AFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-43 (second edition)

Welcome to Craft of the Draft's second AFL Mock Draft for 2026, with this edition involving selections from all 18 teams, six matched bids, and a total of 43 picks - covering the first two rounds of the draft. This edition of our Mock Draft looks at alternative outcomes compared to our first Mock Draft, which focused on the first 18 picks of this month's AFL Draft. No trades were made during this Mock Draft. MOCK DRAFT SIMULATOR: DECIDE HOW THE DRAFT WILL UNFOLD Pick 1 - Port Adelaide (Matched Bid) Dougie Cochrane [draft_top10_widget player_id="Dougie Cochrane" season="2026"] In a repeat of our first Mock Draft, Essendon decide to force Port Adelaide's hand on a bid for Cochrane, with the Power needing to pay top dollar for their Next Generation Academy prodigy. Seen by many as the premier prospect of this year's draft class, Cochrane lands at the Power at the cost of the club's opening two draft picks, as well as a small portion of their allowed deficit points. BID: Port Adelaide uses Picks 7+12, as well as 17 deficit points, to match the bid. Pick 2 - Essendon Ethan Drever [draft_top10_widget player_id="Ethan Drever" season="2026"] After opting for a bid on Cody Walker at Pick 2 before selecting Arki Butler in our first edition Mock Draft, the Bombers go down a different route in taking Ethan Drever at second overall. Unlike Butler - a mercurial forward-midfield hybrid - Drever is a full-time onballer in the frame of the new-age midfielder; flexing breakaway speed, a dangerous step, and a match-winning presence given his ability to impact the scoreboard. Pick 3 - Carlton (Matched Bid) Cody Walker [draft_top10_widget player_id="Cody Walker" season="2026"] Unlike a bid at Pick 2, Carlton is able to match this bid for father-son gun Cody Walker with its current draft hand, with the play still coming at a sizeable cost. The Blues part with a pair of first-round picks, as well as 202 of their allowed 412 deficit points. The long-awaited arrival of Walker is sure to excite Blues fans, who will see a competitive kid and born leader join an engine room ensemble already consisting of Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh, George Hewett and Jagga Smith. Expect Walker to be positioned at half-forward and occasionally on the wing in 2027, if not directly in the centre. BID: Carlton uses Picks 12 + 17, as well as 202 deficit points, to match the bid. Pick 4 - Richmond Arki Butler [draft_top10_widget player_id="Arki Butler" season="2026"] Made to wait until Pick 4 for their first selection of the open pool, the Tigers land the exciting Butler at a juncture of the draft that will have large implications on how the next handful of selections pan out. Be it Butler or Drever who is available to the Tigers at their first pick, the Punt Road powerhouse will also consider Northern Knights ruckman Harry Van Hattum, with all three top prospects set to be of great interest to the clubs next in the queue. Why Butler? The Sandringham Dragons and Vic Metro talent can turn a game like few can, moves the ball with precision and dare, and can be used as a supporting midfielder or rest in attack, depending on what you see his primary role to be. Pick 5 - West Coast Heath Mellody [draft_top10_widget player_id="Heath Mellody" season="2026"] The Eagles land the local star and Larke Medal winner at Pick 5, adding some run, flash and flare to a fledgling group under Andrew McQualter. Mellody has steadily proven himself as a top five prospect as 2026 progressed, dominating the U18s National Championships to take out top honours at the carnival before looking at ease in Claremont's WAFL League finals tilt. Pick 6 - Melbourne Harry Van Hattum [draft_top10_widget player_id="Harry Van Hattum" season="2026"] The Demons will be playing the waiting game come opening night of the draft as they look to pounce on which draft star is left over from Essendon, Richmond and West Coast's selections. It could easily be a Drever or Butler, and Van Hattum is one they'll love to have access to given his high upside as a commanding 205cm ruckman who can kick the ball like a half-back. The timing of Van Hattum's arrival at Melbourne would see a succession plan soon