The players at each AFL team most likely to earn a debut in 2026

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. Adelaide Rookies: Archie Ludowyke, Mitch Marsh Still waiting: Toby Murray, Oscar Ryan, Tyler Welsh, Charlie Edwards Most likely to debut: Entering his third season at West Lakes, Charlie Edwards looks the best shot at breaking through for a debut in 2026, having continued to make his case in the SANFL over the past 18 months. Both of Adelaide's 2025 draftees might need time to develop, given their standings as key forwards in a pecking order that also has Murray and Welsh ahead of them. Brisbane Rookies: Cody Curtin, Tai Hayes, Dan Annable, Koby Evans, Ben Murphy Still waiting: Reece Torrent, Zane Zakostelsky, Luke Lloyd Most likely to debut: Despite the Lions' long list of star midfielders, there's no ruling out Pick 6 selection Dan Annable from breaking into Chris Fagan's engine room. The Lions Academy product was a shining light for the club's VFL side in the second half of this year, and could follow the likes of Levi Ashcroft and Sam Marshall in quickly having a part to play in Brisbane's tilt for another premiership. Carlton Rookies: Jack Ison, Talor Byrne, Harry Dean Still waiting: Matt Duffy, Rob Monahan, Harry Charleson, Ben Camporeale, Jagga Smith Most likely to debut: The long-awaited debut of 2024 Pick 3 selection Jagga Smith will be a sight for the sore eyes of the Carlton faithful. An ACL injury last pre-season robbed Smith of his rookie campaign, with the ball magnet now set to enter 2026 as one of the favourites for the Rising Star. Don't be surprised if the Oakleigh Chargers product is a mainstay in the middle under Michael Voss early into the new season. Collingwood Rookies: Tyan Prindable, Sam Swadling, Zac McCarthy, Jai Saxena, Angus Anderson Still waiting: Noah Howes, Joel Cochran, Oscar Steene, Iliro Smit, Harry DeMattia Most likely to debut: Explosive defender Harry DeMattia could get his maiden showing after a pair of years at VFL level that were also impacted by injury. If not DeMattia, then mature-aged draftee Angus Anderson could get a look as a midfielder capable of playing inside and outside, as well as half-forward. If there's an injury to first-string ruckman Darcy Cameron, then it could be time Magpies fans get a look at Oscar Steene. 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. Fremantle Rookies: Ryda Luke, Toby Whan, Leon Kickett, Tobyn Murray, Adam Sweid Still waiting: Aiden Riddle, Jaren Carr, Ollie Murphy, Charlie Nicholls Most likely to debut: From the Dockers' 2025 draft class, Geelong VFL product Tobyn Murray could be an early feature as a lively half-forward or wingman, however the Dockers aren't short for senior options in those spaces already. Leon Kickett is another over-aged addition that could get a look, while Jaren Carr is another front-half option and already has one pre-season under his belt. Geelong Rookies: Nick Driscoll, Hunter Holmes, Jesse Mellor, Harley Barker Still waiting: Cillian Burke, Joe Pike, Keighton Matofai-Forbes, Lennox Hofmann, Jacob Molier, Mitchell Edwards, Jay Polkinghorne Most likely to debut: The Cats' top pick, Harley Barker, is unlikely to feature at AFL level in his first season due to an ACL injury that ended his draft campaign early. Perhaps the best chance for a debut under Chris Scott is second-year tall forward Jay Polkinghorne, who had no issue adapting to the VFL in his debut season, booting 31 goals in 17 games. Gold Coast Rookies: Zeke Uwland, Dylan Patterson, Jai Murray, Beau Addinsall, Avery Thomas, Koby Coulson Still waiting: Caleb Lewis, Asher Eastham, Max Knobel, Zak Evans, Cooper Bell Most likely to debut: The Suns won't be short on ready-made options when they look to their depth chart, with top draft selections Zeke Uwland and Dylan Patterson both tipped to be viable selection options early into their rookie seasons. Mid-season recruit Caleb Lewis could also press for a spot as a target forward in Damien Hardwick's front-half too. GWS Rookies: Riley Hamilton, Oskar Taylor, Finn Davis Still waiting: Nathan Wardius, Logan Smith, Jack Ough, Harrison Oliver, Oliver Hannaford, Phoenix Gothard Most likely to debut: The Giants' new batch of kids are unlikely to feature early given the strength of the senior squad ahead of them. From those who missed out on a game in 2025, Phoenix Gothard and Jack Ough could be ready for AFL action, as could lively forward Nathan Wardius, who has booted 43 goals in 22 VFL games to date. Hawthorn Rookies: Cam Nairn, Aidan Schubert, Jack Dalton, Matt LeRay, Ollie Greeves Still waiting: Jaime Uhr-Henry, Matt Hill, Cody Anderson, Will McCabe, Bodie Ryan, Noah Mraz Most likely to debut: There's perhaps no standout debut option for the Hawks, but that's not to say they'll go a second straight year without a first-gamer. Bodie Ryan could slot into a small defender role if a spot opens, while Will McCabe has developed into a swingman option across a pair of seasons with Box Hill. From