2026 Draft Thread

[dejavoodoo44]

Latest Fox draft rankings. McGroder gets a mention at 47. I tend to think that it'd be a huge bargain if we can take him in that range.

AFL Draft Power Rankings 2026, Fox Footy Top 50: Best prospects ranked 1 to 50, clubs who could take them, player comparisons https://share.google/TOwUdbO6KdAErD9fa

[KSAS]

Thanks Deja. Interestingly, the article has us linked to Gus Teixeira a 181cm forward-midfielder from Sandringham Dragons, who they've ranked 8th and plays lime Zac Bailey.

They have Mitch Harris (9) heavily linked to Melbourne with pick 4, but may slip to us.

[Tommy_Wolfe7]

As you may know, I've been running a series called Draft Chats, speaking with some of the prospects hoping to hear their names called at the 2026 AFL Draft.

The idea is to get beyond the usual questions about who they would draft, their favourite meals and who they barrack for. I wanted to find out more about the people behind the prospects, almost in a recruiting sense. I talked with them about their journeys, setbacks, sacrifices, motivations, lessons learned, and what makes them tick.

So far, I've been fortunate enough to chat with 17 of my top 60 rated players (there might be a couple more coming, but no promises as we’re close to draft night and there’s a bit going on). Those interviewed so far are:

Jackson Watkins, Xavier Ladbrook, Gabe Patterson, Cody Templeton, Harry Chapman, Jacob McNicol, Jackson Phillips, Sam Devers, Archie Spencer, Harry Franz, Jordan Knapp, Sam Tassone, Judd Burgiel, Billy Wigmore, George Dimer, Memphis Webb and Jack Slattery.

There are some terrific stories and insights in the interviews, and hopefully a different way for footy fans to get to know the next generation of AFL players.

You can find the full series here:

https://readingtheplay.wordpress.com/draft-chats/

As always, I’m keen to hear what people think, and what sorts of questions you’d like asked in future editions of the series.

Hope you enjoy (or enjoyed if you followed along as each one dropped).

[KSAS]

With the new draft rules, it is predicted only 18 selections will be made on the first night (in previous years, it numbered in the early 20's).

With us making 5 list changes, can we assume we will make 5 selections in the draft with picks 6, 38, 39. 47 & 54? Not knowing where the bid for McGroder will come does complicate things a bit.

[KSAS]

Out of curiosity, i checked in value of points what 2 picks best equate to pick 6 if we decided to split it. Result: picks 17 & 18 (but slightly overs in points).

If as predicted pick 6 slides to 8 the best will be picks 20 & 22.

(Our remaining hand will also subsequently drop by at least 2 places taking into account matching bids).