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.
20-16
20 - Xavier Ladbrook (Gippsland Power, defender)
Has certainly enhanced his stocks in the early part of the season, establishing the backline as his clear position having been exposed around the ground in his bottom-aged season. The athletic tall intercepts well and sticks his marks, and doesn't allow his direct opponents separation on the lead and his kicking is better than most his size, enabling to get involved in counter-attack. A best afield effort in the second AFL Academy game was a good advertisement of what he can do, even with his raw frame against senior bodies. Regardless, remains some time away from AFL level given his frame.
19 - Harrison Chapman (Eastern Ranges, midfielder)
A smooth-moving midfielder who is dangerous in transition and on the spread, Chapman started the season with a bang in a heavy Round 1 loss to Sandringham. While his form has been a touch up and down since then, he finished the AFL Academy series well by utilising his weapons in transition. His speed and ball-use set Chapman apart, and he has shown he has the endurance to play in the midfield this season after being a staple of Eastern Ranges half-back line last year in a premiership-winning campaign.
18 - Heath Mellody (Claremont, half-back)
After missing the first AFL Academy game, Mellody made up for lost time in the second outing, using his piercing kicking to open the game up. Able to zig and zag his way through traffic, he rarely panics and is always looking to make bold decisions. Was a key part of Claremont's premiership side last year, winning 28 disposals. Will continue to get more exposure in the midfield this year to prove his ball-winning capability and contested nous.
17 - Lucas Robinson (South Fremantle, midfielder)
One of the trickier players to project, given the unpredictable selection of inside midfielders in recent draft classes. One of the best pure midfielders in the draft class, his nous at stoppage and ball-winning is outstanding, and transferrable against senior bodies, as he proved in a 27-disposal WAFL League debut for South Fremantle. There is still a place for in-and-under burrowers in the game – but does he lean too heavily on his contested game when impacting the contest? A 191cm bull, he is part of Fremantle's Next Generation Academy.
16 - Koby Lecras (West Perth, forward-wing)
For a synopsis of Koby Lecras' footy, watch his second AFL Academy game, where he kicked three different types of goals and had 17 classy disposals. The 192cm Western Australian projects as a likely winger given his excellent running power, skill and overhead ability, while he has shown he can sneak forward and has dynamism at ground level, can dance around opponents and kick a long footy. Had the tough assignment of making his WAFL League debut against a strong opponent, playing as a forward on the weekend, but will likely get more exposure as the year progresses.
