The AFL Draft is less than three weeks away, with clubs now becoming settled on who sits where in the pecking order.
There is great stability to our final top 50, with only two new players and one returning name in what was a logjam at the back end.
20-11
20 - Clancy Snell (Gippsland Power)
Snell's first half of 2026 was clearly stronger than his second but he has an ability to crash a pack and take strong contested marks, positioning himself well to intercept indiscriminate balls which come into the opposition's forward 50. Didn't maintain the high level he showed early in 2026 which put him on the edge of the top five for a period but remains a competitive lockdown defender with attributes to play a key defensive role once he grows into his frame.
19 - Jack Pickett (Geelong Falcons)
ACL and MCL injuries sidelined him for basically his entire top-aged campaign and the fact he remains one of the first key forwards who will be picked up speaks to how strong his bottom-aged season was. Kicked bags of goals at school and Talent League level as a strong-marking forward.
18 - George Gale (Claremont)
The Western Australia co-captain was one of his side's standouts, proving his utility value this year as a hard-running player with great size who can perform at whatever level he plays at. Is a dangerous transition player, has the ability to make time slow down and assess his options. Likely starts as a winger and has attributes which suggest he could become a midfielder.
17 - Toby Krasna (Northern Knights)
A classy outside midfielder who can zig and zag his way through traffic and always looks cool and effective when streaming forward with ball in hand, Krasna's game is underpinned by an elite running capacity. Has similar attributes to Hawthorn's Massimo D'Ambrosio as a disciplined winger who holds his width and helps his side shape the ball going forward. Has risen meteorically in the second half of the year.
16 - Jake Eime (Central District)
The speedster starred at the Under-18s National Championships off half-back, taking the game on and using the ball effectively to advance the ball towards goal with purpose. Has grown the defensive side of his game and is becoming increasingly competitive as he adds size to his lean frame. Has Indigenous heritage but Adelaide was unaware so he is ineligible for the club's academy.
15 - George Dimer (Sandringham Dragons)
A bona-fide small forward. A clean, quick goal-scorer whose front-and-centre timing is as good as any small forward prospect since Nick Watson. Competitiveness and selflessness are other key attributes and he makes excellent decisions when linking between half-forward and deep inside 50. Is also one of the most highly-rated characters in the draft class.
14 - Tyson Bradley (Sandringham Dragons)
A competitive defender, Bradley took out Vic Metro's MVP with his capstone performance coming against South Australia on Marvel Stadium. Had some excellent battles at all levels with top-10 prospect Wil Malady and did a job on Sam Gayfer in the Talent League finals series. Backs himself to take his marks and is a neat kicking player for someone of his size. Also has leadership attributes as Sandringham's captain.
THE BIG IMPROVEMENT WHICH HAS SHOT TYSON BRADLEY UP DRAFT BOARDS
13 - Wil Malady (Gippsland Power)
A five-goal performance in the Talent League grand final capped off a promising season for the athletic marking forward. Has battled some minor injuries but competes hard one-on-one and can take a leap to grab a mark. The AFL Academy member thrives on the responsibility and has stood up at all levels this year. His first game of the National Championships was another good showcase of what he can do getting high up the ground and working his opponent over.
12 - Leo Steed (Swan Districts)
The most competitive player in the crop? Steed attacks the footy with fearless ferocity and can accelerate from stoppage and find teammates inside 50 and is a dynamic target when played forward. Rose sharply at a National Championships where he ran close to winning the Larke Medal after standing out as Western Australia's captain. His endurance is another strong trait.
11 - Sam Gayfer (Northern Knights)
Made headlines at the National Combine, shattering the running vertical jump record and performing strongly overall to further propel his stocks. The sort of player who can kick goals in a hurry. When he's on a roll, he has the capacity to turn a game, able to outmanoeuvre opponents and use his ruthless competitiveness and strength to take contested marks and kick goals. The nephew of former Collingwood player Mick Gayfer, Sam has risen strongly through 2026 and has been aided by having Knights coach Anthony Rocca at his disposal. Propelled his stocks at a monstrous Under-18s National Championships.
