Opinion Your big 3 players for 2026 - Who are you backing in?

[HereComesJuddy]

Ok everyone, it’s that time of year for us to get a little giddy over the players on our list. Some who are and continue to be workhorses, someone you just admire and enjoy watching and/or those youngsters who you just want to see show a bit. This is your big 3 thread where we can get around one another and enjoy the praise we see for our players.

For me:
- Campbell Chesser. I may have been the one who dropped his name very very early about guy we should be looking at, and it all went to plan from then on. The guy has had an injury interrupted career so far but towards the back end of 2025, imo, showed what he is capable of. Add to him another pre season and a better team and I think we see this guy really come of age.

- Jagga Smith. Another draftee I went in to bat for from the moment I saw vision of the chap. I’ve seen some quality youth roll through the door over my 46 years but tbh, this guy has me more excited than anyone I can recall. Light on, but when the whips are cracking, this guy will rise to the top imo. Give him the ball as often as we can and the results will show.

- Frankie Evans. Big fan and his end to 2025 was elite. I’m on the Frankie train and may in fact be conducting it he loves a goal and is unselfish. Love the way he goes about it and honest think we have a gem on our hands which literally fell onto our laps.

That’s my 3 everyone. I’m keen to hear all your thoughts and why you are backing in your 3

 

[BlueBalls#17]

Ashton Moir: really think this is the year he gets that consistency in his game. The talents there no doubt.
Really excited about a fully confident, fit and flying Ashton Moir in our team.

Frankie Evans: I was so against this man when I first seen his name in our best 23 last year, then that last month I was so happy to eat all the negative words I had said about him. If he can back that up will be one of the favs in my household.

Big Skull O’Keefe: I’m backing him in, was at his first game with the misso and kids and we all really liked what we saw, I think with a more prominent spot in the team and with abit of confidence in himself and the backing of the coaches and us he can really provide something different to our team structure.

 

[Soapy V]

Billy Wilson: Kid has the run and dash we need. Good ball user and can play. Last few games showed that. Just needs a run at it and some confidence

Cooper Lord: He is a beauty. Hard, massive workrate and clean creative hands. Can find it and the workhorse every good side needs. Caught behind Cripps & Hewett but will hopefully get more time in the middle this season

Harry Charleson: Unlucky not to debut last season. Clean, one touch creative HB. Good overhead and hits targets by foot and can find a lot of it. Doesn't have an obvious weakness. Not quick (not slow) but smart. Tough country who will handle the step up

Honourable mention: O'Keefe

 

[tarczonandjane]

Thanks for this thread herecomesjuddy! It is such a great topic.

For me:

Ollie Florent - I saw enough of him at the Swans to know he is a very solid player. I think he brings plenty to our side. I liked him at the Swans. I will love him at Carlton.

Harry Dean - I loved his dad and I love him. I want guys on the field who are competitors. He will bring it in spades, and in a position of need too.

Jacob Weitering

23

Jacob Weitering

Age

28

Ht

195cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.8

4star

K

9.1

4star

HB

4.7

3star

M

5.6

5star

T

1.3

3star

MG

189.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

16.8

4star

K

10.8

4star

HB

6.0

4star

M

6.0

5star

T

0.8

3star

MG

263.4

4star

- we need him back in All Australian form and I am confident he will be in All Australian form. No one in the comp is better down back than this guy. And he will prove it again.

 

[Bluebag13]

Sam Walsh

18

Sam Walsh

Age

25

Ht

184cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.1

5star

K

13.5

5star

HB

11.6

5star

M

5.1

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

3.4

5star

No current season stats available

D

26.2

5star

K

15.4

5star

HB

10.8

5star

M

6.0

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

4.8

5star

Jagga Smith

Harry McKay

10

Harry Mckay

Age

27

Ht

200cm

Wt

106kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.9

3star

K

7.5

3star

HB

2.4

2star

M

5.5

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

1.4

5star

D

6.6

1star

K

4.6

2star

HB

2.0

1star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.4

2star

G

1.4

5star

D

8.8

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

2.0

2star

M

4.4

4star

T

0.8

3star

G

2.0

5star

 

[BlueLocke]

Lachie Cowan - future captain if we can keep him away from Tassie. Think he'll play every game and the return of Newman and his onfield leadership will see him develop his footy IQ rapidly. Our version of Shannon Hurn

25

Shannon Hurn

Age

38

Ht

187cm

Wt

95kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

20.9

5star

K

15.7

5star

HB

5.2

4star

M

7.0

5star

T

1.6

4star

MG

389.5

5star

D

16.1

4star

K

12.1

5star

HB

4.0

3star

M

5.3

5star

T

1.0

2star

MG

271.6

4star

D

19.0

5star

K

11.6

4star

HB

7.4

5star

M

6.8

5star

T

1.6

4star

.

