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.

 

[crackers65]

Nothing comes easy in professional sports. You make your own luck. This club has been a basket case for twenty years s hopefully we are on the right track, but time will tell.

 

[Yoda_]

I did vote Kako but could equally see Jayden Nguyen jumping off the board. He could either play 15+ games or play less than 4. Id be ok with either as long as he and the team are improving.

 

[ydc55]

Nothing comes easy in professional sports. You make your own luck. This club has been a basket case for twenty years s hopefully we are on the right track, but time will tell.

You are right but luck plays a part.

 

[ALL IN]

Langford to stay injury free, win the Anzac medal and end earn AA honours.
McGrath to be our best Captain since Hird.

 

[Call Me Cake]

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.

And you need paragraphs.

 

[ghostdog]

Really keen to see improvement from May and Unwin. Obviously keen for the whole team to improve, but those two being dangerous in our forwardline will change us.

 

[Petrify]

Don't think the first year players should count but if they do it's Sharp & Fiorini.

If we're talking existing listed players from last year then I think May & Nguyen will establish themselves in the 23 as regulars

 

[Blind Turn]

I’ve chosen Caddy and Reid. They will change our prospects significantly.

My solid choice though is Durham to take the next step toward elite.

My left field choices who I have an irrational faith in are El Hawli and Gerryn. If we suddenly become competitive against good teams, for some reason I can see those two as being game-changers for us.

 

[blitzer]

I ignored the first year players. I was tempted by some of our second year players especially Kako and Clarke but its hard for players to make big inroads in just their second years. Caddy was another consideration but I think with his groin injuries still slowing him down a bit it may be another year away for him.

So ultimately i went for Reid. Reid I think showed what he can do on field last year so I think with a good preseason so far we can perhaps see him do more of that for a full season this time and make the AA Squad if not perhaps the final team.

 

[Atavistic]

I'll go with Archie Roberts.

 

[EnolaGay]

I ignored the first year players. I was tempted by some of our second year players especially Kako and Clarke but its hard for players to make big inroads in just their second years. Caddy was another consideration but I think with his groin injuries still slowing him down a bit it may be another year away for him.

So ultimately i went for Reid. Reid I think showed what he can do on field last year so I think with a good preseason so far we can perhaps see him do more of that for a full season this time and make the AA Squad if not perhaps the final team.

Same

 

[FootyGuru]

If Reid plays every game this season he will be all Australian so him.

 

[ant555]

I would be happy if Read just breaks out of the rehab group.