The conclusion of the 2026 AFL National Championships has crystallised which players are at the top end of this year's draft crop and given cause for excitement about the depth of players on offer.
Several players have ensconced themselves in top 10 discussion off the back of an eye-catching carnival, with four club-tied prospects in that mix. But there is plenty of compelling talent in the next tier for the rest of the competition to choose from.
Three key defenders in the top 15 is a noteworthy feature with no more than one typically taken in the first round across the past decade.
There is also a mix of enticing inside and outside midfielders, half-backs and small forwards, with athleticism, as has become the way, a common denominator among the very best.
Claremont defender Tom Brown, South Australian pair Gabriel Patterson and Jacob McNicol, Sandringham Dragons interceptor Ollie Bartal, Essendon-linked Blake Justice, West Coast father-son prospect Harper Banfield and Eastern Ranges utility Sam Devers are among the names on the periphery of the top 40.
20-16
20 - Harry Chapman (Eastern Ranges) (-2)
His last game of the Under-18s Championships was arguably his best of the season, using his burning speed to open the game up and punish the opposition in transition and showing great willingness to get back and support. Had potent moments until then through the carnival as a player who can link up dangerously in transition and find space with ease. Does his best work on the outside where he can show off his lethal skill execution. Has a great ability to turn his disposals into scores.
19 - Marlon Neocleous (Gippsland Power) (-9)
An exceptionally tough one to place and a player who has polarised recruiters, and thus it was enormously frustrating to see him miss half of the National Championships due to an exceedingly untimely minor injury. A hard worker who knows where the goals are with a deep bag of tricks and excellent pressure, he certainly has an array of traits transferable to the top level but has been flashy rather than consistent - yet, his skillset is undeniable.
18 - Tyson Bradley (Sandringham Dragons) (NEW)
A Harris Andrews-style general in defence, Bradley has been a big riser through the middle of the year, capped off by winning Vic Metro's MVP. Can lock down effectively and makes smart decisions about when to spoil, take marks or come off his man and intercept. Impenetrable aerially, he is growing his counterattacking game, but has an air of composure when there is chaos on the last line of defence.
17 - Wil Malady (Gippsland Power) (+7)
Many have the Gippslander even higher than 17, but there remains a bit of a gap between his best and his worst. At his best, he is an athletic marking target who has dynamism at ground level which makes him an ideal hybrid threat who can work his opponent over. Started the carnival on fire but a combination of injury and his team's form limited him somewhat thereafter. Has the attributes to be a very good footballer at the top level and is a difficult matchup who is gaining plenty of support.
16 - George Gale (Claremont) (+3)
A hard-running, well-built, ball-winning player capable of playing in any third of the ground, Gale has risen significantly in recent months. Has a strong core which allows him to navigate his way through traffic and has great penetration with the footy. He's also capable of taking a big mark and is an excellent decision maker. George's Dad, Mark, played for Fremantle and St Kilda but falls short of the 100-game father-son threshold; grandfather Terry was a renowned tour-level golfer and cousin, Ed Allan, is a rising Collingwood Magpie.
