The class, in order
Top 10
1
Dougie Cochrane
Key-position utility · 195 cm · Central District, South Australia
Port Adelaide · Next Generation Academy · Projected bid
1st in all four rankings.
Strengths: Versatility, Kicking, Athleticism
Returned from knee surgery to play four SANFL games for Port Adelaide.
2
Cody Walker
Midfielder · 184 cm · Bendigo Pioneers, Vic Country
Carlton · Father-son (chose Carlton over a Next Generation Academy tie to Richmond) · Projected bid
Middle rank 2, from 2nd, 2nd, 2nd and 5th.
Strengths: Winning the ball, Competitiveness, Athleticism
Son of Andrew, who played for Carlton. Played VFL football for Carlton, and is in the AFL Academy. Third in the combine's 2km time trial (6:04), nine seconds under his best.
3
Arki Butler
Forward-midfielder · 182 cm · Sandringham Dragons, Vic Metro
Middle rank 3.5, from 3rd, 3rd, 4th and 5th.
Strengths: Kicking goals, Athleticism
In the AFL Academy. A broken collarbone cut into his year.
4
Ethan Drever
Midfielder · 188 cm · GWV Rebels, Vic Country
Middle rank 3.5, from 3rd, 3rd, 4th and 6th.
Strengths: Speed, Winning the ball, Kicking goals
Vic Country's most valuable player at the under-18 championships, and the GWV Rebels' best and fairest. Fifth in the combine's 20m sprint (2.905s) and its running vertical jump (96cm).
5
Heath Mellody
Midfielder-defender · 184 cm · Claremont, Western Australia
Middle rank 4, from 2nd, 4th, 4th and 5th.
Strengths: Kicking, Versatility
Won the Larke Medal as the best player at the under-18 championships, then played senior WAFL football for Claremont.
6
Harry Van Hattum
Ruck · 205 cm · Northern Knights, Vic Metro
Middle rank 6.5, from 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th.
Strengths: Ruck work, Kicking, Leap
Jumped 95cm in the combine's running vertical jump, the highest by a ruck. Injuries interrupted his year.
7
Gus Teixeira
Midfielder-forward · 181 cm · Sandringham Dragons, Vic Metro
Middle rank 6.5, from 6th, 6th, 7th and 7th.
Strengths: Kicking goals, Speed
A calf injury troubled him for much of the year.
8
Ethan Matthews
Midfielder · 186 cm · GWS Giants Academy, Allies
GWS Giants · Northern Academy · Projected bid
Middle rank 8, from 7th, 8th, 8th and 9th.
Strengths: Kicking, Winning the ball
Played VFL football in 2026. A foot stress reaction ended his season during the under-18 championships.
9
Mitch Harris
Key defender · 195 cm · Woodville-West Torrens, South Australia
Middle rank 9, from 8th, 9th, 9th and 13th.
Strengths: One-on-one defending, Intercept marking, Competitiveness
Played senior SANFL football for Woodville-West Torrens in 2026.
10
Caylen Murray
Half-back · 183 cm · Brisbane Lions Academy, Allies
Brisbane Lions · Northern Academy · Projected bid
Middle rank 10.5, from 10th, 10th, 11th and 17th.
One ranking has him 7 places further down than the other three, which are within one place of each other.
Strengths: Kicking, Running capacity
Played for the Allies at the under-18 championships, and ran the fourth-fastest 2km at the combine (6:06).
11 to 20
11
Leo Steed
Midfielder-forward · 176 cm · Swan Districts, Western Australia
Middle rank 11, from 9th, 10th, 12th and 14th.
Strengths: Competitiveness, Running capacity, Agility
Captained Western Australia at the under-18 championships. Sixth in the combine's 2km (6:09) and eighth in its agility test.
12
Wil Malady
Forward · 190 cm · Gippsland Power, Vic Country
Middle rank 11.5, from 10th, 11th, 12th and 12th.
Strengths: Speed, Leap, Marking
In the AFL Academy. Kicked five goals in the Talent League grand final. Third in the combine's 20m sprint (2.900s) and second in its agility test (7.833s).
13
Clancy Snell
Key defender · 196 cm · Gippsland Power, Vic Country
Middle rank 12, from 11th, 11th, 13th and 21st.
One ranking has him 10 places further down than the other three, which are within two places of each other.
