Breakout player for 2026

[kazzooka]

There are many i'm expecting great improvement/more consistent output from in Dear, Lewis, Mackenzie, Butler, Weddle, Day, Watson, Reeves and a smokey chance with McCabe.

But gave my vote to Josh Ward. 2024 he was fringe but played some good late season games and finals. Last year he stood up in Day's absence as a consistent best 22 player and reliable mid. I am expecting end of 2026 that won't be talking about the big 2 in the midfield it will be the big 3 in Day, Newcombe and Ward who are tearing teams apart.

I have high hopes that we will transform the side to really stay top 4 all year and absolutely bury the weak sides that we didn't really do in the past. North, Richmond, West Coast, Essendon, Melbourne, Carlton.

 

[cryptor]

Perceptions on this stuff are fascinating. 0 votes here for Blake Hardwick. Now, don’t get me wrong, nobody in their right mind would nominate him for a ‘breakout’ year in 26, especially given how good he’s been for several years already and the fact that everyone on this board knows it.

But you could see late last year he was finally starting to just get some recognition in the broader media, eg Nathan Buckley in commentary calling him the best small defender in the comp, Richo being very complimentary etc.

Now if that continues into 26, such that he enters serious contention for the first time for AA etc, would the media call it a ‘break out’ year for him? My hunch is no, I reckon they’d ultimately concede that they’re re-framing him as a player. But it’s still an interesting question.

"It's fascinating nobody has mentioned the guy who will be 29yo by his next AFL game and is already being recognised externally as the best in the league for his position. Personally I wouldn't nominate him as having a breakout, nor do I think any sane person would. But would the media? I also think not."

Sorry to take the piss but your post amused me.

 

[matey]

Sad seeing Worps leave but keeping positive and backing in Ward to fill the spot …… full time to spread his wings and fly!

 

[Cannyman]

Hardwick will make the All Australian team this year. He was starting to get talked up by the media last year, which is a good sign. Not sure if that makes him a ‘breakout’ player next year, but he’ll be a good show nonetheless.

 

[Tall poppy Syndrome]

"It's fascinating nobody has mentioned the guy who will be 29yo by his next AFL game and is already being recognised externally as the best in the league for his position. Personally I wouldn't nominate him as having a breakout, nor do I think any sane person would. But would the media? I also think not."

Sorry to take the piss but your post amused me.

The danger of sharing my internal monologues. It’s fraught.

 

[checkraiseulite]

weddle could be anything. wiz.

 

[Randy Campbell]

Ned Reeves.

 

[madhawksfan]

Went with Weddle but could’ve easily voted for Ward, Dear, Butler, Wiz, Frenchie or Croc. Reeves another who could take it to new heights.

Shows how exciting the upcoming season is with so many younger players on the verge of taking it to the next level.

That’s without even factoring in the draftees or guys like Scrim, Ginni, Chol and Battle who took their games to new levels last year.

Or Lewis and Day who just need a clear run with injuries.

So much potential in this group.

 

[Strebi3]

Croc. Finally training as a mid and has produced some good footy in patches but never consistently (although his 2024 season to some was criminally underrated). Just always looks set to explode, I'm hoping this is the year we see it

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

Too many to pick from.

The following I think could make their first AA squad in 2026:

Scrimshaw, Weddle, Watson, Ward, MacDonald, Lewis, Meek.

Butler and Mackenzie are the 2 on the periphery of best 23 in recent years that should solidify themselves.

A full season of Dear and he might be the most exciting prospect on our list once he reaches 50 odd games.

If Mraz pushes his way into our best back 7 than that will be some breakout.

Would love Sicily and Moore to find their very best again in 2026.

A healthy Will Day will be as influential as any player in the game in 2026. Beyond stats. Everyone walks taller next to him and he regains momentum. Cats and Danger don't roll in the third term of the prelim for as long if we had Will.

Will would taken ownership of the situation and gone toe to toe with him. Isn't as big as Danger but can be as physical as anybody to his own detriment. He would have been throwing himself at him trying to limit his influence for sure.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

Croc. Finally training as a mid and has produced some good footy in patches but never consistently (although his 2024 season to some was criminally underrated). Just always looks set to explode, I'm hoping this is the year we see it

He's got all the tools, he just needs to add physicality to his game. Get the hard ball when it's there to be won and be strong defensively too.

 

[ppphawk]

He's got all the tools, he just needs to add physicality to his game. Get the hard ball when it's there to be won and be strong defensively too.

Thats what worries me about croc in the midfield.
Hope he proves me wrong.

 

[kazzooka]

Thats what worries me about croc in the midfield.
Hope he proves me wrong.

That and some of his positioning when he has been in the middle or even just pushing up to stoppages on wings etc has been pretty bad.

Hopefully training with the mids more he will know better where to setup in certain situations.

 

[Brant]

Mitch Lewis (please, sweet baby Jeebus, let him remain fit )

 

[bigmaxi]

Perceptions on this stuff are fascinating. 0 votes here for Blake Hardwick. Now, don’t get me wrong, nobody in their right mind would nominate him for a ‘breakout’ year in 26, especially given how good he’s been for several years already and the fact that everyone on this board knows it.

But you could see late last year he was finally starting to just get some recognition in the broader media, eg Nathan Buckley in commentary calling him the best small defender in the comp, Richo being very complimentary etc.

Now if that continues into 26, such that he enters serious contention for the first time for AA etc, would the media call it a ‘break out’ year for him? My hunch is no, I reckon they’d ultimately concede that they’re re-framing him as a player. But it’s still an interesting question.

Yep, an overnight sensation that we have know about for years !! AA would be well deserved.

 

[bigmaxi]

Been a while thinking on this and my pick is Sam Butler. We have witnessed some hints at his talents and he has shown us all his tenacity. Hard as a cats head and will play midfield and HHF or defensive forward. So glad we convinced him to stay at the club. Just a note that when we are firing we are rotating several thru the midfield. There is a guy at the Lions who is pretty handy named [PLAYERCARD]Zac Bailey[/PLAYERCARD], Sam could be our handy guy.