The Age’s 2026 AFL draft coverage profiles top young players ahead of the national draft, to be held on November 19 and 20. Among the prospects highlighted are All-Australian Gus Teixeira and small forward Arki Butler, described as a potential top-10 pick in the Tom Papley mould.
The draft coverage includes player profiles, rankings and insights into what recruiters look for in young players. Teixeira, who spent most of his draft year feeling fatigued, earned All-Australian honours and is considered one of the top prospects. Butler is a small forward agitator and appears likely to be a top-10 pick.
Other players featured include Ethan Drever, from a family of Essendon diehards who may be considered by the Bombers at the top of the draft, and Wil Malady, who secured a private school scholarship after sending a heartfelt email. Another prospect broke a long-standing combine record and is a nephew of a Collingwood premiership player, potentially continuing his family's legacy at the club.
The Age has also published a ranking of the top 30 draft prospects based on discussions with recruiting staff at 10 AFL clubs, junior coaches, and the masthead's own assessments. Recruiters have been out in force at the under-18 championships to identify future stars, with Essendon and Richmond among clubs keeping a close watch.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The AFL draft is a key event for clubs to build their future lists and for fans to see emerging talent.
- Profiles like these give insight into the characteristics recruiters value, such as power, speed and creativity.
- The draft order and selections can shape a club's fortunes for years.
Background
The AFL national draft is an annual event where professional Australian rules football teams select young players, typically from under-18 competitions across the country. The 2026 draft, held over two days, is the latest opportunity for clubs to add emerging talent to their squads.
What to Watch
- Whether clubs like Essendon and Collingwood select players linked to them, such as Ethan Drever and the nephew of a premiership Pie.
- The performance of top-ranked prospects during the draft combine and interviews.
- How the draft order evolves as the date approaches, affecting which players are available.
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12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.
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- SupportedThe Age’s 2026 AFL draft coverage profiles top prospects and includes player profiles, rankings and insights for young players.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Here, you will find The Age’s coverage in the lead-up, with player profiles, rankings and insights into what the best juniors in the land need to do to reach the elite.”
- SupportedThe national draft is scheduled for November 19 and 20.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “This year’s national draft will be held on November 19 and 20.”
- SupportedGus Teixeira and Arki Butler are among the players highlighted ahead of the draft.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Gus Teixeira spent most of his draft year feeling fatigued. He still ended it with All-Australian honours and as one of the top AFL draft prospects. […] Arki Butler is a small forward agitator in the Tom Papley mould”
- SupportedTeixeira spent most of his draft year fatigued, earned All-Australian honours and was one of the top AFL draft prospects.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Gus Teixeira spent most of his draft year feeling fatigued. He still ended it with All-Australian honours and as one of the top AFL draft prospects.”
- Partly supportedButler is a small-forward agitator in the Tom Papley mould and is a potential top-10 pick.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Arki Butler is a small forward agitator in the Tom Papley mould and looks certain to be a top-10 pick in next month’s AFL draft.”
- Partly supportedEthan Drever is from a family of Essendon diehards, and the Bombers may consider him at the top of the draft.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Ethan Drever is one of the best prospects in 2026. Essendon - the club he supports - are strongly considering him at the top of the AFL draft.”
- SupportedWil Malady got a private-school scholarship after an email from the heart.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “‘Spelling mistakes everywhere’: How an email from the heart got this AFL prospect a scholarship […] he had to beg for a private school scholarship.”
- SupportedA prospect broke a long-standing combine record.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “This top AFL draft prospect obliterated a long-standing combine record”
- SupportedThat prospect is the nephew of a Collingwood premiership player and may continue his family’s legacy at the club.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Why this nephew of a premiership Pie is getting attention ahead of the draft […] might be about to continue his family’s legacy at Collingwood.”
- SupportedThe top-30 ranking draws on discussions with recruiting staff at 10 AFL clubs, junior coaches and the masthead’s own assessments.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “This is not a mock draft, but rather a ranking of prospects based on performance, potential, injury risk and intangibles, based on discussions with recruiting staff at 10 AFL clubs, junior coaches, and this masthead’s own views.”
- SupportedRecruiters were out in force at the under-18 championships across the country to identify future stars.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Recruiters were out in force to try to unearth the AFL’s next stars when the under-18 championships were held across the country.”
- Partly supportedEssendon and Richmond were among the clubs keeping a close watch at the under-18 championships.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The Bombers and Tigers will be keeping an eye on these young guns ahead of the draft. […] Recruiters were out in force to try to unearth the AFL’s next stars when the under-18 championships were held across the country.”