Coburg full-back Thomas Barnett has been one of the VFL's most impressive young performers to start 2026.
Barnett, a Calder Cannons graduate, defended former AFL-listed Hugh Dixon well in Round 1 against Tasmania, before playing on a variety of opponents in the Lions' victory over the Tigers, showing a wide range of AFL attributes, finishing with eight marks and 10 intercept possessions from 19 disposals.
"He's 196cm so he's a big frame, he's lost a bit of weight and he's an athletic, intercepting defender who wants to get involved in offence but he can play big," Coburg coach Jamie Cassidy-McNamara said.
"He can do a mix of both. He can play on big guys well while maintaining his intercepting.
"He's getting some belief through action and getting opportunity. Every game he's played, he's improved and probably grown belief that his footy is good enough."
It follows four VFL games at the end of 2025, named in the best three times, after being added to the list midway through the season following strong form at local level for Maribyrnong Park.
He trained at Piranha Park all year after being cut in pre-season, before earning the call-up.
"We put him on our development list with the promise of a senior spot the following year. We knew he'd be a very good VFL player long term but wanted him to chase a bit more, more than anything then went back to Maribyrnong Park and played five or six of the most dominant games you could hope for," Cassidy-McNamara said.
"His coach, Brodie Holland, said ‘this kid's well and truly above the level' so we put him on the list.
"He finished 2025 with a couple of strong (VFL) games. He got to work from a high performance point of view over the off-season and pre-season and he looks like a professional athlete and his footy's starting to come together for him.
"He has had two really different assignments and we couldn't be more impressed with him."
Barnett's Lions take on Collingwood on Good Friday, with AFL-listed key forward Jack Buller a potential matchup.
