Prediction Best 22 - 2026

[Saints43]

If 2025 Butler is 2026 Butler, 2027 Butler is playing back at Ballarat.

And IMO we need tall targets rather than small players who are good above their heads in 1 on 1s. Players who can take contested marks and break packs.

I reckon Ryan could take over the Mason Wood role.
Good runner, good overhead, great field kick with some goal threat.

 

[saintmike65]

I reckon Ryan could take over the Mason Wood role.
Good runner, good overhead, great field kick with some goal threat.

Banfield will be the Mason Wood replacement

 

[L_W_P]

Yep, so we can compare the stats when Lyon turns his words into actions. Plenty of scope for more people playing midfield minutes next season.

I think what is likely to happen is Ryan's numbers will look more like Higgins as neither gets much of a go in the midfield.

Until we play football in 2026, I will remain unconvinced that Ryan was in a position of need or will outplay who we already have. But I will be happy to be wrong.

Who is our 2nd small forward if not Ryan?

Butler is a more defensive option. Mini McQualter style.

Collard has talent but is totally unproven.

Said was delisted and kept as a rookie for contract reasons.

Liam Ryan presents a genuine threat inside 50. Defenders and defensive structures have to account for him. Our mids are being given another marking target to deliver to as well, giving more space to Higgins, Owens and Sharman as small/mid size targets when playing deep.

Then there's his high marking ability.

The "Dump it to King" tactic that drives us all insane shouldn't be used too often but when it happens then the opposition have to be aware that Ryan could come flying in over the top.

 

[Saints43]

Banfield will be the Mason Wood replacement

In 2026?

 

[saintmike65]

In 2026?

I think Charlie will debut next season but may not play a lot of senior games...2027 and beyond will be a different story

 

[gringo2011]

1. OK.. I see. But he is taking up the space of a potentially creative forward. I admit, that I thought this defensive forward thing was an excuse for players losing their edge. At best, I thought their job was to shut down a running back like Jack Sinclair. With five on the bench now I wonder if a team can bank on the concept of a specialist defensive forward. I think defenders and mids can fall into the forward line for that.
2. Yeah, I should hold off on Mitcho pronouncements but I think he's frankly been disappointing as a forward. I realise he has played that small ruckman role because of his strength and skill. He's definitely got something and its exciting when the ball goes up there and he's around. Maybe my expectations are too high? I just wondered if he might be more suited down back. That strength! A bit of Spud, a bit of Jake Lever?

Both our forwards and back have been cobbled together last season. Owens would love to have King back and it should allow us to play on our terms.

 

[ThomasR]

Banfield will be the Mason Wood replacement

Mentioned it before but I am hoping Boxshall will also get a crack at this. Another excellent runner who is very good aerially. Was happy to hear Dalrymple throw his name up when discussing the role they see Banfield ultimately playing on a wing

He should eventually end up in the clinches, but while spots are tight it might be his best chance of regular senior action for now

 

[Savage Kent]

AFL Best 23:

B: Stocker, Wilkie, Silvagni
HB: Clark, Tauru, Sinclair
C: Wilson, Flanders, Windhager
HF: Hall, Marshall, Higgins
F: Owens, King, Ryan
R: TDK, NAS, Macrae

Int: Phillipou, Garcia, Sharman, Wood, Boxshall

VFL Team:

B: O'Connell, Howard, Hastie
HB: Fincher, Barrat, Travaglia
C: Banfield, Byrnes, Hill
HF: Henry, Keeler, Said
F: Collard, Caminiti, Butler
R: Dodson, Dow, Carroll

 

[SG34]

AFL Best 23:

B: Stocker, Wilkie, Silvagni
HB: Clark, Tauru, Sinclair
C: Wilson, Flanders, Windhager
HF: Hall, Marshall, Higgins
F: Owens, King, Ryan
R: TDK, NAS, Macrae

Int: Phillipou, Garcia, Sharman, Wood, Boxshall

VFL Team:

B: O'Connell, Howard, Hastie
HB: Fincher, Barrat, Travaglia
C: Banfield, Byrnes, Hill
HF: Henry, Keeler, Said
F: Collard, Caminiti, Butler
R: Dodson, Dow, Carroll

No way Hill is not in seniors. Tauru out, maybe Hunter gets the chop, but I'm a fan. Ronnie Byrnes is an EH Holden, he might be there. Wilson played one good game in '25. Stocker will play 11 games.

