Opinion Your 2026 R1 team

[goreds]

B: Saad, Weitering, Newman
HB: Florent, Haynes, McGovern
C: Acres, Cripps, Chesser
HF: Ainsworth, O'Keefe, Hayward
F: Moir, McKay, Williams
R: Pittonet, Walsh, Hewett
I: Evans, Dean, Cerra, E.Hollands, Smith
E: Carroll, Lord, Cowan, O.Hollands

I'm about disposal with this team. No longer can we butcher the ball coming off HB.

McG and Acres must play to give us marking players. Newman, Chesser are ELITE by foot, Chesser ELITE across the ground (sorry O.Hollands but he's your upgrade). Moir, Williams, E.Hollands great/elite by foot.

O'Keefe is the wildcard.

 

[heatleystandend]

I really hope we don’t have a backline that includes Saad, Newman, McGovern and Haynes in the backline. That’s 4 players who could be in their last year in the back 7.

That’s not planning for the future.

 

[Sweet Seventeen]

I really hope we don’t have a backline that includes Saad, Newman, McGovern and Haynes in the backline. That’s 4 players who could be in their last year in the back 7.

That’s not planning for the future.

Very good point, agree about this. Hopefully, we see players the likes of Dean, Charleson, Wilson and especially Matt Carroll get plenty of

opportunities. I would say that Carroll is already in our best 23, or very, very close. Saad had a poor season and has lost a yard. McGov has

been found out, very conditional player and lucky to still be on our list. Had we been able to snag Buku, he would have been gonski. Haynes

was terrific, but he is another year older and is near his end. So as the season progresses, I hope to see the following.

McGov---Dean

Saad---Charleson

Newman---Young

Haynes---Wilson

 

[gbatman]

It will be interesting to see whether we stick with Haynes on a wing, was very good there but was it more about lack of options or more because he was really good there? WE have some strong wing options now.

 

[ctwenty1]

B: Saad, Weitering, Newman
HB: Florent, Haynes, McGovern
C: Acres, Cripps, Chesser
HF: Ainsworth, O'Keefe, Hayward
F: Moir, McKay, Williams
R: Pittonet, Walsh, Hewett
I: Evans, Dean, Cerra, E.Hollands, Smith
E: Carroll, Lord, Cottrell, O.Hollands

I'm about disposal with this team. No longer can we butcher the ball coming off HB.

McG and Acres must play to give us marking players. Newman, Chesser are ELITE by foot, Chesser ELITE across the ground (sorry O.Hollands but he's your upgrade). Moir, Williams, E.Hollands great/elite by foot.

O'Keefe is the wildcard.

Where is Cow?

 

[gbatman]

I really hope we don’t have a backline that includes Saad, Newman, McGovern and Haynes in the backline. That’s 4 players who could be in their last year in the back 7.

That’s not planning for the future.

It's a round one side, by round 20 or 15 it's fair that there could be some other names there.

I think we have talented youth in our backline, but these older guys give them time to develop and really hone the finer points of their game in the VFL.

Probably don't want to see a backling of O'Farrell, Dean, Wilson, Charleson and Carroll either. Everything in balance.

The truth is, if the older players are playing well enough still then great, that means we are going to be pretty strong because have we have seen from every premiership side, the importance of looking after older players and getting a lot out of them is huge.

Our defensive future is fine. O'Farrell is out for most of the year and is physically developing still; Wilson looks good but is still working in his fitness, physical strength and his one on one defending; Carroll is AFL ready and will keep improving; Dean is a first year tall and he will need VFL time, master that level first; Charleson had a good season in the VFL and is still a talented but developing player.

We are lucky to have these older guys to allow these younger players to spend time in the VFL. When ready they will come through and it will be seamless.

 

[Sweet Seventeen]

It will be interesting to see whether we stick with Haynes on a wing, was very good there but was it more about lack of options or more because he was really good there? WE have some strong wing options now.

With our new acquisitions, I don't expect to see Haynes on the wing again. Our wings could now be running machines the likes of Chesser,

Florent, Ollie Hollands and Walsh. Haynes will be very much needed in defence now, without JSOS and HOF.

 

[HavUEvaSeenTheRain]

I really hope we don’t have a backline that includes Saad, Newman, McGovern and Haynes in the backline. That’s 4 players who could be in their last year in the back 7.

That’s not planning for the future.

