Breakout player for 2026

[Simon Crawshay]

Not sure a 20 disposal season with 1 goal is gonna do him or us any favours.

I was wondering whether someone would pick up my typo!

Yes I meant of course averaging 20 disposals and 1 goal a game.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Jack Gunston.

Should go close to kicking 100 goals on his current trajectory.

If he stays healthy and pays 23 games and we have a good year (which we should given our draw) he could give it a fair shake I reckon.

Realistically if he had another 60+ goal season that would be an amazing achievement by Uncle Jack.

 

[grumbleguts]

I think a lot of the players here are established, I don't think breaking out is what you do with you've established yourself in the team. Ward, for example has his break-out season last season. Yes, he will improve but he broke out.

For me the guy who was top five until he broke his wrist, McKenzie, will have a break-out season, and genuinely establish himself as the incumbent Sam Mitchell.

 

[Blackhawk42]

I'm hoping it's Croc as a full time mid. If that happens and Ward progresses again, we're suddenly looking strong from a depth perspective in the midfield. Anticipating more improvement from Frenchy as well.

 

[I wanna pash Nash]

I think Weddle is ready to move into the top 25-50 players in the league. Should push for AA.

 

[Slainte]

I have gone with Wiz. I reckon regular midfield minutes will add another dimension (and a damaging one at that).

 

[MasterSamurai]

Actually, easier than I thought. Mackenzie.

 

[Manila_Hawk]

I voted for Mitch Lewis.

This is his year. Super fit and firing.

 

[HairyO]

As many know I've been a huge fan of Josh Ward for a while now, but for the puposes of this poll I'm tipping Sam Butler because I think he has all the tools and more importantly the drive to become a best-22 player this year.

Internally we rate him very highly and don't forget we drafted him before Croc so we know the attributes we want are there, and after the way he's battled back through enormous hardship to force himself into the team I think we could expect big things from him in 2026.

More power to you Sam.

Getting Butler to re-sign was brilliant. A full preseason and he could be our best mid/forward.

 

[Xtreme]

Young gun Jack Gunston

19

Jack Gunston

Age

34

Ht

193cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.5

4star

K

10.5

4star

HB

5.0

4star

M

5.7

5star

T

2.2

4star

G

1.9

5star

D

10.6

3star

K

8.0

3star

HB

2.6

2star

M

4.3

4star

T

1.7

3star

G

1.6

5star

D

11.2

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

4.2

4star

M

3.2

4star

T

2.6

4star

G

0.6

3star

will win the coleman medal in 2026

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Gone for Wardy, been on before the beginning, good stepping stone last year, big jump coming in 2026.

 

[Fluro Boots]

Went with McKenzie. Based on 2024 counting as crocs breakout year and 2025 for Ward.

 

[To the Hawk]

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.

 

[cryptor]

Feel like the Wiz will take another large step up in his development next season.

His debut year was pretty incredible and only really let down by how long it took him to overcome the initial goal kicking yips. Easy Rising Star if he had kicked straight early.

And this past season was also very impressive by him, but I feel like a lot of it was on the back of his existing natural talent and just becoming more comfortable at the level. Still looking to draw free kicks at times when he has the ability to side step just about any defender.

He shared his work on his burst speed during the off season on social media and the messaging from him that I've seen about wanting to increase his fitness to play more midfield has really left an impression.

It would be so easy for him to just coast by the next 10-15 years as an exciting small forward. Average 2 goals a game, occasionally tear a game apart just to remind the footy world how good he can be. Probably end his career as a top 5 small forward of all time just doing that.

But to aspire to make the step up into the midfield where his impact could be even greater, and to be putting in the hard yards in his own time to realise it is a great sign. The aura of the club famous #5 jumper he's made the move into will also spur him on. And knowing it's Sam Mitchell's old number just drives that home. If not 2026 then watch out 2027.

 

[MazHawk]

After two pages, around forty posts and over one hundred votes, one thing is clear.

We've all pretty much given up on Huss.

 

[streetspirit]

Alas for Henry, I think it's Sam that has given up on him with how ruthless Mitchell just removed him from the game, hard half time (from memory?) subbed out in both Round 10 against the Dees and 15 against the Crows.

Regardless of what we believe, once you're on the outer with the coach, not much way to get back in.

 

[unitedhawk2]

After two pages, around forty posts and over one hundred votes, one thing is clear.

We've all pretty much given up on Huss.

I haven't - yet - but the one vote he's received so far wasn't from me.

I've gone with Frenchie. If he can replicate - or surpass - Wardy's 2025 breakout season, we'll be in a good place.

The other one I considered was Croc, who has stagnated a bit over the past season or two. His ceiling is much higher than what he has shown so far.

 

[Hodgey 15]

Frenchie for me.
Was on the cusp last year until he broke his hand.

 

[Fleabane]

After two pages, around forty posts and over one hundred votes, one thing is clear.

We've all pretty much given up on Huss.

I haven't at all. But if we're picking only one player to have a breakout year, there are others who are more likely. I went for Frenchie.

 

[becalm]

Ramsden
Thought his games towards the end of last year were very good and he was unlucky to get omitted.
Not sure where he fits in and has a tough task to break into the forward line but I think he is up to the task.

 

[TheFourPillars]

The wiz... the best is yet to come

 

[Fleabane]

The wiz... the best is yet to come

Felt like he'd almost broken out already but no doubt the best is yet to come. Will be exciting to watch!

 

[Tall poppy Syndrome]

I have no idea (for the purpose of the thread I voted Butler).

What I do know is that if the 2 Cmacs break out in the midfield then we’re going places. So that’s what I’m hoping for.

 

[Tall poppy Syndrome]

Perceptions on this stuff are fascinating. 0 votes here for Blake Hardwick

15

Blake Hardwick

Age

28

Ht

183cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

D/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.8

4star

K

9.7

4star

HB

6.1

4star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.7

4star

MG

264.7

4star

D

13.8

3star

K

9.8

4star

HB

4.0

3star

M

3.2

3star

T

1.7

3star

MG

264.7

4star

D

15.0

4star

K

8.8

4star

HB

6.2

4star

M

5.0

5star

T

1.4

4star

. 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.

 

[grumbleguts]

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.

AA? Give him the normy and a brownlow.