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.
25-21
25 - Archie Van Dyk (South Adelaide, midfielder)
A clean and balanced midfielder with a knack of finding the footy, Van Dyk was part of the South Australian side which last year won the Under-18s National Championships, but he himself did not play a game. Smart at stoppage, he can kick off both feet, is competitive and willing to win the hard-ball, can get forward and kick a goal and is underratedly reliable overhead. Is yet to feature this year due to injury.
24 - Jackson Phillips (Dandenong Stingrays, midfielder-forward)
Clean, powerful, and he just knows how to find the footy. Phillips' improvement from 2025 to 2026 is a credit to his hard work, for he has clearly uplevelled his game and has a great confidence to the way he plays this year, and is relishing the midfield responsibility he has been given. Finds the footy with ease in Dandenong's engine room and is always on the move at stoppage, which makes him a threat and buys him time whenever he wins the footy – and he uses that time to make good decisions. Spreads well to link up in forward possession chains and is always advancing the ball forward dangerously, seemingly with minimal risk.
23 - Jordan Knapp (Eastern Ranges, midfielder)
His detractors say he doesn't have a standout weapon, but, more compellingly, he does not have an obvious flaw. The Eastern Ranges midfielder does everything at a higher standard than most, and you need to double take if he ever fumbles or turns it over, so secure is he below his knees and with his disposal. A natural midfielder who can win the footy, find space and hit a target, his skillset is simple, yet so effective. In a treacherous Round 3 night fixture at the notoriously windy Kennedy Community Centre, Dingley, his skillset did not waiver where almost everyone else's did.
22 - Lachie Hicks (Western Jets, midfielder)
The Western Jets player completed his year 12 studies at Wesley College last year so will play in the talent pathway for the entirety of 2026. An athletic ball-winning midfielder, Hicks' repeat running efforts enable him to get to more contests than most which sets him apart. Has some Josh Dunkley attributes with his ability around stoppage, ability to flick the switch from offence and defence when the opposition get the footy, and his overhead marking, which is a significant point-of-difference on most midfielders. Can also push forward and kick goals, as he proved in a Vic Metro trial game a fortnight ago.
21 - Khaled El Souki (Western Jets, small forward, Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy)
A 175cm small forward who can power through stoppage, pinch-hit in the midfield, link up as a high forward and finish in front of goal, El Souki has taken a big step forward in 2026. A member of the Western Bulldogs' Next Generation Academy, he has deceptive speed and can impact at centre stoppage, while he is tenacious with his pressure when the ball gets turned over. Captained the Bachar Houli Academy's inaugural Talent League game on the weekend with Western Jets having a bye.
