Colby McKercher

Colby McKercher is a professional Australian rules footballer who was selected by as the number two pick in the 2023 AFL draft.

He previously played for the Tasmania Devils in the Talent League.

AFL career After collecting 18 disposals in 's only official pre-season game against , McKercher made his official debut for in round one against . On debut, McKercher collected 22 disposals and 8 marks in 39-point loss at Sydney Showground Stadium. McKercher continued his good form in his next few games with 22 disposals and 6 marks in round two against and 19 disposals and 6 marks in round three against in the Good Friday Superclash. However, during Gather Round, he only gathered 13 disposals and took no marks, but he laid five tackles during the 70-point loss at Norwood Oval to the reigning grand finalists in the . McKercher played again in round five in their clash against . However, McKercher ended up getting substituted out of the match due to his collision with opposition player Jeremy Cameron late in the first quarter. McKercher was hospitalised with a rib injury following the incident.

McKercher received a nomination for the 2024 Rising Star award after round nine of the 2024 season, which was his third consecutive match collecting 30 or more disposals. During the season, McKercher set a personal best of 37 disposals on two occasions – firstly, in round 17 against , and secondly in round 22 against . McKercher was defended by coach Alistair Clarkson, who backed his young talent to play to his strengths.

Statistics Updated to the end of round 22, 2026.

60 !! 18 !! 8 !! 884 !! 491 !! 1375 !! 222 !! 114 !! 0.3 !! 0.1 !! 14.7 !! 8.2 !! 22.9 !! 3.7 !! 1.9 !! 4