The 2026 AFL Draft is two weeks away, and there's a clearer picture on what each club's draft plans are.
You can expect around 65 selections to be made in what has become a deep draft. The mix from 15 to 30 is incredibly even, and the prospects deserving of an opportunity at AFL level runs well past the 65 picks that we'll see across the nights of November 19 and 20.
Amongst the club intel and prospects being targeted at each pick are potential trades to watch for on draft night. Port Adelaide, Carlton and Brisbane will be beholden to where bids land for their star academy prospects, and the selections they hold could be on the move in live draft night trades. Collingwood, Essendon and Adelaide are amongst the clubs mooted to be interested in trading up the order to secure their targets.
It's worth noting that the arrival of Tasmania has repercussions on this year's draft; clubs are more keen to get in now to secure young talent, but it also means draft capital is worth less in future years. Trading up the draft order will be as hard as it's ever been in the live trade era, meaning we could see a host of potential trades never come to fruition.
Included in the details on the Bombers, Tigers and Eagles are the start of second round compensation picks they will receive at the beginning of night two. These come about after a club-tied prospect -- which will be Port Adelaide's Dougie Cochrane -- is taken with a pick prior to their top five selections.
As we approach November's AFL Draft, these are the draft plans, prospects linked, and live trade options for all 18 clubs.
Adelaide
Draft picks: 15, 32, 35, 43, 56, 92, 110
List needs: Midfield quality, outside speed
Adelaide had a quiet trade period and knocked back a swathe of picks for Nick Murray, meaning Hamish Ogilvie's team holds its natural first-rounder plus two seconds to top up a list hunting a premiership. They're valuable selections, but without any manoeuvring they've left themselves behind two Port Adelaide picks in the second round, amongst a nest of talented SA products. Without making a move on draft night the Power will have first dibs on the local crop.
The Crows had a late NGA application for rebounding defender Jake Eime rejected after being alerted to his Indigenous heritage through the SANFL too late in the piece. That shouldn't dissuade them from using a first-rounder on the local product. Eime has the speed and dare to become an offensive weapon off halfback and improve the quality of ball going inside 50.
They'll likely have one of the top three key defenders in the class available, but it won't be Mitch Harris who is firming as a top 10 selection. Clancy Snell would add to their key defensive depth as a high-upside interceptor out of Gippsland, but it would be a touch early for SA captain Kodah Edwards despite his unique mix of forward impact and contested gruntwork.
The best midfielder available at 15 could be Toby Krasna. The Vic Metro on-baller runs both ways and offers some flair with ball in hand on the outside of contests. The versatility and ready-made body of Lochie Burrows would appeal with a view to eventually playing through the midfield. Potential sliders include athletic third tall Wil Malady and tough WA midfielder Leo Steed; the latter should be right in the frame as a piece to immediately push for senior selection.
Late in the second round the lethal left foot of Wil Antrobus should appeal and Gus Kennedy's toughness as a defender with midfield flashes suits. With Adelaide in need of best 23 contenders through the midfield, local products Archie Van Dyk and Memphis Webb will warrant consideration as mature bodies late in the draft. NGA Anthony Long is a backend draft proposition but has serious tricks in the forward half and is deserving of a main list spot.
Brisbane
Draft picks: 21, 27, 28, 45, 79, 97, 115
List needs: Key defender depth
The Lions have another academy gun on their hands, and Caylen Murray has risen to the precipice of the top 10 this season. Granting Keidean Coleman's trade wish effectively ensured Brisbane would have the collateral to match a bid, but they'll have contingencies in place depending on where it lands.
It could come as early as Queensland rivals Gold Coast at pick 8, which would require 1732 points including a 20% loading on grand finalists. Their first two picks only make up 1254 points right now so the Lions will have moves up and down the board with their three second-rounders depending on where the bid lands.
In Murray they're getting a natural Dayne Zorko replacement with excellent ball skills out of defence. His composure under pressure is a highlight and there are midfield traits to be uncovered at the next level.
If the Lions are able to hold onto a second-rounder Jake Soutar presents as the most ready-made defender in the pool. The 20-year-old took out East Perth's fairest and best this season and plays with fantastic aggression in the air, intercepting and kickstarting transition. Darcy Szerszyn is a similar type in the top 30 mix with good athletic traits but underwent an injury-interrupted year.
Benji Van Rooyen is a long-term ruck prospect to look at towards the end of the draft and at 197cm Tate Hodgson has the defensive aptitude to develop into a reliable key defender.
