Draft Watch: Early Standouts and Rising Talent in the Talent Pathway
As the 2026 football season gains momentum, the talent pathways are already buzzing with promising young athletes showcasing their skills. This comprehensive draft watch delves into the emerging stars and key talking points from the weekend’s action, highlighting players who are making a significant impression on recruiters and fans alike.
Ruck Dominance on the Rise
North Adelaide’s Ethan Herbert has been a revelation in the opening fortnight of 2026. Industry insiders are particularly impressed with his exceptional ball-winning capabilities, polished skills, and impressive ground coverage. Herbert appears to have made a substantial leap forward in his game during the pre-season, a fact underscored by his dominant performance against Norwood. He was a clear best-on-ground, amassing an outstanding 28 disposals, seven marks, and showcasing his ruck prowess with 16 hitouts and seven clearances. Herbert continued his strong form in Round 2, contributing 22 disposals and a remarkable 28 hitouts, further demonstrating the breadth of his abilities.
Dandenong’s Dynamic Duo
The Dandenong Stingrays are boasting some serious talent, with forward/midfielder Jackson Phillips emerging as an early standout. His athleticism, fierce competitiveness, and refined skills have been on full display in both of Dandenong’s opening-round victories. Phillips delivered a stellar performance in Round 1 with 19 disposals and two goals, and followed it up with a game-high 27 disposals against Gippsland. His dual threat as an inside and outside midfielder has been a key differentiator for the Stingrays.
Adding to Dandenong’s exciting prospects is teammate Marcus Prasad, a lively forward who has also made his mark in the early rounds. Contrary to some speculation, the Vic Country U16s representative is not currently aligned with Melbourne through their Next Generation Academy program.
Richmond NGA’s Midfield Maestro
Richmond’s Next Generation Academy prospect, Tanner Armstrong, has been tearing up the stats sheets in the Talent League’s opening two rounds. Unleashed in the midfield, Armstrong has captivated observers with his footballing intelligence, clean ball handling, and uncanny ability to find possession. He has achieved back-to-back best-on-ground performances, showcasing his talent.
Against Bendigo, Armstrong racked up 30 disposals, leading Murray’s midfield. This followed a diligent 36-disposal effort against Gippsland, where he operated with limited support but his exceptional running capacity shone through. Having primarily played off half-back last year, Armstrong has seized his opportunity in the midfield and is expected to remain a central figure there for the Bushrangers. He may also be given the chance to demonstrate his versatility for the AFL Academy and Vic Country representative sides.
Noah Williams: A Midfield Force
Another AFL Academy member making waves in the midfield is Noah Williams. The U17s Futures best-on-ground recipient followed up a strong Round 1 performance for Geelong with another impressive outing against GWV on Saturday, accumulating 32 disposals and 11 tackles. Last year, Williams showcased his ball use and transitional prowess from a wing/half-back role. This season, he has demonstrated a heightened appetite for the contest and a strong defensive commitment. The left-footer, standing at 177cm, possesses traits that are highly transferable across various positions.
South Australia’s New Radar
Sam Tassone has quickly captured attention in South Australia during the early stages of the 2026 season. This speedy half-back, known for his excellent use of the ball, has posted significant numbers in the AAMI Talent League. His 28-disposal performance in Round 2 built upon a 27-touch effort in Round 1. North Adelaide has provided Tassone with ample opportunity as their primary distributor from defence, with his bold decision-making frequently initiating dangerous rebounds. Despite missing out on South Australia’s State Academy, Tassone is actively pushing his case for inclusion in the state squad for the National Championships.
Mid-Season Draft Contender?
While it’s still early days, Sandringham forward Ollie Griffin is making a compelling case for consideration in the Mid-Season Draft. Griffin has started the season in blistering form for the Dragons, benefiting from the opportunity to play a deeper forward role. His strong aerial marking is complemented by a hunger for the contest, a high work rate that provides a reliable target downfield, and impressive pressure that helps lock the ball inside forward 50. Griffin has also developed a knack for converting opportunities, consistently hitting the scoreboard in Sandringham’s opening two rounds, building on a strong practice match performance against Oakleigh.
Tasmanian Talent on the Horizon
Another name emerging as a potential Mid-Season Draft prospect is Tasmania VFL small forward Jed Hagan. This hardworking and exciting player backed up a four-goal haul in Round 1 with two goals and nine tackles in Round 2. Prior to the season, interviews with individuals associated with the Devils consistently highlighted Hagan’s strong pre-season form, noting the significant improvement in his finishing. The 175cm Geraldton junior was on the radar during his top-aged year with East Fremantle in 2022 but was ultimately overlooked. After spending time in the WAFL and SANFL, Hagan appears to have taken a significant step forward in 2026, attracting the attention of recruiters.
A Forward’s Seven-Goal Haul
Oakleigh Chargers forward Seb Marsic delivered a memorable performance in his side’s upset victory over Sandringham, finishing with an impressive seven goals. Marsic was a dominant presence, marking everything that came his way and playing a complete key forward game, building on promising glimpses from a practice match against the same opponent. This marks Marsic’s first year in the Oakleigh Chargers program, and he has adapted quickly to the speed and skill level of Talent League football. Vic Metro summer training squad member Flynn Woolhouse was another standout for the Chargers, proving dangerous in aerial contests and complementing Marsic with three goals and several strong grabs.
Injury Report: Key Players Sidelined
Unfortunately, several prominent young talents have missed Round 2 after promising starts to the season. Harry Van Hattum, Jack Pickett, Wil Malady, and Clancy Snell were among those unavailable. Van Hattum was sidelined by the Northern Knights with a quad injury. In a heartbreaking turn of events, Pickett ruptured his ACL during training. Malady was held over due to hamstring soreness following his six-goal performance, while Snell experienced back spasms after a practice match and his Round 1 outing in defence, which had placed him on the draft radar. Barring Pickett’s significant injury, the others are expected to have short-term absences. Additionally, Essendon Next Generation Academy prospect Blake Justice is set to miss the early part of the season with a hamstring injury.
