Snell<\/p>\n Snell is likened to Sam Taylor and Connor O\u2019Sullivan. He looks like he will blossom into one of the AFL\u2019s top key defenders with his ability to defend first but also intercept in one-on-one aerial contests, where he uses his body well and often reads the ball better than forwards. Snell rarely has bad days, and how early he goes in the draft \u2013 maybe even top five \u2013 could depend on a team\u2019s willingness to be patient over a quicker-fix midfield recruit.<\/p>\n Shifter says: \u201cClancy gave glimpses last year at both ends of the ground, but has settled this year as a defender. His ability to know when to spoil \u2013 and he spoils it 15\u201320 metres \u2013 or go for a contested mark is fantastic. He is a great size, mobile, makes great decisions in the air at the last second, and is very rarely beaten in the contest. It\u2019s very hard to find [quality] kids who play key defensive spots, but Clancy is one of those.\u201d<\/p>\n Gus Teixeira<\/p>\n Teixeira\u2019s physical traits, particularly his power, should ensure he remains in the top-10 mix all year, while his running ability, and versatility as a midfielder who can go forward have also earned him plenty of fans this year. His penetrating kicking is another tick. Some recruiters would like to see more composure and better decision-making from Teixeira, who can be prone to dropping marks he should not.<\/p>\n Shifter says: \u201cGus had a terrific bottom-age year [in 2025] for Sandy, and a prominent grand final, and has made a good start to this year. He is another who impressed in the trial games. He is quick, agile, has good touch, clean hands, and is a neat decision-maker, with good fundamentals and goal sense \u2013 he\u2019s everything you want in a guy who plays as a midfielder-forward. There are high expectations for him this year.\u201d<\/p>\n Harry Van Hattum<\/p>\n This kid is a man mountain, but once you get over that, you can\u2019t believe how well he kicks the ball for a ruckman. Big men aren\u2019t supposed to be this skilled or athletic, and adding to his appeal is that he can take a clunk up forward. Van Hattum\u2019s follow-up work is often compared to Brodie Grundy. One recruiter described him as a once-in-a-decade prospect, and he is viewed as part of a \u201cBig Three\u201d with Dougie Cochrane and Cody Walker.<\/p>\n Shifter says: \u201cHarry is an awesome athlete and potential footballer with his physique and presence, and even his personality \u2013 it\u2019s all big and positive. You can\u2019t find many who jump as high as \u2018Nic Nat\u2019 [Nic Naitanui], but his running jump is like \u2018Nic Nat\u2019, and he\u2019s strongly built. You get glimpses out of the centre where he looks like a ruck-rover, then he can put the ball on the forward\u2019s chest with a beautiful pass. He has enormous potential.\u201d<\/p>\n Cody Walker<\/p>\n Carlton\u2019s latest father-son gem is one of those rare prospects who was on the radar of fans before his draft year. Dougie Cochrane\u2019s injury heightens Walker\u2019s chances of attracting a bid at No.1. His combination of power, aggression, endurance, competitiveness, ball-winning ability and professionalism suggest he will be a Blues star in the years to come. But not everyone sees him as a top-three pick, in large part because of questions over his kicking.<\/p>\n Shifter says: \u201cThere are so many things to love about Cody. You want kids who are super competitive, and he\u2019s a competitive beast. He loves to win the contested ball, and compete against the best, and he wants to star all the time \u2013 he\u2019s very driven. He\u2019s had a great three years of producing at a consistently high level. He went up to the VFL, and took that in his stride, as the best kids do. He has all the credentials to be an excellent player at AFL level.\u201d<\/p>\n Noah Williams<\/p>\n Williams has heaps of admirers, and a track record of performance, including winning the best-on-ground medal in last year\u2019s under-17 Futures game and the first AFL Academy match this year. He fits the modern game well with his zip off the mark, ball use, competitiveness, and ability to play various roles, including in the midfield and across half-back. There is even a bit of mongrel in Williams. Don\u2019t be surprised if he is a top-five selection.<\/p>\n Shifter says: \u201cNoah is small, quick, smart, and another who is a consistently high-level performer, who played well in [Vic Country\u2019s] trial game. He makes great decisions, has a piercing left-foot kick, and can play as a small defender or as an inside and outside midfielder. He\u2019s a hard nut, competes fearlessly, and I imagine, down the track, he could be one of those one-on-one types, if needed, because he\u2019s a disciplined player.\u201d<\/p>\n Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n![\"Cody](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/d73a19784b2dd0af67e958f4916382d4bc257856.jpeg\")
Cody Walker is one of the standout players showcasing their talents at the national championships.AFL Photos<\/p>\n