Best 23 for 2026

[shintemaster]

Darling is an interesting watch. He’s heart and soul (despite only being here a year), but with Trembath he’s now not a guaranteed pick.

Especially if we want to have 2 high pressure small forwards running around.

He does provide a chop out in the ruck, which doesn’t have an obvious replacement.

But I think, if we are playing Logue and Pink, Chom could be that guy for 5 mins a qrt.

Five on the interchange bench as well which may mean a touch more room. We could run an extra tall potentially although with run always being an issue for us that might be double edged. Either way, there may be a spot for an extra tall back to come in or even Goad to play 5 mins a quarter ruck and float. They have some things to work out over pre season.

Might just come down to who is that extra 1 player and a question of form for next off the rank. I think teams will play it very differently to the sub role where you often just had your next best depth but your young blokes getting full development games in the VFL. Now they can rotate through properly I think it will be a touch different.

 

[JZTIME!]

I genuinely thought we weeded out these Kumbaya posters already.

No he won't. He has too many weaknesses. He is a weak tackler, doesn't win contested ball, is a bad defensive tracker, is not quick, and is a terrible, poorly composed kick when in congestion. The only situations he's useful in are when he receives the ball inside 50 and when he receives the ball in quick transition, and the only 'when not if' question for him revolves around who boots him out of the midfield for good

I'm happy to be proven wrong. He has made strides each season as his body has developed each season. We have a lot of guys in the sweet spot this season to make a jump. Lets revisit at round 8.

 

[Ichiro #51]

Darling is an interesting watch. He’s heart and soul (despite only being here a year), but with Trembath he’s now not a guaranteed pick.

Especially if we want to have 2 high pressure small forwards running around.

He does provide a chop out in the ruck, which doesn’t have an obvious replacement.

But I think, if we are playing Logue and Pink, Chom could be that guy for 5 mins a qrt.

My opinion only, but I see Darling as the perfect guy to come off the bench as a backup ruck, as a relief KPF, and as an option to exploit matchups at different times.

Having said that, I think the interchange strategy will be really interesting next year and not at all as simple as I’ve made it out to be.

At least I bloody hope we’re working on some kind of strategy, and preferably not one that sees as exceeding the farkin limit with a minute left on the clock!

 

[shintemaster]

My opinion only, but I see Darling as the perfect guy to come off the bench as a backup ruck, as a relief KPF, and as an option to exploit matchups at different times.

Having said that, I think the interchange strategy will be really interesting next year and not at all as simple as I’ve made it out to be.

At least I bloody hope we’re working on some kind of strategy, and preferably not one that sees as exceeding the farkin limit with a minute left on the clock!

Interchange will add more strategy, particularly as the rotations stay the same I believe. Teams might choose to run more impact / explosive types, might be more space for those genuine ruck / forwards, do you rotate your impact player for another similar type in the middle or bring in a shutdown player whilst your best are resting... lots of possibilities based on list types.

 

[winalotroos]

Camden? That’s a new one

Yes sorry I went there in London

 

[Devil Fish]

Interchange will add more strategy, particularly as the rotations stay the same I believe. Teams might choose to run more impact / explosive types, might be more space for those genuine ruck / forwards, do you rotate your impact player for another similar type in the middle or bring in a shutdown player whilst your best are resting... lots of possibilities based on list types.

Matters not if our midfield continues to refuse to run both ways.

 

[iloveireland]

This is what I want to see, not actual likely to eventuate


FB: Archer, Dawson, Logue
HB: Hardeman, Comben, McKercher
C: Zane, Sheezel, FOS
HF: Zurhaar, Trembath, Spargo
FF: Curtis, Larkey, Doveston
Foll: Xerri, LDU, Wardlaw

INT: Parker, Simpkin, Powell, McDonald, Darling

 

[SunnyBoner]

This is what I want to see, not actual likely to eventuate


FB: Archer, Dawson, Logue
HB: Hardeman, Comben, McKercher
C: Zane, Sheezel, FOS
HF: Zurhaar, Trembath, Spargo
FF: Curtis, Larkey, Doveston
Foll: Xerri, LDU, Wardlaw

INT: Parker, Simpkin, Powell, McDonald, Darling

If you swap Zane for Jy then I reckon you are on the money

 

[Shack18]

This is what I want to see, not actual likely to eventuate


FB: Archer, Dawson, Logue
HB: Hardeman, Comben, McKercher
C: Zane, Sheezel, FOS
HF: Zurhaar, Trembath, Spargo
FF: Curtis, Larkey, Doveston
Foll: Xerri, LDU, Wardlaw

INT: Parker, Simpkin, Powell, McDonald, Darling

Pink will start but agree would be great if Dawson broke into the team. Reckon they will give fos and backline as much stability as possible, therefore fos at half back. Reckon Colby will be moved around a bit
Not a bad team assuming defensive attitude is ok

