AFL draft 2026

SeriesThis year’s national draft will be held on November 19 and 20. Here, you will find The Age’s coverage in the lead-up, with player profiles, rankings and insights into what the best juniors in the land need to do to reach the elite.10 storiesExplainerTrading and draftingTalent is just the start. What do footy recruiters look for in young players?We ask the experts how they pick future professionals from skilled amateurs – and contenders tell us what it’s like to be under the microscope.September 6, 2026Madeleine Heffernan and Peter RyanPower, speed, creativity and a penetrating kick: This young gun has the lot, and now he’s healthyGus Teixeira spent most of his draft year feeling fatigued. He still ended it with All-Australian honours and as one of the top AFL draft prospects.November 4, 2026Marc McGowanAdvertisementLippy, annoying and with star potential: The ‘next Tom Papley’ set to shake up the AFLArki Butler is a small forward agitator in the Tom Papley mould and looks certain to be a top-10 pick in next month’s AFL draft.Marc McGowan‘An A-plus character’: The prospect from a family of Essendon diehards who could kickstart the DonsEthan Drever is one of the best prospects in 2026. Essendon - the club he supports - are strongly considering him at the top of the AFL draft.Marc McGowan‘Spelling mistakes everywhere’: How an email from the heart got this AFL prospect a scholarshipWil Malady is one of the most exciting players up for grabs in this year’s AFL draft, but he had to beg for a private school scholarship.Marc McGowanWho the players rate as the cream of the crop in this year’s AFL draftWe asked 12 top draft prospects who they thought were the best young players on offer to AFL clubs in 2026. Two had themselves at the top of the list.Marc McGowanWhy this nephew of a premiership Pie is getting attention ahead of the draftThis top AFL draft prospect obliterated a long-standing combine record and might be about to continue his family’s legacy at Collingwood.Marc McGowanExquisitely talented, daring, smart: This Brighton Grammar footy captain is shaking up the draftA strong group of prospects has separated themselves at the top of next month’s AFL draft. Here are our October rankings.Marc McGowanAdvertisement‘Wow’ moments, dominators and draft bolters: We rank the top 30 AFL draft prospectsThis is not a mock draft, but rather a ranking of prospects based on performance, potential, injury risk and intangibles, based on discussions with recruiting staff at 10 AFL clubs, junior coaches, and this masthead’s own views.Marc McGowanThe Bombers and Tigers will be keeping an eye on these young guns ahead of the draftRecruiters were out in force to try to unearth the AFL’s next stars when the under-18 championships were held across the country.Marc McGowanOther seriesSummer Super CheckA six-part series featuring practical tips and advice to help you kick off the year with financial clarity.5 storiesPowerhouse Parramatta: The mission to create an icon in the westThe Herald charts the ups and downs of the creation of Sydney’s newest cultural institution.15 stories