The AFL season is done and the trade and draft season has arrived.
If you have not followed our rankings throughout 2026, this Power Rankings is for you as we overview the key information about the top players in AFL clubs' sights.
For the first time this year, the list extends to 50, with the crop characterised by a great evenness after the first round.
There is a nice blend of the types of players available
Among the players to just miss out were: Andrio Sousa, Harry Franz, Kaie Sullivan and Lachie Hicks.
40-31
40 - Jack Slattery (Woodville-West Torrens)
| 40 RANK |  | Jack Slattery Woodville-West Torrens Forward HEIGHT: 192cm |
Was a deadeye dick at the National Championships, kicking 17.1 as a Logan Morris-style, slightly undersized forward. What he lacks in athleticism and size though he makes up for with innate forward craft which allows him to escape his direct opponent. An overager, he started the year playing reserves footy for Woodville and broke into the senior team late in the year and while he didn't have an enormous impact, his National Championships make him tough to ignore.
39 - Cody Templeton (Gippsland Power)
| 39 RANK |  | Cody Templeton Gippsland Power Midfielder HEIGHT: 180cm |
It's been an interesting year for Templeton who started it in top 20 calculations and has slid with only a small handful of clubs showing interest in the clearance-winning midfielder/crafty half-forward. Has been challenged to improve his running and shown gains in that area and has a knack of performing on the big stage which he showed in the Talent League grand final. Turned the game with five goals and took out best afield. Also does the little things at a level rarely seen in draft prospects but realistically, this masthead has him higher than most.
CODY TEMPLETON THE BIG GAME PERFORMER
38 - Brady Wright (Werribee Tigers)
| 38 RANK |  | Brady Wright Werribee Forward HEIGHT: 195cm |
The key-position prospect has two years of VFL exposure under his belt and took out the coveted Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal this year for the most promising young talent. Takes the ball at its highest point and competes hard to take contested marks and has established himself as a reliable goal-scorer.
37 - Jackson Phillips (Dandenong Stingrays)
| 37 RANK |  | Jackson Phillips Dandenong Stingrays Midfielder HEIGHT: 182cm |
A two-way running midfielder who is clean below his knees and punchy with his kicking, he showed significant growth in 2026 as a reliable inside and outside player. Plays with power and has great vision which opens the game up.
36 - Gabriel Patterson (Glenelg)
| 36 RANK |  | Gabe Patterson Glenelg Forward HEIGHT: 184cm |
A strong finals series to help take Glenelg to the Talent League premiership was an important reminder of what he is capable of producing. A shoulder injury punctuated his year and robbed the AFL Academy member of consistency but at his best he is a hybrid forward threat who is always a step ahead in this thinking and looking to make things happen. He is the son of 96-game former Collingwood player, Stephen, falling just short of being eligible as a father-son.
35 - Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide)
| 35 RANK |  | Ethan Herbert North Adelaide Ruck HEIGHT: 200cm |
The North Adelaide AFL Academy member is a difficult one to place given the different ways clubs assess rucks. Follows up well and has good ruck craft but was largely shown forward in the National Championships where he showed promise but has some growth left. Is able to take contested marks and is a mature character, who also got reserves opportunities at the Roosters.
RUCK PROSPECT ON AFL-LISTED MENTOR
34 - Wil Antrobus (Dandenong Stingrays)
| 34 RANK |  | Wil Antrobus Dandenong Stingrays Defender HEIGHT: 182cm |
Owns the best left foot in the draft and uses it to clear defensive 50 with penetration and precision. Takes the game on and defends his man first, with his toughness an underrated attribute of his game. It's been a quick rise for Antrobus, who was not part of the Stingrays program last year but has been one of the program's most consistent players. Didn't reach the heights he would have liked at the National Championships which was the only blip on his campaign.
33 - Billy Wigmore (Western Jets)
| 33 RANK |  | Billy Wigmore Western Jets Defender HEIGHT: 189cm |
An interesting prospect to rank, the intercept marking half-back has bullied his way up the rankings with irresistible form for Vic Metro and Western Jets. Was one of the sturdier defenders from any team across the National Championships and accumulated intercept possessions for fun as a third tall type at Talent League level. It comes after he started the year forward. His kicking remains an area of improvement but he has shown growth in 2026.
32 - Marlon Neocleous (Gippsland Power)
| 32 RANK |  | Marlon Neocleous Gippsland Power Forward HEIGHT: 168cm |
Could be the bargain of the draft. Word on the street is he's sliding somewhat down boards after failing to consistently produce his best at Talent League level this year but he has x-factor you can't teach as a strong-bodied and pacy small forward. Frustratingly missed two of the four Vic Country games where he appeared primed to perform. His former Talent League coach once remarked that he treats every game like a school assignment he needs to get 100% on and that shows through the spirit with which he plays.
31 - Gus Kennedy (Dandenong Stingrays)
| 31 RANK |  | Gus Kennedy Dandenong Stingrays Defender HEIGHT: 187cm |
The Dandenong co-captain is a hard-working, ruthless and role-compliant medium defender who attacks the footy, drives his legs through traffic and can break the game open. His kicking has become more precise across the course of the season and he's a strong marking presence and can be trusted with a matchup.
