Every pick of the 2026 AFL Mid-Season Draft
Every pick, live!
www.sen.com.auHere’s a concise update on the 2026 AFL Mid-Season Draft (MSD) as of May 25–26, 2026.
Key points
- The MSD took place on May 25, 2026, with Essendon holding the No. 1 pick after the long list vacancy openings across clubs [source: summaries of pre-draft reporting around the event].[1]
- The draft had up to 19 selections across the 12 clubs that opened list spots, with clubs like Collingwood, Melbourne, Port Adelaide among those able to make multiple selections; Essendon and Richmond were among the early big movers due to injuries and list needs.[1]
- Jaxon Artemis emerged as a leading candidate for the No. 1 pick, with strong interest from Richmond and Essendon, and multiple clubs monitoring other top prospects such as Sam Toner, Ned Renfree, Mutaz El Nour, and Zaydyn Lockwood.[3][6]
- A variety of prospects were linked to MSD opportunities, including Flynn Riley, Xavier Bamert, Xavier Bamert’s Geelong/VFL connections, and other readymade or developing tools across the forward, ruck, and midfield profiles.[5][3]
- Quick wrap coverage and live order lists were published on draft day, providing club-by-club picks and the full sequence for the evening.[4][7]
What to watch next
- Club-by-club outcomes: which clubs used their spots beyond the first pick, and any late changes to the order due to last-minute fitness or list needs.[7][4]
- Prospects’ career trajectories: early MSD movers often translate into senior list opportunities or VFL/AFL development roles in 2026–27, with several named players like Artemis and Bamert frequently discussed in pre-draft analyses.[6][3]
- Broadcast and follow-ups: post-draft wrap-ups and club assessments are common, including videos summarizing each club’s selections and analyses of fit for team systems.[7]
Illustration example
- If you’d like, I can compile a compact snapshot table showing each club, their MSD pick(s), and the primary role/position of the player, plus a one-sentence note on why they fit that club’s needs.
Would you like me to pull the latest finalized picks table and translate it into a concise club-by-club summary with player positions and potential AFL impact? I can also provide direct links to live coverage and post-draft analyses.[4][7]