A big 2026 has put speedster Jake Eime on the radar as a first-round possibility for the 2026 AFL Draft.
The half-back has always had offensive weapons and made the most of them in 2026, playing with the confidence to take off when he got the footy and set the game up with his athleticism and bold decision-making.
Eime has been queried for his size throughout juniors but has put on some muscle this year, and his one-on-one defending has improved.
The Central District product models his game off Lachie Ash, but has more speed than the GWS defender, which makes him a dangerous prospect with upside as his frame fills out.
The defender also got the opportunity to play SANFL senior footy for Adelaide, leaning on the likes of Wayne Milera, where he was part of their Academy this year. The Crows will not be able to match a bid at the draft due to a SANFL administrative error which meant they were unaware of his Indigenous heritage until 2026, and thus he has not been part of the academy for long enough to qualify. Regardless, the Crows have been linked to the local boy with their first-round selection.
Eime would perhaps have been somewhat disappointed with his 20-metre sprint, just missing the coveted sub-three-second mark, but it does not take a test to know Eime's number one attribute is his speed. He breaks the lines off half-back, looks for the give and get, and can gain 100 metres in one passage with his dare to drive his legs and then find targets by foot.
Strengths
Speed
Ball-use
Agility
Draft Range
Picks 15-30
Likely Landing Spot(s)
Adelaide
Essendon
GWS
Key Quote
“I'm an ultimate competitor. I love competing. To play at such a high level (with Adelaide's SANFL team) with people you've looked up to for so long was cool.” - Jake Eime
