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.
5-1
5 - Arki Butler (Sandringham Dragons, midfielder)
Danced around three opponents, steadied and finished from 50 in Round 1 of the APS season for Brighton Grammar. It was the latest jaw-dropping highlight for a jaw-dropping player. Started the Talent League season with a bang, combining 26 disposals with four goals and while there have been some quiet games in there, the skill of the Toby Greene clone is clear for all to see. Has taken more than 30 seconds off his two kilometre time trial in the last 12 months to enable him to run through the midfield where he injects energy and wins clearances. Zigs and zags through traffic with ease, plays like he knows he won't be tackled, and impacts aerially and at ground level inside 50 and has finishing polish.
4 - Noah Williams (Geelong Falcons, defender-midfielder)
The bigger the stage, the more Williams performs. Was named best on ground in both the U17s Futures game and first AFL Academy game. A midfielder-defender, he is on the smaller side, but packs a real punch. Few players engage defensively with as much gusto and toughness as Williams; many of his fellow prospects noting the frustration of having him as a match-up. His pressure and aggression was just as impressive as his flair with ball in hand in the standout first AFL Academy game where he took his chance in the midfield. Geelong Falcons have given him more midfield exposure where his strength in the contest and natural ball-winning have shone through. In defence, he reads the ball early, creates turnover and kick-starts dangerous transition.
3 - Harry Van Hattum (Northern Knights, ruck)
Models his ruck craft on Melbourne legend Max Gawn, his forward craft on star Western Bulldog Sam Darcy and is coached by former Collingwood great Anthony Rocca – it's pretty good tutelage! A ruck first who can go forward and is a nightmare to match up on, he combines more than the requisite level of combativeness and competitiveness needed to develop into a high-calibre key-position player, and combines it with physics-defying athleticism. Standing at a hulking 205cm, he possesses the best running vertical leap in the crop, enabling him to get first hands on the footy in a ruck contests and bring the ball to ground, crash packs and take contested marks both long down the line and inside 50. His skills are also extraordinary, able to break free of traffic and hit inside kicks and break the game open with his ball use. It is true to say pure rucks tend to fall in the draft order as clubs prioritise other positions – but if anyone is the exception to the rule, it is Van Hattum, in a year where the consensus top two are club tied, and given his extraordinary skillset, strength and athletic profile.
2 - Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers, midfielder, Carlton father-son)
The Carlton father-son prospect has an aura with the ball in his hand that only the top prospects possess. He's competitive, skilful, works hard, kicks goals, wins clearances and has modern-day traits in the midfield. Ensconced in Carlton's pre-season having moved down to Melbourne this year from his native Echuca, the only question is how high a club is willing to pull the trigger on a bid for a consensus top three prospect. With the introduction of the new bidding rules, will someone give Carlton nightmares and put a bid on at number one? Has copped attention when he has played for Bendigo Pioneers in the Talent League, but his willingness to keep turning up at contests and backing himself to make an impact has stood out. When he is pressured or makes errors, he puts his head down and focuses on the next contest, and has the sort of confidence you can only have if you know you're the best player out there.
1 - Dougie Cochrane (Central Districts, utility, Port Adelaide Next Generation Academy)
Has been heavily linked to Port Adelaide's program since being added to the club's Next Generation Academy in pre-season. Has not featured so far in 2026 due to knee tendonitis, so much like Zeke Uwland last year, his profile as a top-end prospect is based on his body of work across last year and this year. A rare breed who is ultra-skilful at 196cm, he has proven his capability as a damaging big-bodied midfielder but projects as a tall forward who can also play in defence. Was the best and fairest at 2024's Under-16s National Championships averaging 24 disposals, with his marking, ball-use and goal-kicking all major strengths. He kicked four goals in a stunning senior debut for Central Districts last year proving he can handle the step up to senior bodies.
