It's finally here.
For the first time in 2026, Craft of the Draft has revealed its top 30 AFL Draft prospects, which entails a strong mix of positional prospects.
The standout feature of the list is the number of AFL Academy members missing, with 10 not making the list.
While the top two prospects are both club-tied, there are far fewer club-linked prospects at the top-end than recent years, with just four in the top 30, none of which are from the traditionally strong northern academies.
Victorians lead the way as usual, with a whopping 20 on the list from the home of football, alongside six South Australians and four Western Australians.
This masthead will release an updated list on the first day of each month.
Around the mark
Sturt's Kale Matthews-Hampton was the hardest name to leave off this list having proven his intercepting aptitude and versatility at SANFL Under-18s and AFL Academy level so far in 2026. Oakleigh Chargers key forward Seb Marsic was also close as a high-upside player with strong hands who has never been in the talent pathway before this year. His athletic forward teammate Flynn Woolhouse enhanced his stocks at the Victorian trial game and can take a good grab. Aidan McCartney, tied to both North Melbourne and Sydney, is exceptionally hard to place given he will miss the year with injury, but could have made the list. South Australian pair Harry Franz and Jake Eime both have their fans. Western Australian pair Leo Steed and Finlay Yeo were also right on the precipice after strong starts to the season. Left-footed Northern Territory prospect Sonny Smiler has speed and was added to the AFL Academy, underlining the intrigue around him. A dark horse who has garnered plenty of eyeballs despite not having a pre-season due to injury is diminutive Sandringham forward George Dimer who is arguably the cleanest player in the draft class and among the most watchable.
30-26
30 - Sam Tassone (North Adelaide, half-back)
The quiet riser of early 2026, the North Adelaide prospect has plenty of AFL attributes. His speed and ball-use make him a prototype half-back, and he always looks to take the game on. Is relied upon as his side's distributor on counter-attack and drives his legs to power the ball forward. The clean-skilled player was not in South Australia's summer academy, but is part of the squad for the Under-18s National Championships – and will be crucial to his side's prospects. Possesses wow factor.
29 - Albert MacGowan (Sandringham Dragons, midfielder)
Few players have the composure, vision and skill execution in traffic that MacGowan does. There are few players forwards would prefer to be leading out at than MacGowan; puts it into dangerous space and draws the forwards to where he wants them to be. An athletically built type who is also capable of playing off half-back or on the wing, he adds a different dynamic to the midfield mix and has seized his chances in there, both for Sandringham and when he got thrown in there in a Vic Metro trial game. Will be a key piece for St Kevin's College in the APS competition.
28 - Wil Malady (Gippsland Power, forward)
Kicked six goals in a compelling Round 1 game against Murray Bushrangers and has proven time and time again that he is good at popping up in the right spots to hit the scoreboard even if it is not his day. An undersized marking forward who projects as either an athletic third forward or winger, Malady's leadership has been lauded both by Caulfield Grammar and Gippsland Power. A reliable set shot goal kicker who is hard to stop when he is hitting up at the ball-carrier and thrives on momentum, his promise is high but it is reasonably rare for a player of his profile to go in the first round and others have been more consistent to start the year.
27 - Marcus Prasad (Dandenong Stingrays, forward)
A small forward who gets high up the ground to impact at stoppage with his clean and quick hands and burst of power, Prasad has shown plenty of firepower early in 2026. Kicks goals and has wizardry around goals and overworks his opponents with his proactiveness and work rate. Contrary to some reporting, Prasad does not qualify for Melbourne's Next Generation Academy.
26 - Harvey Spawton-Guy (West Perth, utility)
Has played ruck in the early WAFL Colts rounds, where his competitiveness has shone through, but will be either a key-position forward or defender at the next level. Has spent most of his time in the talent pathway as a forward but there is a strong school of thought he could develop into a defender at the next level. Mobile and skilful, he's had a strong start to 2026 after featuring in the Under-17s Futures game on AFL Grand Final day last year, which he capped off with a three goal showing in a Western Australia trial game on the weekend.