It’s a good point, I think we start like that and if it’s not working we replace them then. I think when you look at players like Lester and Zorko it shows you can play to a fair age so I don’t think they will know who’s name to put a line through until well into next season.
One positive is that we should have the majority of their replacements on the list already so you would hope it’s a smooth transition

 

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Newman, Weiters, Haynes
Florent, Cowan, Jagga
Hollands, Cripps, Chesser
Ainsworth, Kemp, Hayward
Moir, McKay, Motlop

R - Pittonet, Walsh, Hewett
I- Cerra, HOK, Williams, Josh Lindsay

• I think Pitto will be given first crack at being the #1 ruck.
• Dean as a KPD would be cautious to bring him in too early
• Josh Lindsay appears to have all the attributes we are looking for and should be available at pick 9/11
• It wont happen but would love Saad to start the year playing VFL
• IMO Jagga should start his AFL career off half back
• If Elijah has a solid pre season there is no reason he shouldnt be in the round 1 side, but seems like a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and then.

For the first time since Betts & Garlett we look to have some potency in our small forwards, we should have more avenues to goal. Will be interesting if Harry plays deep or up the ground. If the side are fit and we have a good run with injury I am quietly confident in what this side can do.

 

[Blue__Balls]

I really hope we don’t have a backline that includes Saad, Newman, McGovern and Haynes in the backline. That’s 4 players who could be in their last year in the back 7.

That’s not planning for the future.

Depends who the others are and how those players are being used.

I think we'll need Newman and Haynes if we're also playing kids. I'd leave Gov out but he'd also be right on the edge...and if he's playing for a contract we may get some good footy out of him. Saad now has a bunch of kids breathing down his neck - it'll be on them to overtake him.

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

dean watchers, is dean any chance of being a ready made chb at afl level?

No

 

[Iamcarlton]

Like the additions more run carry skill but won't bother with a best 23 for rd 1 i'll leave that to others .
Should be less predictable with a better spread of goalkickers rather than the huge reliance on the big 2 .
The biggest difference that can be made as far as improvement goes next year won't be had on paper .

1. Buy in sometimes we have it more often than not we don't clearly not this year .
2. Injuries we have the worst or close to worst run with injuries in the league every year been the case since atleast 2018 onwards .
Just a league average run across a year would see improvement.
Do have real concerns ( in fact shit scared) about our tall defensive stocks short term if Weitering was to miss a large chunk of the year .

Get 1&2 areas right & there's no reason we can't be very competitive & knocking on the door of the 8 with a real genuine platform to go higher in future.

 

[Red Bull]

Saad Weitering Dean
Cowan Haynes Newman
Chesser Cripps Hollands
Hayward Kemp Ainsworth
Williams McKay Moir

O’Keefe Cerra Walsh

Smith Motlop Lord Hewett Florent

Florent defensive rotation
Motlop forward rotation
Smith, Lord, Hewett midfield rotation

Movement movement movement !!
The shift has to be to a team in constant motion and unpredictable to the opposition.
If Voss can’t accept and get his head around this, he’ll be gone sooner rather than later …

 

[goreds]

Where is Cow?

I think its Dean/Cowan.

I've edited the depth!

 

[WalshistheGOAT]

Don't really care that much about our 2026 line up, I'm just looking ahead to our 2028 r1 team.

This trade period sets us up beautifully to catch the ends of Weiters/Cripps/McKay's best footy while stacking young talent in the draft beneath it.


Matthew Carroll - Jacob Weitering

23

Jacob Weitering

Age

28

Ht

195cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.8

4star

K

9.1

4star

HB

4.7

3star

M

5.6

5star

T

1.3

3star

MG

189.4

3star

No current season stats available

D

16.8

4star

K

10.8

4star

HB

6.0

4star

M

6.0

5star

T

0.8

3star

MG

263.4

4star

- Harry Dean
Ollie Florent - Harry O'Farrell - Lachie Cowan

Sam Walsh

18

Sam Walsh

Age

25

Ht

184cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.1

5star

K

13.5

5star

HB

11.6

5star

M

5.1

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

3.4

5star

No current season stats available

D

26.2

5star

K

15.4

5star

HB

10.8

5star

M

6.0

5star

T

3.2

5star

CL

4.8

5star

- Patrick Cripps

9

Patrick Cripps

Age

30

Ht

195cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.9

5star

K

9.8

4star

HB

16.1

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

5.8

5star

CL

7.4

5star

D

21.0

5star

K

10.1

4star

HB

10.9

5star

M

2.5

3star

T

3.8

4star

CL

6.3

5star

D

12.6

4star

K

4.8

2star

HB

7.8

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.2

5star

CL

1.4

4star

- Campbell Chesser
Liam Reidy - Jagga Smith - Cody Walker

Jack Ison - Hudson O'Keefe - Ben Ainsworth
Ashton Moir - Harry McKay

10

Harry Mckay

Age

27

Ht

200cm

Wt

106kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.9

3star

K

7.5

3star

HB

2.4

2star

M

5.5

5star

T

1.6

4star

G

1.4

5star

D

6.6

1star

K

4.6

2star

HB

2.0

1star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.4

2star

G

1.4

5star

D

8.8

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

2.0

2star

M

4.4

4star

T

0.8

3star

G

2.0

5star

- Will Hayward

Adam Cerra - Brodie Kemp - Matthew Cottrell - Cooper Lord - Ollie Hollands

Add to that 2025/2026/2027 draft picks, possible trades, free agents etc. Exciting times ahead despite possibly being in for some short term pain.

