AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has released profiles on the top small prospects ahead of the 2026 Telstra AFL Draft.

This year's Telstra AFL Draft will be held on Thursday, November 19 and Friday, November 20. The 2026 Telstra AFL Rookie Draft will follow on Monday, November 23.

Sheehan's player profiles will be released via positional group each week ahead of the Draft. This week's edition highlights the small defenders and midfielders in this year's Draft pool.

All players profiled attended the 2026 Telstra AFL Draft Combine or 2026 Telstra AFL State Draft Combine in October.

Keep updated with all the latest news ahead of the 2026 Telstra AFL Draft at the AFL Draft Hub.

NATIONAL DRAFT COMBINE

State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Eastern Ranges
Community Club: Park Orchards
Date of Birth: 04/04/2008
Height: 181cm
Profile: A midfielder or high half forward, Antonellos is extremely creative and uses his clean hands and vision to set up his teammates and produce scoring opportunities for his team. Overcome an ankle injury last year to have an extremely productive underage season, which included kicking three goals in the Eastern Ranges’ Talent League Grand Final win. The performance set him up for a strong 2026, and this year he averaged 16.1 disposals in 10 games. He forced his way into the Victoria Metro team for its final game at the Marsh AFL National Championships, where he performed well with 14 disposals (50% contested) in the big win over Victoria Country. His 32 disposals in the Ranges’ Round 20 win over the Cannons was an indication of his upper ceiling. Tested soundly at the Draft Combine, with his 6:39 for the 2km time trial a strong and competitive performance.

Jordan Knapp
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Eastern Ranges
Community Club: North Ringwood
Date of Birth: 05/01/2008
Height: 180cm
Profile: A clean and composed midfielder, Knapp was a star for the Eastern Ranges in their Talent League premiership-winning campaign last season. He continued with that form this year, averaging 28 disposals (10 contested) across 14 games as captain to win the club's best and fairest award. Knapp also showcased his work rate and excellent ball-winning ability both on the wing and in run-with roles for Victoria Metro. He averaged 23.6 disposals (10 contested) across the National Championships and was rewarded with All Australian honours. His leadership and ability to cover the ground well and make great decisions with the ball stood out all year, with Talent League Team of the Year honours further recognition of his ongoing progression. Showed outstanding athleticism at the Draft Combine with top-ten finishes in the agility test (7.99 seconds), 20m sprint (2.90 seconds) and 2km time trial (6:14).

Toby Krasna
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Northern Knights
Community Club: Preston Bullants
Date of Birth: 28/02/2008
Height: 182cm
Profile: A smooth-moving First Nations player who covers the ground very well, Krasna is a clean and composed midfielder who plays both on the inside and outside. He was a shining light for the Northern Knights across the Talent League season, averaging 21.2 disposals at 65 percent efficiency and kicked seven goals in 12 matches. Krasna was amongst the Knights’ best players during the finals and stepped up to really impress for Victoria Metro during the National Championships, where her showed slick hands and sharp vision. Averaged 19 disposals at 81 percent efficiency in three National Championships appearances and featured in the title-winning team’s best players against Western Australia and the Allies. Showcased his assets in the agility test (8.10 seconds) and 2km time trial (6:10) at the Draft Combine, which were both top-ten finishes to round off an excellent Draft year.

Hugh McCallum
State: Tasmania
State League Club: Tasmania Devils
Community Club: Clarence
Date of Birth: 10/08/2008
Height: 181cm
Profile: An athletic wing or high half forward who is courageous and committed, McCullum first came onto the radar at the Marsh AFL National Development Championships in 2024 before showing great potential as a bottom-aged player in the Talent League in 2025. McCallum was the Devils’ best player across the side’s first seven Talent League games this year, averaging 22.9 disposals at 68 percent efficiency and kicking nine goals, including four against the Oakleigh Chargers. However, an ACL injury unfortunately ruined his season on the verge of the National Championships. Now well into his recovery, his body of work had been impressive over several seasons and he was announced as one of Tasmania’s first eight AFL signings in September, meaning he wasn’t required to attend the Draft Combine. Older brother Tom was drafted to Port Adelaide in 2022.

