While the football world scratches its head at the conundrum presented to the clubs in the heavily compromised upcoming National Draft, some are looking further into the future at the 2026 AFL National Draft prospects, the best of who will be on the main stage on Grand Final Day.

Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

2025 National Under 17 Futures squad announced

The AFL has announced a 48-player squad set to take part in the National Under 17 Futures program later this year.

1 hour ago, Whispering_Jack said:

While the football world scratches its head at the conundrum presented to the clubs in the heavily compromised upcoming National Draft, some are looking further into the future at the 2026 AFL National Draft prospects, the best of who will be on the main stage on Grand Final Day.

Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

2025 National Under 17 Futures squad announced

The AFL has announced a 48-player squad set to take part in the National Under 17 Futures program later this year.

Benji van Rooyen ✍️

Is Jake Miller part of this crop?

1 hour ago, whatwhat say what said:

Is Jake Miller part of this crop?

No, he will be in the 2027 draft.

A key forward to look out for next year though is Jack Pickett from the Falcons.

He has kicked 25 goals in 6 games. Fair effort to average over 4 goals a game as bottom age player. Listed as 193cm at the start of the year when he was 16.

Pickett has a bit Curnow about how he plays, has looked very good as a bottom ager.

A long way out, but Jake Miller projecting well enough to be Tassie bound unforts.

Another 5 goals for Jack Pickett this weekend taking his tally to 30 goals from 7 games. Imagine he will he shaping up as a top 5 prospect for next year.

3 minutes ago, Random Task said:

Another 5 goals for Jack Pickett this weekend taking his tally to 30 goals from 7 games. Imagine he will he shaping up as a top 5 prospect for next year.

Kozzie...to Latrelle....to Jack....goallllll!

3 minutes ago, adonski said:

Kozzie...to Latrelle....to Jack....goallllll!

Pickettt... Pickett..! Pickett!!!

Then opposition fans will be like..

Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

2025 National Under 17 Futures squads finalised

The 2025 National Under 17 Futures squad will represent Team Boak and Team Docherty in Saturday's Grand Final curtain-raiser.

45 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

2025 National Under 17 Futures squads finalised

The 2025 National Under 17 Futures squad will represent Team Boak and Team Docherty in Saturday's Grand Final curtain-raiser.

Decent bunch from WA

Spawton-Guy developing tall fwd who can pinch hit in ruck, takes good contested marks, forward awareness with leading patterns and reading flight also a nice competitive edge

Stirling- intercept key defender reads the play well and had a good season in underperforming side

Lecras- son of Brett, a footballer with good goal sense and footy smarts, question marks on pace but personally see him developing long term into a big bodied mid

Van Rooyen- developing ruck who has flourished since champs, improved his ground ball game and cleaner with hands for a tall in congestion. Having much greater impact around the ground and developing his ruck craft. Strong finish to the season with big finals campaign and a Premiership

Gale - son of mark, classy half back/outside mid. Clean skills, composure and footy smarts. Moves well through traffic and decision making is good. See him long term as rebounding half back who is prepared to take game on and hurt opposition with foot skills

Mellody - this kid is a star in the making, can play across all lines, clean skills at ground level, game sense and composure around stoppages and vision to make something out of nothing I haven’t seen in a while. One of those players who can turn defence into attack with penetrating kick and impact scoreboard off halfback. I expect him to climb the draft order in next 12 months

Robinson - big bodied mid who knows how to find footy and uses it well in tight. Impacts scoreboard and around the ground. Impacts stoppages and wins clearances with brutal attacks on the footy. Disposal by foot needs work

It appears that the Blues will benefit significantly from the father/son rule. Last year, they secured the Camporeale brothers. This year, they are poised to recruit Harry Dean, followed by Cody Walker next year.

One familiar name for those who closely follow the Demons in the VFL is Marlon Neocleosus, whose brother Harvey previously played for Casey.

afl.com.au

Blues father-son stars, forwards fire in Futures match

Cody Walker put on a clinic while two forwards fired in the Marsh AFL National Futures Boys match on Grand Final morning

Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

2026 AFL Academy squad announced

The 2026 AFL Academy squad has been revealed, featuring seven club-tied prospects among the elite group of 25.

7 academy picks including one each for the 4 Qld & NSW clubs. The pattern continues.

Hope we go mids this year but next year would love Wil Malady as a forward. Will give King a year to bed in game plan then time to cull forwards that aren’t up to it and find and develop replacements for Melksham and Chekkers.

