Best 23 for 2026

[Chadwiko]

He's my next key defender - I want to see big Will get an extended run next year to see what's there and Comben is a lock. I wouldn't be too fussed if Pink was selected ahead of Logue.

Problem is, at least at the VFL level, Wil Dawson has played more of the Comben role - the floating tall interceptor type.

For him to play a 1-on-1 style role he'll need to put on another 15kg of muscle.

 

[Makeshift Park]

Now that the drafts done and we can see what shape the boys have started preseason in, time to revisit this I think.

Hardeman - Logue - Pink
FOS - Chom - Kerch

Simpkin - Wardlaw - Stephens
X - LDU - Sheezel

Zurhaar - Trembath - Dovaston
Curtis - Larkey - Banch

Int: Parker - Powell - Duursma - Archer - Daniel

Unless there are injuries, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dawson and Whitlock are a little off solidifying best 23 positions. In the meantime, it’s Pinks spot to lose.

Goater could find himself ensconced in the seniors sooner, but needs a good run in the twos first.

Could flip a coin between Archer and Lmac, but went with the youthful option.

Darling’s a tricky one. If Trembath can chop out against the secondary rucks, Duursma could take Darlings spot. But is that asking too much of a second year?

 

[Makeshift Park]

I had Spargo in the best seniors team prior to the draft, and tho I think he’ll start round one, I reckon there’s only space for two of him, Banch, Konstanty and Dovaston. A good problem to have.

 

[The Nostradamus]

B: Archer Logue McDonald
HB: McKercher Chom Hardeman
C: Simpkin LDU Stephens
HF: Curtis Darling Zurhaar
F: konstanty Larkey Trembath
R: Xerri Sheezel Wardlaw
I: Powell Daniel Duursma FOS Parker

Emg: Harvey spargo fisher corr

Still this just with dovaston in for Daniel

 

[tazaa]

It’s crazy that Dovaston plays round 1 as a genuine pure small forward because he’s the first one we have drafted in 19 years

 

[Sphynx]

Now that the drafts done and we can see what shape the boys have started preseason in, time to revisit this I think.

Hardeman - Logue - Pink
FOS - Chom - Kerch

Simpkin - Wardlaw - Stephens
X - LDU - Sheezel

Zurhaar - Trembath - Dovaston
Curtis - Larkey - Banch

Int: Parker - Powell - Duursma - Archer - Daniel

Unless there are injuries, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dawson and Whitlock are a little off solidifying best 23 positions. In the meantime, it’s Pinks spot to lose.

Goater could find himself ensconced in the seniors sooner, but needs a good run in the twos first.

Could flip a coin between Archer and Lmac, but went with the youthful option.

Darling’s a tricky one. If Trembath can chop out against the secondary rucks, Duursma could take Darlings spot. But is that asking too much of a second year?

Swap Larkey and Tembath.

We looked so much more dangerous with Tembath out of the square, as it also allowed Curtis to fly for marks and also be a focal point down there in the air.

Trembath is 5 x the aerial player Larkey is, Nick is a poor overhead contested mark and we are a side that aimlessly bombs it at the square.

When Tembath leads up at the ball he empties the space for Curtis behind for a one on one.

Curtis is a better one on one forward than almost any other in the comp.

Nick contantly wants the ball over the back, like Zurhaar, most of the time he leads back to the goal not to the ball carrier and kills any space for Curtis and forces him to the boundary….and he sucks most of the time with the ball kicked on his head.


Play Nick as the high center half forward and let’s see if he is willing to sacrifice his game for the side.

Nick is a very very good footballer on paper, but some habits he’s learnt and crafted means he’s sometimes poor for our forward structure. He lacks pace and verticality and has below average hands, which means when he’s on an athletic defender and leads up at the ball he often gets his ass handed to him. He can’t get separation, he’s often out marked by better marking defenders with bigger verticals (think Liam Jones)

Which means he tries to play from behind and off their shoulder. This does a few things, it gives the defender front position meaning they intercept any shit or short kick (which has been plenty in recent years with North delivering the ball), however if the ball can favour him it negates his athletic disadvantage and he simply needs to protect the space to have a potential scoring opportunity.

This, as I said, sucks any space from the the hotspot to the goal line where normal sides small forwards feast and often leads to massive intercept numbers by defenders. Think Geelong.

