Top 10: Ranking recruits by predicted 2026 impact

Which off-season recruits will impact their new club the most in 2026?

It’s an impossible question to answer in December given we haven’t seen these players in their new colours, but we’ll certainly have a crack at predicting what might happen.

See below our top 10 ranking of which recruits will have the biggest impact next year.

1 - Charlie Curnow (Sydney)

This one goes without saying.

When healthy, Curnow is arguably the best key forward in the competition and joining a list that has proven capable of performing to the highest level... well, a firing Charlie is a scary prospect.

2025 was far from his best season, dealing with ongoing knee concerns within a malfunctioning Carlton forward line.

However, as seen in past years, Curnow is an out and out superstar, and with delivery from the likes of Errol Gulden, Chad Warner and Isaac Heeney, the two-time Coleman Medallist has the ability to elevate the Swans from an outer-eight side in ’25 to a serious premiership contender in ’26.

Jaiden Sciberras

2 - Christian Petracca (Gold Coast)

It’s hard not to see Petracca having a massive impact on the Suns in 2026.

He is the perfect player for a coach like Damien Hardwick to work around given his explosive nature out of stoppage and his power in and around forward 50.

The Suns are already on the charge and adding a key attacking piece like ‘Trac’ can only be a major positive.

They’ve got a gun midfield that he doesn’t need to anchor and Dimma will probably look to use him as an attacking weapon, a la prime Dusty.

Petracca could elevate the Suns to serious contenders in 2026.

Andrew Slevison

3 - Oscar Allen (Brisbane)

The reigning back-to-back premiers don’t need much, but the former West Coast captain could make Brisbane an even scarier prospect in 2026.

After Joe Daniher’s retirement, the Lions were still a powerful offensive force in 2025, but their main weakness was still a lack of a real power forward.

If Allen can perform close to as well as he did even two years ago in 2023, where he kicked 53 goals in a poor Eagles side, then the Lions are every chance of making it three in a row.

The big question is his health, with Allen playing just 23 games in the last two years combined. If he and the club get that right, look out.

Lachlan Geleit

4 - Clayton Oliver (GWS)

This could be exactly what Oliver needs to breathe life back into his career.

It’s by no means on life support but ‘Clarry’ is nowhere near the player he was between 2017 and 2022 when he won four B&Fs, three AA selections and a couple of AFLCA awards.

You get the feeling that this is what he wants - a fresh start with a club off broadway where he can go about his business without being hounded.

Oliver still has plenty to give and you sense that a hard-edged coach like Adam Kingsley might yet get the best out of him.

And the Giants desperately need him in their midfield mix!

Andrew Slevison

5 - Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Gold Coast)

We’ve seen what Ugle-Hagan is capable of with a combined 78 goals across the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Many were expecting him to truly break out in 2025 but things didn’t quite go to plan for the former No.1 draft pick.

Jamarra became a walking headline throughout the year and it soon became apparent that he needed a change. The Suns have thrown the old Dog a bone and now it’s up to himself (and Dimma) to turn things around.

Heartwarming redemption story or a waste of time? Who knows, but what we do know is he does have the talent to be a gun AFL player.

Andrew Slevison

6 - Sam Flanders (St Kilda)

The Saints paid a decent price for the former Gold Coast midfielder this trade period, with an early first-round pick exchanged for the 24-year-old.

Flanders was used in various roles for the Suns during his time at the club, but the Saints are set to use him on-ball.

In 2024, Flanders showed he could be a big ball-winning midfielder, averaging 30.9 touches. In 2025, that dropped to 18.7.

If he’s allowed to roam and pick up footy at will, he could be a huge addition to Ross Lyon’s mix.

Lachlan Geleit

7 - Jack Silvagni (St Kilda)

Of St Kilda’s mass influx of talent, Silvagni could eventually prove to be the biggest and best of the lot.

In 2025, Silvagni’s season was harshly interrupted by injury concerns, however when fit formed an incredibly stable defensive partnership with Jacob Weitering, playing a top role as a second key and intercept tall behind the ball.

Soon to be 28, Silvagni is approaching the prime of his football career, and under Ross Lyon’s defensive set-up, Silvagni should thrive, providing much-needed support to Callum Wilkie.

Plenty to play out at Moorabbin, but a healthy SOS season will most definitely prove a difference maker.

Jaiden Sciberras

8 - Tom De Koning (St Kilda)

This one could go either way.

On one hand, there is absolutely no doubting De Koning’s talent – hence making this list. Arguably the most athletic ruckman in the AFL, De Koning is hand built for the new ruck rules, and at 26 years of age, maintains an incredibly high ceiling to elevate his game to superstar level.

That said, with a hefty price tag and the presence of Rowan Marshall, De Koning will have to perform to a very high level to justify his recruitment.

Given his ability, TDK makes the list, however, it’s hard to imagine he propels St Kilda to new levels off his own boot.

Jaiden Sciberras

9 - Brandon Starcevich (West Coast)

The 26-year-old was a massive get for the Eagles this off-season, with the two-time premiership Lion one of the best medium defenders in the AFL.

A player that can lock down on a range of opponents, West Coast will look to Starcevich as a player that can lead their defence for the next half dozen years as they continue to rebuild.

His last game came in the 2025 Grand Final where he completely shut out Patrick Dangerfield before going down with after a high hit.

While Starcevich wasn’t concussed in that incident, worries around his head are just about the only thing which could hold him back from being a success in his home state.

Lachlan Geleit

10 - Callum Ah Chee (Adelaide)

The Crows showed last finals series that they need big game experience from a composed figure.

That is exactly what Ah Chee brings with him to West Lakes after winning two flags with the Brisbane Lions where he was a key finals contributor.

Ah Chee, 28, might not be a massive disposal winner but the Crows have enough of those. They could do with his impact forward of centre.

The last two seasons have been the best of Ah Chee’s career which suggests the Crows are getting a player in his prime.

Andrew Slevison

Honourable Mentions

Will Hayward (Carlton)

The key cog in the Charlie Curnow trade, Hayward’s shift to the Blues could well bring his consistent high-level football to the forefront.

An elite goalkicker and reliable target with the Swans, Hayward will offer a half-forward dynamic that Carlton have significantly lacked over seasons past.

Worth the mention as it’s hard to grasp exactly how the Blues’ front 50 will operate, but certainly one that will play a major part.

Jaiden Sciberras

James Worpel (Geelong)

Adding elite midfield depth to an already stacked engine room, Worpel is a solid, solid pickup for the Cats.

Capable of playing inside and out, Worpel will provide perfect coverage for Geelong, however, given their strength in midfield, it’s hard to see the former Hawk proving a major difference to the side’s success.

Jaiden Sciberras