 

[SG34]

Both our forwards and back have been cobbled together last season. Owens would love to have King back and it should allow us to play on our terms.

I think you are saying it was a kind of 'make do' situation in the '25 season.
King will be back, up forward
Howard will be back, down back.
etc.,

We love Michito and Cooper.

Both these guys were showered in love, and rightly so.

I dunno, both disappoint me somehow.

But with big Max back, it could all fall into place.

is it because out forward entry was so poor?

I think we improved in '25, but our win/loss, not so much. Bottom 4 until the late junk-games surge.

 

[pebblesofsand]

So you have a guy who comes in, whose strengths are areas where we lack in our front third.

• Xfactor
• Overhead marking
• goals/assists

Whose stats are similar to that of Higgins who as a fanbase we all universally agree was a career season and more to come hopefully.

Who would enable us to explore using Higgins/Ryan/Henry and whoever else through our midfield like the likes of: Hawthorn, Geelong, Sydney, Adelaide,Collingwood and the back2back premiers Brisbane use to maximum effect.

Yet we can’t see the value or in your own words, “remain unconvinced” of Ryan - who has done this with impact across multiple seasons.

Such an interesting point of view some fans have of Ryan.

Higgo had a career best season from the point of view of goals but his worst season from a possession perspective and worst from an i50 perspective. So clearly he was playing a deeper fwd role all year.

I think he and Ryan will be a good pairing because one can play a bit further up the ground while the other remains that genuine threat around the goals. Not sure where it leaves Butler.

If they both play then it has flow on implications for the fwd line set up. My suggested starting 6 in bold.

Talls - King, Marshall, Caminiti, Keeler

Mediums - Owens, Sharman, Phillipou

Small - Higgins, Ryan, Hall, Butler, Collard

Of the others

Caminiti - 1st replacement tall fwd/defence

Keeler - will need to come on or its tough to see a spot for him if everyone is fit.

Sharman - most will have him starting but if we are planning to play King and Marshall fwd, I'd be having Owens ahead of him.

Phillipou - behind Owens, Sharman as a medium fwd so must make it as a mid

Butler - our best pressure fwd but will that be enough?

Collard - needs time. I'd like to think he becomes our Bobbie Hill but not seeing it just yet.

 

[gringo2011]

I think you are saying it was a kind of 'make do' situation in the '25 season.
King will be back, up forward
Howard will be back, down back.
etc.,

We love Michito and Cooper.

Both these guys were showered in love, and rightly so.

I dunno, both disappoint me somehow.

But with big Max back, it could all fall into place.

is it because out forward entry was so poor?

I think we improved in '25, but our win/loss, not so much. Bottom 4 until the late junk-games surge.

We seemed to get the full package of bad luck. A punishing early fixture, injury, lack of cover after losing Battle etc.

Funny enough we all see the potential in Wilson and Garcia etc but the likelihood of a massive rise in form will more likely come from the group of guys now early to mid 20s.

Clark, Higgins, TDK, Stocker, Dow, King, Sharman, Byrnes, Flanders, Henry, Hall, Carrol, Nas, LOC, Windy, Owens, Caminiti, Keeler types. Not all will end up stars but they should start to become more consistent hardened AFL players with experience and an ability to fill their roles without needing to be instructed.

Lyon is a systems based coach and his game plan has always looked best with solid mature bodies. He's going to have a lot more of them now.

We need injury luck and a fast start and then who knows how far we can go. It should be a better season at a minimum.

 

[The Punter]

1. OK.. I see. But he is taking up the space of a potentially creative forward. I admit, that I thought this defensive forward thing was an excuse for players losing their edge. At best, I thought their job was to shut down a running back like Jack Sinclair. With five on the bench now I wonder if a team can bank on the concept of a specialist defensive forward. I think defenders and mids can fall into the forward line for that.
2. Yeah, I should hold off on Mitcho pronouncements but I think he's frankly been disappointing as a forward. I realise he has played that small ruckman role because of his strength and skill. He's definitely got something and its exciting when the ball goes up there and he's around. Maybe my expectations are too high? I just wondered if he might be more suited down back. That strength! A bit of Spud, a bit of Jake Lever?

