Max Downes
Northern Knights
2026 AFL Draft
Power Rankings- Power Ranking
- No. 82
- Position
- General Forward
- Height
- 182 cm
- Age at draft
- 18y 4m
- Plays for
- Northern Knights
- Invited to
- State combine
- Draft night
- 19 November
| 2026 averages | GM | KI | HB | DI | CP | MA | TA | CL | I50 | R50 | IT | SI | GL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talent League | 5 | 6.4 | 6.8 | 13.2 | - | 2.2 | 2.8 | - | 2.0 | 0.0 | - | - | 0.8 |
| Championships | 1 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 10.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 |
Bio
Max Downes is a powerful medium forward and midfielder who progressed through St Mary's to the Northern Knights in the Talent League. After featuring as a staple of the Vic Metro Under 16 side, Downes experienced an interrupted top-age campaign due to a hamstring injury. He returned to form in time to earn a representative debut for Vic Metro against South Australia at Marvel Stadium during the Under 18 National Championships.
Downes is known for a high-impact style that allows him to play much taller than his physical size. A strong overhead marking option in attack, he is equally capable of bursting from stoppages with power and speed when unleashed in the midfield. Scouts note his combative edge, persistence and strength over the ground ball, though they have pointed to his decision-making by hand and foot as areas for improvement. Having shown growth as an accumulator this year, Downes is widely rated as a late or rookie draft prospect and was invited to the state draft combine.
Talent League career
16 games8 goals
- Debut
- R15 2024 v MUR20 July 2024
- Most recent
- R13 2026 v CAL13 June 2026
Stats
Bio
Max Downes is a powerful medium forward and midfielder who progressed through St Mary's to the Northern Knights in the Talent League. After featuring as a staple of the Vic Metro Under 16 side, Downes experienced an interrupted top-age campaign due to a hamstring injury. He returned to form in time to earn a representative debut for Vic Metro against South Australia at Marvel Stadium during the Under 18 National Championships.
Downes is known for a high-impact style that allows him to play much taller than his physical size. A strong overhead marking option in attack, he is equally capable of bursting from stoppages with power and speed when unleashed in the midfield. Scouts note his combative edge, persistence and strength over the ground ball, though they have pointed to his decision-making by hand and foot as areas for improvement. Having shown growth as an accumulator this year, Downes is widely rated as a late or rookie draft prospect and was invited to the state draft combine.
Profile
- Born
- 09 July 2008 (age 18y 107d)
- Height
- 182 cm
Teams
Bio
1 revisionMax Downes is a powerful medium forward and midfielder who progressed through St Mary's to the Northern Knights in the Talent League. After featuring as a staple of the Vic Metro Under 16 side, Downes experienced an interrupted top-age campaign due to a hamstring injury. He returned to form in time to earn a representative debut for Vic Metro against South Australia at Marvel Stadium during the Under 18 National Championships.
Downes is known for a high-impact style that allows him to play much taller than his physical size. A strong overhead marking option in attack, he is equally capable of bursting from stoppages with power and speed when unleashed in the midfield. Scouts note his combative edge, persistence and strength over the ground ball, though they have pointed to his decision-making by hand and foot as areas for improvement. Having shown growth as an accumulator this year, Downes is widely rated as a late or rookie draft prospect and was invited to the state draft combine.