November Draft Power Rankings: ESPN's final, top 50 rankings ahead of the draft

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After eight iterations of ESPN's AFL Draft Power Rankings for 2026, the final top 50 is here.

A truly deep and talented pool of prospects has emerged across the season, with the final draft of the 18-team era filled to the brim with prospects deserving of AFL opportunities.

A total of around 65 talents will be selected, and amongst the 2008-born cohort are three mature-agers. Jake Soutar, Jack Slattery and Brady Wright should find homes in the AFL Draft as late-developing talents.

While it's a settled top 10 of the same names, there have been sliders and fallers across the top 50. Small forward George Dimer is receiving late first round interest and has the tools to excel at the next level despite his smaller frame, and Lachie Hicks has the athletic profile and work ethic to explode in a professional environment.

Debate has raged around Arki Butler's 2km time trial of 7:29, which would have been equal-slowest at the draft combine. The goalkicker remains a chance at Essendon's first, with his best 2km a minute faster completed in pre-season. Clubs won't be concerned about a power athlete's poor run first-up off a hamstring injury and he remains at No. 3 here as the best open pool prospect.

A deep crop means there are a host of unlucky names to not feature, though they remain good chances to be drafted across the night of November 19 and 20.

WA's Tom Brown provides reliability in defence and Kai Parker (Collingwood NGA) was cruelled by injury in his top-age campaign. Jordan Knapp is a proper ball magnet, Memphis Webb will have fans as a tough midfielder and Judd Burgiel boasts wheels streaming out of defence. Gus Kennedy, Jackson Watkins, Finlay Yeo, Harry Franz and Tate Hodgson are prominent names across the draft cycle that are unlucky not to feature.

A week out from the 2026 AFL Draft, this is ESPN's final top 50 Power Rankings.

Previous rankings: April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November

Other stuff to know: Draft primer and FAQs | Every club's needs | Draft order | Jasper's most recent Phantom Draft | Full combine wrap and results


1. Dougie Cochrane (Port Adelaide NGA) (previously: 1)
Central District/South Australia
FWD/MID/DEF, 195cm

For 24 months now Cochrane has been the pick 1 apparent in 2026. It's a testament to his talent that he's stuck at one despite never playing an U18 National Championships game and registering only four games this season. He has the size and aerial prowess to thrive as a key forward, the skills and athletic profile to dominate behind the ball and the ambition to move into the engine room and become a game-breaking midfielder. Cochrane is a truly unique prospect and a consensus top of the crop. Port Adelaide are the beneficiaries on draft night, but it remains to be seen what position the son of Stuey will play his best footy.

READ: Consensus top AFL draft prospect Dougie Cochrane already in rare air

2. Cody Walker (Carlton father-son) (2)
Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
MID, 184cm

National Championships: 3 games, 23.7 disposals, 3.7 clearances, 1.3 tackles

Walker blends natural talent with ambition and professionalism. He's an excellent stoppage player, winning his own ball and twisting out of trouble with sharp agility and a burst of acceleration. He finds exits few others can and has already looked a class above at VFL level through the midfield. Walker's decision-making and skill execution under pressure lets him down on occasion, but the son of former high-flying Blue Andrew is a top tier prospect with the upside of a future Brownlow Medallist.

READ: 'I'm a competitor': Cody Walker primed and ready for the next step

3. Arki Butler (3)
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
MID/FWD, 182cm

National Championships: 3 games, 12.3 disposals, 7.0 marks, 1.7 goals

Few draft prospects have ever borne a resemblance to Butler. The powerfully-built medium forward boasts excellent hands in marking contests, craft with either foot at ground level, a violent fend off and elite burst to create separation. He's a matchwinner inside 50, exposing mismatches and stepping up when the game is on the line. Butler has had flashes of something special as a midfielder but could be too damaging up forward to ever become a permanent on-baller.

