Ahead of the start of the 2026 Smithy's VFL season we've picked out a list of new recruits set to make their mark in new colours.

The 2026 campaign begins this weekend, with the Box Hill Hawks and Sydney Swans to launch the season when they clash at Kennedy Community Centre on Friday afternoon.

There has been a host of big-name moves throughout the off-season from right across the 22-team competition.

From former AFL-listed players to those hoping to make their way onto an AFL list, here is a list of 15 players who are set to light up the 2026 campaign for their new club.

Brodie McLaughlin (Box Hill Hawks)

The two-time Jim ‘Frosty’ Miller Medal winner has jumped ship after two seasons with Williamstown to join regular premiership contender Box Hill in a huge coup for the Hawks. It comes after the 28-year-old was in pursuit of an SSP spot with Hawthorn’s in the pre-season before undergoing foot surgery. Once back to full fitness, the sharpshooter is expected to have an enormous impact in the brown and gold, having kicked 175 majors across his past three VFL campaigns.

Alwyn Davey Jr (Carlton)

Alwyn Davey Jr will look to play a key role in Carlton’s resurgence up the ladder in 2025, having joined the Blues after being delisted by Essendon following 20 AFL games across the past three years. Davey kicked 13 goals in 12 VFL games last year, before a move to defence raised his ceiling - averaging just under 20 disposals across his last six weeks of the 2025 campaign. Carlton conceded the fifth most points and only bettered five other sides in total points scored last year, but Davey Jr’s addition can improve the side on both fronts.

Luamon Lual (Casey Demons)

Another to come from Essendon’s AFL side, Lual will suit up for the Casey Demons in 2026 as he pushes his case for a return to an AFL list. Lual showed promise as a winger at both AFL and VFL level for the Bombers, playing 12 AFL games last year before surprisingly being delisted at the conclusion of the season. His senior football experience will be more than handy for a Casey team that last year had their best finals run since winning the 2022 premiership.

Ethan Stanley (Casey Demons)

Midfielder and winger who has all the attributes to find his way back onto an AFL list following a one-and-a-half-year stint with Fremantle after being selected in the 2023 AFL Mid-Season Draft. After a strong 2025 campaign with the Box Hill Hawks, Stanley trained with Hawthorn throughout the summer and only just missed out on an SSP spot, which eventually went to Flynn Perez. Featured in the Smithy's VFL State Team last year and will make an immediate impact with the Demons.

Jaidyn Stephenson (Coburg)

The former Collingwood and North Melbourne forward and 2018 AFL Rising Star came agonisingly close to earning a spot on Port Adelaide’s AFL list via the SSP last month. Stephenson looks to have a point to prove as he pushes to recapture the form that saw him kick 130 goals in 122 AFL games. Starred in the Lions' practice match victory over Sandringham last month and will make a formidable duo inside forward 50 with Mitch Podhajski, who is fresh off a 54-goal campaign in 2025.

Will Phillips (Collingwood)

One of North Melbourne’s best performed midfielders throughout the 2025 Smithy's VFL season, Phillips will suit up for the Magpies in 2026. He finds his way to the KGM Centre following five years with the Kangaroos after being selected with pick No. 3 in the 2020 AFL Draft. Phillps averaged nearly 23 disposals across his 32 VFL games with North Melbourne and only dipped below 20 touches once in his 12 VFL appearances last season. He will add to a promising Collingwood midfield group in Matthew Lokan’s first campaign in charge.

Jaxon Binns (Essendon)

With Luamon Lual exiting the club, the Bombers were quick to find a replacement by signing former Carlton winger Jaxon Binns for season 2026. In 12 VFL appearances last season, Binns averaged over 21 disposals and almost seven marks a game. Was a member of the 2023 Smithy's VFL Team of the Year and won Carlton's best and fairest in his first season of senior football, before playing eight AFL games across the past two years. Is bound to improve an Essendon outfit that won just four matches in 2025.

