Players that enter a new tier 2026

[My Tilly]

Heard SDK might be moving to the ruck though?

God, hope not.
The guy runs from physicality and would be mentally shot with the new ruck rules implemented this year.

 

[Lingsface]

I’m big on O’Sullivan and SDK as key defensive pillars. Heard SDK might be moving to the ruck though?

Yes, full availability will determine where they play I think. If Kolo and Henry are available they might be used as more utility types. COS has been tried on the wing as well. I like him down back at CHB because I love how he is so competitive in not getting beaten, 1st 2nd and 3rd efforts all at maximum effort.

 

[Lingsface]

God, hope not.
The guy runs from physicality and would be mentally shot with the new ruck rules implemented this year.

That is a bit harsh, is tougher than his brother haha.

 

[Golumless]

Which players do you see raising up a level in there football for 2026. It might be from unknown to best 22 or a solid player to a very good player or a very good player to a superstar.

These are all stabs in the dark but interested to see others opinions.

Mine are

Adelaide-
Michalanney goes from a good player to a very good player who is verging on AA squad.
Rachele becomes a consistent performer and a non-negotiable on the selection table.
Thilthorpe goes to superstar level.

You're about a year too late on both of them (and about 4-5 years on Rachele being a non-negotiable on the selection table).

For Adelaide:

Agreed on Michalanney, though he's waiting for a change in role to do so.
Rachele to break into the elite echelon. Was well on the way last year, but injuries derailed his career, and will get a shot at being a front-line inside midfielder at the start of the year.
Peatling should get more midfield opportunities and my hope is he ends up a 6-6.5 clearance per game player (which is what we need).

Cook and Pedlar to be locked in best 22 members by the end of the year.

 

[Lingsface]

You're about a year too late on both of them (and about 4-5 years on Rachele being a non-negotiable on the selection table).

Maybe but Rachele seemed to be in and out and not consistent still. Thilthorpe is a good call but needs to have another year like last or better to go from star to superstar.

 

[Golumless]

Maybe but Rachele seemed to be in and out and not consistent still. Thilthorpe is a good call but needs to have another year like last or better to go from star to superstar.

Nah, Rachele got hit with a few injuries last year, but has played every game that's he's been fit since 2023. Kind of wasted what was on track to a break-out campaign seeing he was going at 14.2 disposals, 2.3 goals (and 1.2 behinds) and 2.4 tackles when he was fit last year (this is minus sub performances, and a few games near the end where he got subbed).

He's probably ready for a role change to get some more separation from Rankine in the lineup to really go to the next step though, which sounds like will happen as he's probably becoming a starting inside midfielder.

 

[Lingsface]

Nah, Rachele got hit with a few injuries last year, but has played every game that's he's been fit since 2023. Kind of wasted what was on track to a break-out campaign seeing he was going at 14.2 disposals, 2.3 goals (and 1.2 behinds) and 2.4 tackles when he was fit last year (this is minus sub performances, and a few games near the end where he got subbed).

He's probably ready for a role change to get some more separation from Rankine in the lineup to really go to the next step though, which sounds like will happen as he's probably becoming a starting inside midfielder.

Ok, well I stand corrected. Hopefully he can get 5 more disposals a game, is one that you want the ball in their hands.

 

[Digsby]

Lincoln McCarthy

11

Lincoln Mccarthy

Age

32

Ht

176cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.6

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

4.9

4star

M

2.6

3star

T

3.2

5star

G

0.9

4star

D

9.1

2star

K

5.4

2star

HB

3.7

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

3.3

4star

G

0.9

4star

D

9.2

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

3.8

3star

M

1.6

2star

T

2.2

4star

G

0.0

1star

in the reborn tier?

 

[Scotland]

You're about a year too late on both of them (and about 4-5 years on Rachele being a non-negotiable on the selection table).

Thilthorpe for now is a one season wonder. He's where Tom Hawkins was in 2012.

Right now he's as accomplished as Jake Waterman or Nick Larkey. His challenge is to be Ben King, not Max King. He has the talent, just needs to stay on the park and keep playing good footy.

 

[Digsby]

IF he can get his body right and play a solid chunk of games then I would give Harvey Harrison a shout

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Thilthorpe for now is a one season wonder. He's where Tom Hawkins was in 2012.

Right now he's as accomplished as Jake Waterman or Nick Larkey. His challenge is to be Ben King, not Max King. He has the talent, just needs to stay on the park and keep playing good footy.

One season wonder?

