Lyon forecasts the Top 5 players in five years’ time

There is a plethora of talented youngsters in the AFL right now.

As the 2026 season draws near, the media is busy putting together Top 50 and Top 10 player lists.

Those predictions have extended to forecasting who will make up the Top 5 players in the game in five years’ time.

Garry Lyon undertook the task of narrowing the many young guns in the game down to just five, but there is an extended list of honourable mentions.

1. Nick Daicos (Collingwood)

“Daicos is obvious.”

2. Will Ashcroft (Brisbane)

“Will Ashcroft is the one.”

3. Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs)

“Darcy will be right there.”

4. Logan Morris (Brisbane)

“I’m a big Logan Morris man. He might be the dominant key forward in the game in five years’ time.”

5. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (St Kilda)

Honourable mentions:

“Then you’ve got Errol Gulden who will just about be at his peak.

“Izak Rankine won’t be far away. Harley Reid could be blowing the joint up by then.

“Harry Sheezel might be the best player in five years. If Josh Weddle keeps developing like that he could be anything. Hayden Young could be there.

“Who’s going to say that Kozzie Pickett is not there. Harvey Langford, top 10 might be something for his to get his head around.

“What about Nate Caddy. If he’s top 5 in five years’ time then the Bombers will be going ok.

“There’s that many great young players coming through.”