This page is dedicated to some of the key Aussie Rules players to keep a keen eye on this year’s AFL Premiership season. Who are the star young recruits tipped to make a big impact on their AFL club this year? What greats of the game will dominate the AFL statistics again with a Brownlow Medal to be won?
The AFL season is set to be another beauty as Aussie Rules fans eagerly anticipate standout performances from both seasoned stars and fresh faces.
With a mix of emerging talent, returning stars, and strategic trades, the 2026 AFL season promises to be a captivating spectacle for all footy fans.
See below for all the AFL footy facts and stats on some of the likely standouts and then head over for all the top odds in our AFL season betting markets.
Don’t forget to also check out the leading award and season-long AFL player betting markets including the Coleman Medal tipping the leading goalkicker for 2026 in the AFL and the Rising Star 2026 odds on the best first- or second-year player!
2026 AFL Coleman Medal Betting
2026 AFL Rising Star Betting
2026 AFL Players To Watch
Zac Williams
- Team: Carlton
- Position: Medium Forward
- Height: 185 cm
- Weight: 86 kg
- Age at Season Start: 31
- Date of Birth: 20 September 1994
- Debut Club: GWS
- Debut Year: 2013
Zac Williams shapes as one of Carlton’s most intriguing players to watch in 2026, with the dynamic defender finally getting the chance to build continuity after several injury‑hit seasons. His rebound speed, clean ball use and ability to break lines give Carlton a weapon they’ve largely been without, and his presence transforms the way the Blues launch from the back half. Williams has already shown he can influence games at a high level when fit, and with Carlton pushing for a deeper finals run under the expanded top‑10 system, his return to full impact looms as one of the club’s biggest swing factors.
Sam Walsh
- Team: Carlton
- Position: Midfielder
- Nicknames: Worpa / Walshy
- Height: 184 cm
- Weight: 83 kg
- Age at Season Start: 25
- Date of Birth: 2 July 2000
- Debut Club: Carlton
- Debut Year: 2019
Walsh remains one of the competition’s most complete midfielders, combining elite endurance with high‑impact ball use. His ability to influence games for long stretches makes him a fixture in must‑watch rankings.
Sid Draper
- Team: Adelaide Crows
- Position: Midfielder
- Nicknames: Sid The Kid / Drapes
- Height: 182 cm
- Age at Season Start: 19
- Date of Birth: 5 July 2006
- Debut Club: Adelaide
- Debut Year: 2025
Sid Draper shapes as one of Adelaide’s most exciting emerging talents in 2026, with his blend of speed, clean hands and natural midfield instincts putting him firmly in the breakout conversation. After showing flashes of his ball-winning ability in limited opportunities, he’s now positioned to push for a far more prominent role as the Crows continue to evolve their on‑ball mix. Draper’s competitiveness around the contest and his ability to surge the ball forward make him the type of young midfielder who can quickly shift from promising to pivotal, and 2026 looms as the season where he can cement himself as a long‑term part of Adelaide’s engine room.
2026 AFL Grand Final Winner Odds
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