Jack Billings (Footscray Bulldogs)

The reigning premiers have bolstered their midfield stocks by signing the 172 AFL game on-baller. After being delisted by Melbourne at the end of last season, the 2013 No.3 pick signed with the Bulldogs as an AFL development coach and will also suit up under new Footscray coach Alex Johnson. Billings is coming off an excellent 2025 VFL campaign with the Casey Demons, which saw him average over 26 disposals, nearly seven marks and three tackles a game.

Harvey Hooper (GWS Giants)

The Giants shocked most in the VFL world when they announced the signing of Port Melbourne great Harvey Hooper in January. The former Borough skipper backflipped on his VFL retirement following a move to Sydney for family reasons. Hooper's resume speaks for itself and he remains at the peak of his powers after winning selection in the 2025 Smithy's VFL Team of the Year and finishing runner-up in Port Melbourne's best and fairest. He was also among the Smithy's VFL State Team's best players in the win over the SANFL. Hooper and fellow big-name recruit James Bell will strengthen a GWS side that made its debut VFL finals appearance last year, despite falling away in the latter stages of last season.

Jean-Luc Velissaris (North Melbourne)

Following the announcement that the Northern Bullants would not take part in the 2026 VFL campaign, the battle to acquire Jean-Luc Velissaris’ signature was always going to create competition amongst VFL clubs. And it was North Melbourne who took the honours to acquire the midfield star. Velissaris has won three consecutive club best and fairest awards and was a shining light for the Bullants in 2025, averaging over 27 disposals. His talent and VFL experience will be an asset Kangaroos this season.

Ben Hobbs (Port Melbourne)

Following his delisting after four seasons with Essendon, Hobbs will join Port Melbourne this year as they look to better their six-win campaign in 2025. Hobbs made 18 AFL appearances for the Bombers last year and played 65 in total after being selected at pick 13 in the 2021 AFL Draft. Still just 22 years of age and with an ability to have a presence in the midfield and hit the scoreboard when forward, Hobbs can quickly become one of the Borough’s most influential players.

Kynan Brown (Sandringham)

Kynan Brown will have the opportunity to lead a new-look Sandringham midfield group as they embark on their next chapter as a standalone club. The only player on the Zebras list with AFL experience, Brown looks to be the perfect player to join the fold after a solid 2025 season with the Casey Demons that saw him average nearly 18 disposals and five tackles across 20 matches. With his father Nathan part of the Zebras coaching staff under head coach Daniel Ward, Brown will be eager to play a leading role in a new era for the club.

Sam Day (Southport Sharks)

With the departure of Hugh Dixon to Tasmania, Southport acted swiftly to sign the services of former Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns forward Sam Day. The veteran comes in at the perfect time for the Sharks, who are determined to go one better in 2026 having lost three of the past four grand finals. Along with the experience that comes from his 15-year AFL career, Day has a proven ability to play at both ends of the ground and pinch hit in the ruck, making him the ultimate threat for opposition sides.

Robbie Fox (Tasmania)

Tasmania's inaugural VFL captain returns home to lead the Devils after a 105-game AFL career with the Sydney Swans. Fox's on and off-field experience will be integral as Tasmania embarks on its VFL journey ahead of entry into the AFL. Meanwhile, his versatile skillset make him a major influence on the field and there’s no doubt the Tasmania-born talent will be setting the standard across the club in its debut campaign. Will unfortunately be sidelined for the Devils' inaugural match against Coburg in Round 1 due to a calf complaint.

Massimo Raso (Werribee)

One of the VFL’s most exciting young players will remain a Tiger in 2026, however this time in the west after making the move from Richmond to Werribee. Raso won Richmond’s leading goal kicking award in 2025 at just 19 years of age and was recognised as a finalist for the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal. With the ability to find the big sticks, but also win the football further up the ground, Raso possesses the talent to have an immediate impact with Werribee as it pushes to become a premiership contender again in 2026.