Six SANFL players selected in 2026 AFL Mid-Season Draft

By ZAC MILBANK

Six SANFL players have been selected in the 2026 AFL Mid-Season Draft, with three Woodville-West Torrens players set to have their chance to shine at elite level.

Eagles key defenders Lukas Cooke (Melbourne) and Liam Puncher (Collingwood) were snapped up after their stunning performances in the Hostplus SANFL League against Port Adelaide on Saturday while dynamic utility Max Beattie was rewarded for his hot start to the season with selection at Hawthorn.

North Adelaide midfielder Oliver Francou was the first of the SANFL selections, chosen by West Coast at Pick No.3 before West Adelaide ruck Caleb May was gifted his AFL opportunity by the Western Bulldogs at Pick No.9.

Roosters ruck Alex Van Wyk was the only SANFL player to be taken by either of SA’s AFL clubs, landing at Port Adelaide with Pick No.14 after previously training at Alberton during the preseason.

Both aged 22, Cooke and Puncher’s physical maturity will provide them with the springboard to push for AFL selection immediately.

Cooke, who represented the West End State Team in Perth, hauled in 14 marks, including eight intercepts, against the Magpies while Puncher earned the Round 7 Powerade Breakthrough Player Award for also pulling in 14 marks in the same game.

Beattie, who trained with Fremantle for an SSP list spot in 2024, is likely to attract Magarey Medal votes in the opening two matches after booting eight goals and collecting 52 disposals combined in Round 1 and 2.

SANFL Executive General Manager of Football Matt Duldig said having six players selected highlighted the strength of the Hostplus SANFL League and the significant development of players at SANFL clubs.

“SANFL congratulates the six Hostplus SANFL League players who’ve been picked up in the AFL’s Mid-Season Rookie Draft this evening,” Duldig said.

“From a player’s perspective I think it is fantastic that they now have the chance to follow their dreams in the AFL but it is important to note the significant impact this has on our SANFL clubs.

“Woodville-West Torrens in particular has worked extremely hard for the success it has enjoyed so far this season and to lose three key players with no ability to replace them is particularly challenging.

“SANFL has had ongoing conversations about the level of compensation clubs receive because we don’t believe the current payment of $10,000 properly represents the effort, time and money that’s been put into developing these players.”

Five SANFL players were selected in the 2019 AFL Mid-Season Draft, four were chosen in 2021, six in 2022, two in 2023, four in 2024 and six last year.