Preview 2026 Best 23 Discussion

[Spirit Level]

Starting this early as off-season is already boring and I'm bored.

As always, this is a pre draft/trade period best 23.

FF: Voss Amiss Switta
HF: Reid Treacy Bolton
C: Brayshaw Jackson Wags
HB: Simpson Cox Clark
FB: Ryan Pearce Chappy

R: Darcy Serong Young

I: Ras Johnson NOD Worner Frederick

Depth/pushing for a spot:
Banners
McDonald
Reidy
JOM (hopefully)
Duds
Walker
Sharp

Developing:
Draper
Davies
Delean
Nicholls
Murphy
Carr
Jones

Perpeptually injured:
Sturt

Gawn:
Brodie

Have at it!

 

[Spirit Level]

For hypotheticals, does this look much better?

FF: Voss Amiss Switta
HF: Ah Chee Treacy Bolton
C: Brayshaw Jackson McVee
HB: Simpson Cox Clark
FB: Ryan Pearce Chappy

R: Darcy Serong Young

I: Ras Johnson NOD Reid Wags

 

[gungho]

From 2024 to 2025, the forward line changed the most. Guys like Tabs, Walters, Emmett and Sturt made way for Bolton, Voss, Reid and Dudley. From 2025 - 2026 I reckon we change the backline and wings for quicker ball movement.

Best 22
Walker Pearce. Ryan
Clark Cox Simpson
Brayshaw Young. Wagner
Freddy. Treacy. Bolton
Reid. Amiss. Voss
Jackson Serong Erasmus

Johnson, Chappy, Darcy, Switta, Mature age recruit (Ah Chee?).

Edit: I reckon we need 2 mature age recruits. Would be happy to get both Ah Chee and McVee.

 

[eastfreo75]

7 Defenders - Pearce, Cox, Chapman, Ryan, Clarke, Walker, Simpson

7 Forwards - Tracey, Amiss, Voss, Frederick, Bolton, Switta, Dudley

9 Midfielders - Darcy, Jackson, Young, Serong, Murphy, Johnson, Erasmus, Wagner, Brayshaw

We are a bit too tall but with the sub being replaced with best 23 helps the issue.

Reserves
Defenders - Worner, Draper, McDonald

Forwards - Banfield, Sturt

Midfielders - NOD, Sharp, O’Meara

 

[go_the_dockers]

7 Defenders - Pearce, Cox, Chapman, Ryan, Clarke, Walker, Simpson

7 Forwards - Tracey, Amiss, Voss, Frederick, Bolton, Switta, Dudley

9 Midfielders - Darcy, Jackson, Young, Serong, Murphy, Johnson, Erasmus, Wagner, Brayshaw

We are a bit too tall but with the sub being replaced with best 23 helps the issue.

Reserves
Defenders - Worner, Draper, McDonald

Forwards - Banfield, Sturt

Midfielders - NOD, Sharp, O’Meara

Forward depth is poor, if we are relying on someone who played as a defender all year and someone who has done his ACL to cover injuries.

This is how I see our depth. Badly needs a quality wing, plus two forward (ideally not talls) to provide depth/ pressure on best 23.

Reserves
Defenders - Worner, Draper, McDonald, Banfield, Davies, Murphy

Forwards - Carr, Riddle, Nicholls

Midfielders - NOD, Sharp, O’Meara

Out Injured- Sturt

 

[rgauci]

7 Defenders - Pearce, Cox, Chapman, Ryan, Clarke, Walker, Simpson

7 Forwards - Tracey, Amiss, Voss, Frederick, Bolton, Switta, Dudley

9 Midfielders - Darcy, Jackson, Young, Serong, Murphy, Johnson, Erasmus, Wagner, Brayshaw

We are a bit too tall but with the sub being replaced with best 23 helps the issue.

Reserves
Defenders - Worner, Draper, McDonald

Forwards - Banfield, Sturt

Midfielders - NOD, Sharp, O’Meara

Worner is considerably better than Walker and Simpson based on 2025 season. A preseason can change a lot, but Worner may not be so easy to surpass.

