The Sloths (GAZ) — Grade: B-
The Sloths used the number one pick on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, who projects at a strong 109 — a genuine premium back to build around. The midfield is the backbone of this list, with Dawson (108), Merrett (103), Brayshaw (103), and Rowell (89) forming a reliable core, though none project as true elite-tier scorers this season. The glaring issue is roster construction: five rucks (Witts, Meek, Sweet, Stanley, Reeves) is an enormous allocation when you only need two per week, eating into spots that could have bolstered a middling forward line where only Sam Darcy (90) projects above 71. The injury toll is the real anchor on this team — seven players are carrying concerns, headlined by Will Day (shoulder, 12 weeks) who won't be seen until deep into the season, Cerra (hamstring, 3-4 weeks), and Rowell (finger, TBC). Dangerfield and Haynes also have niggles. This team has a solid floor but may struggle to field full-strength squads in the opening month.
Don't Pay the Perryman (SHANES) — Grade: B
Nick Daicos (113 projection) at pick 2 is the highest-projected midfielder in the draft and anchors a strong engine room featuring Neale (98), Ashcroft (103), Newcombe (98), Liberatore (87), and Simpkin (82). The backline is quietly excellent — Ash (97), Wilmot (87), Jagga Smith (85), Farrell (83), and Worrell (81) provide genuine scoring depth across the position. The problem is the forward line: beyond Zac Bailey (83) and Murphy Reid (75), the projections drop off sharply, with Langford (63), Papley (65), Morris (55), Butler (44), Read (43), and the concerning Francis Evans (projected 0, injured knee 1-3 weeks) and Cooper Trembath (projected 0). That's a lot of dead weight dragging down what is otherwise a well-constructed list. Only two injuries is a significant advantage, but the forward line will need to dramatically outperform projections for this team to contend.
Rolling the Bice (RTB) — Grade: C+
Max Gawn (102) at pick 3 is a rock-solid ruck foundation, and the midfield reads well on paper — Bailey Smith (109), Steele (106), Taranto (92), Soligo (83), Macrae (83) — but the problem is that four of the ten midfielders are carrying injuries. Smith and Treloar both face calf tests, Peatling has a hamstring, and Curtin's knee is TBC. When healthy, this midfield can compete with anyone; when not, the drop to Garcia (72) and D'Ambrosio (73) is steep. The forward line is the draft's most bloated at 14 picks, yet after Rachele (85), McKay (79), Bolton (78), and Rowston (78), the quality evaporates quickly — Schoenberg (48), Mani Liddy (0 projection), and Cleary (53) are essentially roster filler. The backline led by Clark (94) is solid but thin. This team is a bet on health that could pay off handsomely or fall flat.
Bean Team (BEAN) — Grade: A-
Quietly the most balanced list in the draft. Connor Rozee (106) at pick 4 is a premium back, and the midfield depth is formidable — Sheezel (112), Walsh (105), Oliver (100), Young (95), Fiorini (85), McInerney (83), Parker (82), Ross (84). That's eight mids all projected 82+, which is outstanding depth for filling six spots plus two emergencies. Darcy Cameron (103) is the second-best projected ruck in the draft. The forward line has a nice blend of upside (Curnow 82, Greene 87, Humphrey 75, Budarick 75, Hollands 77) with enough bodies to absorb a bad week. The backline is deep and reliable with Rozee, Bergman (87), Stewart (89), Baker (84), and Wilkie (83). The kicker: just one injury on the entire list (Nick Bryan, knee TBC). This team is built to grind out wins consistently from round one with zero excuses.
Garden Gnome Frenzy (ADAM) — Grade: B+
Tim English (111) is the top-projected ruck in the league, giving this team a massive positional advantage. The top end is star-studded — Anderson (101), Holmes (102), LDU (102), Cripps (86), Reid (86) form a deep midfield, while Zorko (94) and Houston (81) anchor a reliable backline alongside Rivers (92), Short (84), and McGrath (85). Connor MacDonald (89) and Cameron (80) lead the forwards. The concern is a sharp drop-off in quality past the first 15 picks — Perkins (58), Cook (50), Marshall (50), Dovaston (55), and Ugle-Hagan (57) are all low-ceiling selections that will struggle to contribute meaningful scores. Six injuries cloud the early outlook, particularly in the midfield where Kelly (hamstring), Mackenzie (concussion), and Culley (arm) are all under clouds. Reilly O'Brien projecting at just 53 as the second ruck is also a concern. A top-heavy team that needs its stars firing.
All Kozzy Adventures (MI) — Grade: B-
Christian Petracca (101) headlines the midfield alongside Miller (87), Caldwell (106 — a genuine steal at pick 66), Atkins (75), and Coniglio (80). The backline is this team's quiet strength — Laird (86), Fletcher (90), Banks (85), Impey (78), and Maynard (69) provide solid coverage. Luke Jackson (98) is a strong ruck pick. The forward line is where the problems lie: Pickett (89) and Miers (87, though carrying a thumb issue) are quality, but Lipinski projects at just 68 despite a strong 2025, Naughton at 75, and the bottom end features Allan (57), Higgins (60), Knevitt (60), Tholstrup (59), and Van Rooyen (59) — a lot of players projected in the same mediocre range. Six injuries add risk, with Bowey's foot (TBC) the most concerning given the indefinite timeline. Deven Robertson (65 projection) at pick 75 remains an early reach. A team with a respectable ceiling but one that lacks the forward firepower to seriously threaten the top.
