AFL Phantom Draft: How top 12 picks could play out in 2026Where will the bids come? Is there a bolter? Who will Essendon take? With all eyes now on next month’s AFL Draft, Chris Cavanagh makes the early call on how the first 12 picks could fall.
Chris Cavanagh
HeraldSun
October 15, 2026With the trade period over, clubs are now turning all of their attention to next month’s national draft.
There are still five weeks to go and there is plenty to play out, but here’s an early look at how the top 12 selections could play out, based on the updated draft order.
1. Port Adelaide - Dougie Cochrane (matching Essendon bid)
Utility, 196cm, DOB: 2/5/08
South Australia/Port Adelaide/Port District
A 195cm natural forward who has his eyes on one day being a Marcus Bontempelli-type player, there is little doubt the Bombers will bid on Cochrane. Port is well-positioned to match, with picks 7 and 12 effectively enough points after a 10 per cent discount is applied for matching the bid.
2. Essendon - Ethan DreverMidfielder, 188cm, DOB: 10/7/08
Vic Country/GWV Rebels/Ballarat
The Bombers have been searching for a big-bodied midfielder for some time and Drever is just that. He’s impressive on and off field, has been likened to GWS’ Finn Callaghan and put his blistering speed on display during the draft combine.
3. Carlton - Cody Walker (matching Richmond bid)
Midfielder, 188cm, DOB: 26/1/08
Vic Country/Bendigo Pioneers/Echuca
The Blues don’t have the points to match a bid on Walker at No.1 or No.2, but don’t expect one to come until the Tigers enter the frame. A powerful and dynamic player, Walker is ready to add another element to Carlton’s midfield.
4. Richmond - Harry Van HattumRuck, 204cm, DOB: 7/1/08
Vic Metro/Northern Knights/St Mary’s
The Tigers will have to determine who they think gets through to their next pick, with West Coast and Melbourne to make selections before the Tigers get another go. But if they don’t think this 205cm ruckman with a big leap will still be there at their next pick, surely they take him here.
5. West Coast - Heath MellodyDefender/Midfielder, 184cm, DOB: 27/07/08
Western Australia/Claremont/Wembley Downs
The Eagles haven’t been afraid to select interstate talent in the draft, but the local boy makes a lot of sense here. Mellody had an exceptional second half of the season through the midfield, winning the Larke Medal at the under-18 national championships and starring at senior level for Claremont.
6. Melbourne - Arki ButlerForward/Midfielder, 183cm, DOB: 23/04/08
Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons/ Beaumaris
The Demons are also being linked to South Australian key defender Mitch Harris, but Butler would be hard to pass up if he’s still on the board. The exciting half-forward might have natural talent equal to anyone in the draft.
7. Richmond - Gus TeixeiraMidfielder/Forward, 181cm, DOB: 29/03/08
Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons/East Malvern
If Mellody and Butler are gone, it might be Teixeira here for the Tigers. The Sandringham Dragons product is a midfielder-forward with explosive speed and power who kicks goals, so would complement Richmond’s list well.
8. GWS Giants - Ethan Matthews (matching Sydney bid)
Midfielder, 186cm, DOB: 9/4/08
Allies/GWS Giants Academy/Ingleburn
The Swans getting ahead of the Giants’ first pick through the Nick Blakey trade makes things interesting. Matthews is a gun midfielder who has been rated a top-10 pick, so a bid on the Giants Academy member here wouldn’t be out of place.
9. Sydney - Mitch HarrisDefender, 196cm, DOB: 1/7/08
South Australia/Woodville-West Torrens/Kadina
Especially on the back of Blakey’s departure, boosting the key defensive stocks would he handy for the Swans. Harris might be the best of the big backs, as a 196cm product Woodville-West Torrens who defends strongly and also boasts some intercept ability in the air.
10. Gold Coast - Clancy SnellDefender 196cm, 21/06/08
Vic Country, Gippsland Power/Mirboo North
The Suns’ list is pretty well stocked in a lot of areas, but perhaps could do with some more defensive depth. Gold Coast has shown interest in Snell, a 196cm interceptor from Gippsland Power who also showed some good mobility with a strong 2km time trial at the draft combine.
11. St Kilda - Wil MaladyForward, 190cm, 12/10/08
Vic Country/Gippsland Power/Bairnsdale
The Saints aren’t at the very pointy end of the order, but should still get some strong talent through the door with two picks in the teens. Could Malady be the first of those? St Kilda has done its work on the mid-sized marking machine from Gippsland Power, who helped turn the Talent League grand final with three goals in just over three minutes.
12. Collingwood - Sam GayferForward, 194cm, 21/05/08
Vic Metro/Northern Knights/St Mary’s
A bit of romance here, with Gayfer being the nephew of a 1990 premiership Magpie, Mick Gayfer. But it makes sense for the Pies. An athletic and powerful marking forward with a draft combine record-breaking leap, Gayfer could learn a bit as Jesse Hogan’s understudy over the next couple of years.
https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/afl-phantom-draft-how-top-12-picks-could-play-out-in-2026/news-story/d2d04004cf84d94b06ef712ad372d1bb
