AFL Draft 2026: Family Legacies Dominate Top Prospects and Pathways
The 2026 AFL draft class is shaping up to be a showcase of elite family connections, with standout prospects like Cody Walker and Dougie Cochrane leading the charge. However, these two are just the tip of the iceberg, as every single AFL club has at least one under-18s player in the boys pathways system with strong family ties to the top level.
High-Profile Family Connections Across the League
This year's draft pool includes the sons of current and former AFL senior coaches, a head of footy, a list manager, a Brownlow medallist, a two-time Norm Smith medallist, a seven-time best and fairest winner, and even a club CEO. Additionally, there are nephews of a 400-game champion, a premiership coach and player, and a premiership small forward who once kicked 12 goals in a single game.
Beyond the footy world, the draft crop also features family links to Olympic, WNBA, and cricket greats, adding an extra layer of diversity and talent to the mix.
Top Contenders and Their Bloodlines
Bendigo Pioneers superstar Cody Walker is a prime example, with his father-son eligibility to Carlton through his high-flying father Andrew, who played 202 games for the Blues. Walker's main rival for the number one pick is Central District's Dougie Cochrane, whose brother Tom is on Port Adelaide's list and father Stuart played 104 games for the Power and Kangaroos.
Cooper Hodge, son of legendary Hawthorn and Brisbane player Luke Hodge, brings perhaps the most high-profile family connection. Hodge can align himself with Hawthorn under the father-son rule or Brisbane as a Lions Academy player, though his draft range remains uncertain at this early stage.
Pathways Clubs and Their Talent-Rich Lists
In terms of pathways clubs, Claremont in the WAFL and the Sandringham Dragons, Calder Cannons, and Gippsland Power in the Talent League are leading the way with the highest number of family-linked prospects on their lists.
Claremont boasts players like Benji van Rooyen, brother of current Melbourne forward Jacob van Rooyen, and Harper Banfield and Noah Braun, sons of West Coast champions Drew Banfield and Michael Braun. Sandringham Dragons are not far behind, with six family-linked players, including Rosco Reid, the younger brother of 2025 Rising Star winner Murphy Reid.
Notable Prospects and Their Unique Backgrounds
Glenelg speedster Gabriel Patterson is one of the most exciting draft prospects, hoping to follow in the footsteps of his father Stephen Patterson, who played 96 games for Collingwood, and his sister Violet Patterson, a current Magpies AFLW player. Patterson's father needed just four more games for him to be eligible as a father-son selection to Collingwood.
At the Geelong Falcons, Jaxon Cooney, son of Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney, is aiming to make his mark alongside Archie Daffy, son of Richmond great Nick Daffy, and Van Rahilly, son of former Geelong player James Rahilly.
East Fremantle adds a cricketing twist with Finn Hussey, the nephew of Australian cricket champion Mike Hussey, highlighting the diverse backgrounds of this year's draft class.
Full List of Under-18s with AFL and AFLW Family Links
The draft class includes a comprehensive list of players with family connections across all AFL clubs. For instance, Adelaide has Aiden McCartney, son of Jason McCartney, while Brisbane Lions feature Cooper Hodge and Charlie Robbins, son of Ben Robbins. Carlton's key prospect is Cody Walker, and Collingwood has Goy Jiath, brother of current AFL players Changkuoth and Tew Jiath.
Essendon lists Thomas Lincoln, nephew of Dustin Fletcher, and Fremantle includes Rosco Reid and George Gale, son of Mark Gale. Geelong's Van Rahilly and Gold Coast's Sam Harris are among other notable names, with Harris being the son of Daniel Harris.
GWS has Ryan Ash, brother of Lachie Ash, and Hawthorn features Cooper Hodge and Judd Burgiel, brother of former West Coast player Coby Burgiel. Melbourne includes James Cross, brother of Paddy Cross, and North Melbourne lists Sam Harris and Tex Longmire, nephew of John Longmire.
Port Adelaide's Ethan Kingsley, son of coach Adam Kingsley, and Richmond's Archie Daffy are also key prospects. St Kilda has Jake Georgiou, son of John Georgiou, and Sydney lists James O'Loughlin, son of Michael O'Loughlin. West Coast includes Harper Banfield and Koby LeCras, nephew of Mark LeCras, while Western Bulldogs feature Levi West, son of Scott West.
This year's AFL draft is not just about individual talent but also about the rich legacies and family histories that continue to shape the future of the sport.
