2026 AFL Draft

[one-eyed]

Richmond is planning a heist on Carlton father-son Cody Walker, son of high-flying Andrew, and it thinks it’s in with a chance.



Paywall: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/tug-of-war-over-richmond-nga-player-blues-fatherson-cody-walker-as-richmond-faces-big-call-on-louis-kellaway/news-story/8b1df3ff1ff38c45a4adc42530e53a37

[Tiger Khosh]

Isn’t walker in next years draft?

[one-eyed]

Isn’t walker in next years draft?

Yes, he is TK.

Cody is the son of former high-flying Blue Andrew Walker, who retired in August 2016, and an exciting father-son prospect in the 2026 national draft.

But that’s not the end of the story. Because of the NGA eligibility rules, Walker is also a member of Richmond’s academy and could, under those rules, nominate the Tigers as his preferred club. In that scenario, Richmond would have priority access to him, ahead of the Blues and other clubs.

He qualifies for the Tigers because he is an Echuca resident of Indigenous heritage. Echuca sits within Richmond’s Sunraysia NGA zone.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/why-this-son-of-a-carlton-gun-has-the-option-to-join-the-tigers-20250504-p5lwdr.html


I'll split this off into a new 2026 Draft thread to avoid confusion.

[Diocletian]

While it's funny to make their fans sweat for 18 months, there's no way in the wide world Walker is not choosing the Scum - old man played for them & he idolises Cripps & Walsh. Not like Blakey who grew up in Sydney and didn't want to move interstate.

[Tiger Khosh]

Yeah can’t see it happening.

Are Blakey and Murphy the only 2 examples of a F/S turning down playing for the clubs their dad played for?

[Andyy]

While it's funny to make their fans sweat for 18 months, there's no way in the wide world Walker is not choosing the Scum - old man played for them & he idolises Cripps & Walsh. Not like Blakey who grew up in Sydney and didn't want to move interstate.

See what another year does to him.

Carltank looked deadset dreadful vs Port and 12 months from now will likely see them slipping further down the ladder while our draftees continue to develop and look better by the month hopefully.

[pmac21]

He's picked Carlton unsurprisingly
What a twatt. 

[Andyy]

He's picked Carlton unsurprisingly
What a twatt. 

Not officially I don't think, but we can expect him to.

[Hard Roar Tiger]

He's picked Carlton unsurprisingly
What a twatt. 

Not officially I don't think, but we can expect him to.

Officially he has, was quoted during the week.

[Andyy]

He's picked Carlton unsurprisingly
What a twatt. 

Not officially I don't think, but we can expect him to.

Officially he has, was quoted during the week.

Yeah you're correct.

Oh well, sour grapes here, stuff him. Have fun rebuilding the Blues for another preliminaryship in 10 years.

[one-eyed]

From the AFL website:

----------------------

Carlton has received a massive draft boost heading into 2026, with next year's potential No.1 pick Cody Walker informing the club this week that he intends to nominate the Blues under father-son rules.

Walker, whose father Andrew played 202 games for Carlton, had also been eligible to join Richmond as part of its Next Generation Academy program.

However, AFL.com.au understands the highly rated teenager told both Carlton and Richmond officials earlier this week that he intends to head to Ikon Park as part of next year's draft where he will follow in his father's footsteps.

Walker, who is Indigenous, had qualified for the Tigers as a Next Generation Academy member given he lives in Echuca, which sits within the club's Sunraysia zone.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1366834/carlton-blues-get-huge-draft-boost-as-no1-contender-cody-walker-opts-into-father-son-rule

[one-eyed]

The Father-son rule may well change in the future, but it’s going nowhere this year.

@FootyonNine @9NewsMelb

https://x.com/tommorris32/status/1954830580061032703


Not going to happen, but if the AFL were to abolish the F/S rule next year then Cody Walker would be free to go to us under the NGA.

[Tiger Khosh]

The Father-son rule may well change in the future, but it’s going nowhere this year.

@FootyonNine @9NewsMelb

https://x.com/tommorris32/status/1954830580061032703


Not going to happen, but if the AFL were to abolish the F/S rule next year then Cody Walker would be free to go to us under the NGA.

As much as that would work out great for us, i would hate to see them abolish it. 1 of the great unique traditions of the AFL.

[WilliamPowell]

The Father-son rule may well change in the future, but it’s going nowhere this year.

@FootyonNine @9NewsMelb

https://x.com/tommorris32/status/1954830580061032703


Not going to happen, but if the AFL were to abolish the F/S rule next year then Cody Walker would be free to go to us under the NGA.

As much as that would work out great for us, i would hate to see them abolish it. 1 of the great unique traditions of the AFL.

Agree

[Andyy]

I wouldn't get rid of it.

In fact I would actually consider an adjusted games requirement for the entitlement, possibly with a sliding scale of draft point discount.

Maybe like this:
50-99 games, eligible, 5% discount
100-149 games, 10% discount
150-199, 15% discount
200+ 20% discount

Plenty of players have had great, storied careers of less than 100 games.