Draft shift confirmed as AFL locks in dates for trade period, draft
The dates for this year's Telstra AFL Draft and Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period have been confirmed
www.afl.com.auHere’s a concise update on the AFL mid-season draft 2026 based on the latest reporting up to late May 2026.
Direct answer
- The AFL mid-season draft (MSD) took place on May 25, 2026. Essendon held the top selection, with Richmond also holding a late-first-round-style pick, and several clubs (notably Collingwood, Melbourne, Port Adelaide) having multiple selections available to fill list spots. The order and selections were widely reported across AFL media outlets on the day of the draft.[1][3][4]
Key highlights and context
- Draft order and club by club implications: Essendon was listed as holding pick No. 1, with Richmond, West Coast, Carlton, and others also in the top tier due to list vacancies created by injuries or strategic list management. This MSD format allows clubs to add developing players mid-year to bolster depth during the season.[3][4][1]
- Notable prospects and chatter: Jaxon Artemis was identified by multiple outlets as the leading candidate for the No. 1 pick, with Richmond among the teams showing strong interest, alongside Essendon. Other prospects like Sam Toner, Ned Renfree, Mutaz El Nour, and Zaydyn Lockwood were also highlighted as potential selections or trade-in targets for clubs eyeing immediate impact.[5][1][3]
- Broadcast and accessibility: The event was broadcast or streamed through AFL platforms and affiliated media partners, with live coverage and analysis surrounding selections as they were announced.[6][1]
What this means for teams and fans
- For clubs with multiple MSD selections (notably Collingwood, Melbourne, and Port Adelaide), the MSD provides an opportunity to address injuries and depth with young talent mid-season. Expect clubs to target ready-made or high-ceiling youngsters who can push into the senior setup quickly.[1][3]
- For supporters, the MSD is a chance to watch the next wave of talent who could impact finals campaigns or future development plans, particularly those with VFL/AFL-ready profiles.[3][5]
If you’d like, I can compile a concise club-by-club recap of the exact selections (or likely candidates) as reported on May 25–26, 2026, and add a brief analysis of how each pick could impact their list going forward. I can also pull a quick, clean table comparing expected picks, club list spots, and top prospects. Would you like that?
Citations
- Draft order and live selections coverage:[1]
- MSD overview and top prospects, including Artemis as a leading candidate:[5][3]
- General MSD guidance and implications for clubs with multiple picks:[4]