put in place for captain Max Gawn, who will look to help develop a young tall that earns comparisons to ex-Demons star Luke Jackson. Pick 7 - Richmond Gus Teixeira [draft_top10_widget player_id="Gus Teixeira" season="2026"] The Tigers took Mitch Harris in our first edition Mock Draft, with the move balancing both a list fit while adding one of the tier one prospects on offer. In this Mock Draft, the selection of Teixeira sees the rebuilding club further strengthen its midfield options, despite recruiting the likes of Sam Lalor, Josh Smillie, Taj Hotton and Sam Cumming over the last two years alone. Teixeira will likely start as a half-forward and may grow into a Chad Warner-type talent, with his innate ability to find the ball and leave his mark on the scoreboard almost unmatched among this year's on-ball options. Pick 8 - GWS (Matched Bid) Ethan Matthews [draft_top10_widget player_id="Ethan Matthews" season="2026"] The Giants won't be expecting a bid for their club-tied teenager any later than when Sydney are first on the clock. In saying that, a bid from Melbourne at Pick 6 is also a live option, and would be costing GWS a pair of first-round picks instead of the one. For what they get at that cost, Matthews is a hard-working and clean inside-outside midfielder who, perhaps had he not been tied to a club, may be in discussions much earlier in the piece. BID: GWS uses Pick 10 to match the bid. Pick 9 - Sydney Mitch Harris [draft_top10_widget player_id="Mitch Harris" season="2026"] The Swans look likely to be in position to swoop on the remaining prospect from the top tier of the 2026 class, and in this case, it's Harris, who was selected by Richmond's second pick in our first Mock Draft. The Swans-Harris combination is a match made in heaven. The lockdown 196cm defender is exactly the type of player the Swans are in need of, while he would likely sit atop their rankings list at this juncture of the draft. Pick 10 - Brisbane (Matched Bid) Caylen Murray [draft_top10_widget player_id="Caylen Murray" season="2026"] A bid for Brisbane's promising Academy prospect falls at the same mark as our first Mock Draft, with state rivals in the Suns forcing the reigning premiers' hand once again. The Lions are required to pay a premium given the 20% tax that will come with the bid, with Brisbane stumping up two top 25 picks and more than a third of their allowed deficit points in the process. Murray is set to add to a star-studded defensive group at the Lions, bringing run and line-breaking abilities that could be honed by the mentorship of Dayne Zorko and Darcy Wilmot. BID: Brisbane uses Picks 19+25, as well as 146 deficit points, to match the bid. Pick 11 - Gold Coast Tyson Bradley It looks likely the Suns will swoop on a key position player with their first pick, and after taking Sam Gayfer in our first Mock Draft, they bolster the other end of the field with backman Tyson Bradley. Bradley, the MVP for an undefeated Vic Metro outfit this year, has drawn comparisons to Brisbane champion Harris Andrews with his knack for shutting down opposing tall forwards as a defender who covers the back half of the field with his dominant presence. [draft_top10_widget player_id="Tyson Bradley" season="2026"] Pick 12 - St Kilda Sam Gayfer [draft_top10_widget player_id="Sam Gayfer" season="2026"] The Saints will be waiting on one of Bradley or Gayfer, with the Suns' preceding pick set to uncover their fate come night one of the draft. A record-breaker at this year's AFL Draft Combine, Gayfer is a high-flying competitive beast who flies for the footy and can quickly fill his bag in front of goal. A much-needed addition to St Kilda's front-half, Gayfer could be the long-term answer the club has been after amid Max King's ongoing injury woes. Pick 13 - Collingwood Clancy Snell [draft_top10_widget player_id="Clancy Snell" season="2026"] Collingwood secured key defender Tyson Bradley with their top pick in our first Mock Draft, and in this edition they bolster their backline once more in the form of Gippsland interceptor Clancy Snell. The Magpies got a good look at Snell earlier this year when he suited up for the club's VFL program on two occasions late into the season, showing his value against more senior opposition. Pick 14 - Melbourne Wil Malady [draft_top10_widget player_id="Wil Malady" season="2026"] Completing a fourth successive selection of taller targets at the draft, the Demons get access to high-flying Gippsland forward Wil Malady in what is a pick that is sure to excite Demons fans. While not as tall as the trio taken before him, the 190cm attacker's balance of being a ground-level presence while being able to soar for the high entries is what makes him such a promising option. Malady may even find himself up on the wing come his time in the AFL, with his hard-working efforts and running patterns able to open up the field. Pick 15 - Adelaide Leo Steed [draft_top10_widget player_id="Leo Steed" season="2026"] A great return for the Crows with their first pick, as some consider Steed to be a potential top 10 prospect at this year's draft. The hard-hitting midfielder was arguably the form player of the U18s National Championships, and rubber-stamped his first-round chances with a starring carnival for WA. Steed, a small onballer likened to Fremantle star Caleb Serong, hit the coalface with pace and has no issue winning his own ball before breaking away from the engine room. Pick 16 - St Kilda Lochie Burrows [draft_top10_widget player_id="Lochie Burrows" season="2026"] A local prospect for the Saints after they added Sam Gayfer earlier in the piece, St Kilda swoop on Sandringham midfielder/defender Lochie Burrows to complete their first-round double. A teenager who can play all three lines of the field, Burrows, who was more known for his midfield prowess, developed into one of the year's best half-backs when trialled in a new position for Vic Metro in 2026. The Bentleigh native is the type of talent who will suit the Saints' style under Ross Lyon. Pick 17 - Essendon George Dimer [draft_top10_widget player_id="George Dimer" season="2026"] The Bombers opted for Drever over Butler in this Mock Draft and still managed to come away with a star Sandringham small forward, with George Dimer on offer at Pick 17. The clever and cunning goalsneak is seen by some as the best pure small forward of this year's draft, with his form for the Dragons and Vic Metro seeing the Haileybury graduate rise through the ranks to be a likely top 20 pick. Pick 18 - Fremantle Jake Eime [draft_top10_widget player_id="Jake Eime" season="2026"] The reigning minor premiers have the penultimate pick of the first round, and in this exercise they add some speed and zip to their defensive stocks with South Australian Jake Eime. A lesser-known name entering the year, Eime's U18s carnival for the Croweaters saw the Central District defender undergo a meteoric rise to be in the mix as a first-round option. He'll have the likes of All-Australian Jordan Clark as a mentor as he learns the ropes in purple. Pick 19 - GWS Jack Pickett [draft_top10_widget player_id="Jack Pickett" season="2026"] To finish the first round of the Mock Draft, GWS add some much-needed depth to their tall forward stocks following an off-season of change. The Giants bid farewell to Jesse Hogan and Jake Stringer, with Aaron Cadman now the tip of Adam Kingsley's spear, and it could be a fellow Vic Country product in Jack Pickett who helps share the workload. Pickett entered 2026 as a potential top 10 pick, only for a knee injury to wipe out the rest of his campaign abruptly during the early stages of the season. Pick 20 - Essendon Toby Krasna [draft_top10_widget player_id="Toby Krasna" season="2026"] Essendon move to the front of the queue for night two of the draft thanks to the AFL's new compensation system rewarding clubs with top five picks that are delayed due to matched bids. Given their original second-round selection was held by Brisbane and swallowed up in the bid for Caylen Murray, the Dons get the second round underway. The Bombers managed to land Krasna at Pick 16 in our first Mock Draft, and in this exercise they take the risk in hoping the Northern Knights wingman is available at their third pick come night two of the draft. A Bombers fan growing up, Krasna's outside run and polish will be a big welcome at Tullamarine, with Essendon in need of some clean conduit pieces to aid their list build. Pick 21 - Port Adelaide Harvie Cooke [draft_top10_widget player_id="Harvie