Player Watch 2026 Rising Star Predictions Thread

[kreuze_missile]

I couldn't find a thread so I thought I'd add one.

Plenty of young talent floating around in the AFL system, time to predict who will win the rising star in 2026.

 

[NetworkNerd]

Harry Dean?

 

[Mynamesinuse]

Alex Tauru has to be favourite

 

[g_TRAIN]

It's really just a complete guess this time of year.

Tauru would be a chance but they again KPP often don't win.

 

[Worm4]

Alex Tauru has to be favourite

Jagga smith would be favourite i reckon

 

[Mr Meow]

Young Shaun Mannagh will surely be in contention.

 

[Orange crush]

Young Shaun Mannagh will surely be in contention.

What about that Patrick danger something you’ve got playing forward?

 

[Lingsface]

Dark Horse- Cody Curtin, Jasper Alger, Cooper Trembath

Possible winners- Jagga, Sharp, Duursma. CDT, Smillie, Leake, Stevens

 

[Pomsta]

I've put a little bet on Hotton. Seems the type that wins this award.

 

[tiger_tough]

Dark Horse- Cody Curtin, Jasper Alger, Cooper Trembath

Possible winners- Jagga, Sharp, Duursma. CDT, Smillie, Leake, Stevens

Doubt it. We have better chances than Alger and Smillie is no chance. He is yet to resume full training, will have a delayed start to the season and would have to play at least a few weeks in the VFL first IMO. If he does play 10 or less games @ AFL level which I think he will, he'd have to be a favorite for 2027 though.

 

[tiger_tough]

Assuming Jaggas knee holds up he is the deserved favorite. He will play every game and probably rack up 20+ each week with ease and probably a handful of 30+. He probably won't have the impact per possession that others might but that wont really be a consideration for rising star judges. Having said that $2.75 odds is way too short for a bloke that is yet to play a game.....

For us I'd probably have Hotton most likely then Cumming who will likely start in the midfield round 1. Retschko is a smokey as he is likely to start on a wing r1, has the advantage of being a 2nd year player, has a huge tank and showed he has no issues finding the ball at VFL level for cats last year. Although typically our wingman seem to be directed to guard space and hold structure more than getting involved in offensive chains and rack up the possessions like most other teams (which gives me the farking shits), so we shall see what Yze has in store for him.

 

[nameless]

My top 3:

1. Jagga
2. Sharp
3. Shanahan

 

[tiger_tough]

My top 3:

1. Jagga
2. Sharp
3. Shanahan

Get ya hand off it Daryl.

 

[nameless]

Get ya hand off it Daryl.

Bookies have him in the top 10, don't think it's that outrageous a call that he comes 3rd

 

[tiger_tough]

Bookies have him in the top 10, don't think it's that outrageous a call that he comes 3rd

They have CDT in there too. No chance either feature in the top 10. It's far easier for mid to come in and get instant recognition.

 

[Lingsface]

Watching Lindsay in the practice match , he is a rising favorite.

 

[SSSSSS]

It will be some random Geelong player with the same haircut and headband plucked out from nowhere that nobody has ever heard of.

 

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Jagga a deserved favourite but based on odds I think he is poor value with so many variables that can happen.

My top 3 I will be betting on
Leo Lombard - got him at $51 but is into $26.
Dylan Patterson - $41
Josh Lindsay - $51

the real value considering he was drafted as a mature age, will play round 1 and impact immediately is Latrelle Pickett at $51.

 

[Sttew]

It will be some random Geelong player with the same haircut and headband plucked out from nowhere that nobody has ever heard of.

One Rising Star in the past 18 years at Geelong, and there would be few people who don't know about him. 35 goals on the wing is not a bad return for a reigning RS

 

[Footy Smarts]

Jagga a deserved favourite but based on odds I think he is poor value with so many variables that can happen.

My top 3 I will be betting on
Leo Lombard - got him at $51 but is into $26.
Dylan Patterson - $41
Josh Lindsay - $51

the real value considering he was drafted as a mature age, will play round 1 and impact immediately is Latrelle Pickett at $51.

Tough for a kid who has never played afl and coming off an acl to dominate from the start.

You'd think other early picks from last year that got some games under their belt would be more chance to step up. Guys like Draper, Tauru, Lombard, Hotton, etc.

 

[SSSSSS]

Jagga a deserved favourite but based on odds I think he is poor value with so many variables that can happen.

My top 3 I will be betting on
Leo Lombard - got him at $51 but is into $26.
Dylan Patterson - $41
Josh Lindsay - $51

the real value considering he was drafted as a mature age, will play round 1 and impact immediately is Latrelle Pickett at $51.

Lindsay was kicking absolute bullets in the intra.

Remains to be seen if he can handle the step up in pressure at the AFL level but he just keeps lacing it out all game.

 

[Mr Meow]

Assuming Jaggas knee holds up he is the deserved favorite. He will play every game and probably rack up 20+ each week with ease and probably a handful of 30+. He probably won't have the impact per possession that others might but that wont really be a consideration for rising star judges. Having said that $2.75 odds is way too short for a bloke that is yet to play a game.....

For us I'd probably have Hotton most likely then Cumming who will likely start in the midfield round 1. Retschko is a smokey as he is likely to start on a wing r1, has the advantage of being a 2nd year player, has a huge tank and showed he has no issues finding the ball at VFL level for cats last year. Although typically our wingman seem to be directed to guard space and hold structure more than getting involved in offensive chains and rack up the possessions like most other teams (which gives me the farking shits), so we shall see what Yze has in store for him.

Retschko as a smokey is delusional as it gets.

 

[Mr Meow]

It will be some random Geelong player with the same haircut and headband plucked out from nowhere that nobody has ever heard of.

Dempsey's work surprised you the past couple of years, I'm guessing.

 

[tiger_tough]

Retschko as a smokey is delusional as it gets.

Well hes 23rd in line according to the bookies so that'd probably leave, at a guess, 100-150 odd other eligible prospects that would all in fact be MORE delusional.....according to sportsbet at least.

Anyhoo I said hes a smokey. Do you know what a smokey is? Here -

A smokey in betting is a long-shot horse, team, or player with high odds and low expectations of winning, often referred to as a "roughie" or underdog.

Is Retschko not a long shot with low expectations? If not, what is he? I wouldn't be surprised at all if he got a nomination given he is likely to play a decent amount of games, would you?

Sometimes you have to take your anti Richmond goggles off and think about what you're actually arguing against rather than constantly being a bull to a red rag......

 

[Mr Meow]

Well hes 23rd in line according to the bookies so that'd probably leave, at a guess, 120-150 odd other eligible prospects that would all in fact be MORE delusional.....according to sportsbet at least.

Anyhoo I said hes a smokey. Do you know what a smokey is? Here -

Is Retschko not a long shot with low expectations? If not, what is he? I wouldn't be surprised at all if he got a nomination given he is likely to play a decent amount of games, would you?

Sometimes you have to take your anti Richmond goggles off and think about what you're actually arguing against rather than constantly being a bull to a red rag......

He's not a smoky to win the RS anymore than Richmond are smokies to win the 2026 flag. A smokey for a nomination maybe? Not to be in the leading field by end of season.