AFL Draft Combine 2026: Key takeaways, results, times from from the weekend

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          • Jasper Chellappah
          Oct 4, 2026, 06:15 PM ET

          There's an open pool pick one favourite to come out of the AFL Draft combine, while a key forward has bolstered his top 10 chances with a record-shattering performance in the final chance for prospects to enhance their credentials.

          The 63 most in-demand juniors converged on Melbourne across the week for club and media interviews, medicals and athletic testing at the national combine. It's a frantic week of up to 18 club interviews, media appearances and athletic scrutiny under the watchful eyes of recruiters.

          Players to forego testing due to injury included nominal pick one Dougie Cochrane (knee management), top five Dragons duo Arki Butler (hamstring) and Gus Teixeira (calf, foot), plus top 10 fancies Mitch Harris (ankle) and Ethan Matthews (foot). Marlon Neocleous, Kodah Edwards, Jackson Phillips and Noah Williams were other highly-rated prospects to miss physical testing.

          The running vertical jump record was matched then broken within five minutes and Lachie Hicks's elite pedigree was on display, finishing second in the 2km time trial, ninth in the 20m sprint and first in the agility test.

          These are the biggest winners and dominating headlines to come from an important week in the AFL Draft calendar.

          High flyer's exploits place him in top 10 range

          Sam Gayfer shattered the running vertical jump combine record on Saturday. Previously held by Leek Aleer at 107cm, the leading key forward prospect gapped that mark with a soaring 114cm on Saturday. To put that leap into perspective, it would sit comfortably at fourth all-time at the NFL Draft combine and third all-time at the NBA Draft combine. It's no wonder testers at the state netball centre asked the 18-year-old to redo his jump and double-check their accuracy.

          Adding his height, wingspan and 114cm leap together and Gayfer can pluck a football four metres off the ground.

          The nephew of Collingwood 1990 premiership defender Mick, Gayfer has all-world athleticism that shows up in the tape. He took one of the great marks out of the goal square earlier this year against the Suns Academy, soaring onto shoulders and holding on for a moment that will be replayed throughout his career.

          He's been a steady riser throughout the year, impressing most through the national championships as Vic Metro's spearhead and kicking 10 goals from four games to solidify his first-round credentials.

          Now, he's a top 10 prospect with clubs including Melbourne, St Kilda and Collingwood all in for the 194cm tall.

          Open pool No. 1 favourite emerges

          You wouldn't know it speaking to him, but Drever now has his nose in front in the race to be Essendon's selection at the top of the draft board. The humble Ballarat local has enjoyed an injury-free season, propelling himself to the top of the board for the Dons in the open pool.

          Drever plays a modern style through the midfield, driving his legs with the acceleration that saw him finish with a top five time in the 20m sprint. It's become a trademark of his to burst out of clearance and kick long-running goals as he breaks the paint of the 50m arc.

          At 188cm, Drever has the size to play inside and the defensive appetite to tackle and chase. He averaged 6.5 tackles for the Rebels and maintained his consistent excellence across wins and losses. Drever's 6:27 minute 2km showed the power athlete is on his way to building a tank as a full-time on-baller at the next level.

          While Essendon has informed Port Adelaide of their intentions of bidding on NGA star Dougie Cochrane with the first overall selection, they are still deciding on their selection between Drever, Arki Butler, Heath Mellody, Harry Van Hattum and Gus Teixeira in the open pool.

          Walker puts competitiveness on show in 2km time trial

          Cody Walker is bound for the Blues and has little left to prove after a sensational season with Carlton's VFL side. But that didn't stop him from breaking through his personal best time in the 2km on Thursday.

          "My PB was 6:13... I was just feeling good and thought I'd try the best time I can," Walker told ESPN.

          The midfielder smashed through that time with a 6:04, good for third at the combine. It was a feat made even more impressive by being in the second-fastest group and having no one by his side in the final lap. He finished nine seconds ahead of the rest of the field and admitted to finding his own personal motivation with no one to challenge him up front.

          "I'm a competitor, I do want to see where I'm at right now compared to three months later when I do a 2km at the club.

          "I just want to compete against the best talent."

          Walker's name has been up in lights for the better part of four years as Blues fans keenly tracked his progress. An Echuca native, he made the move down to Melbourne permanently this year and has been into the club full-time including game reviews, line meetings and team dinners.

          With Cochrane set to be the No. 1 pick with a bid via Essendon, Walker could slide deeper into the top five on draft night despite his enormous year in the VFL and national championships.

          Melbourne at pick six looms as the last spot where he could attract a bid, and it would be good news for Carlton who lost their 10% discount on matching a points bid with their epic run into finals under Josh Fraser.

          Holding their own selection and Sydney's first rounder via the Charlie Curnow trade last year, the Blues can match an outright bid at pick four onwards with selections 11 and 16, but risk going into deficit on their first-rounder next year if a bid on Walker comes any earlier from Essendon or West Coast.

          Nephew of Eagles great returns after ACL injury

          Koby LeCras has endured a tumultuous year. From best on ground amongst the top talent of the AFL Academy to a partial ACL tear the following week in his WAFL debut, the nephew of small forward Mark thought his season was over. But after initial scans cleared him of a full rupture, the 192cm forward circled the draft combine on his calendar.

          After just six weeks of full running, he suited up for the 2km run six months on from his injury and posted an impressive 6:23 minutes.

          "Going into it, I had 6:25 written on my hand. To get away with a couple seconds, it felt good," he told ESPN after the run.

          "You look at Gryan Miers, you can rush it. Being my draft year, I've got a lot more footy to play than just this year.

          "Whether it is combine or day one of pre-season I definitely wanted to be back for something."

          LeCras was given the all clear from doctors leading into the combine and put in a stellar performance to remind recruiters of his talent. That final full game for the AFL Academy was a three-goal performance off a wing, showcasing his athletic prowess reminiscent of Ollie Dempsey pushing hard forward for Geelong. He boasts the finesse and craft around goal of his uncle, but has ambitions of becoming a genuine key forward at AFL level.

          LeCras's range starts towards the end of the first round, and despite the untimely knee injury clubs expect him to be snapped up well within the second round of the draft after his diligent rehab.

          Long jumper leaning towards footy after dominant combine

          Mason McGroder has a big decision to make in the coming weeks. The gun long jumper already has a bronze medal from the U20s world championships at 16 years of age, and backed it up this year with a silver medal in August, but is leaning towards an AFL career after blitzing the national combine.

          McGroder posted the fastest 20m sprint of any prospect to test and did it comfortably on Saturday morning. He was also second amongst all prospects in the standing and running vertical jumps to further enhance his stocks, with clubs keen to get a look at the athletic prowess of the Swans Academy defender.

          At 194cm he can play a multitude of roles but has looked most at home in defence where his natural athleticism allows him to close distance quickly and impact in the air. Similarly to Max King 12 months ago, Sydney will be keen to lock away McGroder if he does choose footy and let the high-upside teen develop in their VFL side.

          McGroder is awaiting collegiate offers for a potential long jumping career before he makes his call, with the 2032 Brisbane Olympics another consideration as he weighs up his options.

          2026 AFL Draft Combine testing results