{"id":438371,"date":"2026-01-26T10:27:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T10:27:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/438371\/"},"modified":"2026-01-26T10:27:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T10:27:25","slug":"predicting-eight-potential-first-time-afl-all-australians-in-2026-afl-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/438371\/","title":{"rendered":"Predicting EIGHT potential first-time AFL All-Australians in 2026 – AFL News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Four of the past five years have seen at least 11 first-time All-Australians named in the respective sides, leading to an average of 10.6 newly-tailored blazers each season since 2021.<\/p>\n

Half of last year’s lineup were first-time All-Australians, equal to the 2021 crop, while 2022 and 2023 managed a dozen fresh faces, compared to the lowly seven in 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Heading toward the 2026 season, we’ve looked at EIGHT potential first-time All-Australians…<\/p>\n

Max Holmes<\/p>\n

The Cats speedster would’ve come close to a spot in last year’s 22-player lineup, with the additional bench spot that has been introduced likely to have come in handy for Holmes had it been ticked off 12 months prior.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Holmes has been named in the extended All-Australian squad the past two years, adding to best and fairest honours for Geelong in both seasons as he continues to grow his game as an inside-outside threat.<\/p>\n

\"MELBOURNE,MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 19: Max Holmes of the Cats celebrates a goal during the AFL Preliminary Final match between Geelong Cats and Hawthorn Hawks at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 19, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Entering his sixth season in the hoops, Holmes’ trajectory has him on course for a blazer in the near future, and with the new demands of the game, his speed and line-breaking abilities will soon separate him from the rest.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n


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