Author Topic: Who will make their debut first in 2026?  (Read 205 times)

Offline one-eyed

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Who will make their debut first in 2026?
« on: December 21, 2025, 05:39:22 PM »
The players at each AFL team most likely to earn a debut in 2026

By Mitch Keating
zerohanger.com
21 Dec 2025


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.

https://www.zerohanger.com/the-players-at-each-afl-team-most-likely-to-earn-a-debut-in-2026-171890/

Offline Tiger Khosh

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Re: Who will make their debut first in 2026?
« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2025, 06:45:55 PM »
I’d expect 2 maybe 3 for round 1 but if I had to pick one that’s the most certain, I rekn it will be Grlj.

Online WilliamPowell

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Re: Who will make their debut first in 2026?
« Reply #2 on: December 21, 2025, 09:41:51 PM »
Josh Smillie
"Oh yes I am a dreamer, I still see us flying high!"

from the song "Don't Walk Away" by Pat Benatar 1988 (Wide Awake In Dreamland)

Offline Andyy

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Re: Who will make their debut first in 2026?
« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2025, 10:38:09 PM »
Josh Smillie

Do you think that?

He's not due to return to training proper until Feb.

I'm guessing there will be a block of training and probably some VFL games. Wouldn't surprise me if he's 2nd half of the year.

Retschko, Cumming or Grlj for me.

Although I think Peucker and NRT will be looking at games too this year coming.

Offline Tiger Khosh

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Re: Who will make their debut first in 2026?
« Reply #4 on: Yesterday at 04:15:36 PM »
I see no chance of Smillie debuting round 1. Even if he gets back into training and is doing everything by the end of Feb, think they’ll be wanting him to get through a block of VFL games before debuting.

Offline Hard Roar Tiger

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Re: Who will make their debut first in 2026?
« Reply #5 on: Yesterday at 07:47:00 PM »
Forget his injury, his body looks terrible for an athlete. The girls down at the local rsl would be proud of his bingo wings
"The money might have been better. But, at the end of the day, Richmond showed faith in me. It's only fair that now we're 18th on the ladder, I show the faith back in the club and do everything I can to put them in front. In the end, I'm stoked I made the decision to stay. I f***ing love this club”

Online WilliamPowell

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"Oh yes I am a dreamer, I still see us flying high!"

from the song "Don't Walk Away" by Pat Benatar 1988 (Wide Awake In Dreamland)