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.
30-21
30 - Koby Lecras (West Perth)
| 30 RANK |  | Koby LeCras West Perth Forward HEIGHT: 193cm |
Injury hit Lecras at the wrong time in May, with the Western Australian having just shown his absolute best as a strong and mobile half forward option who is a threat in the air and on the ground. He was a standout in the second AFL Academy game and showed promise playing senior footy before his ACL sprain.
29 - Keenan Boi (Gippsland Power)
| 29 RANK |  | Keenan Boi Gippsland Power Forward HEIGHT: 182cm |
Taking out Gippsland's best and fairest was fitting reward for the Hawthorn-tied small forward who possesses power in the contest and electrifying x-factor in the forward half. He was arguably the form small forward in the talent pathway in the second half of the season, performing strongly for Vic Country, Gippsland and local club, Warragul. Those around him highlight his emotional maturation which has helped him rise in 2026. Looks up to Cyril Rioli and would be an exciting addition to the Hawks' forward line.
HAWTHORN-TIED PROSPECT ON RAPID GROWTH
28 - Harvey Spawton-Guy (West Perth)
| 28 RANK |  | Harvey Spawton-Guy West Perth Forward HEIGHT: 196cm |
The key-position swingman played strong footy which somewhat flew under the radar in 2026. Did his best work as a strong-marking forward and got late-season league opportunities, kicking nine goals in four games and proving he had the strength and physicality to match it with bigger bodies. Has put on significant size this year and has great scope.
27 - Noah Williams (Geelong Falcons)
| 27 RANK |  | Noah Williams Geelong Falcons Midfielder HEIGHT: 177cm |
After the Geelong skipper started the year so brightly, he just wasn't quite able to maintain those standards through 2026. The season was headlined by a best afield performance in an AFL Academy game before his form at higher levels fluctuated in between school footy. A Tom Atkins-style aggressive and tenacious midfielder-half-back who plays with a hard edge around contest.
26 - Xavier Ladbrook (Gippsland Power)
| 26 RANK |  | Xavier Ladbrook Gippsland Power Defender HEIGHT: 200cm |
Finally the key defender has been settled down back after circumstance had forced him to play in attack and the ruck in 2026 - and lo and behold, the positional continuity led to his best footy. Ladbrook benefitted from the Power's deep finals run, with his last two games of the year a showcase of him at his very best: aggressive aerially, willing to take metres by taking grass and then using his effective kicking. Has narrowed the gap between himself and the consensus top three key defenders.
25 - Harry Chapman (Eastern Ranges)
| 25 RANK |  | Harry Chapman Eastern Ranges Midfielder HEIGHT: 189cm |
The Eastern Ranges prospect has similar traits to Sydney's Justin McInerney, able to inflict maximum damage when he gets the ball on the outside. A dangerous transition player who can generate overlap possession, he has been given the opportunity to develop his contested midfield craft this year but starts his AFL career as a half-back/winger. Has a high-level athletics background, going to nationals as a junior in 100m and 200m.
24 - Albert MacGowan (Sandringham Dragons)
| 24 RANK |  | Albert MacGowan Sandringham Dragons Midfielder HEIGHT: 187cm |
Never plays a bad game. MacGowan's consistency across all levels has flown under the radar for much of the year but he does everything with a minimum of fuss and his aerobic base allows him to impact for longer than most and in different ways. Granted, he is not blessed with speed - but neither was Murphy Reid and look at what he has become. A winger/midfielder with a deceptively good overhead mark, he does his best work with ball in hand kicking inside 50 and can drift forward for a goal. Had a big Talent League finals series, capped off with a goal after the siren to send Sandringham to the preliminary finals.
23 - Khaled El Souki (Western Jets)
| 23 RANK |  | Khaled El Souki Western Jets Forward HEIGHT: 175cm |
The Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy prospect kicked goals for fun at Talent League level this year, with his ability to finish unmatched in the draft crop. A small forward who always put himself in the right spots, El Souki had an ankle injury which interrupted his National Championships but his strength and craft makes him an asset. Got VFl opportunities for Footscray and the Dogs will need to work hard to bring in him as well as Zak Butters. The question mark which has long surrounded him has been on his athletic deficiencies and endurance, the latter of which has improved as he has got bursts through the middle.
22 - Lochie Burrows (Sandringham Dragons)
| 22 RANK |  | Lochie Burrows Sandringham Dragons Defender HEIGHT: 181cm |
Forward or defender? That's the question surrounding Burrows, who has spoken to 16 AFL clubs and there is a 50-50 split about whether he is a line-breaking forward or competitive defender at AFL level. His best game of the season was indisputably a Vic Metro trial game where he played in defence, which put him on the radar of clubs, but he also offers liveliness ahead of the footy. It's been a steady rise for Burrows, who missed Sandringham's Under-16s squad and two years later is on the AFL's doorstep.
21 - Clancy Snell (Gippsland Power)
| 21 RANK |  | Clancy Snell Gippsland Power Defender HEIGHT: 196cm |
Snell's first half of 2026 was clearly stronger than his second half but he has an ability to crash a pack and take strong contested marks, positioning himself well to intercept indiscriminate balls which come into 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.
