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.
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.