But Nick gets a nice goal tally from this 2-3 occasions a game where he gets the ball to his advantage.

Trembath leads at the ball carrier every time. He has such a good vertical and bucket hands he sucks the best defender in the air. If there’s a spoil or the ball goes over the back or he’s the leading decoy Curtis is one on one behind.

I don’t think Nick is selfless enough to play this role tbh. You see it every game with him going nuts at team mates for not getting ball over the top. He needs to be put in a position where kicking goals is no longer a priority.

 

[Shermanator]

Kostanty. Dawson. Archer
FOS. Comben. Hardeman
Simpkin. Colby. Stephens
Zurhaar. Larkey. Sheezel
Curtis. Trembath. Tip Rat

Xerri. LDU. Warlord

Parker. Powell. Goad. Banch. Matlock

 

[the big lebowski]

Swap Larkey and Tembath.

We looked so much more dangerous with Tembath out of the square, as it also allowed Curtis to fly for marks and also be a focal point down there in the air.

Trembath is 5 x the aerial player Larkey is, Nick is a poor overhead contested mark and we are a side that aimlessly bombs it at the square.

When Tembath leads up at the ball he empties the space for Curtis behind for a one on one.

Curtis is a better one on one forward than almost any other in the comp.

Nick contantly wants the ball over the back, like Zurhaar, most of the time he leads back to the goal not to the ball carrier and kills any space for Curtis and forces him to the boundary….and he sucks most of the time with the ball kicked on his head.


Play Nick as the high center half forward and let’s see if he is willing to sacrifice his game for the side.

Nick is a very very good footballer on paper, but some habits he’s learnt and crafted means he’s sometimes poor for our forward structure. He lacks pace and verticality and has below average hands, which means when he’s on an athletic defender and leads up at the ball he often gets his ass handed to him. He can’t get separation, he’s often out marked by better marking defenders with bigger verticals (think Liam Jones)

Which means he tries to play from behind and off their shoulder. This does a few things, it gives the defender front position meaning they intercept any shit or short kick (which has been plenty in recent years with North delivering the ball), however if the ball can favour him it negates his athletic disadvantage and he simply needs to protect the space to have a potential scoring opportunity.

This, as I said, sucks any space from the the hotspot to the goal line where normal sides small forwards feast and often leads to massive intercept numbers by defenders. Think Geelong.

But Nick gets a nice goal tally from this 2-3 occasions a game where he gets the ball to his advantage.

Trembath leads at the ball carrier every time. He has such a good vertical and bucket hands he sucks the best defender in the air. If there’s a spoil or the ball goes over the back or he’s the leading decoy Curtis is one on one behind.

I don’t think Nick is selfless enough to play this role tbh. You see it every game with him going nuts at team mates for not getting ball over the top. He needs to be put in a position where kicking goals is no longer a priority.

I agree with every thing you’ve said except about larkey sacrificing his own game. He’ll play up the ground if it frees him up and is good for the team.

Hopefully we’re about to see a genuine number 1 forward with larkey as the supporting role.

Coupled with Curtis deep one vs one, and Zuhaar as the change up off side. And then 2 off dovaston, Banch or konstanty at trembaths/curtis feet and you really have something.

Larkey and bull should be so good for our ball movement

 

[WesternRoo]

Archer - Dawson - Logue

Hardeman - Comben - Goater

McKercher - Wardlaw - Stephens

Zurhaar - Darling - Parker

Spargo - Larkey - Curtis

Xerri - LDU - Sheezel

Osullivan - Dovaston - Simpkin - Powell - Goad

 

[Chip Scab1]

B: Archer Logue McDonald
HB: McKercher Chom Hardeman
C: Simpkin LDU Stephens
HF: Curtis Darling Zurhaar
F: konstanty Larkey Trembath
R: Xerri Sheezel Wardlaw
I: Powell Daniel Duursma FOS Parker

Emg: Harvey spargo fisher corr

B: Archer-WDawson-Logue
HB: Mikunda-BT-Hardeman
C: Goater -Sheezel- BGeorge
HF: Curtis-Comben-Trembath
F: Duursma-Larkey-Dovaston
R: Goad - LDU - McKercher
I/C: Parker - Xerri - Zurhaar - FOS - Wardlaw

Em: Darling, Harvey, Spargo, Powell, Pink, Daniel, Fisher

 

[JGreezy]

Lmac is getting slept on here. He looked better when he played last year, he's 189cm (we need size) and it seems like he's coming back in ripping shape.

