AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has released profiles on the top small and medium forwards 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 and medium forwards 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

Keenan Boi
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Gippsland Power
Community Club: Warragul
Date of Birth: 03/11/2008
Height: 179cm
Profile: A powerful and skilful small forward and midfielder, Boi brings the heat with his aggressive tackling and pressure and shows plenty of flair and speed to break the game open. He claimed the Gippsland Power’s best and fairest award in their Talent League premiership campaign, displaying innate goal sense with 23 majors in 17 matches. He also averaged 15 disposals and four tackles and showed he could apply his craft in the midfield too. Was really impressive in Victoria Country’s win over the Allies to open the National Championships, picking up 16 disposals, five tackles and kicking two goals before a minor hamstring injury forced him to miss the game against South Australia. The young First Nations star is a member of Hawthorn’s Next Generation Academy.

Arki Butler
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Sandringham Dragons
Community Club: Beaumaris
Date of Birth: 23/04/2008
Height: 182cm
Profile: An exciting and classy forward and midfielder, Butler has the ability to win the ball in a contest by turning his opponents inside out, with his change of direction and smart use of his body both real weapons. A mercurial talent with a high footy IQ, he was a dangerous presence inside forward 50 during the National Championships. Created many scoring opportunities and booted five goals (and six behinds), before sustaining an injury and missing the final match. Still impressed enough to be awarded All Australian team honours. A member of the AFL National Academy, he was also an All Australian at under-16 level in 2024 and capped an outstanding junior career by being named in the 2026 Talent League Team of the Year. He has strong AFL bloodlines, being the grandson of St Kilda premiership player Allan Davis, who played 250 games across four clubs. Was unable to test at the Draft Combine due to hamstring injury.

Harvie Cooke
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Northern Knights
Community Club: Eltham
Date of Birth: 04/12/2008
Height: 176cm
Profile: A powerful midfielder and small forward who is creative and tough, Cooke had an outstanding year at club and representative levels. Won the Morrish Medal and the Northern Knights best and fairest award in the Talent League, as well as All Australian honours after an outstanding National Championships campaign for Victoria Metro. He used his natural spring, strong hands overhead and clean disposal as weapons playing predominantly forward for Victoria Metro, averaging 17.5 disposals at 69% efficiency, 3.2 tackles and a goal a game across four matches at the Championships. Excelled with a best on ground performance against South Australia at Marvel Stadium, kicking three goals from 18 disposals and seven marks (two contested), as well as being among Victoria Metro’s best against the Allies. His work around stoppages was outstanding for the Northern Knights, averaging six clearances and five tackles, as well as 25 disposals (50% contested) to win selection in the Talent League Team of the Year. Wrapped up his brilliant Draft year with an impressive athletic performance at the Draft Combine, being ranked fifth in both the 2km time trial (6:08) and the agility run (7.96 seconds).

George Dimer
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Sandringham Dragons
Community Club: East Brighton Vampires
Date of Birth: 21/06/2008
Height: 173cm
Profile: Pocket rocket with speed and agility to burn, Dimer makes things happen with his creative ball use and dynamic movement up forward or through the midfield. Starred for Victoria Metro at the National Championships, with his crumbing work and footy smarts top shelf in the wins over Western Australia and the Allies. He averaged 16 disposals and kicked three goals in three matches, before injury kept him out of the final game against Victoria Country. Had an excellent year for the Sandringham Dragons in the Talent League, averaging 15 disposals and 1.4 goals in seven matches, mixing with his Haileybury College commitments where he starred as their captain. His elite agility was on show at the Draft Combine, being ranked third in the agility test (7.89 seconds), as well as performing strongly in the 2km time trial (6:28) to round out an impressive season.

