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Dwayne Russell's predicted Top 50 by the end of 2026
SEN • February 18th, 2026 4:50 pm
Who is most likely to be the best player in the competition by the end of 2026?
Beyond the current Top 50, SEN's Dwayne Russell has built out a predictive list, suggesting who he believes will make up the 50 best players following the proceedings of this season.
From current stars to the jets of tomorrow, see Dwayne's prediction below!
1. Marcus Bontempelli
"I still think Marcus Bontempelli is most likely to be the number one player at the end of the year this year.
"He has essentially been the best player in the comp for the last three or four years. He had a slow start to the season last year because he was injured.
"He has been a superstar. I think he's still the guy that you've got to knock off."
2. Sam Darcy
3. Jeremy Cameron
4. Errol Gulden
"I think the Swans are going to have a good season, and I think Errol Gulden is one of those that puts his name up in lights and could be the best player in the comp by the end of the year."
5. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
6. Nick Daicos
"Will it be a tougher season for Collingwood this year, and tougher for him to dominate?"
7. Zak Butters
8. Isaac Heeney
9. Luke Jackson
10. Noah Anderson
11. Ben King
"I think he will have a huge year. He might win the Coleman."
12. Will Ashcroft
13. Riley Thilthorpe
14. Jesse Hogan
15. Chad Warner
"I'm a big Chad Warner fan."
16. Charlie Curnow
"I think he'll have a huge year with the Swans, and I'm going to pick the Swans to win the flag."
17. Izak Rankine
18. Jordan Dawson
19. Hugh McCluggage
20. Zac Bailey
21. Finn Callaghan
22. Matt Rowell
23. Caleb Serong
24. Bailey Smith
25. Kysaiah Pickett
26. Cam Rayner
27. Patrick Cripps
28. Harris Andrews
"It's going to be hard for a defender to be the number one player in the comp, but he is the best defender in the comp."
29. Connor Rozee
30. Max Holmes
31. Nick Watson
32. Toby Greene
33. Tom De Koning
34. Christian Petracca
"Might have a good year and wind back the clock."
35. Clayton Oliver
"Oliver might do likewise."
36. Josh Dunkley
37. Ed Richards
38. Lachie Ash
39. Oscar Allen
"He could surprise a few people with a good season. He has a huge upside when he is at his best."
40. Lachie Neale
41. Harry McKay
42. Hayden Young
43. Jason Horne-Francis
44. Harley Reid
45. Ollie Dempsey
46. Logan Morris
47. Josh Weddle
48. Josh Treacy
49. Andrew Brayshaw
50. Murphy Reid
"He has a big upside."
