Whether it's new draftees ready to make an immediate impact or youngsters who have needed time to develop, close to 150 AFL players will enter 2026 eyeing a debut.
Exactly 100 players made their AFL debut in 2025, with Essendon's record-breaking 15 debuts strongly supporting that tally.
Clubs working through a rebuild will look to the next wave of talent to help shape their future, while competing clubs could uncover their next quality player to help regenerate on the run.
Here are the players on each AFL club's list who are yet to debut, and those who stand the best chance of getting a game in 2026.
Essendon
Rookies: Dyson Sharp, Hussien El Achkar, Max Kondogiannis, Jacob Farrow, Sullivan Robey, Cillian Bourke
Still waiting: Kayle Gerreyn
Most likely to debut: 2024 draftee Kayle Gerreyn was the sole Bomber who didn't debut from the club's 2025 list last season, with the club's injury toll seeing opportunities open for everyone else. The forward-ruck hybrid could get a look in his second season, but he won't be rushed in as he continues to develop as a young key position player. From the Bombers' new class of kids, Larke Medal winner Dyson Sharp is well-positioned for a Round 1 shot, having been one of the most ready-made teenagers to come through the draft in recent years. Fellow top picks Jacob Farrow and Sullivan Robey will also give their teammates some competition early into their careers.