Cooke" season="2026"] Port Adelaide's first own selection of the draft after matching a bid for Dougie Cochrane at Pick 1, the South Australian club makes a move for Morrish Medal winner Harvie Cooke - a mercurial forward-midfielder who has a bag full of tricks. Despite his smaller frame, Cooke proved his value as a midfielder for the Northern Knights and Vic Metro this year, while his abilities as a deep resting forward proved to be a headache for opposing defenders when given the space one-on-one. Pick 22 - Richmond Xavier Ladbrook [draft_top10_widget player_id="Xavier Ladbrook" season="2026"] The Tigers couldn't come away with their desired key position target of Harry Van Hattum with their second pick in this Mock Draft, so with their third selection, Richmond lands versatile tall Xavier Ladbrook out of Gippsland. The 200cm teenager will most likely develop as a key defender, but has shown an ability to roll forward or pinch-hit in the ruck, giving the Tigers some flexibility for the next stages of their list build. Pick 23 - West Coast Khaled El Souki [draft_top10_widget player_id="Khaled El Souki" season="2026"] In a draft surprise, the Western Bulldogs opt against matching a bid for their Next Generation Academy prospect at Pick 23 in this Mock Draft, seeing Khaled El Souki head west to the Eagles. The Dogs do have the picks and points, or could even trade themselves into a better position, but in this case they keep their hand as West Coast add a damaging small forward to an attacking pack in need. Pick 24 - West Coast Jake Soutar [draft_top10_widget player_id="Jake Soutar" season="2026"] With West Coast's own compensation selection, the Eagles move for mature-aged local Jake Soutar, who has entered first-round conversations off the back of a shining season with East Perth in the WAFL. More of a third tall defender, Soutar could have an immediate impact on the Eagles as an intercepting defender who can relieve pressure on the backline with his clean kicking and footy IQ. Pick 25 - Port Adelaide Gabe Patterson [draft_top10_widget player_id="Gabe Patterson" season="2026"] With the Power's third pick of the draft, the Alberton club looks local to snare Glenelg small forward Gabe Patterson to complement their earlier picks. Unlike Cochrane and Cooke, Patterson is a pure forward who uses his speed and creativity to find the ball and impact the scoreboard, booting 42 goals across his past two seasons for the Bays' U18s side. Pick 26 - Essendon Harvey Spawton-Guy [draft_top10_widget player_id="Harvey Spawton-Guy" season="2026"] The 'Swiss Army knife' of this year's class, West Perth tall Harvey Spawton-Guy splits clubs on exactly where he could be best used at AFL level. The 196cm prospect had a great year mostly playing forward, with his leading patterns and set-shot routine getting the job done more times than not. But given his aerial impact and field kicking, Spawton-Guy could be a great addition behind the ball. Either way, he'd be an astute selection for Essendon as the Bombers work through their rebuild. Pick 27 - GWS Gus Kennedy [draft_top10_widget player_id="Gus Kennedy" season="2026"] The Giants were likely to pounce on Jake Eime had Fremantle not taken the South Australian one spot earlier in this Mock Draft, so with their second selection they head down the line-breaking defender route with a play for Kennedy. The Dandenong Stingrays captain has pace to burn across half-back while also being a solid mark overhead, and can also roll through midfield to win his own footy. With Lachie Whitfield gone and Lachie Ash's future uncertain beyond 2027, Kennedy could join a depleted defensive group at GWS. Pick 28 - Brisbane Marlon Neocleous [draft_top10_widget player_id="Marlon Neocleous" season="2026"] The reigning premiers don't want for much, with the Queenslanders stacked across all three lines of the field. It could be as simple as adding the best available talent, but if there is one area to address, it's the small forward stocks. Charlie Cameron will be 33 next year, and Kai Lohmann is set to receive strong rival interest in a contract year, meaning Brisbane will need to assess what its long-term ground-level attacking options are. Neocleous, at times this year seen as the best pure small forward, can push