Sliding Doors: 2026 Draft

IF there were any questions about people's commitment to the league...

THEN a record six live trades says all you need to know.

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IF you've landed a core of Jagga Smith, Harvey Langford, Willem Duursma, Sam Grlj and Daniel Annable over the last two drafts...

THEN you might only be one more piece away from competing.

IF your first two picks despite not having a single forward in your lineup were Zeke Uwland (DEF/MID) and Lachlan Carmichael (DEF/MID)...

THEN you've done very well to walk away with seven forwards including Cooper Duff-Tytler and Deven Robertson.

IF there was one player battle for the whole league to enjoy over the next decade...

THEN it's easily Josh Lindsay v Tom McCarthy, with Future Players trading the latter for the No. 5 pick (Lindsay).

HIT OR MISS: Every club's first round draft history

IF Coach Manthorpe no longer holds Pick 13 and can't deliver his traditional shock selection of the night...

THEN perhaps Coach JMHQB knew someone had to step up. Jai Murray at Pick 17 surprised plenty, but maybe Fienemann knows something we don't.

IF you drafted 10 players that have played 40 games or less...

THEN could it mean The Catholic Church is no longer going all in for a premiership? The Choir Boys have only lost just five games since the start of 2023, the year which Coach Hedges finally tasted the ultimate success.

Dyson Sharp joined The Catholic Church via a live trade on Sunday night

IF you signed off on the draft with the message 'man I can't believe I went almost exclusively young again'...

THEN I fear you don't know yourself all too well.

IF your first six selections had an average age of 25.5 years old...

THEN does that mean you think your side has what it takes to land its first finals berth?

IF ever there was a way to make a statement on draft night...

THEN despite not even being in the room, Coach Read did just that. After years of selecting the best young talent at the draft, Read's decision to draft Kieren Briggs, Tom Liberatore and Liam Duggan across his first three picks means he believes his side is ready to compete for a premiership.

IF it's an all-or-nothing year for Darcy Parish...

THEN it's fitting he joined Gabe's Team via live trade on draft night. Coach Fienemann has been very vocal about the early predictions that have his side finishing third and fourth, has he done enough to go one better in 2026?

IF you traded Josh Rachele before learning he's in for midfield minutes, Touk Miller before realising he's a DPP chance and delisted Toby Greene (midfield minutes) over Luke Ryan (Peel Thunder)...

THEN you'd be pretty relieved you walk away from draft night at least with Toby Greene (Pick 23) and Callum Wilkie (Pick 27).

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