READ: 'All damage' - Arki Butler is the 2026 draft's most watchable junior footballer

4. Ethan Drever (4)
GWV Rebels/Vic Country
MID, 188cm

National Championships: 4 games, 20.0 disposals, 4.5 marks, 4.2 tackles

Drever has all the tools to become a superstar midfielder. He can use his big frame to win contested ball, but is at his best in transition where his power and top speed changes the game. The Vic Country MVP thrives with the ball in space, making it his trademark to hit the paint of 50 and kick long-running goals all season. Drever is a high-floor prospect with leadership attributes at the next level.

READ: Power to burn and a 'trademark' goal: why Drever rocketed up draft boards

5. Harry Van Hattum (5)
Northern Knights/Vic Metro
RUC/FWD, 205cm

National Championships: 4 games, 10.8 disposals, 2.5 marks, 22.0 hitouts

Van Hattum offers a package that could make him the best player to come out of his draft class. There's little doubt that he makes it as a ruckman; he offers true ruck size with a mature body and the aggression to match an opponent's physicality. What makes him a top five prospect is the traits that other rucks can't provide. Van Hattum is an excellent ball user and routinely gets involved through the midfield, plus has an extraordinary athletic profile that helps him jump all over his opposite number. He offers a glimpse into the future of the ruck position in the AFL.

READ: 'I just hate that' - Harry Van Hattum wants to end ruck disrespect

6. Heath Mellody (6)
Claremont/Western Australia
MID/DEF, 184cm

National Championships: 4 games, 28.2 disposals, 5.0 marks, 2.5 tackles

No prospect ended the season in better form than Mellody. He took out the Larke Medal at the National Championships and ended his season with strong form in the WAFL. Mellody is a natural outside midfielder with an appetite to spread and collect a lot of the ball. He's a lovely kick and bites off damaging options through the corridor and will be a complementary piece across halfback, a wing and eventually on-ball.

READ: WA prospect Heath Mellody is this year's ultimate bolter

7. Gus Teixeira (7)
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
MID, 181cm

National Championships: 4 games, 17.0 disposals, 4.2 tackles, 1.8 goals

The power, composure and skill Teixeira plays with gives him a great platform to explode at the next level. He's excellent at navigating through traffic and it gives him a path to becoming an excellent midfielder, but not before he spends time up forward. Teixeira plays with flair and aggression that will hold him in good stead.

8. Mitch Harris (9)
Woodville-West Torrens/South Australia
DEF, 195cm

National Championships: 4 games, 8.8 disposals, 3.5 marks, 1.0 tackles

Harris is the full package as a key defender. He has the size to play on genuine key forwards, offers athleticism in the air to intercept and good closing speed on the lead. There's upside to his offensive game that excites clubs as well. Harris ended the year with WWT in SANFL finals to rubber stamp his top 10 credentials.

9. Sam Gayfer (8)
Northern Knights/Vic Metro
FWD, 194cm

National Championships: 4 games, 11.0 disposals, 4.2 marks, 2.5 goals

Gayfer is the top open pool key forward. A bash-and-crash type with serious courage in the air, he presents at the ball full-chested and flies at everything he can. The combine's new vertical jump record-holder can beat defenders on the lead and in packs, and if his set shot continues to improve Gayfer will be worth every bit of the top 10 price tag.

10. Ethan Matthews (Giants Academy) (10)
Giants Academy/Allies
MID, 186cm

National Championships: 2 games, 25.0 disposals, 5.0 marks, 6.0 tackles

Matthews's game is made up of a lot of natural football instinct. He's comfortable operating in stoppages with clean hands and quick decisions, and on the outside has a fluid kicking action off his preferred left that links the chains efficiently. Matthews is a ball magnet because he doesn't fumble and gets to the right spots, and will be the highest picked Giants Academy graduate since Tom Green.

11. Wil Malady (11)
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
FWD, 190cm

National Championships: 3 games, 10.7 disposals, 5.7 marks, 1.3 goals

Malady steps up on the big stage. He was the most dangerous forward in the APS grand final and Talent League grand final to finish the season, and offers a unique blend of traits. He's an excellent runner and can impact off a wing or half forward, but is at his best aerially deep in attack where he launches at the ball with strong hands. Malady hits the scoreboard in a variety of ways which will give him every chance of succeeding in the AFL.

