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How to tune into Sport NationThe 19 AFL players primed to break out in 2026
SEN • November 26th, 2025 10:16 am
Which players will take the next step, go to another level and truly break out in season 2026?
SEN Breakfast’s Sam Edmund and Cam Mooney were given the task to come up with a list of potential breakout players for next year.
The boys tried to keep it to players who have played less than 50 AFL games with some exceptions.
See their nominations below:
Calsher Dear (Hawthorn)
Edmund: “Bone stress this time last year which slaughtered his pre-season, then the hamstring in September. He’s had a miserable run.
“But 25 goals in 2024, he’s got competitiveness - almost mongrel - he’s got nous and he’s got athleticism.
“I reckon with a clean run, knock on wood, he can have a massive year for Hawthorn.”
Mooney: “I concur, I’ve got him on my list.
“I think he’s going to be a star. I’m a big, big fan.”
Harvey Langford (Melbourne)
Mooney: “This kid played 22 games last season. Now with no Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver he’s going to see some serious midfield time.
“I think his game will go to the next level.”
Jagga Smith (Carlton)
Edmund: “This is an obvious one because injury wiped out this guy’s entire year but before it did he was very highly rated, a very high draft pick.
“I reckon he can debut and break out all in the one season.”
Mooney: “I think he will too. Hopefully he does. It’s tough to come back from the knee for the first time though.”
Edmund: “I look at Will Ashcroft and think it can be done.”
Levi Ashcroft (Brisbane)
Mooney: “26 games for Levi, averaged 19 possessions, played in a premiership.
“I’ve just got this feeling that he’s chasing his big brother (Will) who has already done so well.
“I feel like this kid is desperate to put his name right up in lights alongside his brother. I think next season will be a massive one.”
Sam Flanders (St Kilda)
Edmund: “This guy you could also argue may have broken out a couple of years ago but he’s changed clubs.
“He still has his knockers but I reckon at a new club in a new role that he can play consistently, he can have a massive year.
“I’m a big fan, I think he is more than what he has been allowed to show.”
George Wardlaw (North Melbourne)
Mooney: “I’m desperate to see Wardlaw put together 20-plus games.
“We know he’s had his injuries and concussions so there are question marks on the young man.
“I don’t think there would be one person who doesn’t love watching this kid go about his business. If he gets a run at it he could turn into a really good player.”
Beau McCreery (Collingwood)
Edmund: “I might be 12 months early with this guy given Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom are going around again.
“But at some stage they’ve got to give him more midfield time and I’m expecting it next year.
“Explosive point of difference in the midfield and someone who can clearly help Nick Daicos. I think he has got a huge ceiling.”
Dan Curtin (Adelaide)
Mooney: “He plays on a wing at 6’5, can run and now looks like he’s put on some muscle.
“I just want to see what they do with him. Does he play as an on-baller or does he push forward and with a little bit of size take marks inside 50 and kick goals?
“If he can kick 20-plus goals it will be huge for the Crows.”
Keidean Coleman (Brisbane)
Edmund: “He missed both Brisbane flags, but in 2023 pre his nasty knee reconstruction he was their best player in that Grand Final.
“He was runner-up in the Norm Smith voting, he was runner-up in the Gary Ayres Award, he is an absolute jet.
“Scary to think that Brisbane could potentially get better. This guy returning from injury is almost the forgotten half-back.
“He could absolutely go boonta next year, I reckon he’s going to go crazy.”
Nate Caddy (Essendon)
Mooney: “Caddy has the potential to be an absolute jet.
“The only worry I have is what will we get from Essendon next year?
“The pressure that was put on him this season as the number one key forward who didn’t have a lot of help.
“If they become a better team I just think he could explode and kick 45 to 50 goals. I think he can be a genuine star.”
Zach Reid (Essendon)
Edmund: “He showed some real flashes this year but he only managed 10 games as injury continues to stalk him.
“I think this guy can seriously play if the footy gods allow it. He’s had all manner of misfortune but there were some signs this year.
“So if he gets a clean run at it over summer and an uninterrupted season he can become a star as a centre half-back.”
Connor O’Sullivan (Geelong)
Mooney: “Was this his breakout year already? So a bit of a question mark.
“I think by the end of next year he’ll be their number one defender. I think this kid has got huge upside.
“He’s a different player to Tom Stewart but he’ll go past Sam De Koning (and Jack Henry) and be their number one key.
“He might have exploded this season but there’s just something about him.”
Harley Reid (West Coast)
Edmund: “Once I saw those pipes and that rig the other day I’ve signed on!”
Mooney: “If we were doing rankings from one down, he would be my number one.
“What we have seen, heard and know, by the end of next season he’ll be the best under-22 player in the comp.
“He’s got it, the penny has dropped.”
Bailey Humphrey (Gold Coast)
Mooney: “Again a question mark, but I love this bloke so much.
“He’s played 62 games so a little bit over the threshold we set. He did have a good year in 2025.
“He kicked 24 goals and he can play that Dusty role under Dimma. He might be a poor man’s Dusty but that’s still a pretty good career.
“If he can play midfield then push forward and kick 30-plus… I am so big on Bailey Humphrey it’s not funny.”
Sam Lalor (Richmond)
Edmund: “11 games last season before injury hit.
“Looks like he has trained harder over the off-season. He’s got that No.4 aura now, don’t forget.”
Ethan Read (Gold Coast)
Edmund: “He kicked 19.20 this year as a key forward in season two.
“Ben King kicked nearly 50 in year three up there and I think this guy could go close to doing the same.
“I’m locking in Ethan Read to double that goal tally and kick about 40 or more.”
Finn O’Sullivan (North Melbourne)
Edmund: “Played 22 games but only averaged 14 disposals. With more midfield minutes he could easily go bang.”
Darcy Wilson (St Kilda)
Edmund: “I just think he’s got something about him. He could set Marvel alight next year, he’s got ridiculous speed.”
Logan Morris (Brisbane)
Mooney: “The more I look at it the more I think he’s had his breakout season, but he’s only played 44 games.
“Can Logan Morris go to another level? The kid kicked 52 goals and has played in two premierships.
“His breakout now has to be 70 goals next year. I’ve put some pressure on the kid!”