He was the best performing forward when he came back from injury for the latter part of 2024

He will be a gun for his career.

 

[Lingsface]

One season wonder?

He was the best performing forward when he came back from injury for the latter part of 2024

He will be a gun for his career.

Which would make one full season right? I hope so too by the way.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Which would make one full season right? I hope so too by the way.

He's been good for more than 1 season!

Will be a top 10 or 20 player of the competition for a while.

 

[Donflicted]

He’s seriously talented. Big fan

Elite ball knowledge

 

[Lingsface]

Levi Ashcroft average 25 disposals a game.
Lombard plays every game.

Lombard a dark horse for All Australian squad. He looks amazing in that role and I think he will be a better midfielder when the opportunity arises.

 

[kreuze_missile]

Wanganeen “1 touch in Q3” Millera has just smashed the record for most $ paid per possession.

$2 million. Wow.

 

[Eshay187]

Matt Roberts. An unremarkable name and face now. By years end it will be less unremarkable.

 

[Lingsface]

Wanganeen “1 touch in Q3” Millera has just smashed the record for most $ paid per possession.

$2 million. Wow.

No desire Nasiah.

 

[Digsby]

Jacob “The Clash will love the royalties” Van Rooyen early days but looked in pretty good nick today

 

[JHF1870]

I'm predicting Charlie Combien

14 Intercept possessions last week. I had him BOG and I know that will be controversial but make no mistakes, he absolutely dominated Georgiades went forward for a goal and owned that defensive 50

I think this guy will be the biggest breakout in 2026

 

[Digsby]

I'm predicting Charlie Combien

14 Intercept possessions last week. I had him BOG and I know that will be controversial but make no mistakes, he absolutely dominated Georgiades went forward for a goal and owned that defensive 50

I think this guy will be the biggest breakout in 2026

Finally got a good run with his body and North are reaping the rewards

 

[Lingsface]

For Freo, I would have thought Josh Treacy would be a standout to elevate himself from a B level player to an A grader. I can easily see him kicking 50+ this year and leading the Dockers forwards. I rate him very highly.

This looks spot on atm his presence is massive and is a genuine chf.

 

[Lingsface]

Adelaide:
Michalanney becomes an All Australian calibre defender.
Rachele stands out as a mid-fwd quality player.

Brisbane:
Fletcher pushes the All Australian squad as a genuine gun.
Cameron gets back to his best.

Carlton:
Moir becomes a consistent performer and showcases his game breaking ability.
Jagga quickly becomes one of Carlton’s most important players.

Collingwood:
De Goey plays most of the year and lives up to the potential A Grade calibre quality.
McCreery becomes a genuine mid-fwd threat.

Essendon:
Zak Johnson pushes his name into the best 23 every week and showcases his quality.
Durham pushes further as a consistently quality midfielder.

Fremantle:
Young cements himself as a genuine gun of the competition, A Grade calibre.
Darcy lives up to the hype, and stays fit.

Geelong:
Dempsey takes the next step into the midfield.
O’Sullivan steps up as the quality main key defender in a top 4 side.

Suns:
Will Powell gets recognised as a genuine classy defender.
Petracca regains his top status.

GWS:
Callaghan becomes superstar level.
Coniglio regathers his classy form.

Hawthorn:
Newcombe takes the step up to superstar level.
Ward becomes a genuine gun A Grade midfielder.
MacDonald successfully makes the transition as a mid-fwd and produces pure quality.
Lewis finally stays fit and kicks 50+ goals as a Coleman Smokey.

Melbourne:
Gawn adapts to the new ruck rule changes and stamps that he’s still the best ruck in the league.
Rivers becomes a quality mid.

North Melbourne:
McKercher top 3 B&F.
LDU lives up to the potential and makes the AA squad pushing the side.

Port Adelaide:
JHF consistent year and AA.

Richmond:
Trainor breaks out as a gun intercept and dashing defender.

Sydney:
Mills back to his best.

St Kilda:
Phillipou breakout year as a genuinely quality mid-fwd.
Flanders top 3 b&f.

West Coast:
Reid becomes a genuine A Grade mid consistently.
Shanahan kicks 30+ goals.

Dogs:
Freijah genuine break out as a quality consistent midfielder.
Bont finally wins a brownlow.

Dewwwy nice work on Gold Coast so far and Sydney.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Dewwwy nice work on Gold Coast so far and Sydney.

Thanks mate, very pleased with my Powell call. Bloke is a jet