Will Hayward

9

Will Hayward

Age

27

Ht

186cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.6

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

3.4

3star

T

2.8

4star

G

1.1

4star

D

9.0

2star

K

4.3

2star

HB

4.7

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

2.7

4star

G

0.7

4star

D

9.4

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

3.4

5star

G

1.4

5star

- a genuine 'medium' forward who I think will pair brilliantly with Moir and Kemp (when he returns)

Ben Ainsworth

9

Ben Ainsworth

Age

27

Ht

178cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.1

4star

K

8.1

3star

HB

6.1

4star

M

3.5

4star

T

2.7

4star

G

0.7

4star

D

12.8

3star

K

8.3

3star

HB

4.5

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.3

3star

G

1.0

4star

D

13.6

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

6.8

5star

M

3.8

4star

T

3.4

5star

G

0.6

3star

- reckon he's got a point to prove. Looks in supreme condition. Think he'll pop up for a 1.5 goal a game season.

 

[Bletch]

Sam Walsh

Jagga Smith

Harry McKay

Yep, same 3 for me. Want to see Walsh back to his best, injury-free, and pip Nicky for the Brownlow. Harry to own the forward line for the Coleman. And Jagga dominate from day one for the Rising Star.

 

[Robertio]

Good thread HereComesJuddy

1. Sam Walsh

18

Sam Walsh

Age

25

Ht

184cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.1

5star

K

13.5

5star

HB

11.6

5star

M

5.1

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

3.4

5star

No current season stats available

D

26.2

5star

K

15.4

5star

HB

10.8

5star

M

6.0

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

4.8

5star

, i don't think we've seen the best of him yet, his last few games last season in reduced gametime were elite.

2. Harry McKay

10

Harry Mckay

Age

27

Ht

200cm

Wt

106kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.9

3star

K

7.5

3star

HB

2.4

2star

M

5.5

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

1.4

5star

D

6.6

1star

K

4.6

2star

HB

2.0

1star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.4

2star

G

1.4

5star

D

8.8

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

2.0

2star

M

4.4

4star

T

0.8

3star

G

2.0

5star

, looking forward to him being the no 1 man in the forward line.

3. Campbell Chesser, we need run and kicking skills.

These 3 fire and we're a chance for finals.

 

[SurreyBlue]

Sam Walsh

18

Sam Walsh

Age

25

Ht

184cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.1

5star

K

13.5

5star

HB

11.6

5star

M

5.1

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

3.4

5star

No current season stats available

D

26.2

5star

K

15.4

5star

HB

10.8

5star

M

6.0

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

4.8

5star

Adam Cerra
Jagga Smith & Ollie Hollands (on the wing)

 

[Revenant1995]

Aside from the obvious like Cripps, Walsh, Hewett, or Weitering, Cowan, Newman, or the big H-Mac (and the Sydney arrivals), the three I'll watch with interest are:
Harry Dean. Wouldn't be surprised to see him in Rd 0, and play most of the games for this season. I think he has a real presence, and he will be a strong addition to defence alongside some other strong defenders. He'll be a 'rock'.
Jagga Smith. Should add to our midfield from get-go, and be a strong favourite to win rising star. Expecting big things and some OMG moments. He's a 'gun'.
Ashton Moir. Excitement machine. Maybe even some 'goal of the year' nominations... He'll be a 'jet'.

 

[tarczonandjane]

Yep, same 3 for me. Want to see Walsh back to his best, injury-free, and pip Nicky for the Brownlow. Harry to own the forward line for the Coleman. And Jagga dominate from day one for the Rising Star.

Closest to the pin on what McRae will say if Walsh pips Nicky D for the Brownlow?

 

[SirSanchez]

took me little while to land on my top 3 I’m backing in.

Chesser: underrated in this draft period and I don’t mind this. Reckon he’s about to explode for us next year. Genuinely excited to see what he can achieve.

Walsh: caveat - provided he signs before the season starts and is co-captain. If that happens watch the f*** out. He will dominate. League won’t be ready for what he’ll unleash.

Jagga: was torn on number 3. Could’ve been Dean, florent, or hawyward but I’ve gone with Jagga. Kid will be itching to get out there and prove himself with dash and flair.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Lachie Cowan
Elijah Hollands
Adam Cerra

 

[Pablito]

TDK
JSOS
Curnow

If we can get these guys playing well. We win most games.

