Pre-season bolters: The players who could break in at your club

Which outsiders are prepared to step into a full time role at your club in 2026?

From players yet to debut to the stars of tomorrow waiting for their opportunity, these are the players we believe have made the most of their pre-season hit outs, ready to break into the senior side over the course of this season.

Citing training reports, inside word and club needs, SEN.com.au has pieced together a list of relatively untried guns at your club that could reach a new level!

Luke Nankervis

After floating between roles in 2025, Nankervis has his eyes set on a permanent gig in the Crows' back 50 this season.

And by all reports, he might achieve just that, working tirelessly over pre-season to put on size and perfect his craft ahead of a crucial year for the 22-year-old.

Standing at 189cm with an impressive tank and athleticism to match, Nankervis could elevate to permanent status within the Crows' minor premiership defence.

Hugh Bond has also impressed signifcantly over pre-season, earning co-signs from the club's defensive cohort as he looks to build on his five appearances in 2025.

Jaiden Sciberras

Daniel Annable

Brisbane’s best 23 is undoubtably the hardest for anyone to ‘bolt’ into, but pick No. 6 from last year’s draft Daniel Annable is putting his best foot forward.

The Lions already have a super strong on-ball unit, so if the Brisbane Academy graduate gets any kind of game time early, he’ll be well and truly up to the level.

Having won the flag despite so many injury woes last season, Brisbane’s fresh faces are more those returning from health issues. 

Keidean Coleman is set to return off the half-back flank, which could help push Jaspa Fletcher up the ground, while Noah Answerth is also every chance to play early after recovering from an Achilles injury.

While Brandon Starcevich departed, the Lions won’t be concerned about their backline depth with those two in the frame for selection.

Lachlan Geleit

Billy Wilson

Featuring four times for the Blues at the back-end of 2025, Wilson has all the attributes necessary to cement a spot in Carlton's back half.

A pacey back flanker with elite ball use, Wilson accumulated 20+ disposals in all of his last 10 VFL hitouts before earning the call-up for the Blues' final three home and away games. Racking up 19 disposals and nine marks in Round 24, Wilson's potential was finally on show at the top level.

By all reports, Wilson has set pre-season alight at the Blues, earning the nod of SEN's own David King following his excursion to IKON Park.

Third round pick Talor Byrne will certainly put his name up for selection, eyeing off a small forward role left vacant by the injured Jesse Motlop, while twin father-son prospects Ben and Lucas Camporeale have continued to impress as they work towards consistent top level football.

Jaiden Sciberras

Tyan Prindable

Pick No. 32 in last year’s draft, Prindable has been a standout across the pre-season bolter for the Magpies.

A tough inside midfielder from Brisbane’s Academy, Prindable hasn’t looked out of place across the summer, and should a spot open up in Collingwood’s engine room, he won’t die wondering.

Fellow draftee Sam Swadling is also clearly a ball magnet with AFL traits. But perhaps the Magpies will let both he and Prindable develop in the VFL early on with Angus Anderson a more mature option should they look to bolster their midfield with new blood.

Charlie West dominated some VFL footy last year as he managed to earn an AFL debut. He’s now pushing for a more permanent role in the key forward role vacated by Brody Mihocek.

Lachlan Geleit

Jayden Nguyen

After a handful of games late last season, Jayden Nguyen looks set to make senior football a common occurrence in 2026.

The Category B rookie out of the James Hird Next Gen Academy has impressed with his speed and toughness over summer.

Nguyen will be intent on continuing his strong pre-season form as he goes about locking down a lockdown defensive role.

Lachie Blakiston, who was taken in the mid-season draft, featured in 11 games last year primarily as a defender so he doesn’t exactly scream bolter.

But Blakiston is set to bolt into the main ruck role until Nick Bryan is fit and ready to go. Or he may just hold down the spot himself.

