Prediction Breakout player for 2026

[TennisPlayerAndy]

I don't think he is ever going to be a 30 plus player but can be elite in many other ways for the team.

I don’t expect 30+.

But he’s gotta get 40% more ball to get to 25.

That’s a yawning chasm.

 

[Val Keating]

I don't think he is ever going to be a 30 plus player but can be elite in many other ways for the team.

He’s pretty handy around goals. Not sure if his % reflects that, because he can spray them but he’s got a nose for them, if he gets a sniff he’ll have a crack.

 

[Ball Dont Lie]

I know what you meant to say but I don't want any drug scandals at North Melbourne, just in case you DID mean the other thing

Oh no I have mozzed him. Curse my dyslexia. If anything he needs stimulants not cones !!

 

[Hojuman]

On the FOS bandwagon. Seen alot of players in 60+ years following North.

Really, really think we have something special here.

( shout out too to Riley - n.f.b. )

 

[hilly]

Probably not a popular choice but Powell for me will have a really good year and improve out of sight.

Agree, Simon Black like

 

[pupstar]

Agree, Simon Black like

Obviously he is no were near as good as Black was and never will be but still think he can improve on his game he is only 24 coming into his prime age wise. Lets just wait and see i suppose.

 

[zoomba23]

He needs to be getting 20+ a game which is close to 25% more than his career average.

Elite guys have closer to 30. He’s a ways off that.

He'll never be that particular guy. 24-25 with a bunch of Kamikaze shit will be his ceiling

 

[zoomba23]

McKercher. Could argue last year was a mini breakout, but he was rubbish in the first half, and still pulled off the odd mind bogglingly shit kick even after he came good. I think his game evens out and he's the bloke opposition coaches are most worried about by the bye

 

[KiwiRoo]

Agree, Simon Black like

Im on the Powell train too..had enough decent moments to suggest there's a good footballer there
sure he needs to work on stuff..hopefully he will do that

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

On the FOS bandwagon. Seen alot of players in 60+ years following North.

Really, really think we have something special here.

( shout out too to Riley - n.f.b. )

FOS, Kerch, Riles and a fit Goater (with Stephens and Scott as backup) is a pretty awesome Wing/Running Flanker brigade, tbh.

 

[RightWingRoo]

All being well the Warlord will hit 50 games mid year and I reckon he'll explode from there. Can see him building on finally getting continuity in his game and finding another level in the 2nd half of the year. Similar to Colby last year

 

[RooInNorthLondon]

I am 100% on the FOS hype train though I think he will see a lot of game at HB not mid/wing. I also think Trembath will have himself a solid season. Some ups and downs along the way and he won’t bag 3 per too often but 20 games and 30+ goals if he can stay injury free. CZ type numbers but with more upside ahead of him to position himself as the breakout favourite for 2027!

 

[kanga kanga kanga]

Spargoat is gonna breakout and be primed for best young player.

 

[guapo]

Spargoat is gonna breakout and be primed for best young player.

Also in the running for best first year player, recruit of the year, best could-have-been-a father-son, and best played-in-premiership-for-Melbourne. Big year ahead for Spargoat, let’s hope the afl.com web streams of the VFL can capture all his highlights

 

[kanga kanga kanga]

Agree, Simon Black like

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Hardeman, FOS, Trembath and Banch would be my picks. All four have taken big steps this preseason and have been completing 90+% of all sessions.

Hards and FOS more physically mature now.

Trembath take his conditioning and strength to another level.

Banch just showing that he has all the tools and workrate to become an AFL footballer.

 

[Its a Process]

Hardeman, FOS, Trembath and Banch would be my picks. All four have taken big steps this preseason and have been completing 90+% of all sessions.

Hards and FOS more physically mature now.

Trembath take his conditioning and strength to another level.

Banch just showing that he has all the tools and workrate to become an AFL footballer.

Hards is a sneakily incredibly important signature we need lock away early in 2026. Reckon WCE will come hard for him.

 

[kool kangas]

On the FOS bandwagon. Seen alot of players in 60+ years following North.

Really, really think we have something special here.

( shout out too to Riley - n.f.b. )

l also think we will have FOS as a standout this season and l will also be on the Hardeman bandwagon as well. He will be the breakout player on the backline for me this season.

So for me its 2 players FOS and Hardeman..

 

[El Capuano]

Reckon Hansen will surprise a few this season!

 

[Sticksphat]

He'll never be that particular guy. 24-25 with a bunch of Kamikaze shit will be his ceiling

And when we get to play finals it will be when he does these things that will show his true value to us.

 

[DuckYeah]

CCJ

 

[Passmore]

And when we get to play finals it will be when he does these things that will show his true value to us.

I think what the final product of what he could turn out to be is grossly underestimated.

 

[ChopChopDigDig]

Reckon Hansen will surprise a few this season!

I don’t see where he fits in our best 23 with our FWD and wing stocks - Durs, Banch, Dova and JK ahead of him, and Jy, Stephens, Powell, FOS all ahead on the wings. Where does he play?

 

[Sticksphat]

I think what the final product of what he could turn out to be is grossly underestimated.

He could be our Paul Kelly, (not the singer), our Voss, even a classier Jack Z. Here's hoping anyway.

 

[zoomba23]

Reckon Hansen will surprise a few this season!

What's changed from last year?

It's all mental for him. Something will need to shift