Khaled El Souki
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Western Jets
Community Club: Newport
Date of Birth: 04/07/2008
Height: 175cm
Profile: A powerful left-footed small forward or midfielder with a sharp competitive edge and prolific goal sense, El Souki was in outstanding form early in the season for the Western Jets before he suffered a broken ankle. The injury sidelined him for six weeks, but he was able to make it back for Victoria Metro’s final game of the National Championships. Kicked 40 majors (and only 15 behinds) in 13 matches to top the Talent League goal kicking table, which included two bags of six goals. He was rewarded with Talent League Team of the Year selection and finished third in the Western Jets best and fairest award. Gave a further indication of his innate ability up forward with a three-goal performance in his VFL debut for Footscray. Of Lebanese heritage, El Souki is a member of both the AFL’s Multicultural Academy and the Bachar Houli Academy, as well as the Western Bulldogs’ Next Generation Academy.

Archie Elliott
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: GWV Rebels
Community Club: Horsham
Date of Birth: 10/08/2008
Height: 182cm
Profile: Medium forward who is a jack-in-the-box with his spring and marking, Elliott was consistently dangerous up forward throughout the season. He booted an impressive haul of 50 goals in 18 games for both the GWV Rebels and Victoria Country, being the most productive of his type for the season. All this unfolded after playing the first two games for the Rebels as a defender, highlighting he’s still learning his forward craft. Has speed off the mark, great hands and is an accurate kick for goal. Elliott starred for Victoria Country with four goals against South Australia during the National Championships, finishing the campaign by averaging 13 disposals, five marks and 3.1 goals per game. Was runner-up in the Rebels’ best and fairest award, as well as being recognised with Talent League Team of the Year honours. Showed good endurance during the 2km time trial (6:28 seconds) at the Draft Combine.

Anthong Long
State: South Australia
State League Club: West Adelaide
Community Club: Jervois
Date of Birth: 23/03/2008
Height: 184cm
Profile: A medium forward who is strong in the air and can turn his opponent inside out with his sharp change of direction. Long was dangerous at club and representative level throughout the season, highlighted with selection in the All Australian team following impressive performances for South Australia at the National Championships where he booted eight goals and averaged 10 disposals. Showed exciting aerial ability and a capability to break a game wide open at under-18 club level, averaging 16 disposals and booting 11 goals. Played two games for the Adelaide Crows in the SANFL to further his development before a groin injury cut short his season late in the year. Hailing from Raukkan, a small Indigenous community on Lake Alexandrina about 80 km from Adelaide, Long is part of the Adelaide Crows’ Next Generation Academy. Showcased his elite speed at the Draft Combine with a top-ten finish on the 20m sprint (2.94 seconds) despite being restricted as he recovers from injury.

Cameron Maynard
State: Western Australia
State League Club: South Fremantle
Community Club: Fremantle City Dockers
Date of Birth: 14/08/2008
Height: 172cm
Profile: An Indigenous small forward with dazzling speed, Maynard poses a threat with his ability to turn his opponent inside out with his change of direction and acceleration back to goal. Looked dangerous inside 50 for Western Australia throughout the National Championships, kicking five goals across four matches, while also averaging four tackles per game. He kicked 26 goals in 23 matches in the WAFL pathway during the season, which included kicking five majors in two WAFL senior matches for the West Coast Eagles, who he represented as a member of the Eagles’ Next Generation Academy. His blistering pace was on full display at the Draft Combine, finishing third on the 20m sprint with a time of 2.90 seconds.

Marlon Neocleous
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Gippsland Power
Community Club: Traralgon
Date of Birth: 26/02/2008
Height: 169cm
Profile: A creative and exceptionally clever small forward, Neocleous uses his footy nous and power to out position his opponents and is a constant threat near goals. Started the season very impressively with the Gippsland Power and grabbed his opportunity when a late call up to the Australian U18 team presented itself in April, featuring among the best players against Richmond’s VFL team with 19 disposals, nine marks and a clever goal. Mixed his football commitments between club, representative and school football throughout the year, which included starring for Caulfield Grammar in APS football. Was restricted to just two games for Victoria Country during the National Championships due to a back issue but returned to play a prominent role in Gippsland Power’s Talent League premiership team, averaging 16 disposals and five tackles per match, while kicking 12 goals in eight matches. Was unable to test at the Draft Combine as he rehabs from injury.

