The business end of footy season has arrived, and the AFL Draft Power Rankings are starting to stabilise.
With school footy wrapping up after the Under-18s Championships in recent weeks and players slowly filtering back to talent pathway programs, only a handful of new players have emerged on the scene and commanded attention, but there has been plenty of shuffling as clubs gain an increasing understanding of the sorts of selections they are likely to have access to.
45-40
| 45 RANK |  | Gabe Patterson Glenelg Forward HEIGHT: 184cm |
Provided a timely reminder of his capability in a crunch final for Glenelg last weekend, kicking goals, setting them up and mixing composure and energy as a dynamic general forward. Started the season in first-round consideration but has lacked some consistency, which has slid him down some draft boards - albeit has battled some injury concerns.
| 44 RANK |  | Archie Elliott GWV Rebels Forward HEIGHT: 182cm |
A small forward who never gives up and is a reliable asset as a goal-sneak who can fly for marks but knows when to stay at the foot of packs and mop up at ground level, Elliott has pieced together a sneakily strong Under-18s campaign.
| 43 RANK |  | Blake Justice Calder Cannons Midfielder HEIGHT: 190cm |
How high does a bid come? It was an interrupted year for Justice, missing the first half of the year due to injury before returning and showing sizzle without getting the chance to quite find the rhythm to reach the heights some might have expected. A dynamic and athletic medium forward who can fly for marks, he has played several positions, which holds him in good stead to impact at the next level. No one doubts the attributes; it's just a matter of when a club will pull the trigger on the nicely sized dynamic prospect.
| 42 RANK |  | Billy Wigmore Western Jets Defender HEIGHT: 189cm |
What a transformative year 2026 has been for Wigmore. Started the year as a forward, where he did not show any standout traits, before being shifted to defence and thriving as a confident interceptor and defensive rock. Projects as a third tall type and reads the cues well to put himself in ball-winning positions. Becoming more reliable with the ball in hand is the next step, but he has the foundations and the body of work off the back of a strong championships to be a worthy option.
| 41 RANK |  | Wil Antrobus Dandenong Stingrays Defender HEIGHT: 182cm |
Has rebounded in fine fashion from a quiet Under-18s National Championships. At his best, Antrobus is a lethal left-footed distributor who sets up slingshot transition and attacks hard balls with courage, which is exactly what he has consistently shown for the Dandenong Stingrays throughout the Talent League season. At Talent League level, the gap between his best and worst games is noticeably small.