I reckon he'll be in there.

 

[Makeshift Park]

Lmac is getting slept on here. He looked better when he played last year, he's 189cm (we need size) and it seems like he's coming back in ripping shape.

I reckon he'll be in there.

In terms of medium lockdown types, Archer is only 2cm smaller, and better in the air tho. He was becoming a very reliable operator until he was unavailable.

It could be that lmac starts round one. But I don’t think we need both in the same team when there are more athletic and more classy ball-users available.

 

[Chip Scab1]

In terms of medium lockdown types, Archer is only 2cm smaller, and better in the air tho. He was becoming a very reliable operator until he was unavailable.

It could be that lmac starts round one. But I don’t think we need both in the same team when there are more athletic and more classy ball-users available.

Yeah he's not good enough balll in hand to be the outlet. It's literally the definition of insanity to roll with the same names and expect a different result.

McDonald, Daniel and Simpkin have no business being there. Too slow, too shit, not skilful enough... may as well go into games with 20 players.

 

[JGreezy]

In terms of medium lockdown types, Archer is only 2cm smaller, and better in the air tho. He was becoming a very reliable operator until he was unavailable.

It could be that lmac starts round one. But I don’t think we need both in the same team when there are more athletic and more classy ball-users available.

I think that both will play

 

[Makeshift Park]

I think that both will play

Perhaps. I think if we’re building our backline around 3 of Logue, Chom, Dawson and Pink as the keys, we’re need to play at least two general defenders with great offensive weapons, and ideally three. Otherwise the paths for distribution become too few and are easily shutdown.

FOS, Kerch and Daniel all have that quality going for them. Hardeman and FOS are very balanced defenders.

If Archer adds some more rebound to his game it changes the dynamic.

 

[Moti]

Archer - Dawson - Logue

Hardeman - Comben - Goater

McKercher - Wardlaw - Stephens

Zurhaar - Darling - Parker

Spargo - Larkey - Curtis

Xerri - LDU - Sheezel

Osullivan - Dovaston - Simpkin - Powell - Goad

Closest for mine. Dawson or Pink for FB. Parker off the bench for FOS and swapping Trembath for Goad.

 

[Devil Fish]

Best 23 that I think will also be used rather than solely what I want:

B: Archer Dawson Comben
HB: FOS Logue Daniel
C: Simpkin LDU McKercher
HF: Parker Darling Spargo
F: Zurhaar Larkey Curtis
Fol: Xerri Wardlaw Sheezel
Interchange: McDonald/Hardeman Stephens Powell Trembath Banch

Don’t want to see Logue in the side but I’m pretty certain the selection team will have him as the first defender listed. Would have Pink ahead of him but I’m sure Dawson would be the first out. Whitlock and Duursma if either have an excellent pre-season could make the interchange, otherwise I think they’re about 24/25 on the list with Goater there too.

That backline looks very very sketchy:

Archer coming off a year off
Dawson still a baby
Comben good interceptor but no good 1 on 1.
FOS - tick - not sure how good 1 on 1 he is though.
Logue has been **** on a bull
Daniel - zero defensive attributes.

 

[the big lebowski]

Think Dawson and Whitlock will be honing their game in the vfl this year

 

[Devil Fish]

Think Dawson and Whitlock will be honing their game in the vfl this year

Agree.

I think the bottom line for 2026 is - if the midfield continues to refuse to defend, our backline will be SLAUGHETERED again.

 

[the big lebowski]

Agree.

I think the bottom line for 2026 is - if the midfield continues to refuse to defend, our backline will be SLAUGHETERED again.

Yes, agree.

And if our backline stands 20m infront of their opponent we are equally stuffed

 

[remfan101]

Archer - Pink/Dawson - McDonald
Hardeman - Comben - O'Sullivan
Simpkin - Parker - Stephens
Sheezel - Larkey - McKercher
Curtis - Trembath - Zurhaar

Xerri - Wardlaw - LDU

Darling, Logue, Duursma, Powell, Spargo/Konstanty

Still this, but Dovaston in for Duursma. I’d say Konstanty and Pink win their 2 spots to start with:

Archer - Pink - McDonald
Hardeman - Comben - O'Sullivan
Simpkin - Parker - Stephens
Sheezel - Larkey - McKercher
Curtis - Trembath - Zurhaar

Xerri - Wardlaw - LDU

Darling, Logue, Dovaston, Powell, Konstanty

 

[PokerRoo]

This is not an easy task. Could easily have Banch, Stephens or Spargo in. Who they would replace, maybe LMac, Archer or Dovastan.

