Essendon have taken their first step into the post-Brad Scott era by selecting running defender Jaxon Artemis with the No.1 pick in the 2026 mid-season rookie draft. The move marks a significant shift for the club as they look to rebuild and strengthen their squad.
Artemis, a 19-year-old from Tasmania, has been making waves with the Tasmania Devils in the VFL this season after previously playing for South Fremantle in the WAFL, where he was part of the premiership-winning team in 2025. His performances have caught the attention of AFL clubs, and he is now set to make the leap to the top tier.
The young talent is confident in his ability to adapt to AFL football, stating to AFL Media, “I think I can slot in straight away.” He has been training alongside former Bomber Jye Menzie, who was selected in the 2022 mid-season draft, and will now be teammates with Sam Durham and Archer May, both of whom have had successful careers following their mid-season selections.
Artemis has been using his powerful right foot to dominate opposition teams this season, and his potential was highlighted when he was managed during last week’s VFL round. Despite being overlooked in two previous drafts, he was named WA’s MVP in the under-18 championships in his draft year. His performance could see him make an immediate impact in the AFL, possibly even this week.
Geelong’s VFL team has a strong history of producing AFL players, and this trend continues with the selection of 22-year-old Kye Annand with the second pick. A product of the Ocean Grove Football Club, Annand has worked hard this season to improve himself, leading to his inclusion on the Tigers’ list. With 10 clubs showing interest before the draft, he is a strong contender for an AFL debut when the Tigers face the Swans in Sydney.
West Coast made a bold move by selecting Oliver Francou, the son of Port Adelaide legend Josh Francou. Meanwhile, the Blues added VFL ruckman Flynn Riley with the fourth pick after a last-minute opportunity arose due to Matt Carroll’s knee injury. At 206cm, Riley, originally from the Northern Knights, has been in excellent form and is well-positioned to compete at the AFL level.
Other notable selections include:
- Harrison Coe – A 26-year-old strong marker from Frankston, picked by the Magpies.
- Caleb May – A 21-year-old ruckman from West Adelaide, chosen by the Western Bulldogs.
- Ollie Griffin – A medium-sized forward from Sandringham, selected by North Melbourne.
- Max Mapley – A Tassie Devils ruckman, added by Melbourne along with Joel Fitzgerald and Lukas Cooke.
Melbourne also secured two more players from the VFL, while Collingwood focused on adding a ruckman, key defender, and forward. Their selections included Harrison Coe, Liam Puncher, and Mitch Podhajski.
St Kilda added small forward Campbell Lake, a goalkicker from Southport who played a crucial role in the club’s back-to-back VFL grand finals. The Saints have a strong track record in the mid-season draft, with Cooper Sharman and Max Hall arriving via the same route.
Hawthorn selected Max Beattie, a dangerous forward from the SANFL, while Geelong’s VFL system also produced Marcus Herbert, who was picked by West Coast. Port Adelaide added Xavier Bamert and Alex Van Wyk, and Adelaide selected Hugo Hall-Kahan, a Williamstown product who became the first player to be selected in two mid-season rookie drafts.
With 11 players recruited from the VFL, six from the SANFL, and one over-age player from the Coates Talent League, the 2026 mid-season rookie draft has delivered a mix of experienced and emerging talents. Clubs are now focused on integrating these new signings into their squads ahead of the upcoming season.
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