The Moles (MOLE) — Grade: B+
On pure talent, this might be the best list in the draft. Errol Gulden (111), Whitfield (107), Dunkley (106), Callaghan (104), Flanders (102), McCarthy (92), McKercher (95) — the top seven picks are all projected 92+, which is outstanding. Briggs (83) is a solid ruck, and the backline of Whitfield, McKercher, McCarthy, Redman (89), Powell (86), Newman (82), and Milera (81) is deep and reliable. The caveat — and it's an enormous one — is nine injuries, the most of any team by a wide margin. Viney (achilles, 8 weeks) is a long-term loss, Conway (foot/knee, TBC) and Setterfield (foot, TBC) are indefinite, Ridley (calf, 4-5 weeks) and Daniels (hamstring, 3-4 weeks) will miss multiple rounds, and Sanders (concussion, 1-2 weeks) and Cadman (pelvis, 2 weeks) add to the early casualty list. With only 9 midfielders on the roster and three of them injured, this team faces a genuine selection crisis. If the football gods smile, this is an A-grade list. Right now, it's a hospital ward with upside.
Jim's dim sims (JDM) — Grade: C+
The draft opens strongly with Grundy (107) and Butters (106), and the midfield is deeper than it first appears — McCluggage projects at 96 (a significant bounce-back from a poor 2025), Parish (99), Hopper (83), Phillipou (84), and De Goey (82) all contribute. The backline is a genuine strength led by Mills (94), Salem (95), Bruhn (87), and Sicily (85) — four backs projected 85+ is strong depth. The forward line is the concern: after Thilthorpe (84) and Duursma (79), there's a steep drop to Martin (64), Neal-Bullen (74), Wood (64), Stringer (61), and some very weak tail-end picks in Keeler (29), Stevens (50), and Gresham (63). Three injuries are manageable, though Smillie (quad, 6-10 weeks) losing significant time hurts forward depth further. Roan Steele projecting at 0 is a wasted roster spot. This team has a solid spine but the lowest overall team average (70.1) reflects genuine depth issues.
Bowes Before Hoes (GAGS) — Grade: A
The best-drafted team in the league. The midfield is elite — Bontempelli (109), Serong (99), Warner (92), Horne-Francis (87), Ward (89), and Windhager (86) give this team six midfielders all projected 86+, which is the deepest mid rotation in the draft. The backline anchored by Josh Daicos (91), Blakey (91), Roberts (90), Dale (87), and Hollands (78) is outstanding across the board. Nankervis (92) and Pittonet (69) form a workable ruck tandem. Izak Rankine (90) leads the forwards, with Hall (78) and Curtis (68) providing secondary scoring. Five injuries are a mild concern but none are devastating — Dale and Graham are both listed as "Test" and should be available early. The depth holds up too: even the tail-end picks like Starcevich (70), Hough (63), and Perryman (72) project as useful contributors. There's no glaring weakness in this list, just consistent quality from top to bottom.
YAAC FC (YAAC) — Grade: B-
The top of this list is very strong — Xerri (102), Sinclair (102), Richards (98), Heeney (101), Noble (87), Kennedy (88), and Hewett (93) give this team seven players projected 87+, a solid premium core. Tom Powell (88), Crisp (79), and Cumming (76) add midfield depth. The forward line is where the wheels fall off: after Mannagh (88) and Ginnivan (76), the projections nosedive — Keays (73), Wright (63), Gunston (63), Campbell (60), Frederick (54), Larkey (59), Spargo (43), Mansell (50), and Liam Ryan (62). That's a lot of forwards projected under 65, and with 14 forwards on the roster, it's a position overloaded with quantity over quality. Six injuries all carry "Test" status, suggesting most should play round one, which is a positive. The backline is adequate but lacks a true premium scorer beyond Sinclair. This team's fate hinges on whether its elite mids can outscore opponents despite a bottom-tier forward line.
Draft Grades Summary
| Team |
Grade |
Proj Weekly |
Injuries |
Key Strength |
Key Weakness |
| The Moles |
B+ |
1694 |
9 |
Best top-7 picks in draft |
9 injuries, thin mid stocks |
| Bean Team |
A- |
1691 |
1 |
Balance, depth, near-full health |
No single elite scorer |
| Garden Gnome Frenzy |
B+ |
1638 |
6 |
English + deep mid, elite top end |
Sharp quality drop-off |
| The Sloths |
B- |
1617 |
7 |
Premium back, strong mid core |
5 rucks, heavy injury list |
| Jim's dim sims |
C+ |
1617 |
3 |
Grundy/Butters spine, solid backs |
Fwd depth, low ceiling |
| Rolling the Bice |
C+ |
1611 |
4 |
Gawn anchor, high mid ceiling |
4 injured mids, bloated fwds |
| Don't Pay the Perryman |
B |
1605 |
2 |
Daicos + elite mids, health |
Forward line is dire |
| Bowes Before Hoes |
A |
1603 |
5 |
Deepest midfield, balanced build |
Minor fwd tail concerns |
| All Kozzy Adventures |
B- |
1598 |
6 |
Caldwell steal, solid backs |
Forward depth weak |
| YAAC FC |
B- |
1577 |
6 |
Strong top 7, Xerri/Sinclair |
Worst forward line in draft |