Draft order: Every pick of the 2026 mid-season draft
Every pick.
www.sen.com.auHere’s the latest on the AFL mid-season draft for 2026 based on the most recent reporting:
Short answer
- The 2026 Telstra AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft took place on May 25, 2026, with Essendon holding pick No. 1 and Jaxon Artemis widely tipped as a likely first selection. Richmond, West Coast, and several other clubs filled additional spots as injuries and list needs persisted across the league. Multiple outlets published live order, top prospects, and post-draft summaries the following day.[1][2][3][4][7]
Key details
- Draft order and picks: Essendon secured the first selection, followed by Richmond, with the rest of the order finalized ahead of the event. Several outlets tracked the live order and each club’s selections as they occurred.[3][4][1]
- Top prospects: Jaxon Artemis was frequently cited as the standout candidate for the No. 1 pick, with interest from Richmond and Essendon noted in advance of the event. Other players generating attention included Sam Toner, Ned Renfree, Mutaz El Nour, and Zaydyn Lockwood.[6][1]
- How to watch and coverage: Broad coverage existed, including broadcast details and post-pick wrap-ups from AFL.com.au and other AFL media sites.[4][7]
- Context and expectations: Clubs opened list spots for the MSD due to injuries and list management needs, which shaped both the number of selections and club strategies on draft night.[5][3]
What professionals are saying
- Multiple outlets emphasized Artemis as a leading contender for the top pick, with Richmond and Essendon among clubs showing interest as of late May 2026.[1][6]
- The draft was framed as a chance for clubs to fill immediate needs created by injuries, with some teams able to make two or three selections depending on circumstances.[3][5]
What this means for clubs
- Immediate list depth: Expect several MSD selections to be used by teams dealing with injuries, to bolster forward/defensive depth, or to groom ready-made prospects for senior level exposure.[5][3]
- Talent pool: Artemis led the perceived top end of the draft pool, while other prospects were considered potential longer-term projects or ready-made role players.[6][1]
Illustration
- A quick snapshot of the event: pick No. 1 Essendon, No. 2 Richmond, and a distribution of remaining picks among West Coast, Carlton, Port Adelaide, and others, with Artemis as a frontrunner for the first pick and several other names highlighted in pre-draft coverage.[1][3][6]
Citations
- Draft order and picks overview: Draft order: Every pick of the 2026 mid-season draft.[1]
- Top prospect: Jaxon Artemis among favorites for No. 1 pick.[6][1]
- Guide and coverage: Ultimate Guide To The 2026 AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft, Mid-season draft guide and quick wrap.[2][7][4]
- General draft context and dates: AFL mid-season draft overview and dates confirmation.[10]
- Additional prospect coverage: Key info, draft order & top prospects, Zero Hanger draft order and analysis.[3][5]
If you’d like, I can pull a concise club-by-club summary of who selected and which players were most notable, or compile a one-page quick reference with pick-number, club, and player.