Prediction Best 22 - 2026

[OxSaint]

That's a tall heavy backline?

I think Howard is looking more like the new Cordy than the old Howard. Not sure the club will expecting him to be best 22 next year. He might command it but I don’t see him getting the nod over Wilkie (better), Jsos (better), Tauru (young star) or Aleer (targeted recruit).

 

[Anythings_sipposible]

If we somehow manage to get all of the players were rumoured to be targetting:

Best 23

FB JSOS Wilkie Aleer

HB Sinclair Tauru Flanders

C Windhager Philippou Mackenzie

HFF Ryan Sharman Hall

FF Higgins King Owens

Foll TDK Nas Garcia

INT Steele Macrae Hill Wilson Henry

VFL

FB Stocker Howard Hastie

HBF Travalia Barrat Clark

C Byrnes Boxshall Wood

HFF Said Keeler Butler

FF Collard Caminiti Campigli

Foll Dodson Dow Jones (Delisted but retained for VFL)

INT LOC, Eamon, Carrol, Voss, Fincher


Yes please and thankyou.

 

[SaintKing23]

Wilkie JSOS Tauru
Sinclair Aleer Hastie
Wilson Pou Wood
Hall King Owens
Sharman Marshall Higgins

TDK Nas Windhager

I/C: Stocker, Macrae, Garcia, Clark and Boxshall Sub (Steele gone?)
Hill earning his spot back?

 

[SaintsofSteel]

RTB wants to play Caminiti forward, hence I believe Howard still plays at full back. We cant expect Wilkie or other under sized defenders to play on the 200-210cms forwards. JSOS is more a 2nd tall defender and Aleer doesnt have the one on one game to play on the stronger forwards. Barrat 194cms is a long way off and I doubt he will ever hold down full back at the next level.

For me grabbing both JSOS and Aleer is odd recruiting when we still dont have a replacement for Howard apart from Caminiti. A developing 200cm defender remains a huge void on our list, lets hope the club have a plan to find one.

 

[D2D3]

So far I’d be thinking:

Wilkie - Aleer - Tauru
Sinclair - Howard - Silvani
Wood - Macrae - Hill
Owens - Marshall - Hall
Higgins - King - Sharman
De Koning - Windhager - Wang-Mil

Steele - Phillipou - Hastie
Clark - Wilson

Already looks a much stronger side.

 

[L_W_P]

FB: Wilkie (c) - Caminiti - Tauru
HB: Sinclair - Aleer* - Travaglia
C: Wilson - Macrae - Flanders*
HF: Phillipou - King - Hall
FF: Ryan* - Sharman - Higgins
R: TDK* - NWM - Garcia
I: Silvagni - Henry - Owens - Windhager - Hastie

 

[L_W_P]

RTB wants to play Caminiti forward, hence I believe Howard still plays at full back. We cant expect Wilkie or other under sized defenders to play on the 200-210cms forwards. JSOS is more a 2nd tall defender and Aleer doesnt have the one on one game to play on the stronger forwards. Barrat 194cms is a long way off and I doubt he will ever hold down full back at the next level.

For me grabbing both JSOS and Aleer is odd recruiting when we still dont have a replacement for Howard apart from Caminiti. A developing 200cm defender remains a huge void on our list, lets hope the club have a plan to find one.

Do we know that Ross wants Hammer forward?

Feels like we had that opportunity last year with King out. Could have easily played Barratt or Keeler in defence as much as we did with Hammer.

I think he looks solid at either end so happy for him to play wherever but I think that Silvagni & Tauru and up as better swing options than Hammer.

 

[Bill Crouse]

Do we know that Ross wants Hammer forward?

Feels like we had that opportunity last year with King out. Could have easily played Barratt or Keeler in defence as much as we did with Hammer.

I think he looks solid at either end so happy for him to play wherever but I think that Silvagni & Tauru and up as better swing options than Hammer.

He said that he did.

I don't think Barrat or Keeler were an option to play on forwards like Darcy, Neale or Cadman like Caminiti did.

 

[Veer Right]

Tauru JSOS Aleer
Sinclair Wilkie Hastie
Wilson NWM Hill
Hall Sharman Boxshall
Higgins King Ryan
TDK Flanders Garcia

Macrae Windhager Owens Caminiti Travaglia

• Heath, Marshall and Steele find new clubs
• Dodson becomes number two ruck in year two
• Easily leave Hill out but it won't happen with NWM around

Who misses out

Wood - good problem to have if he's depth is 2026
Henry - easily good enough to be best 23 when fully firing. Don't gift him games.
Pou - I don't want him gifted games either with the depth we have now. He's fully fit impacting or he's playing seconds.
Howard - I want him in the best 23 but how do we fit him in? JSOS plays forward? I hope not.
LOC - On him to work hard and force his way in. He is promising.
Keeler - Looks like one of the best players at the club if not the AFL when he's on. Up to him to want it bad enough.
Butler/Collard - Behind Higgins and fighting with Ryan for a spot
Stocker - Not in my best 23 yet good depth if injuries hit
Dow - Feel for him. He will have to work his ass off to make it as any more then depth.
Clark - Could do the other half back position but i am rolling with youth in Hastie or Travaglia to step up and pass him.

