Latest News About Mid Season Draft 2026

Here’s the latest overview of the 2026 AFL Mid-Season Draft (MSD) as of May 2026:

• Draft timing and structure

  • The MSD is held in May, with the order determined by reverse ladder position after round 11 and any listed vacancies on clubs’ rosters. This year’s setup includes a potential twist where the bottom two clubs play each other before the draft to decide who gets the No. 1 pick if a vacancy exists, adding a head-to-head tiebreaker.[1][4][5]
  • The 2026 MSD is being aired with broadcast coverage similar to prior years, including dedicated streams and club explainer content, to help fans track selections and eligible players.[4][1]

• Contenders and notable names

  • Jaxon Artemis is among the frontrunners for the No. 1 pick, with strong interest from Richmond (which previously held the No. 1 slot) and Essendon, who will be making the top pick this year.[1][4]
  • Other players cited as attracting interest across multiple clubs include Sam Toner, Ned Renfree, Mutaz El Nour, and Zaydyn Lockwood, with clubs reportedly monitoring these names in the run-up to the MSD.[4][1]
  • Ruck and tall target prospects such as Alex Mirkov (Williamstown), Alex Van Wyk (North Adelaide), Flynn Riley (Carlton), Xavier Bamert (North Melbourne VFL), and Nic Staropoli (Calder Cannons) have also been mentioned in various bulletins as players in contention or of interest to multiple clubs.[1][4]

• Draft order and eligibility

  • The order, unlike the national draft, is specifically aligned to fill vacancies and is influenced by teams’ injury/list status entering the MSD window. Several clubs currently have vacancies due to long-term injuries, creating slots for MSD picks (e.g., Essendon, Richmond, West Coast, Carlton, Port Adelaide, North Melbourne) as reported in draft coverage.[5][1]
  • The MSD order is published and updated by AFL media outlets and club sources, with exchanges of interest and potential selections discussed in the days leading to the draft.[4][1]

• What to watch on the night

  • Patience around final selections: clubs weigh MSD picks against potential long-term development and list needs, with several players in contention across key positions, including rucks and midfields. Broad coverage and explainer pieces from AFL.com.au and club sites are meant to clarify the choices and order as selections unfold.[2][4]
  • Broadcast and commentary: expect live or near-live updates, with post-draft recaps and expert analysis from AFL media partners and draft specialists in the days following the MSD.[7][4]

Illustrative note

• If you’re tracking progress in real time, you’ll likely see lists of preferred players, club-specific interest, and potential trades or list changes feeding into last-minute shifts in the MSD order. The topic has been actively discussed across AFL media outlets and club communications in the lead-up to the draft window.[1][4]

Would you like a concise table summarizing the leading MSD prospects and the clubs most heavily linked to them, or a quick live-watch checklist for the MSD night? I can tailor it to the clubs you care about (e.g., Essendon, Richmond, Carlton) and include the latest linked names.

Citations:

• Overview and contenders for the MSD 2026, including Jaxon Artemis and others, from AFL coverage and club explainers.[4][1]
• MSD order mechanics and vacancy-driven picks, plus specific club injuries affecting draft spots.[5][1]
• Broadcast and expert analysis coverage expectations for the MSD night.[4]