Gabriel Patterson
State: South Australia
State League Club: Glenelg
Community Club: Plympton
Date of Birth: 26/03/2008
Height: 185cm
Profile: An exciting medium forward, Patterson is quick on his feet, has great goal sense and is not afraid to fly for marks. Showed glimpses of his instinctive talent for both the Australia U18 team early in the year and then for South Australia in the National Championships, averaging 13 disposals and three tackles. Was near his best against Western Australia, kicking three goals in an indication of his exciting forward craft. Was at his very best during the SANFL U18 finals series for Glenelg, including starring in the Grand Final win with 23 disposals, seven marks and two goals to round off his impressive underage career. Is the son of former Collingwood forward Stephen Patterson but is not eligible as a father-son selection given his father played 96 games, four short of qualification. Gabriel’s sister, Violet, plays for the Magpies’ AFLW side. His agility was impressive at the Draft Combine, with his time of 8.26 seconds on the agility test highlighting his fast feet.

Gus Teixeira
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Sandringham Dragons
Community Club: East Malvern Knights
Date of Birth: 29/03/2008
Height: 180cm
Profile: A powerful medium forward/midfielder who is quick and a penetrating kick, Teixeira was an impressive player for the Sandringham Dragons in his bottom-aged year in 2025, giving him a solid foundation for 2026. Despite having a few challenges with illness and injury, he started this year in great form with strong performances in the Talent League, school football and in the Victoria Metro trials. He carried that form into the National Championships, where he averaged 17 disposals (six contested) and 4.2 tackles, displaying his one-touch hands, good vision and game sense to earn All Australian honours. Was particularly impressive against the Allies with 22 disposals and four goals. Averaged 18 disposals for the Sandringham Dragons in a season interrupted by a few niggling injuries but was still rewarded with selection in the Talent League Team of the Year. Did not test at the Draft Combine due to a calf injury.

Angus White
State: South Australia
State League Club: South Adelaide
Community Club: Willunga
Date of Birth: 06/06/2008
Height 185cm
Profile: A powerful and super competitive half-forward and midfielder, White showed off his ball-winning ability, speed, aerial presence and goal sense in both his 16th and 17th years, prior to suffering an ACL injury early this season. He was rewarded with All Australian honours following the U16 National Championships in 2024 after dominating the tournament, averaging 22 disposals and 10 contested possessions. That body of work showed AFL clubs his potential. Is well on the road to recovery after suffering that knee injury but was unable to test at the Draft Combine.

STATE DRAFT COMBINE

Cain Florance
State: South Australia
State League Club: South Adelaide
Community Club: Kingscote
Date of Birth: 13/03/2008
Height: 176cm
Profile: A small midfielder or forward with speed and agility, Florance has quick hands and high footy IQ, as well as an innate ability around goals. Was dominant at under-18 club level for South Adelaide this year, averaging 20 disposals and kicking 17 goals before being promoted to the reserves team. He played five reserves matches, including being part of the victorious Grand Final team, contributing well with three goals. Also showed his forward craft in three matches for South Australia in the National Championships, adding to his development this year. He grew up learning the game on Kangaroo Island, before moving to the mainland two years ago to further pursue his football dream. Tested extremely well at the state Draft Combine in Adelaide, with his results in the 20m sprint (2.95 seconds), running vertical jump (87cm) and agility test (7.99 seconds) all in the elite level.

Lachlan McGlade
State: Western Australia
State League Club: East Perth
Community: Upper Swan
Date of Birth: 06/10/2008
Height 174cm
Profile: A livewire small forward with innate goal sense, McGlade can also push up and play in the midfield, as he did regularly for East Perth at colts level, averaging 18 disposals and four tackles in five matches. Looked dangerous in one-on-one situations during the National Championships while representing Western Australia, regularly displaying swift change of direction and speed towards goals. He kicked two majors from 12 disposals to feature being among his team’s best in their opening win over South Australia and also hit the scoreboard with three goals against Victoria Country. Finished with seven goals for the carnival and was Western Australia’s most dangerous and productive forward. His sharp time in the agility test (8.30 seconds) at the state Draft Combine in Perth was a glimpse of his athletic ability.

