Prediction Best 23 - 2026 edition

[WCE777]

Lindsay doesn't play midfield, so he's not kicking Hall out of there.

There's certainly an argument for replacing Duggan but let's not kid ourselves and think that'll actually happen next year. Coaches seem to love him.

Perhaps with a much better defence, Duggan can finally just go back to defending and not dump kicking, as there should be more time with the ball to dispose of it properly.

Lindsay is in interesting player and where he fits into our team.
The HB line is getting very full, can he break into the team in 2026 being a Gulden winger who delivers that elite kick inside 50 to our talls?

 

[maxrm]

Very much expecting less youth in our Best 23 to begin the year but this is what I'd like to see:

AFL BEST 23
FB: Hough Edwards Ginbey
HB: Lindsay Young Starcevich
C: Duursma Yeo Davis
HF: Baker Shanahan Graham
FF: Brockman Waterman CDT
R: Archer Harley McCarthy
INT: Dev (MID), Hewett (MID/FWD), Duggan (DEF), Allan (MID/DEF), Hutchinson (FWD)

WAFL
FB: Grego Bazzo Johnston
HB: Cole Brock Dewar
C: Maric Hall T. Williams
HF: Cripps B. Williams Newton
FF: Champion J. Williams Owies
R: Flynn Kelly Gross
INT: Macrae, Schoenberg, Rodriguez, Allen, Long, Barnett

 

[Barrybran]

AFL
B: Starcevich - Edwards - Ginbey
HB: Hough - Young - McCarthy
C: Duursma - Robertson - Maric
HF: Baker - Waterman - Hutchinson
F: B.Williams - Shanahan - Brockman
FOLL: Flynn - H.Reid - Hewett
INT: Duggan - Yeo - Graham - Kelly - Cripps

WAFL
B: Cole - Bazzo - Grego
HB: Dewar - Brock - Lindsay
C: Davis - Hall - Allan
HF: Johnston - Barnett - Macrae
F: Duff-Tytler - J.Williams - Owies
FOLL: A.Reid - Schoenberg - Gross
INT: Allen - Rodriguez - Long - Newton - Champion - T.Williams

I think we start 2026 with an AFL-experienced lineup other than Duursma, who slots in on the wing. Reports suggest Starcevich and McCarthy could play up the field but I've slotted them in where it makes sense. Hutchinson and Macrae are interchangable. The old boys start on the bench and we phase them out as the season goes on.

Archer is good enough to play AFL and CDT might break in early but I've chosen to play them in the WAFL to build as ruckmen. Most positions take care of themselves but I've put Dewar back and Johnston forward based on training reports posted here.

The hardest players to place for me are Bo Allan and Tom Gross. I wanted Allan to be tried on a wing last year but without Robertson and Schoenberg in the squad, Hall is really the only obvious replacement for them if they don't work out. Do we throw Allan in the middle at WAFL level with a view to him stepping up to AFL level in that role in a couple years time? Could he and Duursma be oversized wingmen posing matchup problems? Gross should be a capable midfielder so I've put him there but his easiest path into the AFL side is in that half forward role.

The WAFL bench is forward heavy but it is pretty much all players in their first or second seasons, plus Long. As much as I love Longy, I think he needs a big year to earn a new contract with us.

 

[Shazzman]

Dare to dream - Tylah Williams and Malakai Champion grab the bull by the horns next year and become the new Rioli/Ryan double act up forward.

Stranger things have happened!

And Dewar to turn into Lewis Jetta mk2

 

[Astro7]

AFL
B: Starcevich - Edwards - Ginbey
HB: Hough - Young - McCarthy
C: Duursma - Robertson - Maric
HF: Baker - Waterman - Hutchinson
F: B.Williams - Shanahan - Brockman
FOLL: Flynn - H.Reid - Hewett
INT: Duggan - Yeo - Graham - Kelly - Cripps

WAFL
B: Cole - Bazzo - Grego
HB: Dewar - Brock - Lindsay
C: Davis - Hall - Allan
HF: Johnston - Barnett - Macrae
F: Duff-Tytler - J.Williams - Owies
FOLL: A.Reid - Schoenberg - Gross
INT: Allen - Rodriguez - Long - Newton - Champion - T.Williams

What's apparent from both those lists is how much we've changed with 11(?) new inductees, since last season. The AFL list has more seniority and experience across all lines and the WAFL has so much depth now, augurs well for competition and WAFL improvement.