 

[T2B_]

Billy Wilson: Kid has the run and dash we need. Good ball user and can play. Last few games showed that. Just needs a run at it and some confidence

Cooper Lord: He is a beauty. Hard, massive workrate and clean creative hands. Can find it and the workhorse every good side needs. Caught behind Cripps & Hewett but will hopefully get more time in the middle this season

Harry Charleson: Unlucky not to debut last season. Clean, one touch creative HB. Good overhead and hits targets by foot and can find a lot of it. Doesn't have an obvious weakness. Not quick (not slow) but smart. Tough country who will handle the step up

Honourable mention: O'Keefe

I am also on the Cooper Lord train. I genuinely think he may have another gear in him yet.

 

[ITCHY EYEBALLS]

Moir
Chesser
Cowan

 

[Benaly28]

1.Jagga
2.Ison
3.Moir

 

[lukep_86]

Walsh: Think he'll return to his 2023 finals form.
Motts: Got a feeling this year it'll finally click.
Jagga: Kid is all class, can't wait for him to show the footy world what he can do.

 

[BlueTongue]

Ben Ainsworth

9

Ben Ainsworth

Age

27

Ht

178cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.1

4star

K

8.1

3star

HB

6.1

4star

M

3.5

4star

T

2.7

4star

G

0.7

4star

D

12.8

3star

K

8.3

3star

HB

4.5

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.3

3star

G

1.0

4star

D

13.6

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

6.8

5star

M

3.8

4star

T

3.4

5star

G

0.6

3star

- to echo BlueLocke , deffo reckon he's got a point to prove and looks like a very fit hardbody.
Harry Dean - Just looks and sounds impressive. Already have a man-crush
Big Skull O'Keefe - I reckon he was just starting to warm up at the end of last year and will grab the opportunity presented.

 

[Sweet Seventeen]

Great thread HCJ, just so hard to nominate only three.

My man Moir should be ready now to have a break-out season. Having some bursts in the midfield and using his sublime kicking off both sides

up forward. Going to be scintillating to watch.

Jagga cannot be left out, he will win the Rising Star and be an integral part of our new look midfield. Very handy setting up shots on goal as

well across half forward.

Harry Dean will have learnt a lot from his legendary old man. He will be a chip off the old block and have a ripping first season and play nearly

every game. Who needs SOS? Harry Dean has a huge future in front of him.

Honourable mentions to Chesser, Lord, Charleson and Frank the tank.

 

[passmark]

F Evans x 3

Others need not apply

 

[Matty411]

I think the 3 to watch this year are as below. Honourable mentions to Reidy, Walshy to star and big H as the main man.

1st is Jagga. One year too late but more mature and hungrier. RS fave by a mile and will elevate our movement from day one.

2nd is Cow. Filled out, found his feet and belongs. Ready to see him explode and start to take games by the neck. Hope he signs long term to avoid a Tassie raid.

3rd Im going with our forgotten warrior and another backman in Newy. Our general was missed so much in 2025 and im glad we didn't rush him back. Will be a cool head and give us 2 more years of great service. Bet he cant wait to play with Ollie and Will again, just quietly.

Big year for the club, Vossy and our direction. Cant wait to see Harry Dean take the field. Him and Jagga will breathe life into the squad.

 

[Juddrockz]

Walsh.
Moir.
Jagga.

 

[BluStreak]

Blake Acres

13

Blake Acres

Age

30

Ht

193cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.5

4star

K

8.9

3star

HB

8.6

5star

M

3.7

4star

T

3.2

5star

CL

1.9

4star

D

12.7

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

7.7

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.7

4star

CL

1.0

3star

D

8.2

2star

K

3.8

2star

HB

4.4

4star

M

1.2

2star

T

2.4

4star

CL

1.8

4star

Adam Saad

42

Adam Saad

Age

31

Ht

178cm

Wt

79kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.5

4star

K

10.0

4star

HB

7.5

5star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.7

4star

MG

349.1

5star

D

20.7

5star

K

12.0

5star

HB

8.7

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.4

3star

MG

388.3

5star

D

17.6

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

7.2

5star

M

4.2

4star

T

1.2

3star

Nick Newman

All three have been solid best 22 for us and had an off year for various reasons, so I am keen to see if they are still contributors at AFL quality.

 

[RAPPA]

Newman - he is our backline general

Motlop - forced into a new forward line structure and now has a couple handy medium forwards to work with. 2026 is now or never.

Cottrell - 2025 was ruined by injury. He doesn’t an A grader by any stretch but a solid role player who I think can really help us with his running capacity and ability to snag a goal