up the field and add to the clearance game while also having a lively presence as an attacker who knows how to create goals. Pick 29 - Hawthorn Noah Williams [draft_top10_widget player_id="Noah Williams" season="2026"] The first pick for the Hawks at this year's draft, having parted with their first-round pick to land Essendon veteran Zach Merrett. While Merrett's leadership will be a noticeable addition to Sam Mitchell's ranks, a teenager with character and direction is Geelong Falcons talent Noah Williams. Able to play across half-back or through the middle, Williams could prove to be a bargain get at this stage of the draft given his year was impacted by injury, somewhat seeing him slide in the second half of the season. Pick 30 - Collingwood George Gale [draft_top10_widget player_id="George Gale" season="2026"] Potentially a bargain find for the Magpies at Pick 30, with Gale expected to earn interest within the first 20 picks of the draft. The Claremont midfielder is a big-bodied wingman who uses his size and aerial skills to dominate space on the outside, looking to replicate the efforts and output of Adelaide's Dan Curtin. Pick 31 - Hawthorn (Matched Bid) Keenan Boi [draft_top10_widget player_id="Keenan Boi" season="2026"] The Hawks move up the board from Pick 37 to match Carlton's bid for small forward Keenan Boi and attain the electric Gippslander. Boi steadily rose through the ranks in 2026 across his commitments with the Power and Vic Country, with his balance of goal sense and front-half pressure making him a dangerous presence in the front-half. BID: Hawthorn uses Picks 37+71, as well as 132 deficit points, to match the bid. Pick 32 - Carlton Marcus Prasad [draft_top10_widget player_id="Marcus Prasad" season="2026"] After missing out on one mercurial small forward with a bid for Keenan Boi, the Blues quickly turn their attention to another in the form of Dandenong's Marcus Prasad. A genuine livewire and X-factor small forward, Prasad is at his most damaging when given a small slice of space to find the goals, using his quick steps, speed and evasiveness to often create something out of nothing. Pick 33 - Adelaide Koby LeCras [draft_top10_widget player_id="Koby LeCras" season="2026"] The Crows double up on Western Australian prospects with Koby LeCras following Leo Steed to Adelaide in this Mock Draft. The West Perth forward's 2026 campaign was ended by a partially torn ACL, but the exciting teenager put enough runs on the board before the setback to be a strong draft chance. At 193cm tall, LeCras can play as a medium-sized forward with a strong presence both in the air and at ground level, while he may be best suited to a wing role to start his AFL career given his hard running and link-up work. Pick 34 - North Melbourne Billy Wigmore [draft_top10_widget player_id="Billy Wigmore" season="2026"] The Kangaroos have been heavily linked to Vic Metro and Western Jets defender Billy Wigmore with their first pick, which will now come in the mid-30s after they traded out of the early stages to attain Sydney's Nick Blakey. Wigmore doesn't come in a key defender's frame, but his leap and read of a flighted ball make him an intercepting gem for anyone's rearguard. Pick 35 - Port Adelaide Jack Slattery [draft_top10_widget player_id="Jack Slattery" season="2026"] Another local to land at Port Adelaide in this Mock Draft, with over-aged forward Jack Slattery to join SA teammates Dougie Cochrane and Gabe Patterson, as well as Harvie Cooke, in heading to the Power. Slattery exploded at this year's U18s National Championships, booting the most goals at the carnival as a reliable forward target. The Power may also have SA defender Harry Franz in their plans for this pick, but could believe he may be available when they're next on the clock at Pick 46. Pick 36 - Adelaide Ethan Herbert [draft_top10_widget player_id="Ethan Herbert" season="2026"] Adelaide's third selection of the draft sees them bolster their ruck stocks with local tall Ethan Herbert, who was one of the strongest starters to this year's draft season. The North Adelaide tall has elite follow-up work to complement his ruck craft, and could be the long-term option for the Crows after Lachie McAndrew, given the patience that will be needed with