Harley Reid is the unbackable favourite to claim his maiden John Worsfold Medal in what is likely to be the first of many individual accolades to decorate his footballing resume.

A career-best season in only his third year in the AFL is set to be rewarded with the 2026 club champion award when it is presented at Crown Ballroom on Friday night.

Reid is likely to be the runaway winner, improving on his previous best result: Third place to co-captain Liam Baker last year.

The 21-year-old played all 23 games for the Eagles in 2026, leading the team for disposals (566), contested possessions (308), inside 50s (104), clearances (151) and bounces (41).

Reid was heavily criticised for his lack of fitness upon returning from his first pre-season and indifferent start to 2025, but had no qualms over the previous summer and reaped the rewards on the field.

He was ranked the No.62 in the AFL this year and No.37 midfielder, while he also became the youngest player ever to record 150 clearances or more and kick at least 15 goals in a single home-and-away season.

Should Reid win the medal as expected, he would become the second-least experienced Eagle to claim the honour in the AFL era at only 62 games, the same number dual premiership defender Glen Jakovich had played when he won his first in 1993.

Only Craig Turley had played fewer games at 58, when he won the medal in 1991 and also finished runner-up in that year’s Brownlow Medal count to Melbourne’s Jim Stynes.

Reid was one of only five Eagles to play all 23 games this season alongside key forward Jake Waterman, second-year spearhead Jobe Shanahan as well as defenders Brady Hough and Tylar Young.

Key backman Reuben Ginbey would’ve been the main challenger for Reid on the back of a breakout season down back, but a serious quad injury against Port Adelaide in round 13 cut his season short and has likely ended his chances.

Ginbey – who was runner-up last year – is likely to be in contention in the first 13 games but will quickly slip because of his injury.

2023 winner Tim Kelly is set to finish in the top three for the third time in seven seasons at the Eagles after a career resurgence.

Kelly, 32, averaged 24 disposals and five clearances from 21 games this year, having battled in 2025 when he didn’t make the top 10 of the club champion award for the first time.

Ruckman Bailey Williams is also a contender for a top-five finish after a strong season which had him turn his back on free agency and re-sign until the end of 2032.

Williams, 26, was hampered by a groin injury in the pre-season but returned to the AFL side in round five when he cemented himself as the No.1 ruckman at the club.

He would play the next 19 games, averaging a career-high 30 hit-outs, five clearances and 13 disposals to establish himself as a strong part of the team moving forward.

Last year’s mid-season draftee Tom McCarthy is also expected to poll well, having averaged 23 disposals from 22 games – behind only Reid and Kelly at the Eagles.

Waterman – who finished third in 2024 – will claim the leading goalkicker award for the second time in three seasons after booting 49 majors.

The 28-year-old would’ve been a strong contender for his maiden John Worsfold Medal had he been more accurate, kicking 56 behinds, but was still among the best for the four-win side.

No.1 draftee Willem Duursma is set to be named the Emerging Talent winner after impressing in his first 22 games for the club, booting 14 goals and averaging 17 touches.

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