12. Clancy Snell (12)
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
DEF, 196cm

National Championships: 4 games, 13.0 disposals, 7.0 marks, 2.5 tackles

Snell's ultra-aggressive intercepting style has seen him come undone at times, but it's also a glimpse into the upside. No one turns defence into attack like the surehanded backman, who loves to roll off his opponent and go third man up, or peel off to intercept and kickstart transition with good foot skills. He needs to hone those defensive instincts as a one-on-one defender which could see him take more time to debut than the other first round key defenders.

13. Leo Steed (13)
Swan Districts/Western Australia
MID, 176cm

National Championships: 4 games, 23.5 disposals, 3.0 marks, 4.0 tackles

Steed is the ultimate professional that gets the absolute best out of himself. He runs hard both ways, wins the ball on the inside and can use it on the outside, and has grown his game outside of the midfield to become a solid contributor ahead of the ball. Steed doesn't let his size impact how damaging he can be as a first-use on-baller..

14. Caylen Murray (Lions Academy) (14)
Lions Academy/Allies
DEF/MID, 183cm

National Championships: 24.0 disposals, 6.8 marks, 1.8 tackles

Murray offers composure and class by the bucket load. He's an assured presence out of the backline that has the foot skills to take kick ins and link play multiple times in passages. There's upside in his composure around stoppages in the future, but he looks a readymade halfback prospect for the Lions.

15. Tyson Bradley (18)
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
DEF, 195cm

National Championships: 4 games, 14.5 disposals, 6.5 marks, 1.0 tackles

Vic Metro's MVP is all but assured of finding a home in the first round. Bradley plays with an edge and is resolute in not getting beaten. He's strong one-on-one and uses his agility and safe ball use to get himself out of trouble from defence. Bradley's mature body could see him play senior football early next year, and he has leadership ambitions in the future.

16. Jake Eime (15)
Central District/South Australia
DEF, 182cm

National Championships: 4 games, 20.2 disposals, 3.8 marks, 1.2 tackles

Eime has a point of difference to prospects in the first round with his blazing pace off halfback. He tucks the ball and plays with instinctual dare to break lines and continually put speed on the ball. Eime fits the modern game and will be a weapon off halfback for the club that takes him.

17. Khaled El Souki (Western Bulldogs NGA) (16)
Western Jets/Vic Metro
FWD, 174cm

National Championships: 1 game, 10.0 disposals, 5.0 tackles, 1.0 goals

El Souki is a polarising prospect. Detractors point to his athletic testing and body shape, but you only need to watch the small forward to see how he projects at the next level. El Souki is a balanced power athlete that absorbs hits with a low centre of gravity and plays through contact exceptionally well. He's a lovely kick off his preferred left and routinely hits the scoreboard as a forward-half midfielder, high half forward or deep threat.

READ: 'They'd follow me knowing I kick goals' - NGA-tied Khaled El Souki is in first-round contention

18. Jack Pickett (17)
Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
FWD, 194cm

Pickett came into the year as the best key forward in the open pool, but had his season wiped out with an ACL rupture. He's a natural ahead of the ball, timing leads and finding dangerous space before executing set shots with a repeatable action. He has safe hands and looks most at home with the ball out in front of him on the lead.

19. Kodah Edwards (21)
South Adelaide/South Australia
MID, 183cm

National Championships: 4 games, 22.0 disposals, 4.5 marks, 3.2 tackles

Edwards rips into every contest like his life depends on it, scrapping for loose balls and thriving in the heat of stoppages. He's also shown flashes of huge upside in the forward 50 where he gets to work as the ball hits the deck and can hit the scoreboard. If Edwards's ball use and decision making comes on at the next level he will prove a steal at this price.

20. Koby LeCras (19)
West Perth/Western Australia
FWD/MID, 192cm

LeCras had his season wiped out due to a partially torn ACL, but not before a best on ground three-goal performance off a wing for the ACL Academy. He can play up the field but is also a target in the forward 50 with the ability to convert opportunities from lead-ups and ground balls. He has real smarts around goals to convert half-chances.