Carlton
Draft picks: 13, 18, 31, 50, 61, 72, 90, 108
List needs: Classy ball users, long-term ruck
Blues fans have been looking forward to this draft for years. Father-son Cody Walker is a bona fide top pick with elite traits through the midfield and he will land at Princes Park no matter where taken, but it's unlikely to be in the first two selections on draft night.
That's a good result for the Blues with live trades in the works depending on where a bid comes. If it lands at pick 3 they'll require 2178 points and their first two selections will equate to 2019 points after an earlier bid on Cochrane. Carlton can do that with a small deficit on their 2027 first-rounder. If Richmond doesn't bid on Walker and he falls to 4 or 5 there will be clubs keen on those selections, and Carlton can capitalise. A slide back to Essendon's 17 from 13 would allow them to match and move their second-rounder up from 31 to 25.
Getting back into the draft early in the second round will give the Blues access to a group of good ball users including Jackson Phillips and Harvie Cooke. Phillips is the running wingman while Cooke is a high-IQ midfielder with talent to play ahead of the ball. George Dimer and Marlon Neocleous are exciting small forwards to consider and Ethan Herbert is the project ruck around this range.
Later in the piece WA's Benji Van Rooyen could appeal as an apprentice to Marc Pittonet and mature-ager Brady Wright would add immediate competition for spots up forward.
Collingwood
Draft picks: 11, 30, 67, 68, 70, 88, 106
List needs: Midfield speed, key position depth
The Pies own a pick in an exciting spot of the draft. There are a cluster of different prospects deserving of top 10 consideration that will be available, but one that may be gone at that point is Sam Gayfer. The nephew of 1990 premiership defender Mick has steadily risen this year as a pack-splitting key forward and the Pies have been one of his biggest fans. Justin Leppitsch would need to part with at least a future first-rounder to a club like Port Adelaide or Gold Coast to ensure they can get him.
If they stay put, Tyson Bradley appeals as the full back of the future and could play senior football early. He's a strong one-on-one defender and reliable distributor with the character to be a future leader of the club. Clancy Snell put in a good performance for Collingwood's VFL side but is an interceptor that may take more time to develop.
Leo Steed is the pick of the midfielders in this bracket, with the WA on-baller offering a mix of defensive application and contested ball-winning that fits alongside Nick Daicos. High-flying forward Wil Malady will be taken around this mark as well.
In the second round the Pies could look to Harvie Cooke and George Gale as midfield options, and mature-age forward options later in the piece include Brady Wright and Jack Slattery who could add immediate depth behind Jesse Hogan and Dan McStay.
Essendon
Draft picks: 1, 17, 25, 80, 98 (plus second round compensation pick)
List needs: Best available talent
The Bombers are at the bottom of their rebuild and hold the first overall selection a decade after taking Andy McGrath at no. 1. Similarly to 2016 and as opposed to recent drafts, there's no consensus top prospect in the open pool.
Expect a bid on Dougie Cochrane at one which Port Adelaide will quickly match, then the draft really begins. Ethan Drever is the slight favourite at no. 2 after a blistering campaign for club and state. The explosive midfielder stayed injury free and produced gaudy numbers enroute to Vic Country's MVP and GWV Rebels's best and fairest. His elite transition game alongside Dyson Sharp and Sullivan Robey will surely appeal.
Arki Butler is a rare archetype to come through the elite pathways and presents as the forward match-winner of the crop. His name has been firmly in contention for the top spot all season and the need to add talent alongside Nate Caddy in the forward 50 is real. Ruck Harry Van Hattum and classy ball user Heath Mellody deserve consideration here as well, but Drever and Butler have the inside lane two weeks out from the draft.
The Dons will have a look at moving up from 17 with additional picks - that could work for either of Port Adelaide or Carlton live on draft night as they look to maximise their draft hands while still matching bids. The key defensive option in the teens is Tyson Bradley, a no-nonsense negator with leadership plaudits. Toby Krasna is in this range as a talented outside midfielder with flair, while George Dimer is in demand as a speedy small forward with tricks.
In the 20s Essendon should be looking at upside swings. Jack Pickett was the leading key forward prospect coming into the year but a season on the sidelines due to an ACL rupture could make him a bargain on night two. Similarly, Koby LeCras adds size and polish out of WA and Lachie Hicks could prove the midfield steal with his blend of speed and endurance as a former track athlete.