the club's 2025 draft crop, Jack Dalton has the tank and traits to be a ready-made option, while Cam Nairn could slot onto a flank and offer some run. Melbourne Rookies: Xavier Taylor, Latrelle Pickett, Riley Onley, Thomas Matthews, Kalani White Still waiting: Luker Kentfield, Ricky Mentha Most likely to debut: Joining the Demons as an over-aged selection in the first-round of the draft, Latrelle Pickett could be an instant starter under new coach Steven King. Noted as a small forward, the Glenelg product may also push up onto a wing to offer some run and spread across the ground. Fellow top draft selection Xavier Taylor may not take long to get a look at the top level, while Luker Kentfield could quickly become a focal point in attack. North Melbourne Rookies: Lachy Dovaston, Blake Thredgold, Hugo Mikunda Still waiting: River Stevens, Brayden George, Taylor Goad, Luke Urquhart Most likely to debut: First-round draftee Lachy Dovaston will be ready for a glimpse at top level footy as an exciting small forward who can quickly turn a game. With the Roos' lack if ground level options in attack, Dovaston could be an early debutant in 2026, while North Melbourne fans will be keen to see Brayden George get his chance after a luckless run with injurries over the past three years. Port Adelaide Rookies: Jack Watkins Still waiting: Xavier Walsh, Josh Lai, Jacob Moss, Benny Barrett, Tom Anastasopoulos Most likely to debut: The only player Port Adelaide drafted in November, Jack Watkins, is the clear debut chance to start the Josh Carr era, having earned a long-awaited AFL contract as a mature-aged draftee out of the Power's SANFL program. A SANFL Team of the Year selection, the former North Melbourne VFL skipper is a midfield-forward who could instantly have an impact in Carr's side. Richmond Rookies: Sam Cumming, Zane Peucker, Noah Roberts-Thomson, Sam Grlj Still waiting: Patrick Retschko, Oliver Hayes-Brown, Josh Smillie Most likely to debut: A run free of injuries will hopefully see 2024 Pick 7 selection Josh Smillie get his chance at a debut, with soft-tissue setbacks continuing to plague the big-bodied midfielder. Pat Retschko could get a look after earning a career lifeline at Punt Road, while Sam Cumming and Sam Grlj will both be a chance of debuts come Round 1. St Kilda Rookies: Charlie Banfield, Kye Fincher, Kobe McDonald Still waiting: Eamonn Armstrong, Patrick Said, James Barrat Most likely to debut: NGA product Kye Fincher arrives as a ready-made defender/midfielder, and enjoyed a dominant showing this year in his VFL debut to prove he has no issue taking a step up against senior bodies. Second-year Saint Patrick Said has impressed early in the pre-season and could be another option after seeing Hugh Boxshall, Alix Tauru and Tobie Travaglia look comfortable at the level in 2025. Sydney Rookies: Harry Kyle, Jevan Phillipou, Liam Hetherton, Noah Chamberlain, Max King, Billy Cootee Still waiting: Will Green, Patrick Snell, Will Edwards, Ned Bowman, Riak Andrew Most likely to debut: From the Swans' new crop of draftees, Norwood product Billy Cootee could quickly make his mark as a goalkicking midfielder who can also feature in the front half. South Australian Jevan Phillipou could be one to impress and earn a spot, having looked good at SANFL level as an explosive midfielder. West Coast Rookies: Cooper Duff-Tytler, Sam Allen, Tylah Williams, Josh Lindsay, Fred Rodriguez, Willem Duursma Still waiting: N/A Most likely to debut: Draft dux Willem Duursma could take on a distributing role in the back half by Round 1, with his decision-making, kicking and intercepting among the many reasons why he went Pick 1. Fellow first-round pick Josh Lindsay could also get a look in his debut season as a half-back or wingman, while Fred Rodriguez could get a roll through the middle given the opportunities on offer in the Eagles' engine room. Western Bulldogs Rookies: Will Darcy, Louis Emmett, Lachy Carmichael Still waiting: Zac Walker, Lachlan Smith, Michael Sellwood, Luke Kennedy, Lachie Jaques Most likely to debut: Mid-season draftee Michael Sellwood looms as a strong selection chance given his ready-made qualities as a strong intercepting and rebounding defensive option. Lachie Smith might also be called upon if Tim English goes down with injury, having made his case as a ruck reinforcement in Footscray's 2025 premiership run.

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9

The players at each AFL team most likely to earn a debut in 2026

See who’s yet to get a game, and who could finally break into the side, at your club next season.

Gold Coast

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Latest News

Swans star Papley held up by calf issue

“Incredibly humbled”: Hawks star promoted to co-captain in historic change to...

“Moving cones and catching footys”: Veteran broadcaster and Saints tragic links...

Captains revealed for AFL Origin

Crows star demands ruck rule “clarification” amid player-umpire confusion

FOLLOW US