Strengths: Intercept marking, Reading the play, One-on-one defending
14
Sam Gayfer
Key forward · 194 cm · Northern Knights, Vic Metro
Middle rank 13.5, from 13th, 13th, 14th and 14th.
Strengths: Marking, Competitiveness, Leap
Set the combine's running vertical jump record at 114cm, seven centimetres higher than anyone before him, and was first in the standing jump (88cm).
15
Tyson Bradley
Key defender · 195 cm · Sandringham Dragons, Vic Metro
Middle rank 15, from 14th, 15th, 15th and 20th.
Strengths: Kicking, One-on-one defending, Agility
Captained Sandringham, and was Vic Metro's most valuable player at the under-18 championships. Sixth in the combine's agility test.
16
Toby Krasna
Wing-midfielder · 181 cm · Northern Knights, Vic Metro
Middle rank 17.5, from 16th, 17th, 18th and 28th.
One ranking has him 11 places further down than the other three, which are within two places of each other.
Strengths: Run and carry, Running capacity
Seventh in the combine's 2km time trial (6:11).
17
Jake Eime
Half-back · 182 cm · Central District, South Australia
Middle rank 18.5, from 15th, 15th, 22nd and 26th.
Strengths: Run and carry, Speed, Running capacity
Adelaide applied to add him to its Next Generation Academy and the AFL refused, so any club can take him. Equal tenth in the combine's 2km (6:13).
18
Khaled El Souki
Small forward · 174 cm · Western Jets, Vic Metro
Western Bulldogs · Next Generation Academy · Projected bid
Middle rank 19, from 12th, 18th, 20th and 23rd.
Strengths: Kicking goals, Strength
Led the Talent League's goalkicking, then kicked three goals on his VFL debut for Footscray. An ankle injury interrupted his under-18 championships.
19
Kodah Edwards
Midfielder-forward · 183 cm · South Adelaide, South Australia
Middle rank 19, from 19th, 19th, 19th and 24th.
Strengths: Kicking goals, Winning the ball, Competitiveness
Captained South Australia at the under-18 championships.
20
George Dimer
Small forward · 173 cm · Sandringham Dragons, Vic Metro
Middle rank 21.5, from 17th, 19th, 24th and 30th.
The rankings split widely on him.
Strengths: Kicking goals, Reading the play, Speed
Third in the combine's agility test (7.893s).
21 to 30
21
Noah Williams
Midfielder · 177 cm · Geelong Falcons, Vic Country
Middle rank 21.5, from 20th, 21st, 22nd and 27th.
Strengths: Competitiveness
Captained the Geelong Falcons.
22
Jack Pickett
Key forward · 194 cm · Geelong Falcons, Vic Country
Middle rank 22, from 20th, 21st, 23rd and 23rd.
Strengths: Marking, Kicking goals
ACL and MCL injuries cost him most of his top-age year.
23
Jackson Phillips
Wing-midfielder · 182 cm · Dandenong Stingrays, Vic Country
Middle rank 22.5, from 17th, 18th, 27th and 37th.
The rankings split widely on him.
Strengths: Kicking, Running capacity, Kicking goals
24
Lochie Burrows
Utility · 181 cm · Sandringham Dragons, Vic Metro
Middle rank 23.5, from 16th, 22nd, 25th and 33rd.
The rankings split widely on him.
Strengths: Competitiveness, Versatility
25
George Gale
Wing-midfielder · 190 cm · Claremont, Western Australia
Middle rank 25, from 16th, 23rd, 27th and 35th.
The rankings split widely on him.
Strengths: Strength, Running capacity, Winning the ball
Co-captained Western Australia at the under-18 championships. Ninth in the combine's 2km (6:12).
26
Harrison Chapman
Half-back and wing · 190 cm · Eastern Ranges, Vic Metro
Middle rank 26. Ranked 16th, 25th and 27th by three of the four rankings; the other leaves him out.
Strengths: Run and carry, Speed
27
Marlon Neocleous
Small forward · 168 cm · Gippsland Power, Vic Country
Middle rank 28, from 22nd, 26th, 30th and 32nd.
Strengths: Kicking goals, Strength
28
Albert MacGowan
Wing-midfielder · 187 cm · Sandringham Dragons, Vic Metro
Middle rank 28, from 24th, 25th, 31st and 34th.
Strengths: Running capacity, Marking, Kicking
Ran the combine's fastest 2km time trial: 5:59, two seconds clear of the next best.