The Dons have some interest in Jake Soutar as a mature-age interceptor to replace Jordan Ridley, but will also need to account for a bid on Blake Justice that likely lands towards the back end of the second round. The NGA graduate has a unique mix of speed and size that could even see him attract a bid early on night two.
Fremantle
Draft picks: 19, 40, 60, 63, 78, 96, 114
List needs: Lockdown defender, high-upside talent
Dockers fans don't need reminding how close they've come to that elusive first premiership, but they've continued to build through the draft and keep their premium picks during contention.
At the end of the first round Jake Eime warrants consideration as a halfback dasher alongside Jordan Clark. He takes the game on with speed and can use the ball well while still defending. Jake Soutar has been closely linked as the mature-age option to add to their best 23, but sits between Freo's first two picks on many boards. They would need to trade up or take him with 19.
With 40 being pushed out on the second night they could look towards local talent in Harvey Spawton-Guy whose competitiveness as a key forward stands out. Tom Brown has been overlooked by some but offers reliability in defence and it would be a brilliant result if hard-running midfielder George Gale was still on the board. The goalkicking prowess of Archie Elliott should also appeal in this range of the draft.
The Dockers will be keen to get Finlay Yeo into the club as buzz continues to grow on the NGA talent. He's gifted below his knees and makes things happen through the midfield and up forward. Cam Maynard has offered mercurial moments as a small forward and finished second in the 20m sprint at the combine, but Lucas Robinson has fallen away this season and will be a rookie consideration for Fremantle.
Geelong
Draft picks: 36, 57, 62, 75, 93, 111
List needs: Defensive depth, high-upside projects
The Cats did their work in the trade period by getting Rowan Marshall and Jordan Ridley into the club. Making those moves is made easier knowing Stephen Wells does his best work late in the draft.
Lachie Hicks presents as the high-upside swing in the second round, similarly to Max Holmes in 2020. Hicks has elite athletic pedigree state records through his juniors in track but also put together an impressive campaign as a midfielder. His ball use is preventing him from being a first round option but there's a lot to work with in a good development program.
Billy Wigmore is an excellent interceptor with a build similar to that of Tom Stewart but his draft range begins earlier than pick 36. Sam Dever has been linked as an athletic utility that looks most at home off halfback at 189cm, while the best local product is Noah Williams who played through frustrating injuries all season. He's a smaller inside midfielder with good defensive instincts that could cut his teeth as a lockdown defender.
Gold Coast
Draft picks: 8, 81, 85, 103
List needs: Key position depth
The Suns have Sam Collins turning 33 next year and lost Ben King to free agency. It leaves them exposed at either end over the next few years and they have real need to address their tall stocks with their first open pool top 10 selection since Bailey Humphrey in 2022.
The best key forward in the draft is Sam Gayfer, a brave aerialist possessing the best vertical jump in combine history. His ability to bring the ball to ground with his pack-crashing attitude should appeal to Damien Hardwick. At the other end Mitch Harris and Clancy Snell offer different styles of key defenders. Harris can lockdown on the best key forwards and intercept in his own right, while Snell is the ultra-aggressive interceptor of the pool. Being a country Victorian will help the Suns when assessing their ability to retain talent.
This is the start of Wil Malady's range in the draft, and there's a chance of a slider like Gus Teixeira or Heath Mellody that could make Gold Coast's choice easy.
Local academy product Archie Hill should find his way onto the list as a running defender that plays with energy and dare.
GWS
Draft picks: 9, 20, 26, 59, 77, 86, 104
List needs: Midfield talent, key position depth
It's all about Ethan Matthews on night one, the best Giants Academy prospect to come through the ranks since Tom Green. Matthews is a classy midfielder that racks it up with clean hands and quick decision making off his preferred left foot, and will deservedly be a top 10 pick.
The Giants are in an awkward spot at pick 9, expecting a bid to land before that selection and potentially coming from crosstown rivals the Swans at pick 6. It makes matching the bid easy but look for them to maximise their draft hand by trading on the clock.
In the middle of the second round they will have a few names on the board. George Dimer should be right up there as a high-character small forward with tricks around goal and a willingness to move interstate. Athletic utility Sam Devers could play anywhere across the ground after a strong finish to an injury-plagued year, while the fascinating call will be on Mason McGroder. The Swans Academy defender has foregone a promising international long jump career to pursue football and although raw boasts elite athletic traits in defence. The Giants could make the Swans sweat with a bid in the 20s for the high-upside athlete.
