Kane's Countdown: The 10 most improved players so far in 2026

Kane Cornes has listed his top 10 most improved players through six rounds of footy in 2026!

At the quarter mark of the '26 season, a number of players have exploded onto the scene, producing vast improvement from their output in seasons' past.

Cornes has ranked his top 10, featuring a trio of Hawks and headlined by a Swan in All-Australian conversations.

See Cornes' top 10 below!

10. Lachlan McAndrew (Adelaide)

"Big Lachie McAndrew has come from the clouds for Adelaide," Cornes told SEN's Locked In.

"He is the 47th rated player in the league right now. Champion Data love nothing more than ruckman, so it is just a guide, but he is flying.

"He is a rookie, off the rookie list, came from Sydney - the exact sort of ruckman that you want. A cheap ruckman that does the job for you.

"Look back on the premiership winning teams of the last 20 years. Largely, other than Max Gawn, they are cheap, B-Grade ruckman, that you've plucked from other clubs. He is perfect."

9. Shai Bolton (Fremantle)

"I think Shai Bolton is having an excellent season.

"It's hard with Shai, when you talk about most improved, because there was a season a couple of years ago when he was at Richmond where he kicked 45 goals and had a million touches, but it dipped since then.

"He is back at that level, back in All-Australian calculations, I think, for what he is doing and how important he is for the Fremantle Dockers right now."

8. Connor Macdonald (Hawthorn)

"I think he is having a very, very good season.

"Averaging over 20 touches, over three tackles, he is winning clearances, kicks the footy, doesn't handball it.

"He is involved in scores, knows where the goals are, clearly. He has been excellent."

7. Kade Chandler (Melbourne)

"Having a very, very good season, is Kade Chandler.

"He is a serious footballer now. Over a goal a game, over 15 touches, he tackles, he can win a clearance if he needs to.

"I think he is clutch, as we saw on the weekend. Thought he was enormous, so wanted to give him his credit."

6. Luke Davies-Uniacke (North Melbourne)

"A very good footballer, but hasn't reached these heights before.

"Once again, is a player that's in All-Australian calculations, no doubt about that.

"27, five tackles, six clearances, destructive, burst away from stoppage player, breaks tackles - I think he's second or third in the league for broken tackles, which is a stat that I rate highly.

"I think he has been enormous."

5. Murphy Reid (Fremantle)

"One of my other love children. What a pick he was.

"I know he was excellent last year in his first year, but he has been a lot better this year, so at five I've got him.

"I cannot wait towatch him for years to come. Plenty of the ball, his numbers are through the roof."

4. Josh Rachele (Adelaide)

"Much improved player, Josh Rachele.

"Who would have thought he could be a reliable midfielder with everything he put himself through, with his contest work and his unreliability with his iffy efforts in the past.

You don't see that anymore. He was flashy with the goal celebrations, you don't really see that anymore.

"I think he's got the perfect balance of a bit of showmanship, but absolutely letting his footy do the talking.

"What a nice career he is developing."

3. Nick Watson (Hawthorn)

"Speaks for itself.

"The best small forward in the competition this year, Nick Watson.

"We all knew he was going to get there, but I'm not sure many thought he would get there this quickly."

2. Jack Ginnivan (Hawthorn)

"Just been huge, Ginnivan.

"We're talking about never picking wingmen in the All-Australian team - there's a pretty good wingmen right there in your All-Australian team.

"1.3 goals a game, 21 touches, seven marks, he's winning clearance and he is devastating. Most of his possessions lead to scores."

1. Justin McInerney (Sydney)

"The number one score involvements player in the league. He is the most improved player in the league."