Early look: The 26 prospects to watch out for from the 2026 AFL Draft crop
There is some promising talent on the way in the 2026 draft, including father-sons and academy guns. And some famous names will have a decision to make. Here is who to keep tabs on.
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The 2026 AFL Draft is still two years away but clubs are always looking at what is on the horizon.
With the door left open for clubs to trade picks two years into the future, the under-16 championships would have been watched with even greater interest by AFL recruiters.
The under-16 championships, which finished up on the Gold Coast last week, showed that there is some promising talents at the top-end, including two with AFL bloodlines.
There will be some interesting watches for several father-sons — Walker, Hodge, McCartney — tied to northern and Next Generation academies.
Here is who put their names up in lights at the U16 championships and the prospects we may become more familiar with in the years to come.
26 PROSPECTS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 2026 DRAFT
Dougie Cochrane (South Australia)
The standout across the U16 carnival and the early frontrunner for the 2026 No. 1 pick, Cochrane was awarded the Kevin Sheehan Medal after dominating in defence and as a tall midfielder. At 194 centimetres the South Australian is incredibly poised, reads the play to perfection and is an elite kick. He racked up big numbers in the last two games: 25 disposals, 15 contested possessions, nine intercepts, three intercept marks against Vic Metro and 28 disposals, 23 kicks, six tackles and five intercept marks in the loss to Vic Country. Cochrane is the son of former North Melbourne and Port Adelaide player Stuart, both doesn’t meet the 100-game qualification for either club.
Cody Walker (Vic Country)
Carlton father-son/Richmond NGA
Get excited Blues fans. Walker staked his claim as an early selection, just like his father, former Carlton high-flyer Andrew, from the very first game of the carnival. He finished with 28 disposals, 11 score involvements and kicked two goals against rivals Vic Metro in Melbourne. The damaging and powerful midfielder continued that form up on the Gold Coast and led the charge in their last-gasp win over South Australia. The Echuca talent is also tied to Richmond’s Next Generation Academy, which could make things interesting over the next 18 months.
Arki Butler (Vic Metro)
Perhaps unlucky not to be given the nod as MVP for Vic Metro, Butler was dangerous inside 50 and also had an influence in the midfield. When Butler got hot he was difficult to stop, kicking two goals in the space of two minutes in consecutive games. He finished with seven goals for the carnival and averaged 19.3 touches and 7.7 score involvements.
Marcus Prasad (Vic Country)
Prasad is going to be fun to watch if his U16 championships campaign was any guide. In the decider the forward-midfielder kicked three dazzling snap goals where he dodged around defenders with his exciting speed and agility. He also applied manic defensive pressure throughout, averaging 5.7 tackles to go with 16.3 disposals and 10 contested possessions.
Lucas Robinson (Western Australia)
Robinson has already impressed at under-18 level for South Fremantle and he dominated at the contest with his mature frame, averaging a whopping 18.7 contested possessions, 8.7 clearances and 6.0 tackles. In fact, a staggering 72 per cent of his possessions were won in a contest. Capped his strong campaign with a nice goal after selling candy to his opponent in the last quarter against Vic Metro.
Marlon Neocleous (Vic Country)
Neocleous showcased his high impact per possession and goalkicking nous, kicking two majors against Western Australia where he cleverly ran onto the ball out the back. Like Prasad he also got involved defensively and is another lively Vic Country forward to watch out for.
Jack Surkitt (Vic Metro)
Surkitt’s clean hands stood out in wet conditions in the first game on the Gold Coast and he was able to hit the scoreboard in their final match of the championships, booting two goals. Was always pushing up the ground and managed to win a lot of the ball despite playing primarily as a forward.
Tanner Armstrong (Vic Country)
Like Walker, Armstrong is also a part of Richmond’s NGA program. The rebounding defender had a big week up on the Gold Coast, racking up a whopping 27 intercept possessions and 53 disposals across his last two matches of the carnival. Armstrong ability to win the ball back off the opposition was first rate, and he was Vic Country’s designated ball-user out of defence, with his teammates always looking to get it in his reliable hands.
Cain Florance (South Australia)
Florance had maximum impact forward of centre, booting three first half goals against Vic Metro – one of those after spinning out of two tackles and snapping over his head – and two majors in their loss to Vic Country. He also racked up 23 disposals and six marks in that final game.
Koby LeCras (Western Australia)
LeCras showed the goal sense of his uncle, West Coast goalkicking great Mark, throughout the carnival. The son of six-game North Melbourne player Brent kicked seven goals in his three games, including three majors in 15 minutes against Vic Country when he turned it on.
Angus White (South Australia)
White put his side on his back against Vic Country, spurring their comeback with three goals in the third quarter. He finished with 26 disposals, five clearances and five tackles in that match in a promising sign for the future.
Jermaine Miller (South Australia)
Adelaide Next Generation Academy
The nephew of Adelaide greats Eddie Betts and Graham Johncock, Miller showed he has goalkicking in his blood with a miraculous four-goal half against Vic Metro in the wet. The Crows Next Generation Academy prospect also kicked two snapping goals in their loss to Vic Country, one of those bounces through from a tight angle.