He’s much better overhead than Simpson / Walker, he doesn’t have their pace, but rebounds reasonably well, I think due to better endurance. He’s a lot braver than Walker and a lot bigger physically than both.

 

[PowerToThePurpl]

Starting this early as off-season is already boring and I'm bored.

As always, this is a pre draft/trade period best 23.

FF: Voss Amiss Switta
HF: Reid Treacy Bolton
C: Brayshaw Jackson Wags
HB: Simpson Cox Clark
FB: Ryan Pearce Chappy

R: Darcy Serong Young

I: Ras Johnson NOD Worner Frederick

Depth/pushing for a spot:
Banners
McDonald
Reidy
JOM (hopefully)
Duds
Walker
Sharp

Developing:
Draper
Davies
Delean
Nicholls
Murphy
Carr
Jones

Perpeptually injured:
Sturt

Gawn:
Brodie

Have at it!

This is my 23 also. Not sure about recruitment but I don’t get the feeling we’ll bring in either Ah Chee (looks Adelaide bound) or McVee (staying in Melbourne - from Geraldton so not much lure).

I think the improvement will have to come from the guys already at the club which is ok, we have more than enough talent, they just need to play more games together.

 

[eastfreo75]

Forward depth is poor, if we are relying on someone who played as a defender all year and someone who has done his ACL to cover injuries.

This is how I see our depth. Badly needs a quality wing, plus two forward (ideally not talls) to provide depth/ pressure on best 23.

Reserves
Defenders - Worner, Draper, McDonald, Banfield, Davies, Murphy

Forwards - Carr, Riddle, Nicholls

Midfielders - NOD, Sharp, O’Meara

Out Injured- Sturt

Did you think Banfield is a better back than a forward?

 

[go_the_dockers]

Did you think Banfield is a better back than a forward?

Don't love him in either position. Maybe as a wing.

Hopefully he just provides solid depth next year but only plays under 10 games. (and less games the year after)

 

[FreoRicci]

FB: Walker, Cox, Ryan
HB: Simpson, Pearce, Clark
C: Sharp, Young, Johnson
HF: Frederick, Treacy, Bolton
FF: Voss, Amiss, Reid

R: Jackson, Brayshaw, Serong.

INT: Darcy, Erasmus, Dudley, Switkowski, Wagner.

Best team to suit needs.

Don’t have to change the backline from outside when there’s options in the list.

Simpson and Walker are needed- Walker holds down the derisive end allowing Simpson and Clark to move the ball.

Banfield is emergency.

Having Dudley and Switkowsi with Wagner on the bench offers flexibility.

Worner is unlucky to miss out. But can see him being a bench option.

 

[Tommo]

FB: Walker, Cox, Ryan
HB: Simpson, Pearce, Clark
C: Sharp, Young, Johnson
HF: Frederick, Treacy, Bolton
FF: Voss, Amiss, Reid

R: Jackson, Brayshaw, Serong.

INT: Darcy, Erasmus, Dudley, Switkowski, Wagner.

Best team to suit needs.

Don’t have to change the backline from outside when there’s options in the list.

Simpson and Walker are needed- Walker holds down the derisive end allowing Simpson and Clark to move the ball.

Banfield is emergency.

Having Dudley and Switkowsi with Wagner on the bench offers flexibility.

Worner is unlucky to miss out. But can see him being a bench option.

Chapman?

 

[FreoRicci]

Chapman?

Geez. I forgot him.
The depth is definitely there. Swap Chapman in for Dudley, he goes on field and Simpson on bench.
There’s so many players coming through that can change the B22 and improve the team

 

[Barnabus]

Worner is considerably better than Walker and Simpson based on 2025 season. A preseason can change a lot, but Worner may not be so easy to surpass.

He’s much better overhead than Simpson / Walker, he doesn’t have their pace, but rebounds reasonably well, I think due to better endurance. He’s a lot braver than Walker and a lot bigger physically than both.

