AFL Draft crystal ball: Top 12 2027 AFL Draft prospects

The AFL Talent Pathway industry is getting an increasingly crystallised sense of the prospects on offer in 2026 - but what about next year? With Tasmania allowed to pre-list up to 12 17-year-olds across the next two draft cycles, clubs will have a keen eye on the depth of talent and overall strength of the pool. Tasmania has expressed interest in several members of the crop as the young club considers its list build, with the below names, in no particular order, among some in consideration. Jake Beams (Tasmania Devils, half-back) We had to include a Tasmanian on the list, didn't we? Regardless of his state lineage, though, Beams is well deserving of a place on the list. His numbers in the Talent League this season have been eye-popping and, remarkably, he's just 10 days away from being too young to qualify for next year's intake. An attacking half-back whose pressure and intercepting causes turnover, the more of the footy he has, the better, because he breaks lines with his drive and daring ball use. Koby Bewick (Calder Cannons, half-back) The Essendon-tied prospect has had an injury-hampered start to 2026 but remains highly esteemed, as underscored by the Calder Cannons prospect being one of just two bottom-aged players in this year's Vic Metro squad. Wherever he plays – he's shown exceptional versatility – he puts himself in positions to impact the play and is not afraid to take the game on with his aerobic capacity, pace and ability to drive his legs. Half-back appears the most natural starting position for him at the next level where his ball use and decision making will be allowed to shine. Harvey Chapman (Sturt, key defender) A left footer with a penetrating kick, the 195cm Chapman is the standout key defender of the crop. Intercepts with great strength and is able to kick-start dangerous offence with his ball-use. Has matched up on bigger bodied opponents and found a way to nullify them and has the toe and work rate to stay with players. Maxim Collins (West Perth, defender) Burst onto the scene at the start of this year with strong form in the WAFL Colts backline for West Perth and oozes talent. At 194cm, he backs himself to take big grabs and his laser like kicking and poise in traffic bode well for a seamless step up. Did not feature at the Under-16s National Development Championships last year due to a hairline fracture in his ankle but is an esteemed defender worth tracking in the next 12 months. Jett Flower (Eastern Ranges, half-back) Will be inexorably labelled as the grandson of Melbourne great Robbie but is forging a strong path of his own. A smooth-mover who can roll off half-back or play effectively through the midfield, his sensational start to the Talent League season earns him inclusion on the list. Clean, quick, agile and smart, he has played local senior footy as a bottom-ager and is part of Vic Metro's training squad for the Under-18s National Championships. A complete and balanced footballer. Cooper French (GWS Academy, half forward) The GWS Giants Academy product has electric speed which allows him to break the game open and surge the ball forward from centre stoppage. Was his team's standout player in the NSW/ACT vs South Australia trial game last weekend, a capstone performance after a strong start to 2026. Will likely play off half forward for the Allies at the Under-18s National Championships where his ability to get up and back and hit the scoreboard will be on full display. Was rested from the Allies trial match on Saturday, indicating the esteem he is held in. Oscar Henwood (Gippsland Power, forward-midfielder) Did not take part in the Under-16s National Championships in 2025 due to injury but has been highly rated by Gippsland for some time and is firmly on Tasmania's radar. A competitive and courageous left footer, he has relished the opportunity to play in the midfield at stages for Gippsland this season, with his poise in traffic and clean skills allowing him to excel in the Talent League. Is in the Vic Country squad as a bottom-ager, where he is likely to reprise his forward role where his pressure and ability to finish come to the fore. Jake Miller (Western Jets, key forward) A Western Jets key forward who takes big marks and kick goals. Arguably the best tall forward who has come through since Aaron Cadman in 2022. Can anchor a forward line with his contested marking and how hard he competes and sets himself apart with how dynamic he is when the ball hits the ground. Starred at the Under-16s National Development Championships last year, and brought that form in to the Talent League, where he has remained a commanding force for Western Jets. Cops significant attention playing in the APS competition for Brighton Grammar but remains capable of turning a game with his work ethic off the charts. Axel Walsh (East Perth, ruck) Was sidelined in the second half of last year and early this year with a knee injury but has reminded the industry of his precocious talent since he returned. Has shown frightening potential in the Western Australia Under-18s trial games against senior opposition he has played so far and had his game of the season at school level last week. Zemes Pilot (South Adelaide, tall utility) A member of Port Adelaide's Next Generation Academy, Pilot officially opted out of Tasmania's watchlist in March, indicating he will seek to secure his future at the Power. An athletic tall capable of playing in any key-position post, his athleticism, mobility and clean skill all stand out for a player of his size. A leanly built prospect, he has an eye-catching leap which gives him incredible reach overhead and he has great confidence to launch for the footy. Baxter Sruk (Eastern Ranges, midfielder) Did as he liked at last year's Under-16s National Championships, with his toughness and ability to break away from contest in Vic Metro's midfield making him one of his side's most prominent playmakers. Has a knack of getting his hands on the footy, and few have better finishing ability than the Eastern Ranges product. Both of his older brothers have gone on to VFL lists, giving him strong tutelage to lean on. A toe injury delayed the Rowville Sports Academy student's start to 2026, but when he gets on a roll, he has the ability to turn a game and put the team on his back, as he showed in Eastern Ranges' most recent game on Saturday night against Dandenong. Max Thompson (Bendigo Pioneers, utility) Wherever he plays, Thompson finds a way to impact. Projects as an exciting small forward at the next level, with his goal nous and dynamism attributes he showed in spades at last year's Under-16s National Development Championships. Has been given the chance to play off half-back for Bendigo Pioneers so far this season, with his electric ball-use breaking the game open as well as his frequent ability to kick long range goals or pick the eyes out of an inside 50 pass. Plays with competitiveness and works hard which are employable traits across the field.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	FRE	13	12	1	48	147.9
2	SYD	12	10	2	40	152.4
3	HAW	13	8	4	34	113.2
4	GEEL	13	8	5	32	120.2
5	WB	13	8	5	32	94.6
6	GC	12	7	5	28	114.6
7	ADEL	12	7	5	28	107.4
8	BL	13	7	6	28	105.5
9	MELB	12	7	5	28	101.8
10	GWS	12	6	6	24	103.2

AFL Draft crystal ball: Top 12 2027 AFL Draft prospects

With Tasmania’s AFL entrance on the radar, there is a bigger spotlight on bottom-agers than ever before.

Oscar Henwood (Gippsland Power, forward-midfielder)

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