Will Waller (Vic Metro)
Might get the nickname ‘Brick’ if his form continues over the next couple of years. Waller took more intercept marks than any player at the U16 champs, started his campaign with five intercept marks against Vic Metro – four of those contested – and taking another six across his next two games. The 191cm defender has vice-like hands, a great leap and has plenty of scope for growth.
Will Malady (Vic Country)
Malady came up clutch in the championship decider, kicking the go-ahead goal in the dying minutes and the matchwinning behind from the boundary in golden point. The strong-marking key position prospect kicked two goals in that match and slotted 3.2 in his previous game against Western Australia, clunking three contested marks in both matches.
Archie Van Dyk (South Australia)
The 185cm midfielder started the champs with a monster game, amassing 29 disposals, 17 contested possessions, eight clearances and a goal against Western Australia. He continued to find the ball at will across the carnival, finishing as the second highest disposal-winner in division one behind Walker.
Lachlan Hicks (Vic Metro)
Hicks attacked the contest and the man with ferocity, averaging 15.3 disposals and 5.3 tackles. His consistent carnival earnt him Vic Metro’s MVP award.
Lachie McGlade (Western Australia)
A crafty goalsneak with a nice turn of step, McGlade was electric in their win over Vic Country with three goals. He also booted two clever crumbing goals against South Australia, with four of five goals across the carnival coming from general play.
Leo Steed (Western Australia)
Steed had no trouble getting his hands on the ball, winning 23 disposals in each of his last two games. The Swan Districts product also defended strongly, laying eight tackles in the Sandgropers’ first game against South Australia.
DIVISION 2
Matthew Owen (Brisbane Lions Academy)
The Lions look to have another promising midfielder coming through the ranks. Owen was a dominant force for the Lions throughout the carnival, going berserk in his first game with 37 disposals, 25 uncontested possessions, nine score involvements, seven marks and a goal against Gold Coast. The prolific midfielder then collected tallies of 27 and 32 in his last two games.
Archie Hill (Gold Coast Academy)
Hill has already featured at Coates Talent League level for the Suns Academy and showed he was well above the standard of division two, winning their MVP award. The prolific defender had more than 30 disposals and 25 in every game and posted monster SuperCoach scores of 195 and 209 in his final two matches. Hill won the ball back from the opposition with ease and drove his side’s attacking forays with his rebound and ball-use.
Aidan McCartney (Sydney Swans Academy/North Melbourne F/S)
The son of former North Melbourne star Jason McCartney slotted two hauls of three goals and kicked 1.3 in his final game against Tasmania. Part of the Sydney Swans Academy, McCartney is also eligible to join the Swans – the cross-town rival to Jason, GWS’ football director.
Conrad Blackwell-Smith (Sydney Swans Academy)
Blackwell-Smith had a big influence at the contest with his ball-winning and defensive pressure, averaging nine tackles and 12 contested possessions in that period. The 177cm midfielder was a little more quiet in his final game but it was still enough for him to take out Sydney’s MVP.
Charlie Harper (GWS Giants Academy)
The Giants’ MVP capped his eye-catching championships with six intercept marks in their loss to the Lions Academy, reading the play with ease. The small defender showcased his neat ball-use by going at around 90 per cent disposal efficiency in the Giants’ first and last game.
Archie Devine (Tasmania)
Made an instant impression after kicking two snap goals in the first five minutes of Tasmania’s carnival, going on to rack up 25 disposals and 10 intercepts. His next game against Brisbane was arguably bigger with 31 disposals, 18 contested possessions and six clearances.
Ewan Dillon (Tasmania)
Was named as Tasmania’s MVP off the back of his work in the ruck. The 200cm prospect averaged 8.7 hit-outs to advantage per game from his 26.7 hit-outs and showed his aerial ability with some strong grabs around the ground.
Cooper Hodge (Brisbane Lions Academy/Hawthorn F/S)
Similar to McCartney, the son of four-time premiership Hawk Luke Hodge is eligible to join Hawthorn as a father-son or Brisbane — where Luke played 41 games — as part of the Lions Academy. Hodge has a promising carnival, averaging 17.3 disposals, with his composure with ball in hand standing out. Will be one for Hawks and Lions fans to keep tabs on.
2025 DRAFT
James O’Loughlin (Sydney Swans Academy)
The son of Sydney legend Michael kicked a goal in every game and certainly caught the eye in the Swans' win over Northern Territory with three majors. O’Loughlin has a silky sidestep and knows where the goals are. Born in late December, he was able to take part in the carnival as an over-ager but is eligible to be taken in next year’s intake.
Kalen Russell (Northern Territory)
Turning 18 in April next year, Russell was granted permission to play in the championships as an over-ager and performed strongly. The NT defence was often under serious pressure but Russell managed to keep a cool head, impressing with his ball-use by foot and his intercepting. He averaged 27.3 disposals, 8.3 marks and 7.0 intercepts and received NT’s MVP award, which will fill him with confidence ahead of his draft year.
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Originally published as Early look: The 26 prospects to watch out for from the 2026 AFL Draft crop
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