He is a better medium defender than Walker but not better on the smalls. Having Worner in the team has necessitated Chapman and Ryan playing the lockdown small roles. Walker in for Worner frees them up to do what they do best. Intercept and attack.

It is a pity because I really like what Worner brings but for mine he has to get past Chapman or Ryan to get a game. Either way I think he plays a lot of games next year as injury cover.

 

[theGav56]

Maybe Sharp, NOD or MJ become great wings for us, but the jury is out on all of them.

I agree with Barnabus post, and think one/both of Worner or Chapman should spend the pre-season auditioning for a wing rotation position.

And maybe a little left field because we haven't done this under Longmuir, but I loved Geelong's revival of the tagger in the Brisbane final. Could Banfield and Worner play a similar role?

 

[Freomaniac]

Forward depth is poor, if we are relying on someone who played as a defender all year and someone who has done his ACL to cover injuries.

This is how I see our depth. Badly needs a quality wing, plus two forward (ideally not talls) to provide depth/ pressure on best 23.

Reserves
Defenders - Worner, Draper, McDonald, Banfield, Davies, Murphy

Forwards - Carr, Riddle, Nicholls

Midfielders - NOD, Sharp, O’Meara

Out Injured- Sturt

I disagree about the Forward depth is poor. Far from it.

Look at the forward line in our 2012 to 2015 finals era.

Pavlich was full forward. Chris Mayne stood at 187 cm but was our centre half forward.

Walters and Ballantyne were our forward pockets.

Random mids filled the forward flanks.

Any semi decent coach would get the best of our current forward line stocks.

Tracey, Amiss, Voss and Luke Jackson are all 195 cm or taller and are tall forwards on CHF or FF.

Walters is sadly retired Bolton, Frederick and Dudley can play Small pocket players.

Sam Sturt if still on the list he can play on a forward flank

 

[go_the_dockers]

I disagree about the Forward depth is poor. Far from it.

Look at the forward line in our 2012 to 2015 finals era.

Pavlich was full forward. Chris Mayne stood at 187 cm but was our centre half forward.

Walters and Ballantyne were our forward pockets.

Random mids filled the forward flanks.

Any semi decent coach would get the best of our current forward line stocks.

Tracey, Amiss, Voss and Luke Jackson are all 195 cm or taller and are tall forwards on CHF or FF.

Walters is sadly retired Bolton, Frederick and Dudley can play Small pocket players.

Sam Sturt if still on the list he can play on a forward flank

Sturt has done his ACL. .
You have named 7 players, so if we get 2 injuries who plays?

I don't think we have anyone to cover 1 injury, let alone 2.

Therefore our forward depth is poor

 

[Freomaniac]

Sturt has done his ACL. .
You have named 7 players, so if we get 2 injuries who plays?

I don't think we have anyone to cover 1 injury, let alone 2.

Therefore our forward depth is poor

I am sure we can cover certain players. We can throw a midfielder on a forward flank.

 

[FreoRicci]

Should keep persisting with Nicholls, Riddle and Murphy. All have good traits for Peel. Pre season bulk up and see where they are. Treacy and Amiss are only 21/22, so it’s good to have development in the background still.

 

[Docker82]

Forward depth is poor, if we are relying on someone who played as a defender all year and someone who has done his ACL to cover injuries.

This is how I see our depth. Badly needs a quality wing, plus two forward (ideally not talls) to provide depth/ pressure on best 23.

Reserves
Defenders - Worner, Draper, McDonald, Banfield, Davies, Murphy

Forwards - Carr, Riddle, Nicholls

Midfielders - NOD, Sharp, O’Meara

Out Injured- Sturt

Honestly think Carr is going to be a winger.

Realistically from the side you picked earlier Riddle or Nicholls aren't playing unless two of Voss, Treacy and Amiss are not.

Hope Banfield goes back forward as I think we'll probably get a lot more out of Simpson and Walker next season.

