Prediction 2026 Player Predictions

[Charlie Bucket]

Another AA nod for Big chilli dog Timmy English in 2026.

The new ruck rules suit him, but even disregarding those, I reckon he’s going to that next level.

Confident, big, strong, around the ground game. I reckon it all comes together this year.

Putting my money on him hitting Gawn stratosphere in 2026.

 

[JohnnySteel]

Another AA nod for Big chilli dog Timmy English in 2026.

The new ruck rules suit him, but even disregarding those, I reckon he’s going to that next level.

Confident, big, strong, around the ground game. I reckon it all comes together this year.

Putting my money on him hitting Gawn stratosphere in 2026.

When English is on, we look unstoppable. Let’s hope you’re on the money.

 

[dogwatch]

Another AA nod for Big chilli dog Timmy English in 2026.

The new ruck rules suit him, but even disregarding those, I reckon he’s going to that next level.

Confident, big, strong, around the ground game. I reckon it all comes together this year.

Putting my money on him hitting Gawn stratosphere in 2026.

Just needs some luck keeping clear of head knocks.
He seems to lose confidence for quite a while after each knock. Which is entirely understandable.

 

[Charlie Bucket]

Just needs some luck keeping clear of head knocks.
He seems to lose confidence for quite a while after each knock. Which is entirely understandable.

I’d forgotten about his concussion history. Could probably even assume one more and it could all be over for him? He’s had a few bad ones.

 

[Mojorisin]

Hynes to push through for mid minutes.
Treloar to put 2025 behind him and return to close to his best.

 

[Foxman98]

Maiden AA jumper for 3 F/S guns Darcy West Libba

 

[BigFloppa]

Sellwood to make the AA squad

 

[TiAn_]

Jordan Croft to kick 15-20 goals as a forward/ruck and allow Darcy to be close to full-time KPF.

Sanders to either supplant Libba for significant inside mid minutes or request a trade at the end of the season.

Jones and Dolan to finally push Vandermeer out of the best 23 for a chunk of the season.

 

[DiamondDogs8]

Carmichael to debut early and stay in the team

Hynes, Dolan and Arty all cement themselves in best 23

Darcy to kick 80 goals

 

[scratchie]

Another AA nod for Big chilli dog Timmy English in 2026.

The new ruck rules suit him, but even disregarding those, I reckon he’s going to that next level.

Confident, big, strong, around the ground game. I reckon it all comes together this year.

Putting my money on him hitting Gawn stratosphere in 2026.

Tim has had the Longest ruck apprenticeship in VFL/afl history. But 2025 was graduation - his best year - far better than his AA year as an actual Ruckman. Started slow but got better and tougher as the season went.

That said, in 3 years time, Sam Darcy will be the best ruckman in the league by a mile. His ruck craft is entirely instinctive and it comes with an embarrassment of tricks.

 

[weltschmerz]

O’Donnell cements himself as one of the league’s better key defenders.

 

[JohnnySteel]

O’Donnell cements himself as one of the league’s better key defenders.

I second this - has a look about him, seems determined to step up & be the main man back there.

 

[grassman75]

Sellwood to make the AA squad

As captain

 

[blagodellago]

O’Donnell cements himself as one of the league’s better key defenders.

At his best he reminds me of Jack Buckley

 

[HK_Bulldog]

Freijah to go up another level and make the AA squad / team.

 

[MaxiBont]

Josh Dolan to cement himself as a Best 23 player.

 

[bobs head soup]

Louis Emmett will be in the senior team, have a rising star nom and have us all seriously excited by year's end.

Loves the contest, going up against the Rucks in early preseason, 6.07 2km, kicking goals from 50 in underage comps.

That's a serious set of tools to be opening with and looks reasonably developed for a kid with a big frame.

 

[BomToydd]

Louis Emmett will be in the senior team, have a rising star nom and have us all seriously excited by year's end.

Loves the contest, going up against the Rucks in early preseason, 6.07 2km, kicking goals from 50 in underage comps.

That's a serious set of tools to be opening with and looks reasonably developed for a kid with a big frame.

I thought he was a second round pick? The way everyone here talks about him sounds like he should have been pick 1

 

[BomToydd]

Darcy will spend time in defence and do a better job than any of our actual KPD's

 

[DiamondDogs8]

Darcy will spend time in defence and do a better job than any of our actual KPD's

Whilst I agree he would do a better job, I just can’t see it happening

 

[Mojorisin]

I thought he was a second round pick? The way everyone here talks about him sounds like he should have been pick 1

He was in conversations for pick one late last year but an injury interupted year stopped that.

 

[BomToydd]

Whilst I agree he would do a better job, I just can’t see it happening

Think it will only happen when the midfield is being beaten and we're not getting the ball forward. And probably only against teams with 2+ quality tall forwards like Hawks, Freo, Adelaide and now Suns if JUH is playing well. English, Croft, Khamis or Lobb could move forward while Darcy is back

 

[BomToydd]

He was in conversations for pick one late last year but an injury interupted year stopped that.

Didn't know that. Strange he wasn't taken earlier

 

[bobs head soup]

I thought he was a second round pick? The way everyone here talks about him sounds like he should have been pick 1

Silly me. It's obviously without precedent that a second round selection can make a meaningful contribution.

 

[BomToydd]

Silly me. It's obviously without precedent that a second round selection can make a meaningful contribution.

Surely he has some flaws though? Why wasn't he picked up earlier given it was widely reported to be such a weak draft?