Hoping everyone gets a good run at preseason and some good luck (for a change) with injuries before the scratchies and season proper.

 

[BSD]

What's apparent from both those lists is how much we've changed with 11(?) new inductees, since last season. The AFL list has more seniority and experience across all lines and the WAFL has so much depth now, augurs well for competition and WAFL improvement.

Hoping everyone gets a good run at preseason and some good luck (for a change) with injuries before the scratchies and season proper.

We need to get games into our top 3 draft picks from round 1. We need to fast track their development in preference to players who have only got 1-2 yrs left in their careers.

 

[WestCoast05]

B: Starcevich - Edwards - Hough
FB: Ginbey - Young - Duursma

C: BWilliams - DevRob - Yeo
R: Graham - Reid - McCarthy

HF: Hewitt - Shanahan - Baker
F: Champion - Waterman - CDT

I: (Back) Duggan (Mid) BAllen, Dewar, Gross (Fwd) AReid


Next cabs off the rank:
Maric as a distributing back or wing
Hutch as a forward or wing


Looking forward to plenty of the 1st year and 2nd year new recruits starting to displace Yeo and Duggan

 

[evans1863]

A much more difficult exercise than in previous seasons which bodes well.

I'd be surprised if Bo Allan and Jacob Newton aren't involved in the AFL team early.

I also think we will try to move Starcevich into the middle given that's what helped get him over the line.

 

[Astro7]

We need to get games into our top 3 draft picks from round 1. We need to fast track their development in preference to players who have only got 1-2 yrs left in their careers.

I'm sure they'll get the usual attention from the trainers and development people without risking injury.
WD1 could use some beef, needs to fill out, that'll take a couple of seasons. But need the other aged players out there to support the younger players, all serve an important role in the transitioning of the team.

 

[hudson2006]

Far out our forward line will be awful next year, with our only proven gun Waterman held together with sticky tape and only Shanahan anything to get excited about. The decision to let Ryan go will never stop baffling me, we have nobody else down there ffs. No dangerous small forwards, up and coming or otherwise.

 

[Yeahnahmate]

Far out our forward line will be awful next year, with our only proven gun Waterman held together with sticky tape and only Shanahan anything to get excited about. The decision to let Ryan go will never stop baffling me, we have nobody else down there ffs. No dangerous small forwards, up and coming or otherwise.

Loltown

 

[stallon]

Far out our forward line will be awful next year, with our only proven gun Waterman held together with sticky tape and only Shanahan anything to get excited about. The decision to let Ryan go will never stop baffling me, we have nobody else down there ffs. No dangerous small forwards, up and coming or otherwise.

If Waterman goes down our forward line is worse than 2025(no Ryan, but partially offset by development to kids). But at the same time if Waterman is healthy most of the year itll be a LOT stronger with a strong focal target

 

[jdisc]

I maintain Gross should play high HF but most on here want him in the mid

still holding out hope Long is decent and last year was just one to forget

 

[stallon]

I maintain Gross should play high HF but most on here want him in the mid

still holding out hope Long is decent and last year was just one to forget

We have a few who probably suit that high HF role.

Hutchinson, T.Williams, Long, Newton, Brockman, Johnston, and probably Gross at least for now.

None are really your crafty small forward, all suit playing up a ground a bit at times and getting around stoppage.

Can only fit 2, maybe shoehorn a 3rd in, and we still have Cripps, Owies and Kelly vying for that role

 

[We_The_West]

Malakai Champion, Tylah Williams and Brockman is something to get excited about they all have a high ceiling just need consistency.

I think Jack Williams is due for a break out year and Shanahan is really exciting. Throw in Hewett, Harley, Hurchinson across half forward and I'm probably more excited about the forward line this year than I have been in years.

 

[We_The_West]

It's interesting seeing all of Ginbey, Hough, Starcevich, Baker, Maric, Cole and Duggan all competing for the med/small defender roles.

I wonder if any will be pushed higher up the ground, my guess would be Duggan.

Having Baker and Starcevich marshalling Ginbey and Hough and the KPDs is a defence we can build a team from.

