ESSENDON and Port Adelaide will be linked over the next two drafts in more ways than one. While not traditional rivals, they face a fight for draft picks and prospects with some of their respective club-tied talents shaping up as quite high-end in 2026 and 2027.

>> EVERY CLUB: The top club-tied prospects for 2026

Tevita Rodan, the son of David, is part of the Bombers’ Next Generation Academy (NGA), but also has a father-son link to Port. Eligible for the 2027 draft, Rodan was named in last year’s Under 16 All-Australian team and is viewed as a potential top 20 talent – albeit a long way out.

While his choice between the two clubs is also likely a long way out, much more than player preference will likely shape the outcome. Essendon and Port won’t only have to fit Rodan into their draft plans, but also the potential for extremely high-end bids on other aligned talent.

>> EVERY CLUB: 2026-2028 future picks

Essendon has not yet acted on shifting its future picks (2027/28), but is already well aware of the upside father-son gun Koby Bewick possesses. Drawing lofty comparisons to Collingwood star Nick Daicos, the son of Darren is a Calder Cannons teammate of Rodan – local to the Bombers’ region.

Bewick shapes as a rare talent in the frame to rival the likes of Daicos and the Ashcroft brothers as elite father-son picks of late. Rodan may want to join him in the famous sash, especially with fellow NGA prospects Blake Justice (2026) and Moustafa Darwish (2027) also tied to the Cannons and Bombers.

Although, with a stack of players to consider and no movement on its future picks, Essendon has some work to do and rivals who will eye similar picks in the next two drafts – like Port Adelaide.

>> AFL DRAFT: The clubs stockpiling future picks

Along with the potential coup of Rodan, the Power has access to fellow father-son candidate Louis Salopek. His father, Steven, rallied alongside Darren Bewick to fight against a potential first round lockout for club-tied players at the draft. Rules have tightened nonetheless.

Salopek junior is a left-footed midfielder who was part of last year’s Under 16 All-Australian team with Rodan and Bewick. Also in that side was Power NGA member Zemes Pilot, a dynamic 192cm prospect who is already being slated among the pick one contenders for 2027.

But before that group comes through, Port will also have to match a likely very early bid for Dougie Cochrane this year. The tall utility was approved for NGA eligibility late in 2025 and Port acted to bolster its 2026 draft hand as a result. Their 2027/28 stocks remain untouched.

Another player to consider for the Power is Zackariah Young, who is part of South Australia’s state academy, but may be a prospect for later in the draft at this stage.

Port Adelaide isn’t the only club to have stocked up for 2026, with Carlton also prepared to match a steep points total for father-son Cody Walker. The likes of Brisbane, Fremantle, Sydney, and West Coast will also soon enter the market for picks as their academy/father-son talent emerges.

There is still plenty of football to be played in between and even more trade bombshells waiting to happen, but we profile the prospects which will make Essendon and Port Adelaide big players across the next two National Draft intakes.

2026 DRAFT

Dougie Cochrane (Central District/South Australia)
Tall Utility | 196cm | 02/05/2008

Port Adelaide NGA

An athletic tall utility, Cochrane is supremely gifted athletically – able to beat opponents off the mark and in the air at 196cm. What’s better, he can get it done at both ends of the ground and has even been exposed to midfield. Cochrane made five SANFL League appearances this year and is the son of Stuart, who played 104 AFL games between Port Adelaide and North Melbourne. His brother Tom is a rookie at Port, who only recently gained approval to add Dougie to its Indigenous Academy.

Blake Justice (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro)
Forward/Midfielder | 190cm | 29/09/2008

Essendon NGA

While arguably outside the top 25 or so prospects as it stands, Justice has all the attributes to rocket up the order this year. A solidly-built, explosive athlete at 190cm, he holds his own in contested situations and can power his way forward at speed. Justice’s healthy work ethic also compliments his dual-position status, able to operate as a high forward or inside midfielder. The 17-year-old established himself on a wing for Calder before graduating on-ball, playing 15 Talent League games in 2025.

Zackariah Young (North Adelaide/South Australia)
Defender/Midfielder | 180cm | 30/04/2008

Port Adelaide NGA

Young remains a relative unknown amongst the very talented and deep 2026 crop, but has some traits to work with. He has been part of the state pathway system in South Australia over the last few years, first making an impact at Under 16 level. Now part of the Under 18 academy, Young played 17 games for North Adelaide last year. He’s clean at the contest and while relatively light, can absorb or evade contact with his turn of foot. Such speed and dare will help him catch the eye in bursts throughout the year.

2027 DRAFT

Koby Bewick (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro)
Midfielder | 177cm | 10/01/2009

Essendon F/S

Essendon fans are already all over Bewick’s potential, with the son of two-time premiership Bomber Darren shaping as a top-end talent. His smooth style and prolific nature are easy to watch, boasting elite footy IQ and the ability to impact on each line. He’s a terrific ball user with great running power, making him a threat off half-back, through the middle, and even as a resting forward. He hits the scoreboard and brings others into the play, knowing where his next touch will come.

Zemes Pilot (South Adelaide/South Australia)
Tall Forward/Midfielder | 192cm | 08/06/2009

Port Adelaide NGA

Pilot may well be the most exciting player of the 2027 crop at this early stage. He is ridiculously athletic, capable of plying his trade in midfield at all of 192cm. The Port Adelaide NGA prospect is arguably most effective as a mobile marking forward, where he covers ground like a much smaller player but extends overhead like few others can. Pilot garnered attention last year with an eye-watering effort of 9.4 from 27 disposals in the SANFL Under 16s. He has also stepped up to Under 18 level with South Adelaide.

Tevita Rodan (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro)
Utility | 179cm | 18/02/2009

Essendon NGA / Port Adelaide F/S

A chip off the old block, Rodan has already showcased some of the same pop and power as his father, David. Like Calder Cannons teammate Bewick, the 16-year-old has already made his Talent League debut and can play on every line. He is a playmaking rebounder down back, dynamic threat up forward, and clever extractor who can navigate stoppages through the middle. Expect him to earn more midfield exposure as he develops, though he could well end up as a potent flanker at either end of the ground.

Louis Salopek (Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country)
Midfielder | 184cm | 16/02/2009

Port Adelaide F/S

Salopek came to prominence with a 16-disposal opening quarter against Vic Metro at last year’s Under 16 National Championships. He went on to have 32 touches that day and averaged 24 for the carnival, along with 4.7 clearances. The son of 121-game former Port Adelaide player Steven is eligible to join the club in 2027, and offers plenty of guts in the way he plays. He extracts the ball cleanly and can move it forward with his left-foot kicking, even doing so during stints off half-back.

Moustafa Darwish (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro)
Small Forward/Wing | 179cm | 07/01/2009

Essendon F/S

Three goals on Talent League debut is a pretty good way to introduce yourself to the level. Darwish did exactly that last year after helping Vic Metro take out the Under 16 title alongside Bewick and Rodan. He played mostly as a forward for Calder but also has scope to venture further up the field, showcasing a natural ability to find space and accumulate possessions. With ball in hand, Darwish is a keen playmaker who makes clever decisions by foot and has sharp finishing skills in front of goal.