While plenty of focus in this year's draft pathways has been on the standout names eligible for 2025's National Draft, a host of bottom-age prospects are putting their names forward as ones to keep in mind for next year.
The weekend saw a host of standout performances from 2026 draft options, with Carlton father-son and Richmond NGA member Cody Walker among Vic Country's best in the win over the Allies at the U18s National Championships.
Walker was influential through the middle and in the front half with his agility and decision-making key traits that have him considered as one of the best prospects for next year.
Speaking on this week's episode of Craft of the Draft, analyst Jonty Ralphsmith lauded the breakout game of Walker at the higher level.
"We know how high of a reputation he has, the Carlton father-son and is obviously in Richmond's Next Generation Academy for next year," Ralphsmith said.
"He links up so well and he's so hard to stop when the ball is in his hand. He's just got this innate ability to find space where there isn't any, he hits his targets, and he can take a good mark for a midfielder as well.
"It was a really, really well-balanced performance. I think it was the game he announced himself to the wider footy world, having done some similar things for the Bendigo Pioneers so far this year."
The younger brother of Melbourne spearhead Jacob van Rooyen, Benji van Rooyen stepped into the first-string ruck role for Western Australia at this year's U18s carnival following a setback for teammate Cooper Ramsay.
Coming up against starring 2025 prospects, and even Vic Country's over-ager Zac Harding, van Rooyen has held his own to be "one to watch" for 2026.
"Benji van Rooyen might be one to watch for next year," Craft of the Draft host Mitch Keating said.
"A starting ruckman, that's going to help in the lead-in to his draft campaign. Similar to what we saw with Louis Emmett last year.
"There was plenty to like from him."
Ralphsmith on van Rooyen: "The talls he went up against are so highly regarded.
"Taj Murray, Zac Harding, who is two years older than him, and then also Sam Ainsworth. So going up against stiff competition, he stepped into Cooper Ramsay's role really well."
In the Coates Talent League, Western Jets midfielder Lachie Hicks had a stellar performance up in Mildura against Bendigo, collecting 34 disposals and booting four goals in a 74-point victory.
The outing comes after Hicks was crowed the U16s Vic Metro MVP last year.
"[Hicks] has spent a lot of the season carrying a really weak Wesley College midfield, which is without Felix Kneipp due to injury," Ralphsmith said of the Jets prospect.
"He's come into the Western Jets lineup and has looked reasonably promising. You wanted a breakout performance from him because he always looks like he's close to doing something remarkable.
"He had a 34-disposal, four-goal game. That's as complete a game as you can get from a midfielder, and he's very good above his head.
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"A bottom-ager who took out the (Vic) Metro U16s MVP last year and is one to watch going into next week's draft."
SA forward duo Gabriel Patterson and Ivan Wilkinson lead the SANFL U18s goalkicking so far this year and both enjoyed big performances over the weekend, with Patterson booting seven goals against West Adelaide.
2026 West Coast father-son prospect Harper Banfield has been a strong contender out of WA at the school level and with Claremont's Colts, while Northern Knights ruckman Harry Van Hattum is another possessing high upside, amassing 18 disposals, 31 hitouts and seven inside 50s in a win over Geelong on the weekend.
You can watch this week's episode of Craft of the Draft below, or via Zero Hanger's YouTube channel.