READ: From an ACL tear to a time trial PB - Koby LeCras on building resilience in his draft year

21. Ethan Herbert (20)
North Adelaide/South Australia
RUC/FWD, 200cm

National Championships: 4 games, 15.8 disposals, 3.0 marks, 2.5 tackles

Herbert is the standout ruck in this part of the draft. He has great hands in the contest and wins a lot of his own ball as an extra midfielder, plus has some chops as a forward where he can use his frame and hands to advantage. He should build into being a genuine ruck size and has the all-round game to make it in the AFL.

22. Toby Krasna (24)
Northern Knights/Vic Metro
MID, 181cm

National Championships: 3 games, 19.0 disposals, 3.3 marks, 1.0 goals

Krasna plays with freedom and flair as an outside midfielder, taking the ball off the line with a quick few steps and executing his decisions well. He's a slighter frame that gets moved around easily as an inside midfielder so will likely play peripheral positions to begin his career.

23. Noah Williams (22)
Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
MID, 177cm

National Championships: 4 games, 15.5 disposals, 4.0 marks, 5.8 tackles

Williams is a hard-nosed inside midfielder that applies himself with courage defensively. He tackles hard and throws his body in harm's way to impact at stoppages. He's also shown the ability to defend well inside his own D50 and offers some run and dash off halfback which is where he likely begins his career.

24. Harvie Cooke (23)
Northern Knights/Vic Metro
MID/FWD, 176cm

National Championships: 4 games, 17.5 disposals, 7.0 marks, 1.0 goals

Cooke enjoyed a magnificent season as the Morrish Medallist in the Talent League and an undefeated Vic Metro campaign. He was a strong-bodied midfielder for the Knights then showed some aerial ability as a half forward for Metro. He likely ends up splitting time forward and through the engine room where his smarts can be utilised.

25. George Dimer (31)
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
FWD, 173cm

National Championships: 3 games, 16.0 disposals, 5.7 marks, 1.0 goals

Dimer has a lot of tricks to his game. The small forward crumbs packs beautifully and has the burst to get himself out of trouble, but is also super creative to set up teammates in the forward half. He positions himself in dangerous areas consistently, smartly using his body to protect drop zones and create chances for himself and others.

26. Lochie Burrows (29)
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro'
181cm, DEF/MID

National Championships: 4 games, 13.0 disposals, 4.8 marks, 1.8 tackles

Burrows is firmly in the mix as a first round pick. He's an ultra-competitive utility, able to provide bounce off halfback, contested gruntwork through the middle or a smaller marking option up forward. His best traits may come as a defensive midfielder with running power and physicality, though he doesn't thrive in any one role.

27. Harrison Chapman (26)
Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
MID, 190cm

National Championships: 3 games, 18.7 disposals, 4.7 marks, 2.0 tackles

There's serious upside to Chapman with his size, running power and skill. He's a natural outside midfielder and often gets bodied away from the ball in the contest, but in space he can execute and become a metres gained player. He needs to build size to his frame and improve his intensity at times to make it.

28. Marlon Neocleous (25)
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
FWD/MID, 168cm

National Championships: 2 games, 16.0 disposals, 5.0 marks, 0.5 goals

Neocleous is a crafty small forward that loves to get amongst the goals and has the celebrations to match. He also doesn't possess the pace to separate from the best lockdown defenders which limits his upside. Neocleous loves to get up the ground and is incisive with his ball use which could be a tool for him to get involved at the next level.

29. Lachie Hicks (35)
Western Jets/Vic Metro
MID, 183cm

National Championships: 16.8 disposals, 4.5 marks, 2.0 tackles

A wildcard pick through the middle rounds. Hicks is an elite athlete that could explode in the right environment. He blends strong endurance with a terrific speed and evasiveness combination that makes him hard to tackle through the contest and a nightmare in open space. Hicks racks up the ball consistently but has issues with his ball use that need to be rounded out.

30. George Gale (33)
Claremont/Western Australia
MID, 190cm

National Championships: 4 games, 27.8 disposals, 5.2 marks, 2.8 tackles

Gale's strong running and mature body should see him play early and often next year. He can play inside and outside of the contest with good discipline and defensive intent, and offered strong contributions for Claremont in his WAFL stints to end the season.