 

[bradfisher14]

As it currently stands:

FB:	Haynes	Weitering	Newman
HB:	Cowan	Dean	Florent
C:	O. Hollands	Walsh	Chesser
HF:	Ainsworth	Kemp	Williams
FF:	Hayward	McKay	Moir
R:	Pittonet	Smith	Cripps
INT:	Carroll	Hewett	Cerra
	Evans	E. Hollands

 

[CoachB]

B: Cowan Weitering O.Hollands
HB: Florent Haynes Newman
C: Walsh Cripps Acres
HF: Ainsworth McKay Hayward
F: Williams HOK Motlop
Foll: Pittonet Hewett Cerra
Int: Jagga Chesser Moir Evans Lord
Emerg: Reidy Wilson McGovern Young Carroll Saad

After losing Round 1 last year, I don't think we will debut Dean or any first year player no matter how well he/they train pre-season. Voss will want the win badly and will pick his old favourites and hard bodies.

 

[Benaly28]

Newman Weitering Saad
Florent McGovern Haynes
Chesser Cripps Walsh
Hayward Kemp Ainsworth
Evans McKay Williams

Pitto Hewitt Jagga

Int Hollands Lord
Cowan Carroll Moir Cerra


But I need 6 on the bench

No HOK or Reidy?

 

[ctwenty1]

I think its Dean/Cowan.

I've edited the depth!

I reckon Cow is in ahead of Gov from round 1

 

[bradfisher14]

Don't really care that much about our 2026 line up, I'm just looking ahead to our 2028 r1 team.

This trade period sets us up beautifully to catch the ends of Weiters/Cripps/McKay's best footy while stacking young talent in the draft beneath it.


Matthew Carroll - Jacob Weitering - Harry Dean
Ollie Florent - Harry O'Farrell - Lachie Cowan

Sam Walsh - Patrick Cripps - Campbell Chesser
Liam Reidy - Jagga Smith - Cody Walker

Jack Ison - Hudson O'Keefe - Ben Ainsworth
Ashton Moir - Harry McKay - Will Hayward

Adam Cerra - Brodie Kemp - Matthew Cottrell - Cooper Lord - Ollie Hollands

Add to that 2025/2026/2027 draft picks, possible trades, free agents etc. Exciting times ahead despite possibly being in for some short term pain.

Needs more Bear and Butters

 

[Benaly28]

As it currently stands:

FB:	Haynes	Weitering	Newman
HB:	Cowan	Dean	Florent
C:	O. Hollands	Walsh	Chesser
HF:	Ainsworth	Kemp	Williams
FF:	Hayward	McKay	Moir
R:	Pittonet	Smith	Cripps
INT:	Carroll	Hewett	Cerra
	Evans	E. Hollands

That’s not a bottoms 6 side like most people are saying.

 

[ctwenty1]

It’s a good point, I think we start like that and if it’s not working we replace them then. I think when you look at players like Lester and Zorko it shows you can play to a fair age so I don’t think they will know who’s name to put a line through until well into next season.
One positive is that we should have the majority of their replacements on the list already so you would hope it’s a smooth transition

I dont think we start with Gov in the back - we were ready to let him go

By the end of the year I would love for Carrol and Wilson to have really cemneted their place in the side ahead of Saad and Newman, but I suspect Wilson may need a bit more time so Newman gets go around again

 

[ItsAllAboutMe]

That’s not a bottoms 6 side like most people are saying.

The beauty of 2026 is we will start the year with no expectation from either media or fans.. We know our players go to water with the slightest bit of pressure so we should be able to coast through under the radar.

 

[ctwenty1]

The beauty of 2026 is we will start the year with no expectation from either media or fans.. We know our players go to water with the slightest bit of pressure so we should be able to coast through under the radar.

I wish

Focus will be on Voss

Lots of media attention if we have another poor start

 

[bradfisher14]

That’s not a bottoms 6 side like most people are saying.

Agreed. Think we surprise a few next year if we can get our culture right.

Biggest question marks in that side for me is speed through the midfield with Cripps/Hewett/Cerra and whether Dean can hold up for a full season. Otherwise, I think it's a finals contender.