In the first season of a young AFL career, many players take some time to adjust to the physicality and skill gap between junior football and the elite competition.
Every year, there are players who take leaps in their second season. Some go from fringe best 23 players in their first year to mainstays in their respective lines, while others go from elite first-year talents to some of the very best in the competition.
There are many potential second-year talents who could take leaps in 2026. We look through the five players most likely to take a sizeable second-year leap next season.
Levi Ashcroft
Levi Ashcroft was one of the most consistent performers from the 2024 draft class.
The young wingman played in all 27 games for the Lions this year, averaging an impressive 19.1 disposals and 4.4 marks per game.
Ashcroft's skillset has him primed to be a key midfielder for Brisbane in the future, however, with the current list of midfielders at the Lions, Ashcroft's most likely role next season is still as a hybrid wingman.
Ashcroft's deep finals experience at a young age could be prevalent in his growth next year, as seen in superstars like Nick Daicos (2022) and Joel Selwood (2007) in the past.
Should Ashcroft continue his great form to end last season, he could be in for an elite 2026 campaign on the wing.
