Cal Twomey’s Phantom Form ranks Cochrane No. 1 ahead of AFL draft
Cal Twomey's final Phantom Form Guide for the 2026 Telstra AFL Draft ranks Cochrane as the leading prospect, with Port Adelaide preparing for a bid at No. 1. The two-night draft is scheduled for November 19-20, while Cody Walker is also among the prospects drawing club interest.
Cal Twomey's Phantom Form Guide ranks Cochrane as the top prospect in the 2026 Telstra AFL Draft, with Port Adelaide preparing to match a possible bid at No. 1.
The final edition ranks the best 30 players in the draft pool and includes the latest indications of where prospects could land. The draft is scheduled to run over two nights on November 19-20.
The guide is a ranking, not a prediction of the order clubs will select players. Twomey's mock draft is due next week, ahead of the first round.
Cochrane has been viewed as the leading player in this year's pool since his performance at the under-16s carnival in 2024. Knee tendinitis limited him to a handful of SANFL games late this season, but he remains at the top of the ranking.
Port Adelaide is expected to take Cochrane as a Next Generation Academy prospect. The club has prepared for a bid at No. 1 and holds picks No. 7 and 12, which could be used to match it by going into a points deficit.
The Bombers indicated during the trade period that they were likely to bid at No. 1, the guide said. Cochrane would become Port Adelaide's first No. 1 pick.
Cody Walker, ranked second, is hoping to join Carlton and committed to the club in the middle of 2025. He played for five teams this year and trained at Carlton for a full season.
Walker finished fourth in the 2km time trial at the Telstra AFL Draft Combine, recording 6:04 minutes. Carlton has two first-round picks but would not have enough points to match a bid made before pick No. 3.
Essendon recently interviewed Walker at its facility but is considered unlikely to bid, while Richmond is viewed as the most likely club to do so. West Coast could also consider a bid after Richmond's first selection if the Tigers pass.
Arki-tect Butler is another prospect attracting attention. After a broken collarbone disrupted the second half of his season, he returned for his school team's Grand Final and Talent League finals.
Butler ran 7:29 minutes in a 2km time trial after missing the combine. The guide said many scouts regard him as a top-two talent in the open pool.