 

[roos_fanatic08]

AFL

B: Archer, Logue, Hardeman
HB: O'Sullivan, Comben, McKercher
C: Stephens, Parker, Simpkin
HF: Sheezel, Larkey, Zurhaar
F: Dovaston, Trembath, Curtis
Foll: Xerri, LDU, Wardlaw
Int: Powell, McDonald, Banch, Darling, Duursma


VFL

B: Daniel, Dawson, Corr
HB: Goater, Pink, Harvey
C: Scott, Urqs, Fisher
HF: Hansen Jnr, Whitlock, Spargo
F: Konstanty, CCJ, George
Foll: Goad, Vellasaris, Fairlie
Int: Stevens, Thredgold, Mikunda, McPherson, Gollant

 

[WesternRoo]

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

Yes good call. Trembath probably plays.

 

[Chip Scab1]

This is what I want to see, not actual likely to eventuate


FB: Archer, Dawson, Logue
HB: Hardeman, Comben, McKercher
C: Zane, Sheezel, FOS
HF: Zurhaar, Trembath, Spargo
FF: Curtis, Larkey, Doveston
Foll: Xerri, LDU, Wardlaw

INT: Parker, Simpkin, Powell, McDonald, Darling

We'll finish 14th with some of them ne'erdowells. Can't have some of them + Daniel will play probably, unfortunately.

Out: Simpkin (turncoatness, need to remove this Essington squib asap), McDonald (can't kick, slow, heart in right place), Darling (we're surely going to be pushing Goad into that spot, hope he can keep it going though), Spargo (until he's fit and kicks a few goals in the 2s), Powell (not fast or hard enough, trade to crows in 2026)

In: Goater, George, Goad, Thredgold, Hugo

2026 R1 (what I want)

B: Archer-Dawson-Logue
HB: Hugo-FredG-Hardeman
C: Goater-Sheezel-BGeorge
HF: Curtis-Comben-Trembath
F: Wardlaw-Larkey-Dovast
R: Goad-LDU-McKercher
I/C: Parker - Xerri - FOS - Duursma - Harvey

Em:CD- Pink - Darling - Powell - JKs - MWhitlock - Dyldos - McDonalds - Banchee - Urquhart - Simpkins

Every win with this team is worth 3x what a win with Daniel, McDonald, Konstantly missing targets, Simpkins & Pink etc - we just have to rip the band-aid off.

Darling is the only golden bachelor worth his spot. He's hard, tries and still good enough.

 

[Roos1991]

B: Archer - Logue - Dawson
HB: FOS - Chom - Hardeman
W: Simpkin - LDU - McKercher
HF: Zurhaar - Larkey - Banch
F: Dovaston - Trembath - Curtis
Fol: Xerri - Sheez - Wardlaw

IC: Parker - Darling - Powell - Konstanty - Stephens

This is the sort of team - provided fitness levels are as good as preseason reports seem to suggest - that I think can push most sides up to the top 4. Offensively, it's a strong side. Question will be how team defence works here (if at all), and how the backline can organise itself to enable quick transition.

I think the JK, Banch, Dovaston (+Curtis) combination could be absolutely devastating if the coaches can get the strategy right there and give them clear roles to play.

I am hoping that by round 6-8, Duursma is pushing Parker out of the side. Similarly, Matlock to be pushing Darling out of the side though imagine thats a much longer proposition. Both Parker and Darling still have a big role to play in teaching our guys how to win games.

Would love to see Goater and George pushing for a game but I don't have too much faith that their bodies will give them that opportunity.

This is as solid and exciting a list as we've had since we picked up Waite, Higgins and Dal Santo.

 

[andana]

We'll finish 14th with some of them ne'erdowells. Can't have some of them + Daniel will play probably, unfortunately.

Out: Simpkin (turncoatness, need to remove this Essington squib asap), McDonald (can't kick, slow, heart in right place), Darling (we're surely going to be pushing Goad into that spot, hope he can keep it going though), Spargo (until he's fit and kicks a few goals in the 2s), Powell (not fast or hard enough, trade to crows in 2026)

In: Goater, George, Goad, Thredgold, Hugo

2026 R1 (what I want)

B: Archer-Dawson-Logue
HB: Hugo-FredG-Hardeman
C: Goater-Sheezel-BGeorge
HF: Curtis-Comben-Trembath
F: Wardlaw-Larkey-Dovast
R: Goad-LDU-McKercher
I/C: Parker - Xerri - FOS - Duursma - Harvey

Em:CD- Pink - Darling - Powell - JKs - MWhitlock - Dyldos - McDonalds - Banchee - Urquhart - Simpkins

Every win with this team is worth 3x what a win with Daniel, McDonald, Konstantly missing targets, Simpkins & Pink etc - we just have to rip the band-aid off.