Andrew Slevison

Cooper Simpson

Another best 23 that is stacked, it’ll be fairly hard for any debutants to crack this Fremantle side early.

One youngster though who could begin to make a name for himself is 5-gamer Cooper Simpson who could feature in a small/medium defender role.

The Dockers rate the 20-year-old and there’s no doubt he’s ready for senior football.

His issue is perhaps the inclusion of Judd McVee in the trade period from Melbourne, with the former Demon seemingly a best 23 lock should he remain fit.

If Luke Jackson features as a midfielder in 2026, which he has done often at training, that could open the door for Mason Cox to feature as a second-ruck alongside Sean Darcy.

Lachlan Geleit

Mitch Edwards

Geelong ruckman Mitch Edwards is looking like the potential answer for an area of the ground that hasn’t been the Cats’ strongest in recent years.

Entering his third pre-season without playing an AFL game, Edwards has reportedly taken huge strides this summer and now looms as someone who could push Rhys Stanley for that No. 1 ruck role, particularly with Toby Conway injured.

Still, don’t be surprised if Chris Scott goes with utility Mark Blicavs in the ruck instead, allowing Edwards to develop in the VFL for a little longer.

Lachlan Geleit

Oscar Adams

The seventh pick in the 2025 mid-season draft, Oscar Adams has endured his first pre-season under the Gold Coast sun as he prepares to lock up a spot in the Suns' defensive unit.

Featuring in all of Gold Coast's final eight fixtures of the 2025 season, Adams was quick to adapt to Hardwick's structure, playing a key defensive role alongside Sam Collins and Mac Andrew.

At just 22 years of age, Adams has plenty of room to develop, poised for a key role in the young Suns' future.

Early academy pick Leo Lombard will also look to lock down a spot in the senior side, featuring just four times in his rookie season despite carrying immense potential.

Jaiden Sciberras

Jack Ough

The 36th pick from the 2024 draft, Jack Ough, is yet to play at AFL level but could make his senior debut very early this season.

Last year he played in the VFL with a sore shoulder prior to undergoing a reconstruction late last season, but he’s put together a solid pre-season and is ready to step up to senior footy.

Ough is a tough, big-bodied inside mid who has plenty of competition for spots ahead of him. He could play early if Clayton Oliver’s calf injury keeps him out.

Ollie Hannaford is putting his best foot forward but has plenty of opposition in the small forward stakes.

He dealt with wrist and adductor injuries last year but has trained strongly over summer and is eyeing an AFL debut.

Andrew Slevison

Aidan Schubert

The Hawthorn 23 appears fairly well set but there could be a few who bob up on a needs basis.

Just in case Jack Gunston, touch wood, were to miss some footy, or if Mitch Lewis has a setback there will be a key forward waiting in the wings.

Aidan Schubert, Pick 23 in the 2025 draft, is a “beauty” in the words of gun footy analyst and keen track watcher David King.

The Hawks shouldn’t be too concerned at the other end either.

Let’s say Josh Battle cops an injury, there’s a 2024 draftee named Noah Mraz who is there to cover.

From a positional perspective, Connor Macdonald can bolt straight into the midfield vacancy left by another Will Day injury. But we already know that he is a genuine first-team player.

Andrew Slevison

Andy Moniz-Wakefield

Breaking into the senior setup in 2024, Moniz-Wakefield's pre-season ACL injury ruled him out for the entire 2025 season.

Now, eyeing off a Round 1 return, the speedy back-flanker could see himself well and truly in the mix to solidify his place amongst the new-look Demons lineup.

While he is yet to compete in a full match sim, Moniz-Wakefield's cameos in '24 hold him in high regard at the club, with hopes of turning heads across the season.

Matthew Jefferson's three-goal haul in the Dees' intraclub praccy holds him in great stead for a spot in their opening side, while key position player Luker Kentfield will also remain in the mix to leap into senior football in 2026.