1. To be clear I was talking about a pressure forward, which is different to a defensive forward, which is more like how you described. I think if you need to tag a defender, it's better having a mid do that to free up a forward.
2. The comp for me on Owens is Aaron Hamill. Hamill turned 23 at the end of the 2000 season, where he averaged 17 disposals and 1.75 goals per game. I think get him on a lesser defender without aerial craft and he could be something to see. The goalkicking frustrates me as it frustrates everyone but if you don't get shots it doesn't matter how well you kick.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Another 23;

B. Wilkie Howard ???????

H.B. Hastie  JSOS Sinclair

C. Henry Pou  Ryan

H.F. Owens Marshall Wilson

F. Sharman King Higgins

Foll. Tdk NWM Hall

l/C. Butler, Flanders, Macrae, Windhager, Wood

I'm glad i'm not the only one who wants to have all of Howard, Wilkie and JSOS in the backline.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

I'm glad i'm not the only one who wants to have all of Howard, Wilkie and JSOS in the backline.

Didn't mind Caminiti back there at all.
But when Howard doesnt lose his mind,
his experience is invaluable.

 

[Saintos The ITK]

I’ve never done a best 22 I just can’t do them it does my head in.

 

[Saints4ever]

I’ve never done a best 22 I just can’t do them it does my head in.

Lucky for you it’s best 23

 

[Dr Spaceman]

Lucky for you it’s best 23

Probably Stewie Loewe

 

[saintmike65]

I'm glad i'm not the only one who wants to have all of Howard, Wilkie and JSOS in the backline.

You need wingers with elite endurance...neither Henry or Ryan have that.
I'm hoping Wilson and Windy will be our wingers, with both also part of our CBA rotation!

 

[Mav3rick]

"Some fans"... I love it when I get this considering what I would believe is a very well earned reputation for discussing things in good faith.

I have a different view to many on what plagues our forward line, which in 2025 was the best performing (highest scoring) it had been since 2017 with the exception of 2020: lack of forward pressure. Basically, I believe we miss not an x-factor player who can roll through midfield (this could be achieved IMO with some combination of Hall and Higgins who we already have), but a genuine pressure forward. We miss 2020/2023 Dan Butler. It could be Butler returning to form or Collard taking the next step, but I doubt it's Liam Ryan.

I also believe we can't go into next season and have sustainable success playing Owens as a third forward, with a lot of the time him playing on the ground with only one other key forward as one rests. IMO Owens needs to play as the fourth forward. That forward seven man rotation looks like this:

Genuine full forward: Max King
Lead up marking half forward: Cooper Sharman
Resting ruckman who can play forward and is a get out target: Rowan Marshall
Hybrid marking/ground level forward: Mitch Owens
Genuine goalkicking small forward: Jack Higgins
Pressure forward: Dan Butler
High half-forward: Max Hall

Everyone except Butler, right now, I don't really want to see Ryan get a game in front of. He would have to outperform one of those six at their specific roles. And there is little evidence that Ryan can become the pressure forward Butler has been in the only two years in the last 14 where we've made finals.

So I struggle to see how Ryan plays without one of these things happening:

1. We play too small
2. We don't have a pressure forward
3. Higgins or Hall end up at VFL
4. Some other promising mid (think Garcia, Boxshall or Wilson) misses out to accommodate a forward in the mid rotation

I sincerely wish Ryan smashes it, but I don't understand it from a list management decision. Yes he has undeniable talents, but I don't want to see other things sidelined (such as see us play too small or with no pressure forward).

I see your point about Ryan not necessarily having a defined role, but my counters would be that:
a) He can arguably replace any of those smalls or Owens with his skill set, if one of them is injured or not executing their role/gets dropped.
b) The fact we have all those positional bases covered is precisely why you CAN include an X-factor player like Ryan in your lineup, because you're not missing out on anything by including him as the cream on top.