Hawthorn
Draft picks: 29, 37, 71, 94, 107, 112
List needs: Outside run, halfback depth
The Hawks are beautifully set with depth challenging at just about every position. Bringing in Ben King and Zach Merrett made them the biggest winners of the trade period and they still held onto two valuable selections in a deep draft.
A bid on NGA product Keenan Boi is a chance to arrive before their first pick. The half forward plays through contact with strength and makes good decisions under pressure. He's been likened to Sam Powell-Pepper in his attack on the ball and man in the forward half.
In that second round Harrison Chapman offers a unique blend of strong running at 190cm. He looks most at home on a wing where he can use the ball well in space. Albert MacGowan also has the runs on the board to warrant a second round selection as a high-marking wingman. Wil Antrobus is another who can provide transition run, and comes with the added bonus of an elite left foot out of defence that suits the Hawks's style of play.
Hawthorn will be waiting to see if a bid comes for Cooper Hodge. The son of champion Luke looks most at home in defence but has also had promising outings through the midfield in a potential sign of things to come. If a bid doesn't come in the national draft the Hawks will likely take him with their last pick.
Melbourne
Draft picks: 4, 14, 48, 52
List needs: Key defensive talent, ball-winning midfielders
It's been a perpetual cycle of trading into and up draft boards that has reaped rewards for the Dees, who are building their next generation on the fly. They snagged a top 10 pick from the Suns in the Christian Petracca deal last year and made an early move with Port Adelaide to get even higher up the board.
Now, they're in a fantastic position to snap up one of their top four targets. Names in the mix will include Ethan Drever, Arki Butler and Heath Mellody. There's every chance those are the first names off the board in the open pool, and you can expect this to be the final place where a bid on Cody Walker would come.
If those three are gone, there will be a fun mix at the top of their board. Similarly to Luke Jackson in 2019, the Dees could opt to give a ruckman the ultimate apprenticeship under the best to do it in the modern era. Harry Van Hattum is deserving of a pick this high - he blends elite athleticism, skill with ball in hand and physicality at a genuine ruck size. The 205cm enforcer plays with aggression in the mould of Brodie Grundy and, similarly to Grundy, may not have the forward craft to play alongside Gawn early on.
Gus Teixeira is the forward-half midfielder with power and scoreboard impact. He can play through centre bounces but will start his career at half forward where he finds a lot of the ball and doesn't need much space to impact.
The wildcard here is Mitch Harris. The premier defender of the pool is equally adept at locking down and intercepting, playing with an air of calm and composure. His range starts here and the SA product is very much in play for the Demons as a ready-made foil for Jake Lever and Dan Turner with senior football under his belt.
At pick 14 Leo Steed should be right in the mix as an in-and-under midfielder that can run hard both ways on the outside. He plays at a high cadence and has a strong body of work in the WAFL. Toby Krasna and Lochie Burrows are other midfield types that deserve consideration, while the other first-round key defenders in Clancy Snell and Tyson Bradley will be options if they opt against Harris earlier.
Brady Wright or Jack Slattery offer immediate forward depth late in the draft and Marcus Prasad is a small forward with clean hands that the Dees could opt for despite not having rights on through their NGA. Benji Van Rooyen could play alongside his brother as he learns the ropes under Gawn.
North Melbourne
Draft picks: 33, 49, 66, 74, 84, 102
List needs: Key position talent, classy ball users
North put their chips in for Nick Blakey and as a result will be without a top-20 pick for the first time since 2019. It signals a new era for the Shinboners as they mount a charge up the ladder under coach Jaymie Graham.
The Roos enter at pick 33, which will extend out a few spots after bids and compensation picks at the top of night two. Billy Wigmore is the type of defender they've been desperate for - the interceptor can play above his size but also roll off smaller forwards to chop out in the air and assist his key defenders. The third tall could play senior football early to add to North's best 23 depth.
Despite a clear need for key position talent, they've taken Matt Whitlock and Blake Thredgold with premium picks and could instead opt for good ball users around the park with an aim to move the ball with more speed. That puts classy halfback Wil Antrobus in the mix as a weapon to utilise out of defence. Further afield lies the upside of rangy outside midfielder Harrison Chapman who has exciting upside as a transition runner, and this is the range busy small forward Marlon Neocleous is expected to be taken. Albert MacGowan and Sam Devers are other running types that could play senior football next year after strong finishes to the year.
Key forward Aidan McCartney has nominated the Roos as a father-son after being in the Swans Academy and has exciting traits despite being sidelined this year with a hip injury.
