Prediction Breakout player for 2026

[TheUnicorn]

It's time to make a call on who you think will step up and breakout this year. Whether it's Parish, with a healthy shot at it, or one of our exciting young players!

 

[Vindicater]

Durham to become AA calibre.

Tsatas to become best 22.

 

[ydc55]

We need Caddy to play 22 games and kick 50 goals.
We need him tracking like Matthew Lloyd did after his third year though he plays higher up the ground.
But what we need to see is green shoots to grow.
Players such as Kako, Clarke, Reid, Bryan, may, Z Johnson, Visentini, Tsatas, Unwin and El Hawli.
We need players such as Durham and Caldwell to become a grade midfielders.
We need better durability from McKay, Parish, Setterfield, Ridley and Langford.
Lastly we need a few surprise packets to emerge.
Can Dyson Sharp have a Joel Selwood first year?
Can Sullivan Robby show glimpses of Dustin Martin?
Can Jacob Farrow show signs to develop into an elite kick under pressure?
Can Jayden Nguyen establish himself as a tight defender?
Can Lachie Blakiston nullify good ruckman and hold the fought early in the year?
Can Archie Perkins display consistency and competitiveness in 100% of his game time?
Can Kayle Gerryn take Peter Wright’s spot which must surely be up for taking?
We have a lot of question marks but if Caddy, Caldwell, Durham, McKay, Reid and Ridley play 20 games each I think we can be in the battle for 7th to 10th.

 

[Yoda_]

Voted Kako, with reports of him having a blistering pre season, he seems very assured of himself, even in 2025 was confident.

Can see him going from the current 11.9 possession/0.7 goal a games to Tom Papley

11

Tom Papley

Age

29

Ht

177cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.1

4star

K

9.1

4star

HB

5.0

4star

M

3.7

4star

T

3.2

5star

G

1.5

5star

D

12.3

3star

K

8.9

4star

HB

3.4

2star

M

4.5

4star

T

1.5

2star

G

2.4

5star

D

13.4

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

3.4

4star

T

3.4

5star

G

1.6

5star

type numbers (15 possessions/0.9 goals a game)

 

[Yoda_]

We need Caddy to play 22 games and kick 50 goals.
We need him tracking like Matthew Lloyd did after his third year though he plays higher up the ground.
But what we need to see is green shoots to grow.
Players such as Kako, Clarke, Reid, Bryan, may, Z Johnson, Visentini, Tsatas, Unwin and El Hawli.
We need players such as Durham and Caldwell to become a grade midfielders.
We need better durability from McKay, Parish, Setterfield, Ridley and Langford.
Lastly we need a few surprise packets to emerge.
Can Dyson Sharp have a Joel Selwood first year?
Can Sullivan Robby show glimpses of Dustin Martin?
Can Jacob Farrow show signs to develop into an elite kick under pressure?
Can Jayden Nguyen establish himself as a tight defender?
Can Lachie Blakiston nullify good ruckman and hold the fought early in the year?
Can Archie Perkins display consistency and competitiveness in 100% of his game time?
Can Kayle Gerryn take Peter Wright’s spot which must surely be up for taking?
We have a lot of question marks but if Caddy, Caldwell, Durham, McKay, Reid and Ridley play 20 games each I think we can be in the battle for 7th to 10th.

thats a lot that needs to go right mate. At least we are a young side that should have plenty of development in us.


Im not counting on Ridley, Langford, McKay, Reid. IF they go well, great! but they've proven time again to be untrustworthy at the highest level (body wise obviously)

 

[eth-dog]

No Farrow option?

 

[ydc55]

thats a lot that needs to go right mate. At least we are a young side that should have plenty of development in us.


Im not counting on Ridley, Langford, McKay, Reid. IF they go well, great! but they've proven time again to be untrustworthy at the highest level (body wise obviously)

I reckon we have been unlucky for a fair chunk of time.
Maybe we are due. New year and change of luck

 

[MiguelM]

Sharp & Clarke for me.

Kako will improve but almost had a breakout year in his first.

Think Unwin has a chance to cement his place later in the year alongside Kako.

 

[Yoda_]

I reckon we have been unlucky for a fair chunk of time.
Maybe we are due. New year and change of luck

Would be nice if we finally get some wins with the list. fitness, later gems, early picks turn into stars. Some clubs have all the luck whilst others dont.