By day, I work as an exercise physiologist. By night, I moonlight as an AFL draft fanatic. I'm watching 6-10 games per week, and staying across all the statistics and highlights of games and players I may have missed.
When I watch games, I have my own ranking criteria that I stand by as a measure of a player's impact on the game. Something I can use to separate prospects aside from the stats, and outside of purely football knowledge and intuition.
When it comes to putting together rankings, it's not hard to end up with a huge list of players worth noting. I've limited myself to 100 names for now, but make no mistake, there are upwards of 200 names on my radar. Without further ado, let's get into the current top 100 players in the 2026 AFL draft.
20-10
20. Clancy Snell - KEY DEF - Gippsland Power
Snell has pulled away as the top key defensive prospect in this year's draft. An impressive athlete capable of playing in a lockdown role or as an interceptor. Snell has benefitted from playing in a strong Gippsland side and has had long periods of games where he has been able to freely peel off his opponent to intercept or spoil. Snell also played as a forward last year to a high level and has great skills to distribute and a willingness to take the game on by foot.
19. Hugh McCallum - WING/UTILITY - Tasmania Devils
A highly-talented prospect with elite running power, clean skills and a willingness to work hard defensively as well as make himself a goal-kicking option by working into space ahead of the ball. An ACL injury means we won't see McCallum for the rest of this year, however, he showed more than enough to suggest that he can be valuable in almost any position on the field and is certainly worth having a look at with a first round pick.
18. Harrison Chapman - WING/UTILITY - Eastern Ranges
Elite speed for his size as well as running power to impact on a wing at the next level straight away. If Chapman gets the ball in space, he backs his speed to beat his opponent and typically does. Chapman has spent a lot of time as a primary on-baller this year and has no problem racking up disposals. He works hard on the spread and can become more of a presence as a forward in the latter stages of this year, too.
17. George Gale - UTILITY - Claremont Tigers
There's hardly a position Gale can't play; big-bodied midfielder, intercepting third-tall defender or hard-working, elite running wing. Gale has a great inside/outside game and uses his natural reading of the play to intercept even when playing higher up the ground. Gale is a natural leader whose playstyle and mindset stands up in big moments, and he has the running power to close out quarters and games better than his opponents.
16. Leo Steed - MID - Swan Districts
Been on a mercurial rise since the start of the year and climbing by the week. Steed plays with arguably the highest work rate of anyone in this draft class. He works hard on both sides of the ball and often kickstarts offensive transition, before inevitably getting involved further up the ground, too. Steed has played as a high half forward at WAFL league level and shown that he can be a goal-kicker as well as a ball-winner. Proving his work rate translates well to the next level.
15. Marlon Neocleous - SMALL FWD/MID - Gippsland Power
Claimed the title of Òthe Nick Watson of this year's draftÓ before the season even started and doesn't show any signs of letting go. What sets Neocleous apart from smalls in the previous few drafts who have also drawn comparisons to the Hawthorn superstar is his ability overhead, and genuine clearance winning midfield craft. Neocleous will be looked at by clubs with high picks as a point of difference for their forward mix, just a player of Neocleous' skillset and playstyle can change the dynamic of a team's forward line and challenge opponent structures.
14. Heath Mellody - MID/UTILITY - Claremont Tigers
A beautiful ball user and a smooth moving outside runner who can play all around the ground. Best suited to playing as an outside midfielder or on a wing, Mellody is capable of hitting really difficult kicks and looks to take the game on whenever he can. Mellody showed his class as a bottom-ager last year, he can play as a Ôquarterback' style distributor off half-back and has also shown an inside presence and tackling toughness at WAFL colts level.
13. Kodah Edwards - MID/FWD - South Adelaide Panthers
An impressive all-round prospect who plays well as both a hard running accumulator or high-impact hybrid midfielder-forward, Edwards is capable of just about anything required of him on a given day. Edwards has no problem racking up disposals either at the source or on the outside, he can turn up the tackling pressure or make himself a goal scoring option. His goal nous and forward craft also make him a tough match-up when rotating forward.
12. Ethan Matthews - MID - GWS Academy
A smooth moving outside ball user with a great work rate and elite skills. Matthews works hard to make himself an option as a distributor out of defence and he can also get on the end of an attacking chain as the inside-50 target hitter. Matthews has extensive experience at VFL level already and will certainly look to spend the latter stages of this year showcasing his talents at a higher level compared to other prospects which will only enhance his draft standing further.
11. Noah Williams - MID - Geelong Falcons
Tough, clean, reliable. Williams is always solid around stoppage whether it's getting first hands on the ball, laying a strong tackle or using his quality left boot to hit a target at short or long range. A high-floor player. Williams' playstyle leads by example and his work rate and running power means he is always involved in the play and he can also be effective playing out on a wing.