31. Jake Soutar (-)
East Perth
DEF, 190cm

The 20-year-old Soutar may be the best interceptor in the draft crop. He's a natural reader of the play and has sure hands when chopping off attacking forays, plus possesses a big boot and hits the ground running to kickstart transition. Soutar is the best mature-ager available this year.

32. Wil Antrobus (-)
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
DEF, 182cm

National Championships: 4 games, 16.3 disposals, 3.0 marks, 2.8 tackles

There's a clearly defined role for Antrobus at the next level. He's a designated kicker with a sweet left boot, gaining chunks at a time with penetration from deep in defence. The small defender is limited by his size in defensive contests but plays with an edge and offers good run off halfback.

33. Gabe Patterson (27)
Glenelg/South Australia
FWD, 184cm

National Championships: 4 games, 13.0 disposals, 2.5 tackles, 1.0 goals

Patterson plays hard and tough footy in the forward half. He digs in defensively and scraps for loose balls, then grits the teeth and chases with vigour defensively. Offensively he straight lines the ball and plays through contact with power, plus can finish off his chances in front of goal.

34. Jackson Phillips (36)
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
182cm, MID

National Championships: 4 games, 16.2 disposals, 3.8 marks, 3.2 tackles

A natural wingman at the next level, Phillips runs hard both ways and uses it safely off his preferred left. He doesn't try to do too much with the ball or take on the risky options, and can fade out of games in those peripheral roles, but projects to have a good floor at the next level with his running and skills.

35. Billy Wigmore (-)
Western Jets/Vic Country
DEF, 189cm

National Championships: 4 games, 17.0 disposals, 5.8 marks, 1.8 tackles

Wigmore is an elite interceptor. He reads the play, peels off and has strong hands in the air. There are worries in how it translates to the next level at his size, but there's no doubting he could have a Tom Stewart-like impact if it all comes together.

36. Keenan Boi (Hawthorn NGA) (28)
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
180cm, FWD

National Championships: 3 games, 13.3 disposals, 4.7 marks, 1.0 goals

Boi makes something happen whenever he's around the footy. He's tough and powerful plus applies some of the best defensive pressure you'll see in the draft class. With the ball in hand he makes quick, easy decisions and executes well. There's every chance Boi becomes a reliable pressure forward that can link play up the ground.

37. Albert MacGowan (30)
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
187cm, MID

National Championships: 4 games, 22.8 disposals, 6.2 marks, 1.0 tackles

MacGowan finished the year on a tear. He was Sandringham's best player through finals and took out the 2km time trial. There's reason to believe he will become a good winger at the next level; MacGowan is fantastic in the air at his size, runs all day and plays a disciplined role for his side.

38. Sam Devers (previously: 32)
Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
DEF, 189cm

National Championships: 2 games, 12.0 disposals, 2.5 marks, 1.0 tackles

Devers offers an excellent athletic profile but missed a significant chunk of his top-age year. At his best he can put speed on the ball out of defence, though he's also shown flashes further up the field with his burst. It's likely Devers settles into a lockdown role out of defence where he can use his athleticism to impact.

39. Marcus Prasad (37)
Dandenong Stingrays
167cm, FWD/MID

Talent League: 10 games, 18.6 disposals, 4.8 tackles, 2.0 goals

Prasad has some special traits at his diminutive size. He rarely fumbles below his knees and can draw free kicks with his quickness through contests. He lacks penetration on his preferred left and will struggle to push further up the field at his size, but as a genuine small forward there's a lot to work with.

40. Archie Elliott (-)
GWV Rebels/Vic Country
FWD, 182cm

National Championships: 4 games, 6.0 disposals, 3.5 marks, 1.8 goals

Elliott kept on kicking goals late in the year. He's a good size to impact aerially and when the ball hits the deck, and plays with real confidence around the ball. Elliott can get out the back of his opponent quickly and effectively by reading the contest and has kicked some brilliant goals from open play this year.

