Top 2026 Brisbane Academy prospect Caylen Murray was torn watching arguably the best game of his lifetime in September as the Lions got over the top of Hawthorn in this year's preliminary final.
Slated to go in the top 10 of this year's draft having risen sharply under the tutelage of Grant Birchall at Brisbane's Academy, Murray grew up supporting the Hawks.
“I didn't know who to support. I didn't know whether to be happy or to be sad,” Murray laughed.
“Deep down, yeah (I wanted Hugh McCluggage to kick the match-winner) but my 10-year-old self wanted Hawthorn to win.
I loved Cyril Rioli when I was a kid. As soon as I started watching him, I was like ‘I'm going for Hawthorn'. I also have a few family members back in Port Lincoln who go for Hawthorn.”
Murray's ability to punish teams on turnover has always been his major weapon given his athleticism and ball-use, but complementing that with sturdy defence has been a key growth which has enabled him to impact through five VFL games where he averaged 14 disposals.
Four-time premiership Hawk Grant Birchall who coaches Brisbane's Academy has been an important source for Murray as he has sought to make himself more AFL-ready.
“I've worked closely with Grant Birchall around my defensive game (to improve) my defensive actions – positioning, transitioning and worked really hard on my defensive side of things,” Murray said.
“Bottom-aged 18s when I moved to half-back flank I started to work closely with him going over vision and he's been unreal. I feel like if I get my defence going, my offence gets going itself.”
A National Championships where Murray earned Allies MVP and showed off his sizzling pace and potency in transition has positioned him as a likely top 10 prospect.
Brisbane's first two selections are 21 and 27 and with the new 20 per cent tax for preliminary finalists introduced this year as part of the tightening of bidding, the Lions would be unable to match a bid if it came earlier than Pick 9.
Therefore, they are a club which could seek a pick swap ahead of the draft. Even if a bid did not come until pick 9 or 10, their draft hand on night two would be affected given they would have to go into deficit.
Murray has trained with the AFL squad leaning on forward Charlie Cameron – whom he owes three coffees after being beaten in golf – and former Academy teammate Dan Annable.
“Words can't describe how fortunate and grateful I am. You walk past Will Ashcroft and Lachie Neale and get a handball from Harris Andrews and a week later, they're winning a premiership,” Murray reflected with a gushing smile.
“I joined the Lions Academy when I was 13. I can go anywhere which is exciting and nervous.
“Anything can happen between now and then. If it wasn't for the Academy, I wouldn't be where I am today. Grant Birchall, Mitch Hahn, Jason Akermanis, Simon Black have all supported me. Incredible names who have all supported us.
“My goal is to start as a half-back and then move my way into the midfield like how Nasiah (Wanganeen-Milera) and Nick Daicos went about it…I'd bring drive off half-back, clean ball-use and speed”
If he does go in the top 10, he would be one of three First Nations players taken in that range, alongside Port Adelaide-tied Dougie Cochrane and Carlton father-son Cody Walker.
WHY 2026 AFL DRAFT COULD MAKE HISTORY FOR INDIGENOUS STARS
Murray is from Cherbourg in Wakka Wakka country – the same town which produced Dolphins and Queensland State of Origin outside back Selwyn Cobbo who has turned himself into one of the NRL's genuine stars.
“He is my second cousin. I don't think he knows that,” Murray said.
“It's crazy. I went to the same primary school as him. Watching how he goes about it has been good. Culture is a massive thing in our footy community and one of my interests is learning more about my culture.”
Lions Academy assistant coach Jason Akermanis gave Zero Hanger an insight earlier in 2026 into what the AFL world can expect from Murray.
“He's so versatile because of his speed and ability to run and get handball receives,” Brisbane Academy assistant coach Akermanis told Zero Hanger.
“You need three of him because of how good he is. You need him kicking in, and then getting it in transition and getting it into the forward line.”
“He can change pace well as well. He will be a continual work in progress because he's a bit leaner but once he's big and strong, he'll be very good because he has pace, skill and ability to get out of trouble.”
