After the completion of the 2025 AFL Draft, which saw 84 players selected by top-flight clubs, many fans and analysts have begun evaluating the potential of these draftees to leave an early mark.
While a pre-season is still ahead of us, there are already several prospects who are considered ready for the elite level of competition.
We highlight eight of the top candidates likely to make their debut in the early stages of the 2026 season.
Xavier Taylor (Melbourne)
The versatile defender will have his work cut out for him, but there's plenty of opportunity at Melbourne for Taylor to shine.
Chosen with the Demons' first pick in 2025, this 192cm prospect demonstrates versatility in defence and attack.
Taylor is known for his intercepting through reading the cues of midfielders like few others, knows when to peel off, how to cut angles and takes big grabs with ease.
His improved ability to nullify and hassle opponents, though, has been overshadowed and complemented by his ability to create as a bold line breaker with ball in hand, making him a strong prospect for a very early debut, with Melbourne facing St Kilda to kick the year off.