29
Harvie Cooke
Midfielder-forward · 176 cm · Northern Knights, Vic Metro
Middle rank 28, from 21st, 25th, 31st and 46th.
The rankings split widely on him.
Strengths: Kicking goals, Running capacity, Agility
Won the Morrish Medal, the Talent League's best and fairest. Fifth in the combine's 2km (6:08) and its agility test (7.962s).
30
Gabe Patterson
Forward · 184 cm · Glenelg, South Australia
Middle rank 28.5, from 24th, 28th, 29th and 36th.
Strengths: Kicking goals, Athleticism
A shoulder injury interrupted his year.
31 to 50
Past 30th, not every ranking reaches, so the order from here is rough.
31
Koby LeCras
Tall forward · 192 cm · West Perth, Western Australia
Middle rank 29. Ranked 26th, 28th and 30th by three of the four rankings; the other leaves him out.
Hurt his knee during the year, and was back to run the combine's 2km in 6:23.
32
Keenan Boi
Small forward · 180 cm · Gippsland Power, Vic Country
Hawthorn · Next Generation Academy · Projected bid
Middle rank 30. Ranked 29th, 29th and 46th by three of the four rankings; the other leaves him out.
Strengths: Strength
Gippsland Power's best and fairest in 2026.
33
Ethan Herbert
Ruck-forward · 200 cm · North Adelaide, South Australia
Middle rank 30.5. Ranked 18th, 30th and 35th by three of the four rankings; the other leaves him out.
Strengths: Ruck work, Leap
Eighth in the combine's running vertical jump (91cm).
34
Xavier Ladbrook
Key defender · Gippsland Power, Vic Country
Middle rank 33. Ranked 26th and 35th by two of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Strengths: Leap
Seventh in the combine's running vertical jump (92cm).
35
Harvey Spawton-Guy
Key-position swingman · West Perth, Western Australia
Middle rank 33.5. Ranked 28th and 43rd by two of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Played senior WAFL football for West Perth.
36
Gus Kennedy
Defender · Dandenong Stingrays, Vic Country
Middle rank 33.5. Ranked 31st and 50th by two of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Strengths: Leap, Speed
Co-captained Dandenong. Fourth in the combine's standing vertical jump (82cm) and equal third in the running jump (97cm).
37
Archie Elliott
Forward · GWV Rebels, Vic Country
Middle rank 34. Ranked 32nd and 43rd by two of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Led Vic Country's goalkicking at the under-18 championships.
38
Billy Wigmore
Tall defender · Western Jets, Vic Metro
Middle rank 34.5. Ranked 29th, 33rd and 40th by three of the four rankings; the other leaves him out.
Strengths: Intercept marking
39
Zac Antonellos
Forward-midfielder · Eastern Ranges, Vic Metro
Middle rank 34.5. Ranked 33rd and 50th by two of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Played in Eastern Ranges' 2025 premiership. Injury limited his 2026.
40
Wil Antrobus
Defender · Dandenong Stingrays, Vic Country
Middle rank 35. Ranked 34th and 37th by two of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
41
Jack Slattery
Forward · Woodville-West Torrens, South Australia
Middle rank 36. Ranked 36th and 40th by two of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
An overage player who kicked 17.1 at the under-18 championships.
42
Marcus Prasad
Small forward · 167 cm · Dandenong Stingrays, Vic Country
Middle rank 36.5. Ranked 32nd and 41st by two of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Strengths: Agility
He doesn't qualify for Melbourne's Next Generation Academy, despite early reports, so any club can take him.
43
Blake Justice
Midfielder-forward · Calder Cannons, Vic Metro
Essendon · Next Generation Academy · Projected bid
Middle rank 37. Ranked 38th and 44th by two of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Injuries interrupted his 2026.
44
Brady Wright
Key forward · Werribee
Middle rank 37. Ranked 38th by one of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Won the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal, the VFL's best young player award, after two years at Werribee.
45
Archie Van Dyk
Midfielder · South Adelaide, South Australia
Middle rank 37.5. Ranked 39th by one of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Strengths: Running capacity
Eighth in the combine's 2km time trial (6:12).
46
Cody Templeton
Midfielder-forward · Gippsland Power, Vic Country
Middle rank 37.5. Ranked 39th and 57th by two of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Kicked five goals and was best on ground in the Talent League grand final.