It's been done to death on here but it's clearly the area we draft/trade simply for depth this year.

Ideally we find a medium sized forward to replace Sturt - That player is an option to replace a tall or small forward given the amount of talls in the team. Also another genuine small forward to put pressure on Dudley would be ideal.

Depth wise I think we've got enough elsewhere to get by and cover most bases across a season. Of course I'd love to improve other parts of our best 22 but I think top four is possible without doing so.

 

[FreoRicci]

Honestly think Carr is going to be a winger.

Realistically from the side you picked earlier Riddle or Nicholls aren't playing unless two of Voss, Treacy and Amiss are not.

Hope Banfield goes back forward as I think we'll probably get a lot more out of Simpson and Walker next season.

It's been done to death on here but it's clearly the area we draft/trade simply for depth this year.

Ideally we find a medium sized forward to replace Sturt - That player is an option to replace a tall or small forward given the amount of talls in the team. Also another genuine small forward to put pressure on Dudley would be ideal.

Depth wise I think we've got enough elsewhere to get by and cover most bases across a season. Of course I'd love to improve other parts of our best 22 but I think top four is possible without doing so.

Carr is an interesting prospect. He has the tank for wing. Would back him to do a full pre season.

 

[gungho]

Honestly think Carr is going to be a winger.

Realistically from the side you picked earlier Riddle or Nicholls aren't playing unless two of Voss, Treacy and Amiss are not.

Hope Banfield goes back forward as I think we'll probably get a lot more out of Simpson and Walker next season.

It's been done to death on here but it's clearly the area we draft/trade simply for depth this year.

Ideally we find a medium sized forward to replace Sturt - That player is an option to replace a tall or small forward given the amount of talls in the team. Also another genuine small forward to put pressure on Dudley would be ideal.

Depth wise I think we've got enough elsewhere to get by and cover most bases across a season. Of course I'd love to improve other parts of our best 22 but I think top four is possible without doing so.

If I was a betting man I would say that Carr won’t make it. Have been watching him in games and training.

 

[Docker82]

If I was a betting man I would say that Carr won’t make it. Have been watching him in games and training.

Don't disagree but he's been trained as a winger so I don't really see him as a forward.

 

[Miltz]

Based on the current squad.

Ryan Pearce Simpson
Johnson Cox Clark
Wagner Young Brayshaw
Reid Treacy Switta
Amiss Voss Bolton
Darcy Jackson Serong
Erasmus Chapman Dudley Walker Fredrick

I like Johnson off HB rotating with Young/ Chapman
MJ has all the Mundy characteristics to be be a solid HB rotation - size, step, skill (+ speed)

Start Jacko mid and rotate with Ras, and I’d even love to see JT in there at times, he is explosive, fearless.

Duds/ Freddy to free up Bolton/ Reid to push up ground and allow Brayshaw to go inside.

Walker/ Simpson/ Clark rotation

Amiss to be the “Sturt” we always thought we’d have.

NIL for injury replacement- Draper, Worner, NOD, Banners

 

[Lach72]

Honestly think Carr is going to be a winger.

Realistically from the side you picked earlier Riddle or Nicholls aren't playing unless two of Voss, Treacy and Amiss are not.

Hope Banfield goes back forward as I think we'll probably get a lot more out of Simpson and Walker next season.

It's been done to death on here but it's clearly the area we draft/trade simply for depth this year.

Ideally we find a medium sized forward to replace Sturt - That player is an option to replace a tall or small forward given the amount of talls in the team. Also another genuine small forward to put pressure on Dudley would be ideal.

Depth wise I think we've got enough elsewhere to get by and cover most bases across a season. Of course I'd love to improve other parts of our best 22 but I think top four is possible without doing so.

Need to look at someone like Mitch Marsh in this draft then

 

[Lach72]

If I was a betting man I would say that Carr won’t make it. Have been watching him in games and training.

Yeah playing a lot of reserves as a 22 year old or whatever he is is not encouraging, especially given how shit Peel was this year