 

[BSD]

It's interesting seeing all of Ginbey, Hough, Starcevich, Baker, Maric, Cole and Duggan all competing for the med/small defender roles.

I wonder if any will be pushed higher up the ground, my guess would be Duggan.

Having Baker and Starcevich marshalling Ginbey and Hough and the KPDs is a defence we can build a team from.

You've left out Lindsay. Why ??

 

[Rowan18]

It's interesting seeing all of Ginbey, Hough, Starcevich, Baker, Maric, Cole and Duggan all competing for the med/small defender roles.

I wonder if any will be pushed higher up the ground, my guess would be Duggan.

Having Baker and Starcevich marshalling Ginbey and Hough and the KPDs is a defence we can build a team from.

They tried Duggan up the ground last year and it didn't go too well. He's not good enough for on-ball, can play wing but his disposal is a bit iffy. Terrible set shot, so can't play HFF either.

I'd keep him as a lockdown defender and move him on when better talent overtakes him.

 

[WCE777]

Lindsay is the interesting piece here.

Baker and McCarthy will be in contest for the other HB role imo and McCarthy's kicking and counter attack are his greatest asset.

I see McCarthy staying as that HB distributer who can actually defend and counter attack.

Baker I think will move to a pressure HF, maybe rotating with Hewett for some midfield stints.

That see's Lindsay as a wing or high HF option to use his kicking to best effect, maybe a Gulden type role as he really doesn't have a great defensive game to play HB straight away imo.

 

[flamingEMBERS]

Really interested to see how Dev, Schoenberg and Macrae fit in. Reading their profiles, they all seem to have plenty of upside as midfielders, and early to mid 20's.
They seem to be written off as Wafl depth (which is needed).
But we have such a mix of midfielders (and others) now to experiment with this preseason and to take into season proper.
It bodes well, it's exciting, feeling bullish.

Yeah I’m thinking 2/3 will be in the team more than 50% of the year.

 

[stallon]

Baker and McCarthy will be in contest for the other HB role imo and McCarthy's kicking and counter attack are his greatest asset.

I see McCarthy staying as that HB distributer who can actually defend and counter attack.

McCarthy is a mid

 

[Astro7]

I think Longs best chance to play is to become a ruckman

Yep, he and Owies could combine and swap, sitting on each others shoulders.

 

[Spank2304]

Dont think this is how we will start the season but if we have no injuries I wouldnt be surprised to see this as our B23 at some point next year. An archer, CDT ruck split would be nice but thats prob a couple of years away. Could be Flynn or B.Williams for that 5th spot on the bench. Small forward spots very much up for grabs.

AFL BEST 23
FB: Hough Edwards Ginbey
HB: Lindsay Young Starcevich
C: Duursma Yeo McCarthy
HF: Baker Shanahan Hewitt
FF: CDT Waterman T.Williams
R: Archer Dev Harley
INT: Graham (MID/FWD), Duggan (DEF), Allan (MID/DEF), Brockman (FWD), B.Williams (RUCK/FWD)

 

[jdisc]

It's interesting seeing all of Ginbey, Hough, Starcevich, Baker, Maric, Cole and Duggan all competing for the med/small defender roles.

I wonder if any will be pushed higher up the ground, my guess would be Duggan.

Having Baker and Starcevich marshalling Ginbey and Hough and the KPDs is a defence we can build a team from.

Baker can play mid/forward so that's an easy shift. Hough can play mid too and it seems the club wants to move in that direction.

Cole spending a fair bit of time fighting in the WAFL isn't a bad thing. Think Ginbey, Starce, and Duggan are all locks. Maric maybe the fringe player, but even he has wing potential. We drafted him as a mid/forward.

As others have said the Duggan midfield project has been tried and doesn't seem to work, he is doomed to spend the rest of his career dump kicking out of D50

 

[BSD]

Baker can play mid/forward so that's an easy shift. Hough can play mid too and it seems the club wants to move in that direction.

Cole spending a fair bit of time fighting in the WAFL isn't a bad thing. Think Ginbey, Starce, and Duggan are all locks. Maric maybe the fringe player, but even he has wing potential. We drafted him as a mid/forward.

As others have said the Duggan midfield project has been tried and doesn't seem to work, he is doomed to spend the rest of his career dump kicking out of D50

He can dump kick all he likes in the Beagles.