Have mentioned him previously.
Deadset freak, he is an unbelievable talent.
Fark Port get Dougie and Zemes in back to back drafts plus Salopek. 
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What about Bewich, Darwish and Rodan
Is that like the Yugoslav version of Darren’s kid?
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Imagine Darren Bewick with the crazy intensity of your average Balkan? Scary combo.
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GET OUT OF MY WAY FARKEN!
I’M TRYING TO KICK GOALS FARKEN!
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For those complaining about the lack of indigenous talent on our list, this is a big reason for it. Most of the better players seem to be linked to other teams via the NGA or Northern Academies meaning we don’t get access to them.
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There’s truth in that statement generally speaking but Zemes Pilot isn’t indigenous and Dougie Cochrane… well… nobody seemed to even know he was indigenous until it was convenient. And Salopek is a father/son.
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At this stage I’m not anticipating either Dawish or Rodan going in the top 10, although of course things could change.
I rate them both as prospects, but this 2027 crop genuinely looks quite special.
Under the new rules, matching on picks gets increasingly easy the later the bid, so if they end up 20+ then we shouldn’t have any trouble.
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If only we were allocated a zone of our own. One that is known for producing highly talented indigenous footballers. Then we could put some resources in to developing them for ourselves.
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I think Walsh, Baxter and Koby are clearly top 3, Zemes is inconstantly brilliant at the moment
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How much footage have you seen of Rodan and Darwish, noob?
There’s not much around so is it maybe a bit hard for you to be definitive on them?
I’m not definitive on anyone two years out from their draft.
I’ve seen them both play their three u16 champs games and the couple of games at talent league level. I think they’re both excellent prospects, but this crop looks to be incredibly stacked at the top end.
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Sorry @noobermensch definitive was the wrong word. I guess you’re just leaning that way.
I don’t think either showed much at the champs or Coates League. They were overshadowed by others more advanced and in terms of Coates, much older.
So I think possibly a better guide is their performances at local level. I can’t comment on what Darwish has done at a local level but can comment on Rodan. He’s pretty special.
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Both had some standout moments at the U16 champs against their peers.
Darwish was super competitive and poised with the ball. Looked to be developing a really nice combination of size and athleticism. Rarely put a foot wrong when the ball was in his area and won a lot of 1v1 contests.
Rodan was quiet the first two games as a defender, but then had a big breakout in the final game when he got a chance to play through the midfield. Completely dominated that third contest with ball winning and breakaway pace. I think at this age you’re looking for moments, and he definitely had one there.
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indigenous mother, american father
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Thought he was just of African American background. I stand corrected.
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Have we picked up Arki Butler yet?
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Was the pilot FIFO?
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There’s been plenty of buzz around Lewis Houndsome this year, a big lump of a lad near 200cm tall who moves really well, plays with a physical edge, and can take a grab at a point that few defenders can reach. Lewis hasn’t managed to truly dominate a game this year or kick a big bag of goals. Draft watchers and recruiters will be looking to see him impose himself on games more consistently in 2026.
The ruck/forward combo of Houndsome and Van Hattum shapes as an exciting watch next year for the Northern Knights.
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On your points in order:
- We’ve had plenty of time to prepare: yet we haven’t accrued any extra 2027 picks
- we’ll be able to dip into future picks: sure we can. But those are also compromised due to both 2028 and 2029 having U17 mini-drafts and teams being able to use the Tassie compensation picks for players lost in those drafts, not just in 2026. Certainly with GWS I think most teams used their compensation picks in later draft(s). So, the value may be less than normal and it will cost a tonne to get early picks.
- there will be a team in Tasmania with a stack of early picks that they’ll be required to trade: except the word was they’ll be penalised quite heavily for trading those for other picks. The AFL wants them trading for players.
As I said, if we want to trade players we can fix this, or if we trade our first next year, but elsewise I think it will cost a packet and EFC would probably skip.
Obviously it depends on the exact AFL changes to matching rules, but if it does require you to only use 2 picks, we’ll potentially need two top 15 picks if he’s as good as we think. And recognising that Tassie will have half the top 10-15 picks and won’t want to trade them for picks.
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