It’s a new year with fresh faces.
While we’re all looking forward to seeing familiar faces return to the field in 2026, the Dogs will also welcome seven new players across the AFL and AFLW.
Take a closer look at the new players calling Mission Whitten Oval home in 2026:
Mizuki Brothwell:
An athletic medium defender, Mizuki Brothwell was selected by the Dogs with Pick 14 in the 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft.
Despite only making the transition from netball to football in the last few years, the 18-year-old from Balnarring impressed throughout her time with the Dandenong Stingrays.
Brothwell averaged 16.9 disposals and 2.6 marks per game during her time with the Stingrays – finishing third overall in the Club’s Best and Fairest and earning a spot in the Coates Talent League ‘Team of the Year’.
With strong intercept-marking ability, expect Brothwell to add depth to the Bulldogs’ backline, playing a role similar to Kaylee Kimber.
Connor Budarick:
The Gold Coast Sun made the decision to move to Mission Whitten Oval during the Continental Tyres Trade Period.
Looking to add to his 55 games across six seasons with the Gold Coast Suns, Budarick brings versatility as a running defender, while also having the ability to play a defensive role up forward.
A former Gold Coast Academy prospect, the 24-year-old enjoyed his most consistent year with the Suns in 2025, having worked hard to return from an injury-interrupted run.
Featuring mostly in the forward line, Budarick played 19 games in 2025, kicking seven goals and averaging 11 disposals per game.
With the aim of returning to his more natural home in the backline in 2026, Budarick is poised to use his pace to help the Dogs break the line out of defence.
Mikala Cann:
Trading the black and white for the red, white and blue is always a good decision (if you ask us, anyway).
Mikala Cann made the move west during the 2025 AFLW Trade Period.
While only 25 years old, Cann joins the kennel with 76 games of AFLW experience under her belt – second only to current vice-captain Ellie Blackburn.
Cann made herself known across the competition as a competitive midfielder, earning the nickname ‘The Bull’ for her ability to win the ball in just about any scenario.
Averaging 14.8 disposals and 6.4 tackles during 2025, Cann will add both experience and toughness to the Dogs’ developing AFLW midfield mix.
Described as having a ‘constant presence’ in the midfield, there’s no doubt fans will enjoy the Bull’s game style in 2026.
Lachlan Carmichael:
The one that almost got away.
Lachlan Carmichael was high on the radar of many teams heading into the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft.
A Swans Academy talent, the 18-year-old defender was secured with the Dogs’ first pick of the draft, with the Swans opting not to match a bid on the talented defender.
It was Carmichael’s performance across the National Championship that saw him rise up the draft order.
A creative ball-winner with strong decision-making skills, Carmichael averaged 24.8 disposals, five marks and 3.8 tackles during the championship – earning both Allies’ MVP and All-Australian honours as a result.
Taking the famous number 2 for the 2026 season, fans should be excited to see Carmichael make the most of his deadly right foot and use his high footy IQ to transition the ball quickly out of the backline.
Will Darcy:
The Darcy legacy is set to add another chapter at Mission Whitten Oval, with Will Darcy joining the Dogs as a father-son prospect during the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft.
Playing at the opposite end to brother Sam, the younger Darcy is seen as ‘raw talent’ whose height and versatility will be a massive benefit for the Dogs in years to come.
Despite limited time in the Coates Talent League, Darcy has the ability to play at both ends of the ground.
Standing at 198cm tall, Darcy also impressed the Dogs’ recruiting team with his aerial play as well as ground-level ability.
Louis Emmett:
A 199cm ruck/forward prospect, Louis Emmett was another player attracting plenty of attention heading into the 2025 Telstra AFL Draft.
The former rower impressed potential suitors with his athleticism, strong aerial abilities and clean hands.
Arguably the best display of Emmett’s athleticism came during the National Draft Combine, where he registered a time of 6:07 for the 2km time trial – third overall across all draftees.
On the field, the 18-year-old from the Oakleigh Chargers was impressive throughout the season, playing a hybrid role as a ruck and forward. Kicking six goals and averaging 25 disposals in back-to-back outings, Emmett also earned his chance at VFL level playing for Coburg.
Having already had a small taste of an AFL pre-season with Richmond earlier in 2025, expect Emmett to hit the ground running in 2026.
Charlie O’Connor Moreira:
Explosive and competitive.
There’s plenty of upside when it comes to the Dogs’ second selection in the 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft.
Joining the Dogs from the Western Jets, O’Connor Moreira is a speedy and competitive winger with an impressive ability to find space before bursting off with her line-breaking pace.
Originally playing a role in the forward line, the 18-year-old’s move to the midfield proved to be a game-changer as she averaged 19.7 disposals, 4.1 marks and 5.4 tackles playing for the Jets in 2025.
O’Connor Moreira has the ability to balance her line-breaking speed with a strong defensive mindset – a willingness to put her body on the line seen as a massive upside in her game.
Fans can look forward to seeing the development of O’Connor Moreira at senior level, adding even more punch to the Dogs’ midfield brigade.