Caylen Murray
State: Queensland
State League Club: Brisbane Lions Academy
Community Club: Maroochydore
Date of Birth: 03/01/2008
Height: 179cm
Profile: Defender and midfielder with line-breaking speed, which he uses consistently to break open the play. Murray can find the ball inside or outside the contest and has a clever step to change lanes when in traffic. An All Australian at under-16 level in 2024, he’s continued to develop impressively with the Brisbane Lions Academy over the past two years. Earned senior opportunities with the Lions in the VFL early this year before being ultra-impressive for the Allies at the National Championships, averaging 24 disposals at 78 percent, and featuring in the best players in every match to win the team’s MVP award and All Australian honours. A member of both the AFL’s Indigenous Academy and the Marsh AFL National Academy, Murray is eligible to the three-time AFL reigning premiers as a member of the Lions Academy. Completed an outstanding year with a strong Draft Combine performance, which included finishing fourth in the 2km time trial with a time of 6:06.

Sonny Smiler
State: Northern Territory
State League Club: Northern Territory Academy
Community Club: Wanderers
Date of Birth: 20/10/2008
Height: 177cm
Profile: A smooth-moving left footed wing or forward, Smiler covers the ground well and uses his speed to gain separation from opponents and his neat disposals to set up his team going forward. Won best on the ground honours in the Northern Territory’s underage All-Star game in January, kicking five goals from 20 disposals in a standout performance. In his four matches for the Northern Territory Academy in the Talent League this year, Smiler averaged 14.5 disposals, 4.5 tackles and a goal playing in midfield and forward roles. Earning selection for the Allies where he played all four matches at the National Championships and contributed to their dramatic win over Western Australia by kicking two important goals. Represented the Australia U18 team in their challenge match against North Melbourne’s VFL team in April, which added to his experiences and development this season. A member of the AFL’s Indigenous Academy, Smiler comes from the small community of Kalkarindji, located 780 km south of Darwin, with a population of 400 residents  Showed his athletic attributes at the Draft Combine, finishing second in the 20m sprint (2.87 seconds) and top-ten in running vertical jump (86cm).

Andrio Sousa
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Community Club: Edithvale Aspendale
Date of Birth: 11/08/2008
Height: 183cm
Profile: A winger who holds his width well and works hard up and down the ground, Sousa can hit the scoreboard when he gets forward. After having a dominant 25-disposal game for the Dandenong Stingrays in the opening round of the Talent League season, he suffered an elbow fracture which sidelined him for six weeks. Returned strongly to be a consistent performer for the Stingrays, averaging 18.5 disposals in 12 matches. Also showed his clean hands and smarts across four matches for Victoria Country at the National Championships, averaging 15 disposals at 70 percent efficiency, and was amongst the best players against Western Australia. Finished his season impressively with the Stingrays, including having 18 disposals and kicking two goals in their Grand Final loss to the Gippsland Power. Was impressive during Draft Combine testing, producing top-10 performances in the agility test (8.09 seconds), running vertical jump (89cm) and 20m sprint (2.90 seconds).

Archie Spencer
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Eastern Ranges
Community Club: Woori Yallock
Date of Birth: 24/09/2008
Height: 182cm
Profile: A powerful defender and midfielder with good speed and neat disposal, Spencer was outstanding in defence for Victoria Metro in its opening National Championships match against Western Australia, closing down dangerous small forwards and providing great rebound. Captained the team in the final of the Champs, having been a strong leader throughout. Averaged 15.2 disposals at 82 percent efficiency and was rarely beaten one-on-one, while also creative in setting up play from the back half to be rewarded with All Australian selections. Plays with a real competitive edge and physical presence, which he maintained during the Talent League season for the Eastern Ranges, averaging 22.5 disposals (nine contested) at 78 percent efficiency in 15 matches. Playing predominantly in the midfield for the Ranges and was selected in the Talent League Team of the Year, having last year been a member of the club’s premiership team. His effort of 7.91 seconds on the agility ranked fourth overall at the national Draft Combine.

