2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Gippy’s gun crop
GIPPSLAND Power kicked goals both on a results and draftee basis in 2025. The Talent League region, famed for punching above its weight, took out last year’s minor premiership and produced the nation’s number one draft pick in Willem Duursma. Somehow, things could get even better in 2026.
The Power have produced two AFL Academy members – Xavier Ladbrook and Wil Malady – with tremendous upside from a crop of five who were part of the National Futures program. Many believe Marlon Neocleous was unlucky not to be the third, and Cody Templeton number four.
While Malady and Neocleous have split their time in the APS competition, both broke through for Vic Country Under 18 debuts last year. All four players are expected to not only be integral members of this year’s representative squad, but also have the potential to be top 30 draft prospects.
Headlined by the aforementioned star quartet, we put Gippsland’s budding class of 2026 under the spotlight.
>> ONES TO WATCH: 26 draft prospects for 2026
THE STARS
Xavier Ladbrook
Key Position Utility | 200cm | 16/10/2008
2025 stats [15 games]: 11.2 disposals, 4.6 marks, 2.3 hitouts, 0.3 goals (5 total)
A player who well and truly suits the ‘unicorn’ moniker, Ladbrook offers enormous upside. He has played in just about every position throughout his junior career, arguably looking most comfortable as a key defender but also swinging forward, pinch-hitting in the ruck, and even featuring on a wing. Ladbrook is a dynamic athlete who moves well for his size and joins in on the play like a mid-sized prospect. That kind of versatility is hard to come by, but so valuable. He could be anything with more development.
Wil Malady
Tall Forward | 190cm | 12/10/2008
2025 stats [7 games]: 5.6 disposals, 2.1 marks, 0.9 tackles, 1.4 goals (10 total)
Malady on the football field is a highlight waiting to happen. The 190cm marking phenom is as dangerous as they come inside forward 50, able to soar for speccies or take the ball at the top of his reach on the lead. He kicks goals in bunches too, as proven by his haul of five in last year’s Under 17 Futures game. Keen draft watchers will remember the athletic utility as the hero of Vic Country’s Under 16 title win via golden point in 2024. He has the scope to showcase his versatility in positions like the wing.
Marlon Neocleous
Small Forward/Midfielder | 168cm | 26/02/2008
2025 stats [9 games]: 18.7 disposals, 4.1 tackles, 3.0 clearances, 0.9 goals (8 total)
Quite comfortably the smallest player on this list, Neocleous isn’t short on talent. A crafty forward in the mould of Hawthorn’s Nick Watson, he plays with similar swagger and pizzazz to produce game-defining moments. The Traralgon prospect also holds his own in midfield where his quick and clean hands come to the fore, along with penetrative foot skills. He can cut up the opposition both up the field and deep inside 50, proving a high-impact type who was unlucky to miss AFL Academy selection.
Cody Templeton
Midfielder/Forward | 179cm | 01/01/2008
2025 stats [17 games]: 17.2 disposals, 3.1 marks, 4.1 tackles, 1.2 goals (21 total)
Templeton possesses plenty of intangible traits, one of them being genuine star factor. He held down a spot in the Power’s midfield last year but also made an impact up forward – a relatively new role to him. With speed, energy, and a strong set hands overhead, Templeton led his side’s goalkicking with 21 majors from a maximum 17 games. There’s still a touch of rawness about his finishing touch, but he cracks in hard and is capable of ripping games open.
TOP-AGE DEPTH
Along with Ladbrook and Malady, swingman Clancy Snell is set to be a valuable key position asset in 2026. He was part of last year’s National Futures program and played 15 games for the Power, developing nicely as the year progressed to display his aerial strength at either end of the ground.
Thomas Macmillan joined Templeton in notching up a maximum 17 appearances last season, so is already an established member of the side. Along with Snell and the four star players listed above, he was selected to play in Vic Country’s Under 17 trial match against NSW/ACT.
Elsewhere, livewire forward Keenan Boi had his moments last season with 19 goals in 14 games, and should allow the likes of Templeton to yield more permanent midfield exposure. Jack Hilton and Judd Burgiel are others to keep an eye on after their late-season form on the wings in 2025.
THE FUTURE
Part of what made Gippsland’s 2025 squad so successful was the emergence of its next crop. So, what will the class of 2027 offer the Power this year? The next wave is headlined by towering 208cm ruckman Cohen Dent, who already has six Talent League games under his belt. His Vic Country Under 16 teammate Charlie Fischer also debuted last year as a small forward, as did Noah Romeril. Another to watch is high-flyer Leo Stephenson, who should break into the side in no time along with Macauley Prendergast.
SPOTLIGHT SERIES:
Claremont’s killer Colts
Northern’s tall trio
Rucks to run rampant
South’s star midfielders
2026 AFL Draft spotlight: Gippy’s gun crop
GIPPSLAND Power kicked goals both on a results and draftee basis in 2025. The Talent League region, famed for punching above its weight, took out last year’s minor premiership and produced the nation’s number one draft pick in Willem Duursma. Somehow, things could get even better in 2026. The Power have produced two AFL Academy […]
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