Every season, several players make a name for themselves with a breakout year, whether it's earning a first-time All-Australian selection or carving out a role.
All of these players have made significant jumps in their careers, earning bigger roles at their clubs and improving their statistical output.
This list includes all kinds of players, from top 10 draft picks to rookies and mid-season draftees.
This list names the 10 players who deserved recognition for their growth in 2026.
Harry Sharp
Harry Sharp only featured in 16 games in his first four seasons at the Brisbane Lions, before making a move to the Demons at the end of the 2024 season.
In 2026, his second season at the Demons, Sharp earned himself a key role in Steven King's side, playing primarily as a high-half forward, averaging 5.1 score involvements per game, a career high, along with 12.8 disposals and kicking a total of 26 goals, another career high.
He was a key cog in the Demons' fast-paced game style, using his elite running power to get up and down the ground.
Lachlan McAndrew
Growing up playing Rugby Union, Lachlan McAndrew made the switch to AFL late in high school, before joining the Sydney Swans Academy, and was eventually drafted by the Swans in the 2021 mid-season draft.
The ruckman would only play two games for the Swans before being delisted and earning a spot at the Crows during the 2025 supplementary selection period, but did not get a chance in the AFL side.
McAndrew made his debut in round one last season against Collingwood; he would go on to feature in all but one game for the Crows, averaging 32.1 hit-outs, which ranked fourth amongst all ruckmen, and was rewarded for his season, finishing second in the Crows best and fairest.
Harvey Thomas
In 2026, Harvey Thomas locked down the wing role for the Giants, averaging a career-high 19.2 disposals, a massive jump from his average of 11.6 in 2025.
Taken with pick 59 in the 2024 draft, Thomas has elevated his game, becoming one of the best wingmen in the competition, featuring in 22 games in his third season.
Thomas earned his first top-ten finish in the Giants best and fairest award last season, along with winning the Giants rising star award and the club's coaches award.
Hugo Garcia
The Saints decided to go younger in the midfield, trading out Jack Steele and relying on Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Max Hall and Hugo Garcia.
Garcia was the biggest beneficiary of the Saints' decision, becoming the first-choice midfielder, attending 67% of CBA's for 2026, compared to just 52% in 2025.
The 21-year-old was previously deployed as a defensive midfielder, but this year he was able to find his own football, averaging 23.6 disposals, along with 5.6 tackles and 6 clearances per game.
Wayne Milera
Earning his first All-Australian selection in 2026, Wayne Milera became one of the league's premier running half-backs, averaging a career-high 25.1 disposals per game.
Milera's talent has always been there, but injuries have held him back in previous years; over the last two seasons, he has featured in 20 and 24 games, respectively.
Milera's elite ball-use ability stood out, averaging 16.5 kicks per game at 80.9%, setting up the Crows' scoring from the back half.
Bodhi Uwland
Bodhi Uwland earned his first All-Australian squad selection in 2026, developing his game to become one of the best medium defenders, with the ability to lock down a forward and contribute to the Suns' offensive ball movement.
Uwland was rewarded for his 2026 season, taking out his first club best and fairest award at the Suns; he averaged a career-high 23.1 disposals and 14.9 kicks per game.
The defender will play a key role in the Suns' future development; at just 23 years old, he has already established himself as one of the Suns' best players.
Max Hall
In just his second season at AFL level, Max Hall has already become one of the Saints' most crucial and impactful players, averaging 23.2 disposals per game, along with kicking 26 goals for the season.
In his third season, Hall was able to earn meaningful midfield minutes and showed he can be an elite midfielder in the AFL.
Hall was selected in the 2024 mid-season draft and has featured in every game since his debut in round one 2025.
Tom Sparrow
After the Demons traded away star midfielders Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver, it was questioned who was going to step up.
Sparrow was given a key midfield role, averaging 70% CBAs for the year, and was able to produce in the role, averaging 21.8 disposals, along with 5.4 clearances and 6.3 tackles.
Sparrow, along with Jack Steele, Kysaiah Pickett, and Max Gawn, was one of the best midfielders, producing a high-scoring game style under new coach Steven King.
Jye Amiss
Jye Amiss became one of the best key forwards in the competition in 2026.
The 23-year-old kicked a career-high 64 goals in 2026, averaging 2.5 goals per game, which ranked sixth amongst the league's best.
Amiss was a key factor in Fremantle's elite forward line, alongside fellow key forwards Josh Treacy and Patrick Voss.
Nick Watson
In 2026, Nick Watson transformed into one of the best players in the league, not just one of the best forwards.
The forward kicked 63 goals last season, finished sixth in the Coleman Medal race, and earned his first All-Australian selection.
Watson almost doubled his goals per game from 2025 to 2026, averaging 1.4 goals per game in 2025 and 2.7 goals per game in 2026, becoming one of the most impactful players in the league.