I think Banch will find a way in, if he keeps up with his Pre-season performances. Duursma will need to show a bit to force his way in. Spargo will need to show he is over his injuries, but either way, will be a handy player waiting to come in for anyone out of form or injured. The one I think who really needs to show some versatility is Powell. He is in a bit of a weird spot, not quite good enough to be a main starting mid, but hasn't quite nailed down a secondary position.

The intra-clubs and pre-season games are going to be interesting and will decide a lot.

 

[shimaburnsgrieg]

Yes, agree.

And if our backline stands 20m infront of their opponent we are equally stuffed

Agree with this and the DF comment above.

All the 'best 23's' in the world won't be worth a pinch of salt if

1. our midfield refuses to work both ways (and the coaching/selection team continue to let them get away with this)
2. our match day tactics remain light years behind the competition.

Clarko looks like he has made an effort to address 2. by bringing in ZLJ - let's see how that goes.

The question is what to do about 1.

 

[berniemccarthy]

Swap Larkey and Tembath.

We looked so much more dangerous with Tembath out of the square, as it also allowed Curtis to fly for marks and also be a focal point down there in the air.

Trembath is 5 x the aerial player Larkey is, Nick is a poor overhead contested mark and we are a side that aimlessly bombs it at the square.

When Tembath leads up at the ball he empties the space for Curtis behind for a one on one.

Curtis is a better one on one forward than almost any other in the comp.

Nick contantly wants the ball over the back, like Zurhaar, most of the time he leads back to the goal not to the ball carrier and kills any space for Curtis and forces him to the boundary….and he sucks most of the time with the ball kicked on his head.


Play Nick as the high center half forward and let’s see if he is willing to sacrifice his game for the side.

Nick is a very very good footballer on paper, but some habits he’s learnt and crafted means he’s sometimes poor for our forward structure. He lacks pace and verticality and has below average hands, which means when he’s on an athletic defender and leads up at the ball he often gets his ass handed to him. He can’t get separation, he’s often out marked by better marking defenders with bigger verticals (think Liam Jones)

Which means he tries to play from behind and off their shoulder. This does a few things, it gives the defender front position meaning they intercept any shit or short kick (which has been plenty in recent years with North delivering the ball), however if the ball can favour him it negates his athletic disadvantage and he simply needs to protect the space to have a potential scoring opportunity.

This, as I said, sucks any space from the the hotspot to the goal line where normal sides small forwards feast and often leads to massive intercept numbers by defenders. Think Geelong.

But Nick gets a nice goal tally from this 2-3 occasions a game where he gets the ball to his advantage.

Trembath leads at the ball carrier every time. He has such a good vertical and bucket hands he sucks the best defender in the air. If there’s a spoil or the ball goes over the back or he’s the leading decoy Curtis is one on one behind.

I don’t think Nick is selfless enough to play this role tbh. You see it every game with him going nuts at team mates for not getting ball over the top. He needs to be put in a position where kicking goals is no longer a priority.

Agree with all of that. Especially the bolded.

 

[JZTIME!]

View attachment 2485252

This is not an easy task. Could easily have Banch, Stephens or Spargo in. Who they would replace, maybe LMac, Archer or Dovastan.

I think Banch will find a way in, if he keeps up with his Pre-season performances. Duursma will need to show a bit to force his way in. Spargo will need to show he is over his injuries, but either way, will be a handy player waiting to come in for anyone out of form or injured. The one I think who really needs to show some versatility is Powell. He is in a bit of a weird spot, not quite good enough to be a main starting mid, but hasn't quite nailed down a secondary position.

The intra-clubs and pre-season games are going to be interesting and will decide a lot.

Powell is tracking Cunnington. We saw ben dominate pre season hit outs for years and gradually get better at AFL level until his body was physically ready. Powell will go bang over the next 2 seasons its a matter of when. His best was very good its just the consistency he needs as we saw with cunners. Different types of mids of course