AFL: West Coast had two list spots available as several WA guns have high hopes of going to the next level in the 2026 AFL mid-season draft.
The Eagles selected Oliver Francou, son of Port Adelaide gun and Brownlow runner-up Josh while they also picked up Geelong VFL product Marcus Herbert.
Essendon took South Fremantle premiership winner with the first overall pick on what was an otherwise disappointing night for WA prospects.
SEE EVERY PICK IN THE AFL’S MID-SEASON DRAFT BELOW
1. Jaxon Artemis - Essendon
2. Kye Annand Richmond
3. Oliver Francou - West Coast
4. Flynn Riley - Carlton
5. Xavier Bamert - Port Adelaide
6. Oliver Griffin - North Melbourne
7. Campbell Lake - St Kilda
8. Harrison Coe - Collingwood
9. Caleb May - Western Bulldogs
10. Hugo Hall-Kahan - Adelaide
11. Lukas Cooke - Melbourne
12. Max Beattie - Hawthorn
Second round
13. Marcus Herbert - West Coast
14. Alex Van Wyk - Port Adelaide
15. Liam Puncher - Collingwood
16. Joel Fitzgerald - Melbourne
Third round
17. Pass - Port Adelaide
18. Mitch Podhajski - Collingwood
19. Max Mapley - Melbourne
Eagles could get an early look at Artemis
Less than a year on from helping South Fremantle win the WAFL, Artmeis could be back on the Optus Stadium turf.
A disappointing night for locals
Other than Jaxon Artemis, who went No.1, no other WA products went in the mid-season draft despite several strong links.
PICK 19
Max Mapley joins the Demons. He was a teammate of Artemis at the Devils described a s a project ruckman.
That’s the final pick of the night.
PICK 18
Port Adelaide pass so we go straight to pick 18 where Collingwood take Mitch Podhajski as a forward.
The 27-year-old is firmly in late bloomer terriroty.
PICK 16
Joel Fitzgerald joins Melbourne. He’s been racking up huge numbers in the VFL as a midfielder.
He’s had 35 or more disposals in five of his last seven games.
PICK 15
Liam Puncher is the third Woodville West-Torrens Eagle to end up on an AFL list tonight.
PICK 14
Alex Van Wyk goes to Port to add ruck depth following Ivan Soldo’s retirement.
PICK 13 - Eagles take Marcus Herbert
West Coast takes Marcus Herbert from the Geelong Cats VFL.
He can play across half-back and the midfield in the vein of Tom McCarthy.
The 23-year-old has been part of Geelong’s VFL side for five years.
“He possesses the versatility to impact in a range of roles, underpinned by his contest work, composure, and ability to execute by hand or foot under pressure,” Massey says.
PICK 12
Max Beattie goes to the Hawks and was a teammate of Lukas Cooke until about one minute ago.
PICK 11
Lukas Cooke goes to the Demons having switched from a forward to a key defender.
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