Marcus Prasad
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Community Club: Dromana
Date of Birth: 23/03/2008
Height: 168cm
Profile: A feisty, tough and crafty small forward, Prasad overcame an early season syndesmosis injury, which sidelined him during the National Championships, to play some impressive football in the back half of the season. A left footer with fast feet and quick hands, he is dynamic around goals. Booted a bag of five goals against the Tasmania Devils late in the year and finished the Talent League season with 20 majors in 10 matches, while averaging 19 disposals and five tackles. An All Australian at under-16 level in 2024, he finished this year as one of the Dandenong Stingrays best players in their Grand Final defeat to the Gippsland Power, picking up 21 disposals. Tested soundly at the state Draft Combine in Melbourne, with his results in the 20m sprint (3.03 seconds) and 2km time trial (6:37) both strong indicators of his athletic ability.

Zach Stevens
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Geelong Cats VFL
Community Club: South Barwon
Date of Birth: 06/07/2007
Height: 178cm
Profile: A small forward with dazzling speed, Stevens had some eye-catching moments for Geelong’s VFL team this season after joining from South Barwon mid-year. Played 10 VFL games, averaging 11 disposals and three tackles, along with kicking seven goals. Finished the year playing in a VFL Grand Final for the Cats before returning the next week for another Grand Final for South Barwon. Unfortunately, he was on the losing end of both results, but he’d already caught the eye of scouts by that stage. Also played three Talent League games with the Geelong Falcons during the season, which included kicking three goals against the Tasmania Devils to cement a late invite to Draft Combine testing, having had no previous involvement with the Talent Pathway until this season. At the state Draft Combine he grabbed everyone’s attention with a blistering 2.78 seconds on the 20m sprint, which was the best performance across this year’s Combine events. His running vertical jump (84cm) and agility test (7.88 seconds) were also both elite, giving an insight into his overall athletic weapons.

Cody Templeton
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Gippsland Power
Community Club: Warragul Industrials
Date of Birth: 01/01/2008
Height: 180cm
Profile: A midfielder and forward who is an exceptional kick, Templeton topped off his season with five goals and 18 disposals in a best on ground performance for the Gippsland Power in the Talent League Grand Final. The performance showcased his class and composure as one of the team’s co-captains. Finished the Talent League season with 30 goals, while averaging 18 disposals and four marks across 18 matches to finish second in the Power’s best and fairest award. Also kicked five goals for Victoria Country in the National Championships, including three against Western Australia in a strong performance at Marvel Stadium. Showed sound agility (8.41 seconds) during testing at the state Draft Combine in Melbourne.

Finlay Yeo
State: Western Australia
State League Club: East Fremantle
Community Club: Booragoon
Date of Birth: 01/04/2008
Height: 172cm
Profile: A small forward/midfielder who is extremely agile and quick, Yeo plays bigger than his height suggests, with his spring and aerial ability making him dangerous one-on-one. Dominated at colts level for East Fremantle, averaging 21 disposals at 75% efficiency and kicking nine goals across the season for the premiers. He showed he has X-factor by getting in and out of congestion when representing Western Australia in all four matches during the National Championships. Was particularly impressive against the Allies when extremely clean at ground level, picking up 16 disposals and kicking two goals in an eye-catching performance. Yeo is of Singaporean descent and is a member of Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy. Put in a real eye-catching performance at the state Draft Combine in Perth, breaking the agility test record with a time of 7.53 seconds to beat the previous best time of 7.77 seconds set by fellow Western Australia product and GWS Giants rising star Darcy Jones in 2022.

Previously
Smalls
Rucks and tall forwards
Defenders