Port Adelaide
Draft picks: 7, 12, 22, 24, 34, 46, 65, 101
List needs: Midfield depth, key position talent
Night one is all about Dougie Cochrane, the near-consensus top prospect amongst clubs in 2026. Through the Zak Butters free agency compensation and smart manoeuvring in the trade period the Power are well-prepared to match a bid on the academy star at pick one, and have set themselves up with three first-rounders next year with an eye to Zemes Pilot and Louis Salopek.
Selections 7 and 12 remain on the table, but it will take a significant offer for Port to cop a deficit on their 2027 first-rounder. If they moved 7 down in a trade with St Kilda or Collingwood they would then be dealing with a significant deficit on their 2027 selection, so a trade of pick 12 looks more likely. Adelaide and Essendon can trade up from 15 and 17 respectively without impacting Port's ability to match a bid on Cochrane, which could land the Power a future selection or an extra second-rounder this year.
The second round will have a fun mix of local talent. Halfback dasher Jake Eime would be a priority if he was to slide and SA captain Kodah Edwards is right in the frame. His hands in the contest and scoreboard impact up forward offers unique versatility. Ethan Herbert would be a long-term pick with a view to his upside as a ruckman with fantastic contested numbers, and Gabe Patterson presents as a powerful small forward that can break games open. Ball-winners Archie Van Dyk and Memphis Webb are later propositions that could come on quicker than expected in the right environment.
Outside of SA, Jack Watkins has steadily risen this year and would be a smart choice later in the piece as a goalkicking half forward, while Cody Templeton and Marcus Prasad are other smalls in a similar draft range. WA's George Gale is a big-bodied midfielder with excellent endurance in the Willem Drew mould and ball magnet Jordan Knapp has the midfield chops to make it at the next level despite his slender frame. Both will be right in the mix as Port looks to the next generation of on-ballers. Xavier Ladbrook looms as the best key defensive option outside of the first night but will take time to add the size required to play at AFL level.
Richmond
Draft picks: 2, 5, 44, 99 (plus second round compensation pick)
List needs: Best available talent
The Tigers made a big trade to land a second top five pick and maximise their talent before Tasmania enters the competition. It gives them an enviable hand but they'll need to be smart in how they play it with West Coast and Melbourne picking between their selections.
They've been closely linked to Harry Van Hattum. If they have HVH at the top of the board they'll need to use pick 2 on him, with his aggression making him a natural successor to skipper Toby Nankervis. There's every chance they have another name or two ahead of Van Hattum, however, which means intel on Melbourne will be vital here. There's no guarantee he will be available at 5, but that's the limits of his draft range with Richmond to pounce if still on the board.
All of Ethan Drever, Arki Butler and Heath Mellody will be considered at pick 2. Drever is the explosive midfielder that fits comfortably alongside Sam Lalor and Taj Hotton as the midfield of the future. Arki Butler is the much-needed firepower up forward to pair with their project talls, and Mellody provides the class and running power off halfback and through the midfield that has been lacking under Adem Yze.
If Drever is taken by Essendon, Butler will be the live favourite to land at Tigerland. He has been at the pointy end of the draft all season as a mercurial forward in the Toby Greene mould.
Van Hattum is the ideal selection if he gets through to pick 5, but Gus Teixeira has plenty of fans and remains in this section of the crop as a damaging forward-half midfielder with power and scoreboard impact.
The Tigers will add a second round pick to their arsenal through a compensation pick on night two and it's a good spot to add run and dare on the outside. Jackson Phillips has a high floor as a wingman with clean hands and good foot skills, George Gale offers a bigger body and the running power to play peripheral positions and Jake Eime should be a real consideration if he slips through as a speedster out of the backline.
NGA prospect Tanner Armstrong may get through to the category B rookie list.
St Kilda
Draft picks: 10, 16, 41, 51, 69, 87, 105
List needs: Key position depth, inside ball-winner
The Saints have undergone a list transformation over the past few years and now own two quality picks after dealing Rowan Marshall to Geelong. They're in a great position to address areas of need and appear unlikely to trade up from these spots.
At pick 10 local product Tyson Bradley will be right in the frame. He has the body to play senior football at some point next year and is reliable in his defensive instincts and composed ball use. He would immediately compete for a spot alongside Cal Wilkie and Jack Silvagni. At the other end of the ground Sam Gayfer and Wil Malady are very different types of key forward prospects. Gayfer is brave and strong in the air with the biggest leap recorded in combine history. Malady can play up the ground with an elite work rate and is dangerous closer to home as an aerialist that butters up at ground level.