47
Sam Devers
Defender · Eastern Ranges, Vic Metro
Middle rank 38.5. Ranked 41st by one of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Strengths: Leap, Speed
Equal second in the combine's standing vertical jump (85cm), equal third in the running jump (97cm), and seventh in the 20m sprint (2.925s).
48
Jordan Knapp
Utility · Eastern Ranges, Vic Metro
Middle rank 39. Ranked 42nd and 48th by two of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Strengths: Agility
Captained Eastern Ranges. Seventh in the combine's agility test (7.999s).
49
Benji van Rooyen
Ruck · 203 cm · Claremont, Western Australia
Middle rank 39. Ranked 34th and 44th by two of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
50
Oliver Bartal
Tall defender · Sandringham Dragons, Vic Metro
Middle rank 39. Ranked 42nd by one of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
51 onwards
51
Hugh McCallum
Wing · Tasmania Devils
Middle rank 40.5. Ranked 45th by one of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
52
Jake Soutar
Defender · East Perth, Western Australia
Middle rank 40.5. Ranked 45th by one of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
A mature-age prospect, invited to the state combine.
53
Archie Spencer
Midfielder · Eastern Ranges, Vic Metro
Middle rank 41.5. Ranked 47th by one of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Strengths: Agility
Fourth in the combine's agility test (7.905s).
54
Memphis Webb
Midfielder · North Adelaide, South Australia
Middle rank 41.5. Ranked 47th by one of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Missed 2025 with a knee (ACL) injury.
55
Darcy Szerszyn
Tall half-back · Dandenong Stingrays, Vic Country
Middle rank 42. Ranked 48th and 49th by two of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Strengths: Speed, Leap, Agility
A shoulder injury cost him the first half of the year. Sixth in the combine's 20m sprint (2.914s) and its standing vertical jump (78cm).
56
Sam Tassone
Half-back · North Adelaide, South Australia
Middle rank 42.5. Ranked 49th and 55th by two of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Strengths: Running capacity
Equal tenth in the combine's 2km time trial (6:13).
57
Harper Banfield
Midfielder-forward · Claremont, Western Australia
West Coast Eagles · Father-son · Projected bid
Middle rank 43.5. Ranked 51st by one of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Son of Drew, who played for West Coast. Played WAFL league football for Claremont late in the year.
58
Andrio Sousa
Forward and wing · Dandenong Stingrays, Vic Country
Middle rank 43.5. Ranked 52nd by one of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Strengths: Speed, Leap, Agility
Fourth in the combine's 20m sprint (2.902s) and fifth in its standing vertical jump (80cm).
59
Cameron Maynard
Small forward · South Fremantle, Western Australia
Middle rank 43.5. Ranked 53rd by one of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Strengths: Speed
Second in the combine's 20m sprint (2.898s).
60
Kai Parker
Defender · Northern Knights, Vic Metro
Middle rank 43.5. Ranked 54th by one of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
61
Jackson Watkins
Forward-midfielder · Calder Cannons, Vic Metro
Middle rank 43.5. Ranked 56th by one of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
62
Lachlan Hicks
Midfielder-forward · Vic Metro
Middle rank 43.5. Ranked 58th by one of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Strengths: Agility, Running capacity, Speed
Second in the combine's 2km (6:01), and top of its agility test at 7.800s, the fifth-best time on record.
63
Cooper Hodge
Midfielder-forward · Brisbane Lions Academy, Allies
Hawthorn · Father-son (chose Hawthorn over a Northern Academy tie to Brisbane Lions) · Projected bid
Middle rank 43.5. Ranked 59th by one of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Son of Luke, who played for Hawthorn. Has played VFL football.
64
Angus White
Midfielder-forward · South Adelaide, South Australia
Middle rank 43.5. Ranked 60th by one of the four rankings; the others leave him out.
Father-son, academy and NGA prospects
Every tied prospect in the 2026 pool, ranked or not. Where a rival club bids on one, the tied club can match the bid with picks worth its price in draft points.
Father-son
Carlton · Father-son (chose Carlton over a Next Generation Academy tie to Richmond)
2nd in the class. Projected bid
West Coast Eagles · Father-son
57th in the class. Projected bid
Hawthorn · Father-son (chose Hawthorn over a Northern Academy tie to Brisbane Lions)
63rd in the class. Projected bid
Aidan McCartney
North Melbourne · Father-son (chose North Melbourne over a Northern Academy tie to Sydney Swans)
Named just outside one ranking's top 60. Son of Jason, who played for North Melbourne. Hip surgery in February cost him his whole draft year. An under-16 All-Australian, and in the AFL Academy. Projected bid
Sam Harris
North Melbourne · Father-son
Not in any ranking's top 60. Son of Daniel, who played for North Melbourne.
