THE 2026 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft is set to take place on Tuesday night, with Essendon holding the keys to pick one. With 12 clubs taking up the option to open up list spots, the final draft order has been locked in with a maximum of 19 selections to be made. Collingwood, Melbourne, and Port Adelaide all have to option to make three selections. Find out all you need to know ahead of the intake.

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KEY INFO

WHAT: 2026 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft
WHEN: Tuesday May 26, 6:30pm
WATCH: Streamed live via AFL website, app, and YouTube channel
WHO: Players are eligible if; they nominated for and were overlooked in last year’s National Draft, were previously listed by an AFL club, or have played a minimum of three state league games.

FINAL DRAFT ORDER

Note, clubs with multiple list vacancies may make more than one selection, although may also opt against utilising the free list spot. 13 of the 18 clubs have the ability to open up a list vacancy.

ROUND 1:

1. Essendon
2. Richmond
3. West Coast
4. Carlton
5. Port Adelaide
6. North Melbourne
7. St Kilda
8. Collingwood
9. Western Bulldogs
10. Adelaide
11. Melbourne
12. Hawthorn

ROUND 2:

13. West Coast
14. Port Adelaide
15. Collingwood
16. Melbourne

ROUND 3:

17. Port Adelaide
18. Collingwood
19. Melbourne

No vacancies: Brisbane, Fremantle, Geelong, Gold Coast, Greater Western Sydney, Sydney

Collingwood, Melbourne and Port Adelaide could all make a high of three selections on Tuesday night, with a maximum of 19 total picks to be used. The Magpies had a third spot open up after Jamie Elliott‘s cruel ACL injury, in addition to Reef McInnes and Oscar Steene suffering the same fate.

The Pies have been linked with several tall targets, including readymade rucks and prominent state league defenders. The Power will likely also be in the market for key position depth after Ivan Soldo‘s retirement and Ollie Lord‘s long-term knee injury. Josh Sinn (shoulder) is also on the inactive list.

Melbourne is another side likely to look for talls. Tom Campbell‘s retirement saw Melbourne open up a second vacancy in addition to the gap left by Jai Culley (knee). An unsuspected third list spot is also up for grabs, although the Dees are a ways back in the pecking order with picks 11, 16 and 19.

While those clubs clamour over the talent pool’s depth, Essendon will have first dibs with pick one. Richmond is second on the board, set to make one selection in the wake of a desperate injury crisis. Then there’s West Coast, who could be a fourth club to make at least two picks.

Matt Carroll‘s recent ACL tear means Carlton will also feature among the top five selections, likely to look at a forward half player or tall depth. The Western Bulldogs had the option to open up two spots but will likely only feature once, while clubs like Greater Western Sydney, Geelong and Sydney will also opt against using potential vacancies.

TOP PROSPECTS

TALENT LEAGUE:

Sandringham Dragons forward Ollie Griffin is widely considered the top Talent League export this year. An aggressive, competitive goalkicker who flies high and tackles hard, Griffin has made great strides as an over-ager. He has averaged, 13.5 disposals, 6.3 marks and two goals per his four games this season.

A couple of tall defenders have also emerged. Calder Cannons bolter Nicholas Staropoli showed great promise in his early Talent League games having been plucked out of relative obscurity by his region. Identified as a promising athlete, he has been on Essendon’s radar with a couple of VFL appearances.

Another pertinent link has been made between Noah McMenamin and Collingwood. Like Staropoli, the Western Jets product is a mobile interceptor who immediately caught the eye at Talent League level this year. He has since played two VFL games for the Pies, albeit fairly quiet in both outings.

VFL:

An absolute raft is set to come out of the VFL once again this year. West Australian Jaxon Artemis is the frontrunner to be called out with pick one, and if not, won’t last past pick two. Since moving to Tasmania, the rebound defender has shown AFL-level qualities with his speed and dare, averaging 19.2 disposals.

200cm Geelong VFL defender Kye Annand is also firming to be taken off the board early, with Richmond among the interested parties. In a sign of confidence for his draft chances, the 22-year-old was ‘managed’ by his VFL club over the weekend. He can play across every key position post.

Another key defender in the frame is Coburg’s Thomas Barnett, while North Melbourne’s James Tarrant has plenty of fans as a tall who can play forward and roll through the ruck. Perennial contender Mutaz El Nour is one of many Richmond VFL players garnering interest, also in that mould of tall defenders.

Forward Sam Toner seems to be back in vogue after a breakout state league performance, particularly with Carlton opening up a list spot. Fellow Tigers Ned Renfree and Zaydyn Lockwood are reportedly also in line to earn promotions to the senior list, although Richmond only has one spot available.

The likes of Xavier Bamert and Marcus Herbert are among those who have garnered interest from several clubs. Herbert, a smooth mover out of Geelong VFL, has raised his level in the state league and firms as one of the most reliable readymade prospects. An early selection may be in the offing.

Several rucks have inevitably been thrown in the mix. Carlton’s Flynn Riley continues to develop nicely and may make the step-up in navy blue, while Frankston’s Harrison Coe has his fans. Elsewhere, Tasmania’s Max Mapley continues to show he has the right traits as a mobile and versatile tall.

Former Carlton-listed ruck Alex Mirkov may also earn a second chance on account of his size and mounting experience. Another player in that boat is Williamstown teammate Hugo Hall-Kahan, who was previously taken by Sydney via the mid-season intake.

Fellow Seagull Joel Fitzgerald has been in scintillating form with a move from defence to midfield. Frankston’s Jackson Voss is another likely type outside of the many talls, while Werribee dasher Louis Pinnuck is arguably as ready for the opportunity as any state leaguer.

Others to be making waves in the VFL this year include well-travelled small forward Jed Hagan, Eastern League export Mitch Mellis, and Coburg swingman Mitchell Podhajski. Don’t count out former Collingwood father-son candidate Thomas McGuane either, as he continues to stake his claims.

SANFL:

Tall timber is the theme of South Australia’s crop, headlined by former Port Adelaide-listed key forward Tom Scully. The 203cm talent is joined by 208cm West Adelaide Caleb May teammate in the higher reaches of the pool. A product of the Swans Academy, he has built on his tank and since crossing to the SANFL and is in the frame for several clubs.

Adelaide reserves recruit Tom Bell has also impressed among this season’s recruits. The South Fremantle export has shown excellent aerial prowess and athleticism at West Lakes, traits which had him on the radar in his draft year (2025). Bell attended the West Australian draft combine last year and was touted as a target for West Coast earlier this season.

Another ruck in contention is North Adelaide’s Alex Van Wyk. The physically imposing 21-year-old crossed from Norwood seeking more opportunities and has finally stamped himself at the level this year. Potentially one more player to consider is new Eagles defender Ethan Grace. Originally a Giants Academy member, he spent time with Sydney’s VFL program before making the move to SA.

WAFL:

Noise will likely never die around Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves, who continues to impress since crossing to Subiaco in the WAFL. Along with Swan Districts midfielder Blake Kelly, the newly minted half-back was outstanding in the WAFL Under 20s’ narrow loss to the West Australian Under 18 side.

West Perth midfielder and vice-captain Kane Bevan continues to bang the door down, averaging 26 disposals so far this season. He was terrific in the recent state game, polling second in the Simpson Medal count on the back of 24 disposals, eight clearances and a goal.

Although, arguably leading all comers in the pecking order is Claremont defender Jasper Peace. The 192cm prospect has been among the finds of the year, enjoying a breakout campaign for the current ladder leaders. The 20-year-old is averaging over five marks per game.