Mid-Season Draft Super Thread
With Tom Campbell's retirement we now have 2 list positions available (Culley is on the long-term injury list) and it looks to be a slightly stronger crop of talent this year, particularly a few boys who missed significant amounts of their draft year with injury/illness who are now tearing it up in state leagues. Given our strong start we will be a few picks back but luckily we also look to be shopping in different areas from other clubs. These names have been linked to us from Paul Amy who is the best authority on VFL news.
Flynn Riley - Ruck/Key Forward - Carlton VFL
Currently with Carlton VFL and also plays for Aberfeldie in Eastern Districts. He won the Coaches Award for Carlton VFL last year despite only playing 9 games, included a game with 35 hitouts, 6 clearances, 4 intercept marks, 4 tackles, 15 contested possessions. Personally remember him playing well against Casey last year too. 206cm, good mark, tackles, dangerous when resting forward, his coach at Aberfeldie thinks he could be a full-time forward. 22 years old, the right age for a young ruck to start showing something.
James Tarrant - Key Forward - North Melbourne VFL
A former cattle station worker from Northern Territory, moved to Victoria to play country footy then transitioned to the VFL to play with North Melbourne. He's big, moves well, and is consistently hitting the scoreboard. Played in the VFL State Team against the SANFL team during Gather Round. 26 years old, should be coming into his prime years now.
Harrison Coe - Ruck - Frankston Dolphins (VFL)
Competitive beast known for his contested marking. At 19 he was playing full forward in Division 4 VAFA (kicked 117 goals) with limited experience, quickly improving his positioning and craft. Unsuccessfully tried out for Casey in 2021 then plugged away for a few years at Beaconsfield before joining Frankston and quickly becoming the #1 ruck. Clubs see him as a player who still has improvement to be made, 26 years old but not unusual for a ruck to come good late. 204cm tall.
Caleb May - Ruck - West Adelaide (SANFL)
Sydney academy player who is absolutely huge and shown to be dominant in ruck contests, at 207cm and with a serious frame on him he's an immovable object. Bit of your old-school ruck prospect, he isn't fast and 51% disposal efficiency in the SANFL makes one nervous but only 21 and probably the best ruck option who could realistically play AFL straight away - though that wouldn't seem a big priority for us necessarily.
Jackson Voss - Rebounding Defender - Frankston Dolphins (VFL)
Anyone remember this guy ripping Casey to shreds in a final not too long ago? Every year Voss seems to almost make it on to a list, Essendon had him up for consideration in last year's MSD and he was in the final 2 for SSP selection at West Coast as well. Clean ball user and smart decision maker, not a linebreaker more of your calm and composed distributor like a Bowey. 25 years old, probably one with less upside than others but he is consistently getting interest from clubs.
Joel Fitzgerald - Rebounding Defender/Wing - Williamstown Seagulls (VFL)
Was a bit of a disposals merchant in his draft year, Aaron Hall at NM style, overlooked for lacking enough defensive pressure and not threatening opposition enough with the ball. Has since come on and added some intercepting skill to his game and more recently transitioned into a midfield role at Williamstown and taken his game up a level. 22 and only getting better every season. Plays a bit like Culley.
Xavier Bamert - Big Midfielder - North Melbourne VFL
Former captain for Sandringham Dragons who was a bit of an unexpected snub on draft night, overlooked due to his lack of speed by all accounts. Strong body, hard worker and fearless putting his head over the ball, plus a handy left-footer. Not known for clean kicking but a proven ball-winner and clearly showing he's a step above the VFL for NM this year. 19 years old. This guy is expected to be snapped up before our pick.
Nicholas Staropoli - Running Defender - Calder Cannons (Talent League)
Interesting one, overage (already 18) guy dominating for Calder this season getting a lot of interest from a lot of clubs. 190cm he's an interceptor with leg speed. Might not be available before our pick and maybe a bit too similar to CJ and Taylor we've just brought in, also only had the 1 VFL game so harder to say if he'll be able to step up against bigger bodies and more experienced opposition.
Kye Annand - Key Defender - Geelong VFL
200cm full-back known for his marking, including his talent for taking hangers. Has played forward and ruck as well but we seem interested in him as a defender. Athletic profile and versatility are his strengths. Still only 22. Seen some good highlights of him moving very well for a man of his height.
Tom Barnett - Key Defender - Coburg (VFL)
A little shorter than some other prospects but has been seriously impressing this season in the VFL for Coburg. Only 20 years old, is handling AFL-listed forwards well this season, took 10 intercept marks against Richmond the other week. Probably lacks that versatility component others have but seems a good option.
