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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/
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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.
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Offline 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
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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 »
Quote from: WilliamPowell on December 21, 2025, 09:41:51 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.
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Offline Tiger Khosh

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Re: Who will make their debut first in 2026?
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2025, 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.
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Offline Hard Roar Tiger

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Re: Who will make their debut first in 2026?
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2025, 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
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Offline WilliamPowell

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Re: Who will make their debut first in 2026?
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2025, 08:42:05 PM »
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Offline the claw

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Re: Who will make their debut first in 2026?
« Reply #7 on: December 28, 2025, 11:27:22 AM »
Game 1 Grlj, Cumming, Retschko, and my long shot  N R-T.  Smillie i think will need match fitness and touch in the magoos for a little bit.

I think we could play as many as 10 - 12  juniors 18yo - 21yo  round 1, factoring in we played 10 or 11 on average last year.
Its a must we continue to pump games into this category.

18 -  21 juniors
Faull, Armstrong, McAuliffe, Lalor, Hotton, Cumming, Retschko, Campbell, Algar, Grlj, Trainor.
 
22 - 24 Developing
Banks, Brown, Gibcus.

25 - 28 Mature
Taranto,  Mansell, Miller, Balta.

29+ Vets
Hopper, Prestia, Broad, Nankervis, Vlastuin, Lynch.




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