Lochie Burrows has been closely linked with the Dragons product providing the toughness, running power and versatility Ross Lyon covets. He can play at either end before eventually moving on-ball, but the Saints would be risking losing out on him if they leave it to pick 16. Leo Steed remains a live option as a pure midfielder that can unlock the runners around him with clean hands in stoppages. The wildcard at this spot is Jack Pickett whose excellent forward craft saw him enter the season at the top key forward prospect before rupturing his ACL.
On night two the Saints can address forward-half woes with talent including powerful SA small Gabe Patterson or exciting goalkicker Marlon Neocleous. Depending on their first two selections, the talls around the mark will include WA's Harvey Spawton-Guy and Knights defender Tate Hodgson.
Sydney
Draft picks: 6, 38, 39, 47, 54, 76, 95, 113
List needs: Key defensive talent, midfield youth
The Swans have their first top 10 pick since taking Logan McDonald and Braeden Campbell in 2020, courtesy of Nick Blakey's exit.
It's a good spot to swoop on any slider out of the top bracket of the open pool. A quality key defensive prospect will be circled on the whiteboard with SA's Mitch Harris the standout this year. He's the all-round package that can lockdown and intercept with safe hands and good closing speed. If there was a name to slide it could be Gus Teixeira, a powerful forward-half midfielder that will eventually become a full-time on-baller.
Expect Sydney to have a good look at a bid on Ethan Matthews out of the Giants Academy, which GWS will promptly match. They may be on the receiving end of an early bid themselves, with Mason McGroder attracting plenty of attention as early as the second round. The champion long jumper has chosen to pursue football and, while raw, he offers incredible upside as a defender that attacks the ball in the air.
As a key forward that can impact right away, Jack Slattery was the best-performed player at the national championships and is just one year older than the draft class. The SA prospect is slightly undersized at 192cm but is a beautiful set shot and creates separation on the lead. His range begins in the 30s. Koby LeCras has a chance to be on the board still after a partial tear of his ACL, but the hard-running forward can play a variety of roles at 192cm including up on a wing or deep forward.
West Coast
Draft picks: 3, 23, 58, 64, 73, 82, 100 (plus second round compensation pick)
List needs: Best available talent
West Coast have another top pick to capitalise on as their list build takes shape. They're right in the frame to snap up the most highly-touted WA prospect since Luke Jackson, with classy midfielder Heath Mellody deserving of a top five pick this year. Beginning his season out of defence, Mellody blossomed on-ball winning the Larke Medal and dominating in patches at WAFL level for Claremont. He has an insatiable work ethic and uses the ball well in space, attributes that pair well alongside Harley Reid and Willem Duursma in the engine room.
It's not a foregone conclusion that the Eagles opt for the local product. Expect them to heavily consider Arki Butler if the goalkicker is on the board still with a real need to add firepower to the forward 50 alongside Jake Waterman. Ethan Drever's power out of the contest will also be coveted and it would be another Vic Country prospect to join the pick one duo.
There's a familial connection with the nephew of 2018 premiership forward Mark LeCras. Koby possesses real talent at 192cm with his running, smarts and goal sense allowing him to play inside 50 or up on a wing. He's a second round option, as is hard nut Noah Williams whose courage in the clinches and capacity to play with defensive intent has value. Local product George Gale has the frame to play early through the midfield and wings in this range as well.
The Eagles will look to trade one of their second round selections for a 2026 first-rounder with an eye towards capital for a Chad Warner play. Add to it that James Artemis is a top prospect in the crop out of Western Australia.
It comes with the list crunch - West Coast has three spots to use at the national draft and will be keen to secure father-son Harper Banfield after missing on brother Charlie last year. Halfback Garrison Kenh and father-son Noah Braun will be rookie considerations.
Western Bulldogs
Draft picks: 42, 53, 55, 83, 89, 91, 109
List needs: Reliable role players, small forward depth
The Dogs did their work at the trade period by securing Zak Butters via free agency and a multi-club trade. It means they enter proceedings late on night two with an eye towards talented NGA forward Khaled El Souki. He's rated around the top 20 but may slide due to the depth of the crop which will make for an easier time matching a bid for the Dogs.
They addressed their key defensive dearth with Jordon Butts but should still have a look at Xavier Ladbrook as a long-term piece, and there are more defensive options in Darcy Szerszyn and Billy Wigmore that could be available later in the draft. Wigmore is a local Western Jets product alongside Lachie Hicks whose athletic traits through the midfield are tempting.