Riley Bonner - Release Defender - Casey (VFL)
Put his hand up for mid-season draft last year and will likely do so again. Finished 2nd in the VFL B&F last year and doing well once again, knows our system and is a popular player but at 29 I think we will look elsewhere.
Josh Tovey - Big Midfielder - Port Melbourne (VFL)
Has taken a while to get going, now at his 3rd VFL club at 21 years old but now flying with the Borough. Had 21 disposals, 3 goals, 11 tackles, 5 clearances in a 73 point LOSS earlier this season. He's a damaging midfielder who finds opportunities to take shots at goal and is a deadly kick. Not one with a lot of craft, doesn't have the tricks of others but just a contested beast and proven ball winner.
Jye Menzie - Small Forward - Tasmania Devils (VFL)
Former small forward for Essendon who was a bit up-and-down with form now captaining Tasmania in the VFL and playing excellent footy. Clever kick, best role looks to be playing as more of a half-forward utilising his inside 50 kicking skill. 24 years old, Tassie playing well this year and Menzie is a big part of that.
Jed Hagan - Small Forward - Tasmania Devils (VFL)
Originally from Western Australia he was seen as a good option in his draft year but was overlooked, clubs thought his ceiling was not particularly high as he was not athletically gifted just 'good at football' - the kind of player we often like to pick. Has had a good year with Tasmania and shown that he is a very well-rounded player with high footy smarts and a top notch work rate.
Max Mapley - Ruck - Tasmania Devils (VFL)
Young ruck playing well for Tasmania, still only 20 years old and seen as more of a long-term prospect, doesn't have the frame for AFL yet but has a lot of skill and is another who can be damaging when he goes forward.
Mutaz El Nour - Intercept Defender - Richmond VFL
Highly regarded as the best intercept defender in the VFL, El Nour was in the 2025 VFL Team of the Year, won the Richmond VFL B&F and was appointed vice-captain of the side. 25 years old but has had good development playing on AFL level talent in that time.
Hugo Hall-Kahan - Medium Forward - Williamstown Seagulls (VFL)
Second go around for Hall-Kahan, was picked up in the 2022 MSD by Sydney, didn't play a game and was de-listed but is now putting some good form together once again. Is an undersized leading forward who's a difficult match up, a bit of Jake Melksham about him. Has had some big games for Williamstown this year. Not seeing him fill the stat line out with tackles all that often though.
Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves - Midfielder/Medium Forward - Subiaco (WAFL)
Could he slip down again? Was the big name overlooked on national draft night, his durability seemingly too much of a risk but with a solid start to his time at Subiaco he may be overcoming those initial concerns. Good mark overhead and a lethal set shot.
Tairon Ah-Mu - Key Forward - Casey (VFL)
Impressed a lot of people, including me, during the pre-season games where he was filling up the numbers, but showed he could clearly take a mark and impose himself on the game with his physical presence. Started his VFL season off well but has since failed to kick a goal in his last three games. Endurance and work rate still issues. His younger brother is in our NGA program and looks a stronger prospect.
Noah Yze - Medium Forward - Sandringham Zebras (VFL)
I'm not saying Noah is a world-beater but I think he's been a little unlucky to be overlooked by the club, not many guys kicking 7 in a finals game that aren't on an AFL list. Has played some decent footy at Sandringham but obviously felt like he needed a move away from Casey because we weren't going to give him a look.
Tom Scully - Key Forward - West Adelaide (SANFL)
No this is not a joke, I mean the other Tom Scully who was at Port Adelaide, the 203cm key forward is still only 21, averaging 2 goals per game in the SANFL and impressing with his strong overhead marking. Field kicking is a concern.
Marcus Herbert - Lockdown Defender/Midfield Tagger - Geelong VFL
Having plugged away in the VFL for years, Herbert has stepped it up this year, racking up touches, tackles and score assists. Usual role is shutting down an opposition's dangerous small forward but he's also had some roles tagging midfielders on the inside too. 23 years old, coming from Geelong with a strong culture and high standards at their VFL program. Reporting is that 9 clubs have been in contact with Herbert he looks like a popular draft option.
Sam Van Rooyen - Third Tall - Claremont (WAFL)
Great mobility and good above his head, SVR is still more of a case of 'potential' than 'output' with good-not-great numbers in the WAFL. I'm sure it would make his brother happy but seems a long shot.