If Hall/Owens/Higgins play some more midfield time and we utilise the extra bench spot to rest the talls more, Ryan can slot in as a sort of 8th forward, along with 8 mids and 7 defenders (NAS/Flanders/Windy probably fill in some more time at half back in this scenario)

Then your 23 could something like:
B: Stocker, Howard, Wilkie
HB: Sinclair, Silvagni, Clark
C: Wilson, Nas, Wood
Foll: TDK, Flanders, Windy
HF: Hall, Sharman, Owens
F: Higgins, King, Butler
Bench: Macrae, Garcia, Marshall, Ryan, Tauru

But I've also heard Ross and the coaches say they want all our guys to have multiple strings to their bow, so I actually think positions will more be earned on form and the mechanics figured out later. It's gonna be so interesting to see how this plays out on game days.

 

[stfan]

Then your 23 could something like:
B: Stocker, Howard, Wilkie
HB: Sinclair, Silvagni, Clark
C: Wilson, Nas, Wood
Foll: TDK, Flanders, Windy
HF: Hall, Sharman, Owens
F: Higgins, King, Butler
Bench: Macrae, Garcia, Marshall, Ryan, Tauru

Pretty fair effort, best 23's are just so hard to do at present and I find it impossible at present to be definitive at this point in time. There are at east 28, or more. worthy players who can make it.


Pre-season including the practice games is going to be crucial to many to get into Round 1.

Over the season I suspect the club will try and rotate some players through.

B: Stocker, Howard, Wilkie
HB: Sinclair, Silvagni*, Clark/ Carrol/Hastie
C: Wilson, Nas, Wood
HF: Hall, Sharman, Owens
F: Higgins, King, Butler ( I think will be nudged out)
Foll: TDK, Flanders, Windy
Bench: Macrae, Garcia, Marshall, Ryan, Tauru, Phillipou+, Hill, Henry, Boxshall

+ A good preseason sees him come is. But mainly as a mid or mainly as HF??? Pou we really need to shine as a mid who rates forward rather than vice versa.

* A delayed season start could see Caminiti come in.

Wing has a lot of candidates.

29 into 23 will not go though. So there are going to be some very hard calls made on selection night for Round 1.

 

[SaintSteele9]

AFL Best 23:

B: Stocker, Wilkie, Silvagni
HB: Clark, Tauru, Sinclair
C: Wilson, Flanders, Windhager
HF: Hall, Marshall, Higgins
F: Owens, King, Ryan
R: TDK, NAS, Macrae

Int: Phillipou, Garcia, Sharman, Wood, Boxshall

VFL Team:

B: O'Connell, Howard, Hastie
HB: Fincher, Barrat, Travaglia
C: Banfield, Byrnes, Hill
HF: Henry, Keeler, Said
F: Collard, Caminiti, Butler
R: Dodson, Dow, Carroll

Can argue the various ins and outs from those listed squads but bloody hell we have not had depth like this for quite some time.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

B. Wilkie Howard Windhager

H.B. Carroll JSOS Sinclair

C. Wood Hall Hill

H.F. Owens Marshall Wilson

 F. Sharman King Higgins

Foll. TDK NWM Flanders

l/C. Macrae, Phillipou, Butler, Henry,  Ryan


B. Armstrong Caminiti Travaglia

H.B. Hastie Keeler Clark

C. Banfield Dow Byrnes

H.F. Ainsworth Tauru Fincher

F. Collard Barrat Said

Foll. Dodson Boxshall Garcia

I/C.  McDonald, O'Connell, Stocker

 

[SG34]

B: O’Connell, Wilkie, Sinclair
HB: Clark, Marshall, Carroll
C: Hill, Flanders, Windhager
HF: Hall, Tauru, Higgins
F: Owens, Sharman, Ryan
R: TDK, NAS, Macrae

Int: Phillipou, Wilson, King, Wood, Boxshall

Position on ladder: 10th
Fate: Wild card WIN > WIN > WIN > WIN > WIN = FLAG

 

[Mav3rick]

B: O’Connell, Wilkie, Sinclair
HB: Clark, Marshall, Carroll
C: Hill, Flanders, Windhager
HF: Hall, Tauru, Higgins
F: Owens, Sharman, Ryan
R: TDK, NAS, Macrae

Int: Phillipou, Wilson, King, Wood, Boxshall

Position on ladder: 10th
Fate: Wild card WIN > WIN > WIN > WIN > WIN = FLAG

Marshall could probably be an excellent full back but there’s been no indication he’s gonna play there. Silvagni, Howard, Caminiti much more likely in that position