Prediction Breakout player for 2026

[Duckworth]

Reckon Roberts will post Brownlow votes on the back of multiple 35+ games

Caddy is the one that we surely all want to see take a solid step towards superstar. Feel it will still be hit and miss for him.

I can’t get a read on May. Our future looks so much brighter if he is a genuine player. I haven’t seen enough to suggest he is, but am still hopeful.

Don’t know if it’s just hopes but surely Reid is ready to play a whole season. He was still growing in those early years but now is the time, if it’s ever going to happen. Outstanding talent who could be top ten in the game if he can just stay on the field and play.

I’m backing Kako as the other breakout star. Went under the radar last year but I was very impressed with his cleanliness, poise and competitiveness. So consistent for a first year but never had that 4 goal breakout game. Feel like it’s coming in 2026.

I think we just need to enjoy the ride of some good games, along with ones where they go missing. Getting games into Caddy is important, and inconsistency is to be expected. We also really need May to step up and force his way into the forwardline. Right now, we have Wright, Langford, Caddy and May (unless I'm missing anyone) - with probably 3 of those 4 playing.

 

[King Patty]

I Chose Zak Johnson. Love him - great decision maker, good kick, got footy IQ, runs to right places, has been a captain and IMO helps our ball movement. Rising star potential winner, and 22 under 22 potential squad member and potentially Crichton top 10.

But to progress as a club it needs to be multiple players

Sharp - inside mid - maybe start year as tagger nullifying opposition best mid
Caddy - someone needs to kick goals, potential to be a star, needs to deliver on field
Roberts off a great year, needs to back it up, and hopefully then some.
Zach Reid and Caldwell - were both looking top handful players for us last year if maintained injury free status. We just need good health from them to reap the rewards.
Kako will be fitter and a harder matchup this year.
Nguyen gone to another level in preseason - fitter and stronger, will be a menace for opposition small forwards
May is an adonis with a full preseason, will challenge for a spot inthe side, and may be worth giving him a crack for the future or as a tall on bench.
Saad El-Hawli - best preseason so far, can he translate it into good footy in the season.

Anything from Cox and Jones is a bonus as I have already put a line through them.
Parish, langford and Ridley just need to get consistently on the park and will help us improve. They broke out years ago though 20/21
Gerryn I'm putting as a defensive backup option, looks to have made gains in preseason, hopefully gets to debut this year.

Im not adding any pressure to Robey or Farrow, but if they get an opportunity, is a chance they stay in the side.
Robey is an Adonis, not our typical 18 year old draftee.

The injured guys, just hope they get a successful return - Hayes, Edwards, Bryan, (maybe not Bryan he will need to lead the ruck)

Clarke had a great debut, just need to see more consistency from him. He will be stronger and fitter and with Fiorini wont need to shoulder all the load. But it may be harder to work into the game from the bench or in other positions than wing.

Blakiston will be serviceable ruck support, not expecting much more than last year, but a AFL preseason could help.

lots of positivity really.

With Goldy, Lav and Shiel gone, not many old / average blokes getting in the way in 2026 (maybe Gresham).
We still got McKay, Wright, but hopefully they perform to best of abilities, if not then one of the youngsters moves past them Gerryn/May
Wright should be fine as a ruck forward if another tall forward breaks out.

And will be interesting what we do with Vissentini, he was promising, but will be hard to get games with Bryan and Blakiston starting ahead of him. Maybe he plays early before Bryan gets back.

 

[Blind Turn]

Although I half-jokingly said in the early days that Kako looks to have the low centre of gravity that could translate well to becoming our GAJ-type breakout player, now that I’m seeing more footage of his preseason, and his commitment to improving, the more I feel like it’s less a joke and more an expectation. It might not be this year but 2027 will see this kid as a midfielder. My only question to those who watch him more closely - does he have the developing engine to be that player for us (ie an elite midfielder)?

 

[NAB777]

Although I half-jokingly said in the early days that Kako looks to have the low centre of gravity that could translate well to becoming our GAJ-type breakout player, now that I’m seeing more footage of his preseason, and his commitment to improving, the more I feel like it’s less a joke and more an expectation. It might not be this year but 2027 will see this kid as a midfielder. My only question to those who watch him more closely - does he have the developing engine to be that player for us (ie an elite midfielder)?

Will not have GAJ's engine.

 

[dank420_]

This is why we are never happy. We apparently have future GAJs on the list.

 

[Vindicater]

This is why we are never happy. We apparently have future GAJs on the list.

Kako Jr to the rescue!

 

[Blind Turn]

This is why we are never happy. We apparently have future GAJs on the list.

To be clear, I’m not saying that I expect he will become GAJ level quality. It’s more like I think he will become a midfielder for us more so than a small forward. But like GAJ, he seems like he could have a switch-flicked off-season that sees him reach the required levels to make that transition. And I have the expectation now that he can become that player. My main reservation is his endurance levels.

It’s probably unfair to use GAJ as a comparison but the position he plays, his stature, his skill set, and his low centre of gravity are all in that likeness.

 

[FootyGuru]

Kako Jr to the rescue!

Kakos side step and ability to keep his feet with physical pressure is very similar to gaz Jnr. He’s already so strong over the ball and will only get stronger.

I believe kako ends up a midfielder, high half forward. Hes too good to be not around the ball.

Think we have a future game changer on our hands.