Others

Need to find a bit or for some, delist material.

 

[SG34]

He said that he did.

I don't think Barrat or Keeler were an option to play on forwards like Darcy, Neale or Cadman like Caminiti did.

Maybe he means in the seconds? I have never seen Hammer play a complete game up forward, though he did kick three or so once. Down back, it’s just unpredictable. Some good things. Has a crack, but I can’t see him in the firsts TBH

 

[L_W_P]

Another try
Why?

B.  Voss Howard  Wilkie

H.B. Sinclair JSOS  Windhager

C. Henry Macrae Wilson

H.F. Hall Marshall Ryan

F. Higgins King Sharman

Foll. TDK Pou Nas

l/C. Butler, Garcia, Owens, Steele, Wood

Two's

B. Aleer  Barrat Stocker

H.B. Hastie Tauru Travaglia

C. Fincher Clark O'Connell

H.F. Hill Keeler Said

F. Armstrong Caminiti Collard

Foll. Dodson Boxshall Dow

l/C. ? ? ?

Voss over Aleer in the senior's? Why?

Haven't followed Jackson's progress but I'd have to think that we would be prioritizing the AFL listed player, who's probably gonna cost us a F2nd special trade, over the previously passed over VFL guy.

 

[Armoooo]

FB: Wilkie Aleer Stocker
HB: Windhager JSOS Sinclair
C: Hall Flanders Hill
HF: Phillipou Sharman Owens
FF: Ryan King Higgins
R: TDK NWM Macrae
I/C: Wilson Garcia Wood ------ -------

The final two spots will be based on needs and form from: Tauru Collard Travaglia Caminiti Boxshall Keeler Dodson Clark Henry Hastie

I've been feeling really bullish the last few days, but seeing it written down makes me realise how much next year is dependent on us needing multiple players to have breakout years.

The recruits aren't going to carry us up the ladder, they're just support pieces. We really need to hope that the youth we've got is as good as we feel it could be.

I want to see Owens, Windy, Wilson and Phillipou in particular take huge leaps next year.

 

[Sully111]

FB: Wilkie Aleer Stocker

HB: JSOS Sinclair Tauru

C: Windhager Flanders Hill

HF: Hall Sharman Owens

FF: Ryan King Higgins

R: TDK Nas Garcia

I/C: Wilson Macrae Keeler Boxshall Phillipou

Howard for Aleer depending on preseason.

 

[L_W_P]

FB: Silvagni - Wilkie - Tauru
HB: Flanders - SDK - Sinclair
C: Hill - NWM - Wood
HF: Phillipou - King - Owens
FF: Higgins - Sharman - Ryan
R: TDK - Macrae - Windhager
I: Wilson - Henry - Garcia - Hall - Boxshall

JSOS to ruck in the D50. Owens to ruck F50.

Whole team is gonna be gut running the full 80 minutes each week!

EDIT: No more Aleer! Gonna pull out the shock "SDK for RoMa" play.

 

[Anythings_sipposible]

I'll give it another crack, but boy oh boy is it getting hard to fit everyone in. I've left guys like Tauru, Hastie and Boxshall out in favour of experience, as I want these guys to earn their stripes at VFL, and for the reserves to be fighting for a premiership in '26. I've also got Caminiti in, as I think we need a second ruck. Best case scenario, they younger guys are pushing the older guys out come the pointy end.

FB Aleer Howard Wilkie

HB Sinclair Silvani Clark

C Wilson Garcia Windhager

HFF Ryan King Owens

FF Higgins Caminiti Sharman

Foll TDK Nas Flanders

INT Macrae Philipou Hill Hall Wood

I'm hoping that by the end of the season

Howard or Caminiti = Tauru
Clark = Hastie
Wood = Boxshall
Ryan = Henry or Collard

 

[SainterEire]

B: Aleer Howard Tauru
HB: Sinclair JSOS Wilkie
C: Wilson Steele Windhager
HF: Ryan Phillipou Hall
F: Owens King Higgins
R: TDK Nas Flanders

I/C: Macrae Sharman Wood Henry Boxshall/Garcia

 

[bird_man]

Stocker - Wilkie - Tauru
Sinclair - Silvagni - Travaglia
Hill - NWM - Windhager
Owens - Sharman - Hall
Higgins - King - Ryan

TDK - Phillipou - Flanders

MaCrae, Wilson, Garcia, Wood, Boxhall

Emg: Hastie, Henry, Dodson, Aleer, Clark

Toss up between Travaglia and Hastie off half back for me. Just have a feeling Tobie might come on this year.

Could probably swap one of the minds on the bench for Hastie or Henry though for a bit more versatility.

 

[ScrappyDo]

Stocker - Wilkie - Tauru
Sinclair - Silvagni - Travaglia
Hill - NWM - Windhager
Owens - Sharman - Hall
Higgins - King - Ryan

TDK - Phillipou - Flanders

MaCrae, Wilson, Garcia, Wood, Boxhall

Emg: Hastie, Henry, Dodson, Aleer, Clark

Toss up between Travaglia and Hastie off half back for me. Just have a feeling Tobie might come on this year.