Herbert's development. Pick 37 - Geelong Brady Wright [draft_top10_widget player_id="Brady Wright" season="2026"] Perhaps no surprise to see Geelong picking up a mature-aged prospect at the draft, with the Cats doing so with their first selection in this Mock Draft. Wright has had a strong past 18 months for Werribee as a 195cm forward target, with his marking, continued leading and reliable set shot putting him on the map as a National Draft chance in 2026. He would immediately fill a list need at the Cats to support Jeremy Cameron and Shannon Neale, while the former's fitness has also opened up issues for Geelong's front-half. Pick 38 - Sydney Albert MacGowan [draft_top10_widget player_id="Albert MacGowan" season="2026"] Another potential bargain find at this stage of the draft, with MacGowan a live chance to be taken in the early stages of the second round. Knocks on MacGowan have been his pace, but the same concerns came with Fremantle star Murphy Reid, while MacGowan's evasiveness under pressure and 2km time trial crown are among the long list of reasons clubs can't afford to look past the Sandringham Dragons midfielder. Pick 39 - Sydney Archie Elliott [draft_top10_widget player_id="Archie Elliott" season="2026"] Back-to-back picks for the Swans see them swoop on GWV Rebels forward Archie Elliott, who had an U18s carnival for Vic Country that seemingly flew under the radar this year. Elliott is a hard-working front-half asset who catches the eye with his ability to pounce on a grounded ball, as well as fly for a flighted one. He would have the perfect mentor in Tom Papley at the Swans as he looks to grow his game as a high half-forward option. Pick 40 - Fremantle Jackson Phillips [draft_top10_widget player_id="Jackson Phillips" season="2026"] Dandenong Stingrays midfielder-forward Jackson Phillips would be considered by Fremantle for their first-round pick, that's how much of a bargain they may see this selection. Phillips had a hot start to his Talent League season with the Stingrays as a midfielder who can make the most of his disposals and impact the scoreboard, earning Vic Country honours and showing his value at the level this year. Pick 41 - Essendon (Matched Bid) Blake Justice [draft_top10_widget player_id="Blake Justice" season="2026"] With St Kilda's bid for Essendon NGA talent Blake Justice coming after the Pick 36 impasse, the Bombers only need to stump up their next selection, which proves to be a fifth-round pick. The Dons are in line to land Justice off the back of an injury-interrupted year that may have seen him press the top 20 mark, meaning Essendon could finish off their huge draft night with a bargain recruit. BID: Essendon uses Pick 80 to match the bid. Pick 42 - St Kilda Sam Devers [draft_top10_widget player_id="Sam Devers" season="2026"] A half-back with dare and good decision-making, Devers put injury woes behind him to star for the Eastern Ranges and still get a look at U18s National Championships action for Vic Metro. His speed and influence in the air make him a tantalising prospect, and would complement the Saints' system as they look to utilise speed and line-breaking assets. Pick 43 - Western Bulldogs Harry Chapman [draft_top10_widget player_id="Harry Chapman" season="2026"] Finishing off the Mock Draft is the Western Bulldogs, who make their first selection of this exercise after deciding against a matched bid for NGA talent Khaled El Souki at Pick 23. That decision could pay off if a prospect like Harry Chapman is up for grabs at Pick 43, with the Eastern Ranges wingman a smooth mover on the outside who can burst forward and impact on the scoreboard - traits that could complement the Dogs' star inside midfield options.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	FRE	23	19	4	76	137.2
2	SYD	23	18	5	72	136.1
3	BL	23	16	7	64	121.7
4	HAW	23	15	6	64	120.1
5	GEEL	23	15	8	60	122.3
6	ADEL	23	15	8	60	117.3
7	MELB	23	15	8	60	109.6
8	WB	23	13	9	54	95.4
9	COLL	23	12	9	52	102.4
10	CARL	23	12	10	50	101.5

AFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-43 (second edition)

Involving all 18 AFL teams, here’s how the first two rounds of the 2026 Draft could unfold.

Pick 41 - Essendon (Matched Bid)

Blake Justice

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