With the 2026 AFL Draft now just over a week away, the shape of this year's intake is beginning to unfold as more whispers and intel surface, and it's time to deliver our third of four Mock Drafts for the year.
This Mock Draft is an evolution of our most recent exercise, which also included a total of 43 selections across the first two rounds of the count.
VIEW: FIRST EDITION MOCK DRAFT - PICKS 1-18
VIEW: SECOND EDITION MOCK DRAFT - PICKS 1-43
PLAY: AFL MOCK DRAFT SIMULATOR
Pick 6 - GWS (Matched Bid): Ethan Matthews
The Demons make a play for the GWS Academy star earlier than our previous two Mock Drafts, forcing the Giants to cough up two first-round picks instead of one. The Giants do get an early second-round selection in return though, given their excess of DVI points.
They also attain a hard-working ball magnet in Matthews, who will likely play across half-back or on the wing to start his AFL career before transitioning to the engine room. Some believe Matthews might've been in the conversation for Essendon's opening pick this year had he been part of the open pool.
MATCHED BID: GWS use Picks 10 and 20, and receive Pick 25 in return.
