Taking a glance into the 2026 AFL season, we try to predict who will take their game to new levels.
Will it be a rising star of the competition? Or a forgotten face? How about a player who was traded?
In no particular order, here are seven players who have the opportunity to take the next big step over the coming 12 months.
6Colby McKercher
In his final 12 matches of 2025, Colby McKercher averaged 29.5 disposals, recording an efficiency of less than 72% just once in this span. The second overall pick in the 2023 draft led the Kangaroos in handball receives in this period, too, evidencing more and more that his ball use and distribution are to be key pillars of Alastair Clarkson's game plan moving forward.
With another pre-season under his belt, in a system designed to utilise his skillset, the Tasmanian may take the leap from touted draftee to household name in his third season.
