AFL Midseason Draft 2026

A Devils VFL ace has been crowned as the first overall pick of the 2026 mid-season draft, and he says he’s ready to “slot in straight away” at Essendon.

Meanwhile, Richmond snapped up a 200-centimetre giant with Pick 2, while Collingwood added more experience as 18 players had their AFL dreams realised on Tuesday night. Every pick below!

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West Australian rebounder Jaxon Artemis joined Essendon after entering as the overwhelming favourite to be picked at No.1.

Artemis, a teaching assistant when he wasn’t tearing it up for Tasmania, averaged 18.3 disposals across six VFL games as a dashing half-backer.

Devils coach Jeromey Webberley called Artemis “that Lachie Whitfield, Nick Blakey-style player”, given his counterattacking talents — set to slot in nicely next to Archie Roberts and Jacob Farrow in Essendon’s young backline.

Despite donning a Bombers guernsey in his interview on the AFL.com.au live-stream, Artemis said he had “absolutely no idea” he’d be Bombers-bound in the lead-up.

“It’s been quite a hectic couple of days … (but) I’ve kept a steady head,” he said.

“I’m extremely grateful to Tassie … it’s been amazing for me, I’ve matured quite quickly.”

Of his ability to adjust to the AFL level, Artemis added: “I reckon I could slot in straight away, I feel like I’m quite a good footballer, so I’d be ready for any opportunity.”

Artemis recalled “a lot of disappointment” at not being drafted in 2024, but said he used the extra time to his advantage.

“I thought I was quite stiff not to go in 2024, but I don’t think I was actually ready during that time,” he said.

“I’ve matured quite a bit, moving across and just taking that year off playing league football at South Fremantle last year - I’ve learned quite a lot.”

Richmond, which did plenty of work on Artemis while it sat last on the ladder, picked 200-centimetre Geelong VFL defender Kye Annand.

Annand, who can play as a lockdown stopper and also pinch-hit in the ruck, played alongside wingman Patrick Retschko in the Cats’ VFL outfit as recently as last year.

At No.3, West Coast took midfielder Oliver Francou, the son of former Port Adelaide star and 2002 All-Australian Josh Francou. The Eagles later took mature-aged Geelong VFL ball-winner Marcus Herbert.

It was also a big night for the ruck-needy, with five tapsters going off the board, led by Flynn Riley, who goes from Carlton’s VFL unit to its AFL system.

Collingwood, with the oldest list in the competition, opted for more experience as it drafted for need on Tuesday night.

The Pies covered for Oscar Steene’s season-ending injury by taking Frankston ruckman Harrison Coe, who is 26 years old.

They later picked Coburg stalwart forward Mitch Podhajski, 27 years of age, before balancing out with defender Liam Puncher.

Puncher was the third Woodville-West Torrens player selected, while Williamstown, Geelong, the Tassie Devils and North Adelaide each had two poached.

Mid-sized forward Ollie Griffin was the only Talent League player picked on Tuesday night, heading to North Melbourne with the sixth pick.

Adelaide, meanwhile, pounced on Seagulls defender Hugo Hall-Kahan, who became a two-time mid-season draftee after Sydney picked him up a few years back.

The Western Bulldogs added to their ruck stocks in the form of West Adelaide standout Caleb May with the ninth pick, while the newest Saint, small forward Campbell Lake, is a Gold Coast Suns Academy product.

FULL 2026 MID-SEASON DRAFT ORDER AND SELECTIONS

Round 1

1. Essendon - Jaxon Artemis (rebounding defender, Tasmania Devils VFL)

2. Richmond - Kye Annand (key defender, Geelong VFL)

3. West Coast Eagles - Oliver Francou (midfielder, North Adelaide)

4. Carlton - Flynn Riley (ruckman, Carlton VFL)

5. Port Adelaide - Xavier Bamert (midfielder, North Melbourne VFL)

6. North Melbourne - Oliver Griffin (mid-sized forward, Sandringham Dragons)

7. St Kilda - Campbell Lake (small forward, Southport)

8. Collingwood - Harrison Coe (ruckman, Frankston VFL)

9. Western Bulldogs - Caleb May (ruckman, West Adelaide)

10. Adelaide Crows - Hugo Hall-Kahan (rebounding defender, Williamstown)

11. Melbourne - Lukas Cooke (key defender, Woodville-West Torrens)

12. Hawthorn - Max Beattie (forward, Woodville-West Torrens)

Round 2

13. West Coast Eagles - Marcus Herbert (midfielder/half-back, Geelong VFL)

14. Port Adelaide - Alex Van Wyk (ruckman, North Adelaide)

15. Collingwood - Liam Puncher (defender, Woodville-West Torrens)

16. Melbourne - Joel Fitzgerald (midfielder, Williamstown)

Round 3

17. Port Adelaide - Pass

18. Collingwood - Mitch Podhajski (forward, Coburg)

19. Melbourne - Max Mapley (ruckman, Tasmania Devils VFL)

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