Could probably swap one of the minds on the bench for Hastie or Henry though for a bit more versatility.

Mighty small defensive line you've got there. One or two of Doogs, Hammer and Aleer will surely have to be added.

 

[bird_man]

Mighty small defensive line you've got there. One or two of Doogs, Hammer and Aleer will surely have to be added.

I reckon three talks in the back 6 is plenty.

But the fact we are bringing in Aleer still probably means he gets a game early. I hope that's not in place of Tauru.

 

[CaptainRisky]

Do we know that Ross wants Hammer forward?

Feels like we had that opportunity last year with King out. Could have easily played Barratt or Keeler in defence as much as we did with Hammer.

I think he looks solid at either end so happy for him to play wherever but I think that Silvagni & Tauru and up as better swing options than Hammer.

They are no where near ready to play on key forwards

 

[Saintbloke]

FB: Wilkie Aleer Stocker
HB: Windhager JSOS Sinclair
C: Hall Flanders Hill
HF: Phillipou Sharman Owens
FF: Ryan King Higgins
R: TDK NWM Macrae
I/C: Wilson Garcia Wood ------ -------

The final two spots will be based on needs and form from: Tauru Collard Travaglia Caminiti Boxshall Keeler Dodson Clark Henry Hastie

I've been feeling really bullish the last few days, but seeing it written down makes me realise how much next year is dependent on us needing multiple players to have breakout years.

The recruits aren't going to carry us up the ladder, they're just support pieces. We really need to hope that the youth we've got is as good as we feel it could be.

I want to see Owens, Windy, Wilson and Phillipou in particular take huge leaps next year.

I reckon Windy and Wilson are coming along nicely, but Owens really does need to take the next step in 2026 and who knows how Pou will go with his nagging injury, but we need him firing.

 

[Half Back Pocket]

Without Barrels input, is this thread really even relevant.

Poor dude has been doing best 22's for the last 15 years. When we finally build some decent depth he's quit

 

[Barrels]

SENIORS 2026​

In: De Koning Flanders Silvagni Aleer* Ryan*

Out: Marshall* Steele* Heath*

Delisted: McLennan Cordy Boyd

Retired: Webster

Limbo: Jones Schoenmaker Byrnes

B: xxxxx - Silvagni - Wilkie

HB: Wang.-Mil. - xxxxx - Sinclair

C: Windhager - Phillipou - Wilson

HF: Hall - Sharman - Owens

F: Higgins - King - xxxxx

Foll: De Koning - Macrae - Flanders
​

Position Battles/Thoughts:

Lockdown Defender:

• Stocker, Hastie, or O’Connell: Stocker probably has the runs on the board, but I’d rather O’Connell after his start to 2025… if it wasn’t for Sniper Lynch, he’d have held his spot for mine.

Tall Defenders:

• Howard, Tauru or Aleer: Silvagni listed, but does he get first crack? My money is on yes.

Tall Forward/Ruck:

• Caminiti, Dodson, or Keeler? I think Keeler gets the first crack due to his versatility as a chop out ruck. Not sure Dodzilla has the juice yet, and Hammer is pretty rubbish as a ruck. Both Hammer and Dodzilla would be next in line as a key forward or first ruck, respectively.

Small Forward:

• We need a genuine second, as Hall will play up the field a lot, so who is it? Ryan (assuming he comes in) is a gun on his day, Butler will be coming from behind after the filthy elbow injury, and Collard has shown glimpses. Maybe Pou and Wilson start there, and roll up field like Hall? What about Henry?

The Messiah:

• On-ball or off half back? For me, both; he starts at half back, but spends significant time on ball, especially late in games. All of he, Sinclair, and Flanders can play both spots… and should.

Experience vs Youth:

• Wood and Hill, or Wilson and Windhager? For me, it’s time for the kids, and the old lads can start on the pine, or across half forward. It’s a good problem to have, if they’re all in form.

The Bench:

• Lots to ponder here. Henry, Boxshall, Dodson, Garcia, Travaglia, Caminiti, Dow, Carroll, etc. have all played Senior footy, and showed at least something. Injuries permitting, we have some really decent depth.

There you go Half Back Pocket. I’ll go back to exile now.

 

[AFaiL]

Best 23
B: Silvagni, Wilkie, Tauru
HB: Sinclair, Aleer, Stocker
C: Wilson, Hall, Windhager
HF: Ryan, King, Owens
F: Higgins, Marshall, Sharman
R: TDK, NWM, Pou
Int: Garcia, Hill, Boxshall, McCrae, Dow

Bolded my locks / ones without significant injury history

Howard, Hastie, Wood, Steele, Clark, Trav, Carroll, Henry, Hammer, Collard, Keeler, Butler, Dodson

Obviously there are injuries and we tend to overrate our own (eg I love stocks), but it does appear there is some genuine depth going into 26, providing we dont start the season with half a dozen key injures which has been par for the course lately.


Possible inclusions: Flanders, Mackenzie, Fincher, Voss

Swap Marshall for Flanders and move a few magnets around to make it work, I guess

 

[wannabewinner]

Camino goes forward now?