Leo Steed
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Swan Districts
Community Club: Dalyellup Dockers
Date of Birth: 07/03/2008
Height: 176cm
Profile: A small midfielder who hunts the footy and is a one-touch player, Steed had an outstanding year which included All Australian selection at under-18 level. Also had an impact at senior level with Swan Districts, where he played 12 matches and averaged 14.3 disposals as a small forward. In the U18 National Championships, he consistently drove Western Australia forward with precise use after winning the contested ball, averaging 23.5 disposals (10.2 contested) 4.5 clearances and four tackles. Was outstanding in the impressive win over South Australia in a best on ground performance, before also starring against Victoria Metro on his way to being runner up to teammate Heath Mellody for the Larke Medal. A former state level underaged basketballer, he also won All Australian selection at under-16 level in 2024, beginning an impressive three-year preparation for an AFL career. His Draft Combine performances were impressive, particularly in the 2km time trial (6:09) and agility test (8.07 seconds), which were both ranked in the top-10 overall.

Sam Tassone
State: South Australia
State League Club: North Adelaide
Community Club: Irymple
Date of Birth: 12/02/2008
Height: 181cm
Profile: Rebounding defender who takes the game on, Tassone is an excellent decision maker and a composed distributor by hand and foot. He did this to great effect at both club and state level this year to present himself as an AFL prospect. At club level he was a prolific ball winner for North Adelaide, averaging 28.3 disposals at 73 percent efficiency in seven under-18 level matches. He took that form into the National Championships, where he averaged 20.8 disposals at 77 percent efficiency for South Australia and was among their best against both Western Australia and Victoria Country. Showed his elite endurance during the 2km time trial at the Draft Combine, recording a time of 6:13.

Noah Williams
State: Victoria Country
Talent League Club: Geelong Falcons
Community Club: St Joseph’s
Date of Birth: 22/01/2008
Height: 177cm
Profile: A tough and classy left-footed midfielder and half back, Williams uses his hardness in the contest to win the ball and his elite decision making to create for his team. After winning the best player medal for Team Boak in last year’s National Futures match on AFL Grand Final Day, he started the 2026 season in equally impressive fashion again to claim the medal as the Australia U18 team’s best player against North Melbourne’s VFL team. Despite being challenged by several injuries throughout the season, he was a consistent performer for Victoria Country at the National Championships, averaging 15.5 disposals at 71 percent efficiency, with a team-high 5.8 tackles. Was restricted to just four Talent League matches for the Geelong Falcons due to injury and Geelong Grammar playing commitments but maintained a high level of productivity in averaging 21 disposals at 70 percent efficiency to complete a strong body of work over the past 12 months. Did not test at the Draft Combine while recovering from a hip/groin injury.

STATE DRAFT COMBINE

Tanner Armstrong
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Murray Bushrangers
Community Club: Shepparton United
Date of Birth: 27/02/2008
Height: 176cm
Profile: A small midfielder or defender, Armstrong is equally effective finding the ball in either role. Uses his ability to read the play to link up, along with being a fierce competitor to win contested possessions. An All Australian at under-16 level in 2024, this season he continued to rack up the footy at will. He averaged 35.5 disposals, eight clearances and six tackles in four Talent League matches for the Murray Bushrangers, while sharing his season with commitments playing for Scotch College. He also performed strongly in two matches for the Australia U18 team against VFL opponents in April, averaging 24.5 disposals, 4.5 clearances and 5.5 tackles to be one of Australia’s better players. Played predominantly as a small defender for Victoria Country during this year’s National Championships, averaging 24 disposals and being amongst their best in the win over the Allies. A First Nations talent, Armstrong is a member of Richmond’s Next Generation Academy, giving the Tigers priority access to him later. Demonstrated his fast feet with his impressive performance in the agility test at the state Draft Combine, recording a time of 7.99 seconds.