Archie Daffy
Richmond · Father-son
Not in any ranking's top 60. Trains with Richmond.
Jack Leys
Richmond · Father-son
Not in any ranking's top 60. Trains with Richmond.
Jax Cooney
Western Bulldogs · Father-son
Not in any ranking's top 60. Son of Adam, the Western Bulldogs' 2008 Brownlow medallist.
Levi West
Western Bulldogs · Father-son
Not in any ranking's top 60. Son of Scott, who played for the Western Bulldogs, where his brother Rhylee is listed.
Next Generation Academy
Port Adelaide · Next Generation Academy
1st in the class. Projected bid
Western Bulldogs · Next Generation Academy
18th in the class. Projected bid
Hawthorn · Next Generation Academy
32nd in the class. Projected bid
Essendon · Next Generation Academy
43rd in the class. Projected bid
Anthony Long
Adelaide Crows · Next Generation Academy
Named just outside one ranking's top 60. Strengths: Speed. Eighth in the combine's 20m sprint (2.940s). Projected bid
Lucas Robinson
Fremantle · Next Generation Academy
Not in any ranking's top 60.
Tanner Armstrong
Richmond · Next Generation Academy
Not in any ranking's top 60. In the AFL Academy. Played for Vic Country at the under-18 championships, and made his VFL debut for Richmond.
Hok Marial
Western Bulldogs · Next Generation Academy
Not in any ranking's top 60. Came to football from basketball.
Garrison Kenh
West Coast Eagles · Next Generation Academy
Not in any ranking's top 60. An under-16 All-Australian, and in the AFL Academy.
Lachie McGlade
West Coast Eagles · Next Generation Academy
Not in any ranking's top 60.
Northern Academy
GWS Giants · Northern Academy
8th in the class. Projected bid
Brisbane Lions · Northern Academy
10th in the class. Projected bid
Matthew Owen
Brisbane Lions · Northern Academy
Not in any ranking's top 60.
Reece Thompson
Brisbane Lions · Northern Academy
Not in any ranking's top 60.
Archie Hill
Gold Coast Suns · Northern Academy
Not in any ranking's top 60. In the AFL Academy.
Guy Jenkin
Sydney Swans · Northern Academy
Not in any ranking's top 60.
Henry Meaney
Sydney Swans · Northern Academy
Not in any ranking's top 60.
Jake Medved
Sydney Swans · Northern Academy
Named just outside one ranking's top 60. Projected bid
Mason McGroder
Sydney Swans · Northern Academy
Named just outside one ranking's top 60. Strengths: Speed and leap. Fastest in the combine's 20m sprint (2.827s), second in its running vertical jump (107cm) and equal second in the standing jump (85cm). Also competes in the long jump. Projected bid
How the order is worked out
Each player's place comes from his middle rank across the four rankings. A ranking that leaves him out counts him one place past its end, so a player every list ranks comes ahead of one only the longest list reaches. Players level on that are split by their average rank, then their best. Where one ranking stands well apart from the others, or they split widely, his entry says so.
The strip beside each player draws the same thing: a dot for each ranking's place for him, a ring where a ranking stops before him and is counted one past its end, and a pink mark under his middle rank. Every strip shares one scale, from 1st to 61st, stretched at the top, where a place matters most; its ticks mark every tenth place.
Strengths come from one short list of plain words, the same for every player, and three at most. A strength is named only where at least two of the rankings' notes on him describe it, or where he finished in the draft combine's top ten for the matching test: the 20m sprint for speed, the 2km time trial for running capacity, the agility test for agility, and either jump for leap.
- Every ranking reaches its 30th player, and the longest its 60th. Past the 30th, fewer rankings place each player, so treat the order there as rough.
- Rankings order players, not picks. Where each is taken also depends on clubs' needs, bids on tied players and trades.
- The notes on each player are ours, and only what is on record: honours, results at the draft combine, the levels he has played, and reported injuries. A father is named only where he makes the tie. How highly a player is rated is left to the rankings, and how much they agree is worked out from their ranks.