Jaiden Sciberras

Luke Urquhart

The 19-year-old from East Fremantle has certainly taken his opportunities over the pre-season.

Lining up within the Roos' midfield group in match sim, Urquhart was noted as a standout, collecting plenty of touch and hitting the scoreboard while manning none other than Harry Sheezel.

Yet to break into the senior setup, the former Pick 57 will look to step into an inside mid role over the course of 2026.

Top athlete Josh Goater will also look to be a difference-maker as he approaches a full return from an unfortunate ACL injury.

Jaiden Sciberras

Jack Watkins

SANFL Team of the Year midfielder and Port Adelaide SANFL Best and Fairest, Watkins has earnt his right to debut at AFL level.

Selected out of the Rookie Draft ahead of the 2025 season, the former North Melbourne VFL star set the second tier alight in his debut season in South Australia.

At 25 years of age, Watkins should find himself a place in the senior side within 2026, with hopes of a rotational spot far from a distant dream.

Harrison Ramm could also earn a spot in the Power's defensive unit after a promising pre-season.

Jaiden Sciberras

Patrick Retschko

Not much was made of Richmond’s deadline day dealings with Geelong for Patrick Retschko.

The Tigers quietly parted with Pick 99 for the uncapped rookie draftee who they had shown interest in previously.

It could be a cheeky good move from all reports with Retschko pushing for a starting spot on the wing with his strong running ability.

Defender Campbell Gray is also plotting his way into Adem Yze’s Tigers side.

But he’s up against Nick Vlastuin, Noah Balta, Ben Miller, Nathan Broad, Josh Gibcus and Luke Trainor for a starting spot in defence.

Andrew Slevison

Jack Carroll

Can this former Carlton product find his feet at AFL level?

Trialled in an advanced role over pre-season, Carroll could find himself playing higher up the ground this season, shifting from his traditional midfield role.

And it could be the move that delivers the consistency the 23-year-old needs.

Another former Blue, Paddy Dow will hope for a healthy season that could spell out a highly anticipated return to senior footy.

Jaiden Sciberras

Will Edwards

An inconspicuous candidate for Sydney is mature-age defender Will Edwards.

The 22-year-old has been biding his time since he was selected in the 2022 rookie draft but now looks ready for regular senior footy.

Edwards has been at times training one on one against prized recruit Charlie Curnow and will be pushing for a key defensive post in 2026.

Angus Sheldrick played 20 games last season so cannot be classed as a bolter but one thing he could do is force his way into the Sydney midfield.

He is ready to join Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Rowbottom and Errol Gulden as a more recognised midfielder.

Harry Kyle, last year's Pick 14, looks the best of the draftees and Patrick Snell could be reday to break into the senior side.

Andrew Slevison

Clay Hall

13 games in 2025, Clay Hall flirted with a fully fledged breakout within his second season at the top level. His third could deliver in spades.

A tough, hard running midfielder, Hall has worked to alter his game over the break, moving out to the wing to accomodate for the Eagles' plethora of new midfielders.

With the likes of Harry Schoenberg, Finlay Macrae, Deven Robertson and - of course - Willem Duursma joining the club, Hall's reinvention could land him a permanent place in the Eagles 23.

19-year-old Hamish Davis has also impressed, while mature-aged recruit Fred Rodriguez could also earn a debut in 2026.

Jaiden Sciberras

Lachie Jaques

Lachie Jaques is looking to make a rebounding defensive position his own in 2026.

Keen track watcher David King reckons Jaques “looks ready to take a big leap” as a “quality user” out of the backline for the Dogs this year.

The 19-year-old out of the 2024 draft (Pick 29) put together a fairly strong season as Footscray won the VFL flag in 2025. He looks ready to take the next step.

Michael Sellwood could hold down a defensive post for the Doggies.

The mid-season rookie selection out of Peel Thunder was excellent in the back half of the VFL season and is pressing his case for an AFL debut.

Andrew Slevison