The AFL has invited 11 QBE Sydney Swans Academy athletes to attend the 2026 Telstra AFL and AFLW National and State Draft Combines.

Selected through nominations from AFL and AFLW clubs across the country, the Telstra AFL and AFLW Draft Combines bring together the best Under 18 football talent in Australia and provide athletes with an opportunity to showcase their abilities ahead of the national draft period. 

This marks the largest number of Academy athletes invited to participate in the Draft Combines, highlighting the strength of the Academy's 2026 season.

The Under 18 Males produced an undefeated campaign, while the Under 18 Females suffered just one narrow loss throughout the year.

The success of this age group extended beyond the Academy competition, with more than 20 Academy athletes selected to represent the Allies during the 2026 Under 18 National Championship campaign. Four of these athletes in Aurelia, Charlotte, Frances and Ashleigh were also awarded All Australian honours. 

The 2026 AFL and AFLW Draft Combines will be held across five days in Melbourne, from Tuesday, September 29 to Saturday, October 3.

Both National and State combine athletes will complete a range of physical performance tests, including vertical jumps, 20-metre sprint, agility testing and an endurance time trial. AFLW participants will undertake a 1.6km time trial, while AFL participants will complete a 2km time trial, to best reflect the running patterns of the respective competitions. Players invited to the National Draft Combines will also take part in interviews with AFL and AFLW clubs.

Players and their local clubs are listed below.

2026 TELSTRA AFL DRAFT COMBINE LIST (NATIONAL COMBINE)

Mason McGroder - Maroubra Saints

2026 TELSTRA AFLW DRAFT COMBINE LIST (NATIONAL COMBINE)

Ashleigh Barlow - UNSW/ES Bulldogs
Evie Bowie - Sydney University
Aurelia Russell - Maitland Saints
Charlotte Tidemann - North Shore Bombers
Grace Tracey - UNSW/ES Bulldogs
Frances Walsh - Sydney University

2026 TELSTRA AFL DRAFT COMBINE LIST (STATE COMBINE)

Jake Medved - Manly Warringah Wolves
Aidan McCartney - North Shore Bombers
Henry Meaney - Manly Warringah Wolves

2026 TELSTRA AFLW DRAFT COMBINE LIST (STATE COMBINE)

Ava Homerman - North Shore Bombers