Harper Banfield
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Claremont
Community Club: Cottesloe
Date of Birth: 18/12/2008
Height: 181cm
Profile: A midfielder with a genuine competitive streak, Banfield emerged in his bottom-age year in 2025 to be an important cog in Claremont’s premiership-winning under-18 side. Was a model of consistency at club and representative levels this year, averaging 23 disposals at 70 percent efficiency, with 3.5 clearances and 6 tackles in four games for Western Australia at the National Championships, being among their best against South Australia, Victoria Country and the Allies. Debuted at senior WAFL level with the Eagles, averaging 18.5 disposals in two matches. His brother Charlie was drafted to St Kilda last year at pick 41 and debuted for the Saints this year. Their father Drew played 265 games for the West Coast Eagles, winning a best and fairest in 1996 and featuring in premiership sides in 1994 and 2006, making Harper eligible for the Eagles as a father-son selection. Showed not just his elite endurance but his willingness to compete by winning the 2km time trial in a time of 6:11 at the state Draft Combine in Western Australia.

Charlie Gray
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Geelong Falcons
Community Club: St Joseph’s
Date of Birth: 12/05/2008
Height: 183cm
Profile: A small forward and midfielder who is lightly framed and with massive upside, Gray excelled late in the season when given more time in the midfield. Peaked with 27 disposals at 78 percent efficiency in the Geelong Falcons’ final Talent League game against the GWV Rebels. Earlier in the season he kicked four goals against the Murray Bushrangers when playing as a small forward and overall kicked 11 goals from his average of 13.3 disposals and 3.3 tackles in 16 games for the Falcons. Tested soundly at the state Draft Combine, with his agility test (8.12 seconds) and 20m (3.05) both good indicators of his athleticism.

Jacob McNicol
State: South Australia
State League Club: Glenelg
Community Club: Immanuel College
Date of Birth: 28/06/2008
Height: 178cm
Profile: A left-footed midfielder with a real appetite for the contest, McNicol excelled with his ball-winning ability at under-18 level for Glenelg this year. He averaged 28 disposals and 5.5 clearances at 65 percent efficiency, as well as kicking 23 goals in 11 matches for the premiership-winning team. Topped off his season by winning the Allan Stewart Medal as best on ground in the Grand Final after gathering 34 disposals and kicking two goals. Clever, tough and possessing sound fundamental skills, McNicol also impressed with his footy IQ and consistent ball-winning for South Australia during the National Championships, averaging 22 disposals at 71 percent efficiency across four matches. His sharp speed (2.91 seconds for the 20m sprint) and slick agility (7.95 seconds) were both impressive features during testing at the state Draft Combine in South Australia, capping off an extremely productive season.

Matthew Owen
State: Queensland
State League Club: Brisbane Lions Academy
Community Club: Redland-Victoria Point
Date of Birth: 01/03/2008
Height: 177cm
Profile: A midfielder with high footy IQ, Owen reads the game beautifully while also displaying excellent fundamentals with clean hands below his knees and neat ball use. He is generally composed with ball in hand and makes good decisions. These traits were on show during the National Development Championships in 2024 when Owen averaged 32 disposals (12 contested) and 4.7 clearances to win the Brisbane Lions Academy MVP award, as well as the Allan McLean Medal as the best and fairest player in Division 2 to earn All Australian honours. After a promising bottom-aged year, Owen started 2026 in great touch by averaging 23.5 disposals (8.7 contested) and three clearances from his first seven matches in the Talent League for the Lions Academy, playing mostly as an inside midfielder. Won selection with the Allies for its opening match against Victoria Country then after making a promising start, including kicking a long goal on the run, he injured his shoulder which kept him out for the remainder of the year. Was unable to test at the Draft Combine while still recovering from surgery.

Brodie Wilson
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Eastern Ranges
Community Club: Upper Ferntree Gully
Date of Birth: 03/02/2008
Height: 178cm
Profile: A winger who can also play as a small forward, Wilson is lightly-framed but extremely clever in reading the game use the ball smartly by hand and foot. Dangerous around goals, he kicked 18 majors for the year, including one in the Eastern Ranges’ thrilling Wildcard Round victory over the Northern Knights when he was among the Ranges best with 20 disposals and six marks. He averaged 12.1 disposals and 3.3 tackles in 17 matches this year for the Ranges. His slick change of direction was on display with a solid performance in the agility run (8.22 seconds) at the state Draft Combine.