Player Acquisition and Strategy Manager Michael Regan previews the 2026 Telstra AFL Draft.
By AFL.com.au & Western Bulldogs Media
Western Bulldogs recruiting boss Michael Regan says the club is “really comfortable” with the “four or five” players it expects to be available at its pick in the first round of the Telstra AFL Draft on Wednesday night.
The Dogs currently have pick No.14 but AFL.com.au’s expert Cal Twomey expects that to slide out to No.20, once bids on Academy and father-son prospects eventuate.
Speaking to AFL.com.au’s Cal Twomey and Riley Beveridge, Regan said the Dogs would be open to moving either up or down the draft order, depending on the players available at any point and the offers that came from other clubs.
“We’re really flexible, so if there’s an opportunity to come up a little bit, that’s a reasonable cost for us, then that’s something we’d look at,” Regan said
Likewise, if we feel like some of the players that we’re looking at in that range of the draft are still going to be there, then we’d be happy to look back.”
Regan said Lindsay’s ability to rise to the occasion in 2025 had impressed recruiters across the League.
“Josh has had a really, really good year. Every time the level of play went up, Josh went up and he’s been someone that I think all clubs would be looking at,” he said.
“That kicking out of the back half is something that’s really integral to modern football and the ability to really slice and dice and open up a game from that region of the ground … is really important.”
Will Darcy, the 196cm younger brother of superstar Bulldogs forward Sam and the son of former club skipper Luke, is another potential arrival at the Kennel this week after following a slightly different path to his brother.
Will Darcy during the 2025 Coates Talent League Boys match between GWV Rebels and Oakleigh Chargers. (Photo by Cameron Grimes/AFL Photos)
Sam was drafted at No.2 in 2021 but Will is expected to go on the second night of this year’s draft, if a rival club doesn’t bid on him.
Dogs recruiting boss Michael Regan said Will’s development through school footy and with the Oakleigh Chargers in the Coates Talent League had been pleasing.
“He started off the year outside the Oakleigh program, and a fair bit of that was just a family decision to make sure that he could focus on his schooling and really enjoy that year 12 year at Scotch College,” he said.
“He started the year off like a rocket at Scotch, especially down at Geelong College, I think he ripped that game apart.
“Will’s continued to develop and evolve, and even since his footy has finished, going through the interview process, just seeing the difference in Will, the chest puffs out a little bit more and he’s got a bit of a presence about him so we’re really excited about what he can do for the footy club.”
Regan said the Dogs were prepared to match a bid for Darcy should one come in the national draft, and viewed it as a compliment for the younger Darcy.
“We are hearing that there could be a bid late which is something that we would be able to deal with on the night, and it’s fantastic reinforcement for Will that his year has caught the eye of other clubs as well as us.”