No Marcus Prasad?

On 28/09/2025 at 07:42, Whispering_Jack said:

It appears that the Blues will benefit significantly from the father/son rule. Last year, they secured the Camporeale brothers. This year, they are poised to recruit Harry Dean, followed by Cody Walker next year.

One familiar name for those who closely follow the Demons in the VFL is Marlon Neocleosus, whose brother Harvey previously played for Casey.

afl.com.au

Blues father-son stars, forwards fire in Futures match

Cody Walker put on a clinic while two forwards fired in the Marsh AFL National Futures Boys match on Grand Final morning

What a name! Sounds like what American's call glandular fever.

2 hours ago, Blistering said:

No Marcus Prasad?

There’s a name I’ve heard very little about over the past few months. Wonder has he been injured or just a dip in form.

Power granted NGA access to 2026's potential No.1 pick - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1452438

Port have been given NGA access to Dougie Cochrane who is in the early conversation to be the #1 pick along with Cody Walker.

Given the new rules Port, who may finish low anyway, will only be able to use two first round picks to match a bid.

2 hours ago, Random Task said:

Power granted NGA access to 2026's potential No.1 pick - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1452438

Port have been given NGA access to Dougie Cochrane who is in the early conversation to be the #1 pick along with Cody Walker.

Given the new rules Port, who may finish low anyway, will only be able to use two first round picks to match a bid.

that's called the 'we're sorry yr losing butters; here, have cochrane' ruling

Three local lads to bookmark for 2026

Saw them in the futures under 17 match

⭐️Gus Kennedy - Dandenong Stingrays -midfield- just had me thinking of Angus Brayshaw - he was super smart and showed real determination in his second efforts - definitely looked like a future first rounder !! Wish we had an academy

Cody Templeton - Gippsland Power - midfield, half forward

Clancy Snell - Gippsland Power - tall defender - we might need to add a few once May/Tmcd leave

40 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Three local lads to bookmark for 2026

Saw them in the futures under 17 match

⭐️Gus Kennedy - Dandenong Stingrays -midfield- just had me thinking of Angus Brayshaw - he was super smart and showed real determination in his second efforts - definitely looked like a future first rounder !! Wish we had an academy

Cody Templeton - Gippsland Power - midfield, half forward

Clancy Snell - Gippsland Power - tall defender - we might need to add a few once May/Tmcd leave

Boys from WA, much more depth next year

Heath Mellody - classy ball user, freakish awareness and poise, clean hands, scoreboard impact and can play inside or outside. His ceiling is huge

Garrison Kenh- athletic half back with massive upside and talent. Finds plenty of footy with his run and ability to zone off.

Lucas Robinson - big bodied inside midfielder, gets first hands on footy and uses it well by hand, kicking needs work but his accumulation of stats will see him spoken about frequently

Harper Banfield - father son , just a born competitor, I’ve never seen a desire to win contests and just refuse to give in like I’ve seen in this kid. Reminds me of a young Jack Viney

Harvey Spawton-Guy - fwd/ruck moves well for a tall, smart leading patterns and clean hands with one grab

Byron Foster - ruck with nice soft hands at the tap and moves well around the ground, athletic and still growing into his body

Benji Van Rooyen- ruck developing really well, improved stoppage work this year and having impact as intercept behind the footy. Mobility still room for improvement but after missing so much footy from 14-16 he’s on the right trajectory

Edited November 16, 2025Nov 16 by Pennant St Dee

Should be a good draft for small forwards next year with Prasad, Neocleous and Templeton all looking like great prospects.

Jack Pickett had a great year as a bottom aged Key Forward.

6 minutes ago, Random Task said:

Should be a good draft for small forwards next year with Prasad, Neocleous and Templeton all looking like great prospects.

Jack Pickett had a great year as a bottom aged Key Forward.

only prasad is in our nga of that lot, tho?

8 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

only prasad is in our nga of that lot, tho?

Correct

1 hour ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Boys from WA, much more depth next year

Heath Meooldy - classy ball user, freakish awareness and poise, clean hands, scoreboard impact and can play inside or outside. His ceiling is huge

Titillating news for @old acquaintance @Old Bear @old dee @old demon @old demon fan @old demon me!!! @Old Gregg @Old mac @Old Man Rivers @Deeoldfart @old55 and children of all ages!