Ones To Watch: Best Senior Football Young Guns
By Ben Andonoudis
With the 2026 season racing towards the finals, many players have made a name for themselves, including some young guns who have lit up the GFNL and BFNL so far.
The criteria of this exercise was:
- players must have played a minimum of 10 games this season and be 25 year of age or under in the calendar, excluding anyone born before 2001.
So, in no particular order, here are ten players to watch:
Lachie Nelis (Drysdale) MID
The 2025 BFNL rising star has continued to ascend this season, averaging a shade under 30 disposals. He is elite by hand and likes to get involved in scoring opportunities as well.
2026 Average Statistics thanks to Premier Data.
Ranking points: 126.5
Disposals: 29.6
Kicks: 17.3
Goal Involvements: 2.9
Lachie Kidd (Queenscliff) MID
The classy midfielder has been vital to Queenscliff’s strong form this season after being runner up in their Best and Fairest in 2025. He is everywhere on the ground and has the stats to back it up.
2026 Average Statistics:
Ranking points: 126.7
Disposals: 28.2
Kicks: 14.9
Handballs: 13.4 (9th in the league)
Goal Involvements: 3.3
Fletcher Hughes (St Mary’s) RUCK
Hard to believe one of the top rucks in the GFNL started his senior career as a key defender. A modern ruck, Hughes follows up his tap work at ground level.
2026 Average Statistics:
Ranking points: 124.9 (9th in the league)
Disposals: 18
Hitouts: 30.1 (7th in the league)
Hitouts to advantage: 7.4 (7th in the league)
Clearances: 4.6
Oscar Cooke (Modawarre) DEF
One of the BFNL’s top defenders, Cooke has racked up the touches this season. Deadly by foot with an ability to stream out of defence, he has been a shining light for Modawarre.
2026 Average Statistics:
Ranking Points: 124.4
Disposals: 31.6 (5th in the league)
Kicks: 21.9 (5th in the league)
Handballs: 9.8
Rebound 50s: 6.9 (8th in the league)
Harry Gravener (Surf Coast) MID
Appointed Vice-captain of the Suns in their inaugural season after crossing from South Barwon, Gravener has been one of Surf Coast's main ball winners averaging close to 25 disposals a match.
2026 Average Statistics:
Ranking points: 118.4
Disposals: 24.9
Kicks: 13.4
Handballs: 11.5
Goal Involvements: 2.4
Joe Cincotta (Queenscliff) RUCK
A young ruckman can sometimes find it hard at senior level, but that has not been the case for Cincotta who's helped Queenscliff to the top of the ladder. A big man who follows up at ground level, Cincotta has racked up over 560 hit-outs this season.
2026 Average Statistics:
Ranking points: 117.2
Disposals: 16.7
Hitouts: 37.5 (6th in the league)
Hitouts to advantage: 9.9 (3rd in the league)
Clearances: 4.3
Hamish Lucas (Bell Park) MID
A Bell Park junior who played for Geelong VFL last year, Lucas has returned to the Dragons full-time this season. A now experienced goal kicking midfielder, he fits the modern game with running power and foot skills.
2026 Average Statistics:
Ranking points: 107.5
Disposals: 21.8
Kicks: 14.1
Handballs: 7.7
Goal Involvements: 4.4
Archer Hanegraaf (Geelong Amatuer) MID
The 19-year-old midfielder has continued to impress this year with his consistent performances. A graduate of the Geelong Falcons program and listed at Werribee in the VFL, Hanegraaf has certainly shown he can match it with the best at BFNL level.
2026 Average Statistics:
Ranking points: 113.5
Disposals: 25.4
Kicks: 14.6
Handballs: 10.8
Clearances: 7.6 (9th in the league)
Jett Bermingham (Bell Park) MID
The reigning Mathieson medallist in the GFNL, the Hampden league product has remained in strong form this season with his grunt work in the midfield, averaging over 24 disposals a game - many of those contested.
2026 Average Statistics:
Ranking points: 107.5
Disposals: 24.3
Kicks: 10
Handballs: 14.3
Clearances: 6.8 (10th in the league)
Disposal Efficiency: 77%
Jack Jovanovic (St Joseph's) FWD
Only 19 years of age, the Geelong VFL listed sharp shooter has been a standout in his first season of GFNL footy. The GWS academy graduate has kicked 48 goals so far, only second in the league behind Tom Higgins.
2026 Average Statistics:
Ranking points: 69.5
Goals: 3.5 (4th in the league)
Goal Accuracy: 73%
Marks: 4.9
Marks inside 50: 3.8 (5th in the league)
Honourable mention: Tom Higgins (St Albans) FWD
The current leading goal kicker in the GFNL, Higgins has booted 55 goals in 12 games this season. A strong marking key position forward, Higgins compliments that with accuracy in front of goal.
2026 Average Statistics:
Ranking points: 107.3
Goals: 4.5 (2nd in the league)
Goal Accuracy: 64%
Marks: 7.2
Marks inside 50: 5 (3rd in the league)
