Opinion Pick 3 to Break Out, Maintain & Decline on 2025 Form

[Wrenny]

Prior to the start of the 2026 season, pick your own 3 players for each category to have a:

Break Out Season:

Maintain 2025 Form:

Decline 2025 Form:

By doing this exercise, the goal is for Richmond to become a better football team moving forward.

 

[Wrenny]

Reasons for mine, I’m suggesting the players from the draft past 2 years will naturally get better with pre seasons and exposure to an AFL system.

Break Out:

Josh Gibcus - Elite Junior, Josh getting his body right and developing into that intercepting CHB.

Kane McAuliffe - Huge bonus if Kane can get through the year and cement his spot on the 23. Nice addition to our midfield.

Samson Ryan - If this guy came in and was able to finally show he can be an outright #1 ruck, massive bonus.

Maintain:

Seth Campbell - Hoping he has a similar season to last year before a huge break out in 2027.

Sam Banks - Same as Seth really, stick to that form that made him a lock in the backline.

Ben Miller - Really need Ben to stay injury free and hold up that backline. Was a good season in 2025 from him.

Decline:

Dion Prestia

3

Dion Prestia

Age

33

Ht

175cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

24.1

5star

K

12.7

5star

HB

11.4

5star

M

3.1

3star

T

4.4

5star

CL

4.6

5star

D

21.2

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

10.8

5star

M

2.4

3star

T

4.2

5star

CL

3.2

4star

D

12.8

4star

K

6.0

3star

HB

6.8

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

3.0

5star

CL

1.4

4star

- this would be helped by Kane McAuliffes break out season. Dion to decline and step into that off field mentor role before retiring end of year to go into coaching.

Jayden Short - I like shorty, but he’s 30 in Jan. His decline would allow Grjl to get some games to help with his development.

Rhyan Mansell - 26 on the middle of next year so entering his prime. But I’m hopeful that MRJ, Alger and Hotton can relegate Rhyan to the 2s before getting a good deal from Tassie.

 

[THE_GUN]

Breakout - Kane McAuliffe
Maintain form - Seth Campbell
Decline - Jayden Short

15

Jayden Short

Age

29

Ht

178cm

Wt

75kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.4

4star

K

13.3

5star

HB

4.1

3star

M

4.3

4star

T

1.5

3star

MG

430.8

5star

D

19.0

4star

K

14.1

5star

HB

4.9

3star

M

6.3

5star

T

0.8

1star

MG

447.1

5star

D

7.8

2star

K

6.4

3star

HB

1.4

2star

M

3.2

4star

T

2.4

4star

MG

185.2

3star

Explode - Sam Cumming

 

[Wrenny]

Breakout - Kane McAuliffe
Maintain form - Seth Campbell
Decline - Jayden Short
Explode - Sam Cumming

Pick your own 3 for each category and reasons.

 

[tiger_tough]

 

[SouthernStripes]

Break Out Season: MRJ if he can maintain his fitness over chrissy break. Hotton gonna tear shit up, and then Go to an even higher level in ‘27

Maintain 2025 Form: Seth / Miller

Decline 2025 Form: I don’t want him to but not sure if Vlaustin can back up a great 2025. Will be 32 next year early in the season

 

[Timothy Luncheon]

Break Out Season: MRJ if he can maintain his fitness over chrissy break. Hotton gonna tear shit up, and then Go to an even higher level in ‘27

Maintain 2025 Form: Seth / Miller

Decline 2025 Form: I don’t want him to but not sure if Vlaustin can back up a great 2025. Will be 32 next year early in the season

And coming off a broken leg, sadly. I really hope it doesn't ruin the rest of his career

 

[kozi]