41. Blake Justice (Essendon NGA) (-)
Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
MID, 191cm

National Championships: 2 games, 12.0 disposals, 4.5 marks, 0.5 goals

Justice is a unique prospect - he ran fastest across state and national combines for the 20m sprint and his blend of acceleration at his height gives him ample opportunity to win his own ball and explode from contest. Around the ground he gets to a lot of contests and has quick hands but also fades out of games and doesn't have the forward nous required to play multiple roles for a team.

42. Harvey Spawton-Guy (-)
West Perth/Western Australia
FWD/DEF, 196cm

National Championships: 4 games, 8.5 disposals, 4.0 marks, 1.5 goals

Spawton-Guy is a competitor. He fights hard for position in marking contests and invariably brings the ball to ground where he butters up with a physical presence. He's also shown some chops as a resolute key defender and that flexibility appeals to clubs.

43. Mason McGroder (Swans Academy) (-)
Swans Academy/Allies
DEF, 194cm

National Championships: 1 game, 12.0 disposals, 4.0 marks

He's been well-documented since blitzing the national combine, but McGroder is one of the best athletes to enter the AFL system in some time. He turned his back on a pursuit of long jumping after winning silver at the U20 world championships in Oregon this year. He straight lines the ball with blistering pace off halfback and can play way bigger than his frame suggests with an enormous leap. There are significant challenges around his ball skills and reading of the play developing in front of him, but Sydney is a good place for him to develop at the lower levels.

44. Darcy Szerszyn (-)
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
DEF, 190cm

National Championships: 4 games, 16.8 disposals, 5.0 marks, 1.0 tackles

Szerszyn is a great size for a defender, able to play on smalls and talls with quickness and physicality. He missed significant chunks of the season through injury but showed a lot of promise coming into his top-age campaign that he could make good on in a professional environment.

45. Jack Slattery (-)
Woodville-West Torrens/South Australia
FWD, 191cm

National Championships: 4 games 11.3 disposals, 4.3 marks, 4.0 goals

Slattery was a standout at the National Championships as a rare over-ager. He took advantage of opportunities with an excellent set shot and, while not being a genuine key forward height, used his frame well to protect the ball drop in marking contests and get on the move to find the dangerous space. He should get a shot on an AFL list to continue his rapid development.

46. Xavier Ladbrook (38)
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
DEF, 201cm

National Championships: 4 games, 11.5 disposals, 5.5 marks, 0.8 goals

Rated as the fourth key defender in the draft class, Ladbrook is a good runner that has spent time up on a wing or roaming forward as well. He plays within himself with safe ball use and doesn't have the intercepting prowess of Power teammate Snell but offers interesting traits for teams to invest in with the running power at his height. He will need to build size to play down back in the future.

47. Archie Van Dyk (-)
South Adelaide/South Australia
MID, 191cm

National Championships: 1 game, 21.0 disposals, 3.0 marks, 1.0 tackle

Van Dyk excelled against the bigger bodies in the SANFL Reserves and will be at home with the physicality of senior football. He's a tough in-and-under midfielder with great hands under pressure, but limited scope to play outside of the midfield.

48. Benji Van Rooyen (39)
Claremont/Western Australia
203cm, RUC

National Championships: 4 games, 14.0 disposals, 4.0 marks, 20.5 hitouts

Van Rooyen was the best performing ruck at the National Championships. Working against him is the time he may take to develop his conditioning and aerial presence on an AFL list. He's a competitor that, while lacking brother Jacob's athleticism, has safe hands and a selflessness that works alongside his midfielders.

49. Cody Templeton (40)
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
FWD, 180cm

National Championships: 3 games, 10.3 disposals, 1.3 tackles, 1.7 goals

Templeton saved his best performance for last, booting five goals in the Talent League grand final. The powerful forward can be a difficult matchup; always on the move and able to separate quickly, he's been hot and cold all season and the inconsistency has hurt his stock. His draft range may not begin much earlier than this point but Templeton should get an opportunity on an AFL list.

50. Brady Wright (-)
Werribee VFL
FWD, 195cm

Another mature-ager who produced big numbers in the VFL. Wright is a plug-and-play option up forward with great spatial awareness in marking contests and a reliable set shot routine. He stepped up this year to match the physicality of key defenders and will get his shot on an AFL list.