Geelong Falcons key forward Jack Pickett's draft range is one of the hardest to gauge in the 2026 crop, yet Essendon, Port Adelaide and West Coast have all shown interest.
The hit-up forward entered the year viewed as a prospect who could enter top five calculations before almost his entire 2026 campaign was wiped out by an ACL and MCL injury.
After training with Geelong's AFL side for a week in pre-season as part of the AFL Academy and learning off the likes of Shannon Neale alongside close mate Noah Williams, it was a frustrating setback.
“I was pretty sad and frustrated,” Pickett told Zero Hanger at the AFL Draft National Combine.
“At the start it was frustrating, not being able to play and being ruled out for the whole year after putting in a preseason - it's not fun, but I tried to shift my mindset to get the most out of the year.
“I was able to help coach the forwards for a lot of the programs I was in, and they took me under my wing to improve my communication and leadership side of my game. It's allowed me to see the structure and see players' leading patterns which I might not have been able to do before I did my knee.”
Pickett kicked bags of goals for fun as a bottom-ager naïve to the adversity footy can bring.
Playing in the Talent League, APS competition and the National Championships, his ability to use his forward craft in a similar vein to Logan Morris, who he models his game on, to gain separation and take marks inside 50 set him apart.
His draft range can vary from the end of night one until Pick 30; such is the evenness of that area of the draft.
“I wanted to show my game up the ground. As a bottom-ager I got pencilled in as a deep forward and didn't get to show what I had and this year I was ready to get up the ground and show what I could do up there," Pickett said.
“They're getting a competitive forward who can impact in a short period of time and who can develop into a versatile forward.”
Pickett lives on the 16th hole at Geelong Golf Club and the sport has provided him – and Williams – with an important outlet from the stresses of footy during his time sidelined.
"I'm going to say (I'm better than Noah),” Pickett said.
“It helps I live on the golf course; I have a few more rounds under my belt, but 'Noz' is a bit impatient sometimes, so I get him on that side.
“I'm not so good on the short game; off the tee, if I can stay in the game, it should be a good game from there. Whether it's by yourself or with mates, it's a good way to decompress and take your mind off the game, and it allows you to relax a bit.”
