Craft of the Draft analysts Jonty Ralphsmith and Mitch Keating have given their early top 10 AFL Draft prospects of the 2026 class.
The names are an early indicator of those with established reputations entering 2026 and those who have started the year with a bang.
Club-tied pair Cody Walker (Carlton) and Dougie Cochrane (Port Adelaide) are the most recognisable names of the crop, with a reasonably even group in the chasing pack.
Zero Hanger's monthly Draft Rankings will begin in May, which give a synopsis of which draft prospects are perform strongly and featuring prominently in AFL Draft discussions.
Jonty Ralphsmith's early Top 10
1. Harry Van Hattum (Northern Knights): A hulking ruck who topped the Talent League testing for the running vertical jump, he is the modern-day ruck who can leap, take marks, impact as a fourth midfielder and impact forward of the footy. Rucks have slipped in recent years, but Van Hattum is one out of the box.
2. Dougie Cochrane (Central Districts/Port Adelaide SANFL): The Port Adelaide Next Generation Academy prospect is currently sidelined with injury, but has proven he can play across all three lines with his athleticism evident both when he launches for the footy in the air and impacts as a dynamic ground-level presence.
3. Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers): Walker's competitiveness and will to get to contest after contest has been the standout of his start to 2026. The Carlton father-son prospect looks a class above each time he takes the field.
4. Arki Butler (Sandringham Dragons): A stunning 26-disposal, four-goal display in Round 1 showcased striking similarities to GWS captain Toby Greene, who Butler continues to draw comparisons with. A strong-leading, leaping hybrid forward who stays involved at ground level, he has shaved more than 30 seconds off his two-kilometre time trial across the past 12 months which has allowed him to show some impressive attributes through the midfield for Sandringham to start 2026.
5. Noah Williams (Geelong Falcons): Has thrived with a move into the midfield in 2026, transferring the smooth traits he showed off half-back last year into his new role. He's dangerous when he wins the footy which he complements with defensive discipline.
6. Jack Pickett (Geelong Falcons): The key forward heartbreakingly ruptured his ACL at Geelong Falcons training after Round 1, but few prospects have as many credits in the bank as Pickett. A mobile, strong-marking goal kicking machine who last year represented Vic Country.
7. Lewis Houndsome (Northern Knights): A key forward/ruck who will benefit from the tutelage of Northern Knights coach Anthony Rocca, he is already a hulking physical presence who hits contests with force. A base of strength, skill and athleticism will hold him in good stead.
8. Kodah Edwards (South Adelaide): An exciting player who offers forward firepower and tenacity through the midfield, he's able to emerge with the ball out the front of stoppage and send it inside 50 with purpose. One of the most dangerous front half players in the draft class.
9. Marlon Neocleous (Gippsland Power): The Gippsland Power livewire was one of the standouts of the U17s Futures match last year and is arguably the best prospect outside the AFL Academy. An athletic, dynamic small forward who applies pressure, he's also being given midfield time in 2026.
10. Heath Mellody (Claremont): Reads the play well and can kick it off both feet and is not afraid to take the game on, which makes him among the most potent rebounding threats in the draft class.
Mitch Keating's early Top 10
1. Dougie Cochrane (Central Districts/Port Adelaide SANFL): Tied to Port Adelaide as a member of the club's Next Generation Academy, Cochrane is a tantalising dual-position threat who stops the tape at 195cm tall. Has an ability to run through the midfield as a damaging ball winner, and utilises his leap and key-position height to be an attacking target in the front half.
2. Cody Walker (Bendigo Pioneers): One of the most talked about players in the draft crop, Walker has long established himself as a premiere talent, with his ball-use and composure improving over summer, even as he has experienced heavy pressure from opponents aware of his skill.
3. Jack Pickett (Geelong Falcons): Few hit the scoreboard as consistently as Pickett. A 6.4 practice game performance in three quarters against GWV Rebels gave an indication he was set for a strong season, before being grounded by an ACL injury, but remains one of the best talls in the class.
4. Harry Van Hattum (Northern Knights): A strong-marking ruck who started the season on fire in Round 1, his skill and ball use for a player of his size sets him apart. Will likely put up big numbers this year as he uses his big frame to full effect.
5. Noah Williams (Geelong Falcons): An archetypal modern day footballer, he capped off a bona-fide bottom-aged season which included U18s Vic Country representation with a best-on-ground performance in the U17s futures game. Has thrived since moving into the midfield this year.
6. Arki Butler (Sandringham Dragons): A forward-half x-factor who is also building midfield craft into his game, Butler is one of the most entertaining and skilled players in the draft class.
7. Kodah Edwards (South Adelaide): A cunning midfielder who can rest forward and be an equally damaging asset, Edwards is one of South Australia's leading prospects for 2026. The Panthers talent is fierce and creative at the contest and has a good eye for goal.
8. Lewis Houndsome (Northern Knights): A key forward/ruck from the Northern Knights who can rise for big contested marks and plays with a hardness around contest, he is one of the most impressive talls in the draft class.
9. Ethan Herbert (North Adelaide): Could be a riser of this year's draft class, having started the SANFL season on fire for North Adelaide. A ruck who wins his own footy and consistently impacts aerially.
10. Xavier Ladbrook (Gippsland Power): Was an intercepting menace in Gippsland's big Round 1 win and backed it up when his side was under the pump in Round 2. The raw tall has played across the field across his time in the talent pathway and looks dangerous when he launches for the footy.
