The AFL Draft will again catch headlines for father-son and Academy prospects tied to clubs that firm as potential early selections in this year's count.
Notable names include Carlton father-son Cody Walker and Port Adelaide NGA talent Dougie Cochrane, who are viewed by some as the standout two prospects in the pool.
Via father-son eligibility or Academy pathways, all 18 AFL clubs have ties to at least one promising teenager for the 2026 draft, with this week's episode of Craft of the Draft seeing Jonty Ralphsmith and Mitch Keating run their eye over some of the names for each club to keep in mind this year.
Outside of Walker and Cochrane, Western Bulldogs NGA Khaled El Souki is a prospect of promise, having enjoyed a strong bottom-aged campaign with the Western Jets.
El Souki's 2026 season got underway in fine fashion, booting two goals from 23 disposals in the Jets' Round 1 win over the Calder Cannons.
Speaking on Craft of the Draft, Ralphsmith flagged the crafty forward as a "powerful" attacker who has "a natural nose for goals".
"He's going to be a really exciting player to watch this year," Ralphsmith said.
"He's really powerful, able to get through contests really effectively, and he's got a natural nose for goals as well.
"A small forward who is built for AFL in 2026 really, so it'll be really exciting to see his development unfold."
Fremantle is another club with ties to a leading prospect via its NGA, with South Fremantle midfielder Lucas Robinson one of Western Australia's most promising names for 2026.
The inside midfielder is in line to play senior WAFL football this year, potentially prior to a much-anticipated U18s National Championships carnival with WA.
"(He's a) ferocious midfielder... not that the Dockers need another one, but it's always good to have them coming through that line," Keating said of the Dockers-tied teenager.
"One of the standouts for WA, and there'll be a lot of interest into how he fares early into the season.
"He might have some state league level minutes under his belt this year and will be a big watch for WA at the U18s national champs."
You can watch Craft of the Draft on Zero Hanger's YouTube channel, or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
