2026 AFL Draft

[pmac21]

I think we will draft HVH. 

[Tommy_Wolfe7]

No compensation picks, so how do we end up with 19 + 23?

The draft made use of the in draft rules as they will exist. But for the draft order there were no assumed trades of FA/Assistance compensation picks.

The idea is to show the starting point before the trade period changes everything, and provide a measuring stick for what becomes possible afterwards.

Based on that talent what pick do you think would be worth trading picks 19 and 23 for or do you not see much of a gap after the likes of Cochrane, walker, butler, Tex, HVH, Mellody and Drever?

Would you rather have say a pick 12 or pick 19 + 23?

I'd probably back in the 19 and 23 given the current rebuild status. There's very little between 8-30 in my mind. It means you're getting a double chance at largely similar talent, and can probably look at needs as well given the talents are so similar in that range.

[Tiger Khosh]

No compensation picks, so how do we end up with 19 + 23?

The draft made use of the in draft rules as they will exist. But for the draft order there were no assumed trades of FA/Assistance compensation picks.

The idea is to show the starting point before the trade period changes everything, and provide a measuring stick for what becomes possible afterwards.

Based on that talent what pick do you think would be worth trading picks 19 and 23 for or do you not see much of a gap after the likes of Cochrane, walker, butler, Tex, HVH, Mellody and Drever?

Would you rather have say a pick 12 or pick 19 + 23?

I'd probably back in the 19 and 23 given the current rebuild status. There's very little between 8-30 in my mind. It means you're getting a double chance at largely similar talent, and can probably look at needs as well given the talents are so similar in that range.

Thanks mate, I thought that might be the case.

[one-eyed]

Essendon has received two extra rookie spots from the AFL as its assistance package.

The spots will be for next year and then be reviewed at the end of 2027.

https://x.com/CalTwomey/status/2102183106673578208

[Tommy_Wolfe7]

Interview with Glenelg premiership hero Gabe Patterson is up now.

This was a particularly enjoyable one to put together. Gabe was really great to talk footy with and gave some great insight into his game and year of development. Well worth a read for anyone keeping an eye on the 2026 draft crop:


https://readingtheplay.wordpress.com/2026/09/22/draft-chats-3-gabe-patterson/

[ajGreen]

Get the feeling at this stage. We take whoever is left from mellody and Drever.

No idea what we think of hvh but would be a good risk for mine.

Even if drever is the most superfluous of the big 5 open pool players.

Then again it doesn't often hurt having more A grade potential mids

[ajGreen]

Didn't see it but apparently the Herald Sun’s ‘strong mail’ is that they like Drever at Pick 1,

according to Chris Cavanagh

[Tommy_Wolfe7]

Interview with Gippsland Power forward/midfielder and Grand Final BOG Cody Templeton is up now.

Cody was really open in this one, giving some great insight into his game, his development, the areas he’s working on and how he sees himself translating to the next level. If you're interested, link is below:


https://readingtheplay.wordpress.com/2026/09/24/draft-chats-4-cody-templeton/

[one-eyed]

https://x.com/superfooty/status/2103084556761067649

[ajGreen]

https://x.com/superfooty/status/2103084556761067649

Caleb Serong killing it but the callers keep saying how much Jackson feeding him. ..

Food for thought is. Hvh

[Buddysucks]

Softest GF EVER. Seriously. Flag footy!

[pmac21]

Wharfie time cost them the flag. Lol.  Ridiculous concept

[ajGreen]

Wharfie time cost them the flag. Lol.  Ridiculous concept

Worth it just to make that chick sit down.

Anyway back on topic.

Again 60odd or less sec eft. Season on the line.

Yet again Jackson wins it clean to Bolton giving freo one more chance.

I think the club will lean towards drever. Mellody. But hvh intriguing prospect,  huge ceiling.

Even butler has a strong case given we lack some spark bar mansell and Campbell.  Alger. Peucker still prospects at best.

The other mids resting forward.

[ajGreen]

"We talked about Wharfie Time, and making that our energy."

- Josh Dunkley

[Tommy_Wolfe7]

I'm mindful of spamming the draft thread so don't want to keep posting my own links. I've just posted an interview with Harry Chapman, and have another three scheduled for release over the next week (and hopefully more between then and the draft). The next three are Jacob McNicol, Jackson Phillips and George Dimer.

Instead of continually sharing the links, I'll post the 'Draft Chats' page here, and then let the forum know when new interviews drop.

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