Tamworth’s fierce local rivalry will take centre stage in the 2026 Carlton Draft, with the Tamworth Kangaroos and Tamworth Swans selected to take part in the national initiative.
The two AFL North West NSW clubs will each recruit a former AFL star for a one-off match, bringing elite-level experience to one of the region’s most storied match-ups.
The Carlton Draft, now in its fifth year, is designed to support grassroots football by giving community clubs the opportunity to bring an AFL great into their ranks. This year’s theme of rivalry will see traditional opponents face off, with Tamworth’s cross-town clash among three featured contests nationwide.
Both the Kangaroos and Swans have long been central to the local football scene, with their rivalry reflecting a deep competitive history as well as the broader challenges faced by regional clubs in recent seasons.
Representatives from the two Tamworth clubs will travel to Melbourne next month for Draft Night, where they will secure their high-profile recruits.
The 2026 Carlton Draft player pool includes a host of decorated names, including two-time Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett Jr, former Essendon captain Dyson Heppell, West Coast great Josh Kennedy and Hawthorn premiership player Josh Gibson.
More than 160 clubs from across Australia applied to be part of this year’s program, underlining the strong demand for initiatives that support local football communities.
Draft Night will be held on Thursday, 7 May at the Palace Hotel in Camberwell.
Carlton Draft nominee Dyson Heppell said the concept offered a unique opportunity to connect with regional communities.
“I was thrilled to get the call up for this year’s Carlton Draft and now that the clubs are locked in, I’m even more excited to see where I may be heading!” he said.
“What an honour it will be to pull on a local jumper and hopefully give the footy clubs a day to remember.
“The impact you can have goes beyond the football club; it ripples through the entire community and that is a special thing to be part of.”
Carlton marketing manager Jessica Johnson said the program continued to resonate strongly with clubs across the country.
“The Carlton Draft is now in its fifth year, and its popularity shows no sign of waning. We received over 160 entries from across VIC, NSW and WA with so many compelling stories amongst them,” she said.
“We were blown away with the response, and we are excited by the opportunity to support these six amazing clubs and their communities.
“Carlton Draught has a long history of supporting grassroots footy and the Carlton Draft continues this tradition.”
Like what you’re reading? Support New England Times by making a small contribution today and help us keep delivering local news paywall-free. Donate now