Aidan McCartney
Sydney Swans Academy and Sydney
2026 AFL Draft
Power Rankings- Power Ranking
- No. 98
- Position
- Key Forward
- Height
- 195 cm
- Age at draft
- 18y 0m
- Tied to
North Melbourne father-son- Bid expected
- North Melbourne to match
- Invited to
- State combine
- Draft night
- 19 November
Bio
Aidan McCartney is a 191cm prospect tied to North Melbourne as a father-son selection. The son of Jason McCartney, who played 107 games for the Kangaroos, Aidan developed through the Sydney Swans Academy. He played junior football for the Willoughby Wildcats and North Shore Bombers before making his VFL debut for Sydney late in 2025. He has also represented the Allies at the National Championships. Eligible for both the Swans and the Roos, McCartney recently nominated North Melbourne as his preferred destination, with the club expected to match any bid for the state draft combine invitee.
McCartney's draft year was derailed by hip surgery in February, sidelining him for the 2026 season. He had previously built a strong record, earning Under-16 All-Australian honours in 2024 and kicking two goals in the under-17 futures game on Grand Final day last year. While listed as a general defender, McCartney has shown his talent as a forward, praised for his goalkicking craft from long range and tight angles. Scouts highlight his promising signs as a developing tall, noting only that his long-term injury has naturally limited his immediate draft visibility and on-field growth.
VFL career
1 games1 goals
- Debut
- R19 2025 v ESS2 Aug 2025
Stats
VFL
2025 | SYD | 1 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 14 |
Talent League
2025 | SYD | 4 | 6.5 | 2.3 | 8.8 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 50 |
Bio
Aidan McCartney is a 191cm prospect tied to North Melbourne as a father-son selection. The son of Jason McCartney, who played 107 games for the Kangaroos, Aidan developed through the Sydney Swans Academy. He played junior football for the Willoughby Wildcats and North Shore Bombers before making his VFL debut for Sydney late in 2025. He has also represented the Allies at the National Championships. Eligible for both the Swans and the Roos, McCartney recently nominated North Melbourne as his preferred destination, with the club expected to match any bid for the state draft combine invitee.
McCartney's draft year was derailed by hip surgery in February, sidelining him for the 2026 season. He had previously built a strong record, earning Under-16 All-Australian honours in 2024 and kicking two goals in the under-17 futures game on Grand Final day last year. While listed as a general defender, McCartney has shown his talent as a forward, praised for his goalkicking craft from long range and tight angles. Scouts highlight his promising signs as a developing tall, noting only that his long-term injury has naturally limited his immediate draft visibility and on-field growth.
Profile
- Born
- 04 Nov 2008 (age 17y 354d)
- Height
- 195 cm
Teams
Family
- Father:Jason McCartney
Bio
1 revisionAidan McCartney is a 191cm prospect tied to North Melbourne as a father-son selection. The son of Jason McCartney, who played 107 games for the Kangaroos, Aidan developed through the Sydney Swans Academy. He played junior football for the Willoughby Wildcats and North Shore Bombers before making his VFL debut for Sydney late in 2025. He has also represented the Allies at the National Championships. Eligible for both the Swans and the Roos, McCartney recently nominated North Melbourne as his preferred destination, with the club expected to match any bid for the state draft combine invitee.
McCartney's draft year was derailed by hip surgery in February, sidelining him for the 2026 season. He had previously built a strong record, earning Under-16 All-Australian honours in 2024 and kicking two goals in the under-17 futures game on Grand Final day last year. While listed as a general defender, McCartney has shown his talent as a forward, praised for his goalkicking craft from long range and tight angles. Scouts highlight his promising signs as a developing tall, noting only that his long-term injury has naturally limited his immediate draft visibility and on-field growth.