Darling is the only golden bachelor worth his spot. He's hard, tries and still good enough.

X not starting?

 

[LETSGOKANGAS]

No there aren't. There's one Trembath and one Trembaths

Will be a few oppo backmen getting a trem ‘bath’ next year.

Thank you. Im here all week.

 

[Chip Scab1]

X not starting?

Just saving him for the 2nd half. No need to blow him up.

 

[Sphynx]

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

Nope.

He looked like exploding early last year and pretty clearly didnt.

He’s been given a shitload of opportunity in the middle that he won’t be afforded in his next 50-100 games (if he makes it). Kerch, FOS etc will get those minutes.

Cunners averaged 7 clearances a game in the equivalent year Tom just completed.

 

[JZTIME!]

Nope.

He looked like exploding early last year and pretty clearly didnt.

He’s been given a shitload of opportunity in the middle that he won’t be afforded in his next 50-100 games (if he makes it). Kerch, FOS etc will get those minutes.

Cunners averaged 7 clearances a game in the equivalent year Tom just completed.

Different players. But lets see what sort of season we get from TP this year and see if we think he's in our best midfield group come seasons end. I just think we are all too quick to right players off. All i said was that Ben was dominating training as Tom does and it didnt translate to AFL until he was physically ready. That's what i am hoping happens with Powell.

 

[Sphynx]

Different players. But lets see what sort of season we get from TP this year and see if we think he's in our best midfield group come seasons end. I just think we are all too quick to right players off. All i said was that Ben was dominating training as Tom does and it didnt translate to AFL until he was physically ready. That's what i am hoping happens with Powell.

He's not written off, he is what he is at this stage I think.

He's simply not Ben Cunnington, like the original poster was suggesting.

 

[JZTIME!]

He's not written off, he is what he is at this stage I think.

He's simply not Ben Cunnington, like the original poster was suggesting.

I said he was tracking Ben as far as improvement in output and body. As in his improvement and confidence at AFL level. If he has the year i think he will then their correlations to Best 23 footballers will be similar.

 

[Ether]

In: Goater, George, Goad, Thredgold, Hugo

2026 R1 (what I want)

B: Archer-Dawson-Logue
HB: Hugo-FredG-Hardeman
C: Goater-Sheezel-BGeorge
HF: Curtis-Comben-Trembath
F: Wardlaw-Larkey-Dovast
R: Goad-LDU-McKercher
I/C: Parker - Xerri - FOS - Duursma - Harvey

Em:CD- Pink - Darling - Powell - JKs - MWhitlock - Dyldos - McDonalds - Banchee - Urquhart - Simpkins

Every win with this team is worth 3x what a win with Daniel, McDonald, Konstantly missing targets, Simpkins & Pink etc - we just have to rip the band-aid off.

3 x 0 = 0

Skinniest HB line since Giants year 1, 2 wings with no demonstrated tank.

 

[Chip Scab1]

3 x 0 = 0

Skinniest HB line since Giants year 1, 2 wings with no demonstrated tank.

Yes, but I'd rather skinny the slow, short and can't defend or kick over a jam tin.

3x0 is probably better than Hardeman + open corridor into our forward line, don't you think? Or you can't think that far ahead?

 

[Ether]

Yes, but I'd rather skinny the slow, short and can't defend or kick over a jam tin.

3x0 is probably better than Hardeman + open corridor into our forward line, don't you think? Or you can't think that far ahead?

To save you the trouble of setting up straw men, mine would be something like:

FB: Archer Log / Pink Hardeman
HB: FOS Chom B George
C: Stephens Wardlaw McKercher
HF: Banch Larkey Zurhaar
FF: Dovaston Trembath Curtis
R: X LDU Sheezel

I: Parker Matlock Simpkin Powell McDonald

 

[Chip Scab1]

To save you the trouble of setting up straw men, mine would be something like:

FB: Archer Log / Pink Hardeman
HB: FOS Chom B George
C: Stephens Wardlaw McKercher
HF: Banch Larkey Zurhaar
FF: Dovaston Trembath Curtis
R: X LDU Sheezel

I: Parker Matlock Simpkin Powell McDonald

That's fine. I disagree.

How anyone can pick McDonalds, Simpkins, Banch, Dyldo Stephen ahead of talented kids is beyond me. You're literally imposing a ceiling on us, for what? They don't tackle, don't provide leadership, aren't good.... it's stability for stability's sake.

Mind numbing really.

 

[Ether]

That's fine. I disagree.

How anyone can pick McDonalds, Simpkins, Banch, Dyldo Stephen ahead of talented kids is beyond me. You're literally imposing a ceiling on us, for what? They don't tackle, don't provide leadership, aren't good.... it's stability for stability's sake.

Mind numbing really.

Ability to cover the ground and defend against mature bodies matters.