Prediction 2026 Best 23 Discussion

[Patty_Moz]

I've said this many times but...

Replace player 12-23 within our best 23 and I reckon our depth is good enough that you won't notice the difference.

Those players 12-23 aren't good enough to replace the top ten players on our list. Most of the time 7-8 of best ten will be enough but against the really good teams there's a good chance we'll need others to genuinely step up.

Think our depth from player 24-32 or so is some of the best in the competition tbh. The second half of our best 23 doesn't stack up with the best teams though.

Can’t say I agree with that. I think the players outside the 23 are there for a reason. The bottom 3 or 4 could be replaced without issue but losing too many players in the 12-19 bracket is exactly what cost us in the final against GC.

I don’t think our players 24-32 are all that special, especially compared to the top teams, however I do think our 24-32 group is vastly improved in ‘26 compared to the last few years. We now have a better mix of experience, positional cover with some exciting youth so it’s time for the squad to start performing.

 

[eastfreo75]

Fremantle Playing List for 2026 - Draftguru

www.draftguru.com.au

Don't agree with all of the ratings but it's a great start to best 23.

Everybody B talent in except M.Cox and 0'Meara are best 23. Add Voss who according to the website C+. That leaves 18 spots with 5 spots to fill,

Defense Clark, Ryan, Pearce, Cox, Chapman, McVee

Walker, Worner, Simpson, Banfield fighting for one spot.

McDonald, Draper reserve key backs

Midfielders Serong, Brayshaw, Young, Murphy

Johnson, Erasmus, O'Meara, Sharp, NOB, and Banfield fighting for 3 spots

Rucks Darcy, Jackson

M.Cox as the backup ruck.

Forwards Treacy, Swiita, Freddy, Voss, Amiss,Bolton

Murray, Dudley, Banfield, Sturt competing for 1 spot.

*Murphy plays high forward and midfielder, Maybe open a spot in the midfield but takes a forward spot.

 

[pK75]

Fremantle Playing List for 2026 - Draftguru

www.draftguru.com.au

Don't agree with all of the ratings but it's a great start to best 23.

Everybody B talent in except M.Cox and 0'Meara are best 23. Add Voss who according to the website C+. That leaves 18 spots with 5 spots to fill,

Defense Clark, Ryan, Pearce, Cox, Chapman, McVee

Walker, Worner, Simpson, Banfield fighting for one spot.

McDonald, Draper reserve key backs

Midfielders Serong, Brayshaw, Young, Murphy

Johnson, Erasmus, O'Meara, Sharp, NOB, and Banfield fighting for 3 spots

Rucks Darcy, Jackson

M.Cox as the backup ruck.

Forwards Treacy, Swiita, Freddy, Voss, Amiss

Murray, Dudley, Banfield, Sturt competing for 2 spots

*Murphy plays high forward and midfielder, Maybe open a spot in the midfield but takes a forward spot.

Missed Bolton?

 

[Docker82]

Can’t say I agree with that. I think the players outside the 23 are there for a reason. The bottom 3 or 4 could be replaced without issue but losing too many players in the 12-19 bracket is exactly what cost us in the final against GC.

I don’t think our players 24-32 are all that special, especially compared to the top teams, however I do think our 24-32 group is vastly improved in ‘26 compared to the last few years. We now have a better mix of experience, positional cover with some exciting youth so it’s time for the squad to start performing.

I don't think many, if any, teams have more than about 3-4 actual AFL standard players outside their best 23. I certainly don't think Brisbane had any more than that last year.

Think there's a lot on here that see one or two good games from opposition players and think they're guns that should play every week. Then said player has no impact the vast majority of the time and it's just ignored.

Then they see our players do exactly the same thing and they get labelled spuds.

We overrate our better and middle tier players IMO.

 

[Purple_Turtle]

Fremantle Playing List for 2026 - Draftguru

www.draftguru.com.au

Don't agree with all of the ratings but it's a great start to best 23.

Everybody B talent in except M.Cox and 0'Meara are best 23. Add Voss who according to the website C+. That leaves 18 spots with 5 spots to fill,

Defense Clark, Ryan, Pearce, Cox, Chapman, McVee

Walker, Worner, Simpson, Banfield fighting for one spot.

McDonald, Draper reserve key backs

Midfielders Serong, Brayshaw, Young, Murphy

Johnson, Erasmus, O'Meara, Sharp, NOB, and Banfield fighting for 3 spots

Rucks Darcy, Jackson

M.Cox as the backup ruck.

Forwards Treacy, Swiita, Freddy, Voss, Amiss,Bolton

Murray, Dudley, Banfield, Sturt competing for 1 spot.

*Murphy plays high forward and midfielder, Maybe open a spot in the midfield but takes a forward spot.

From that midfield group I'd be shocked if Johnson misses (clearly rated) and I'd be disappointed if Erasmus was left out.

Think that final spot is being fought between Noddy, Sharp and O'Meara. (Of which I hope Noddy given he has a higher ceiling than the rest when fit.)

 

[Sherriff Incorporated]

Latest effort after watching some preseason training.
B: Chapman A.Pearce Ryan
HB: McVee Cox Clark.
C: Wagner Young Johnson
R: Jackson Brayshaw Serong
HF: Freddy Voss Reid
FF: Bolton Treacy Amiss

I/C Switta, Darcy, Simpson, Dudley, Either O'Meara or Erasmus

 

[anchor man]

Latest effort after watching some preseason training.
B: Chapman A.Pearce Ryan
HB: McVee Cox Clark.
C: Wagner Young Johnson
R: Jackson Brayshaw Serong
HF: Freddy Voss Reid
FF: Bolton Treacy Amiss

I/C Switta, Darcy, Simpson, Either O'Meara or Erasmus (can't split them currently.) Dudley very unlucky training well.

I don't see Erasmus missing out. His form in the last half of last season was impressive.

 

[Miltz]

Latest effort after watching some preseason training.
B: Chapman A.Pearce Ryan
HB: McVee Cox Clark.
C: Wagner Young Johnson
R: Jackson Brayshaw Serong
HF: Freddy Voss Reid
FF: Bolton Treacy Amiss

I/C Switta, Darcy, Simpson, Either O'Meara or Erasmus (can't split them currently.) Dudley very unlucky training well.

There are 5 on the bench this year. So in your scenario both Erasmus and O’Meara would be in the 23.
With Dudley unlucky.

 

[Sherriff Incorporated]

There are 5 on the bench this year. So in your scenario both Erasmus and O’Meara would be in the 23.
With Dudley unlucky.

Oh yeah. Dudleys in then. Thanks. That change makes the team way more balanced too. Allows for more on ball time for Bolton and Reid.

 

[Spirit Level]

I don't see Erasmus missing out. His form in the last half of last season was impressive.

Yeah the prospect of him going full beast mode is one the things I'm most excited about heading into this season

 

[Sherriff Incorporated]

Yeah the prospect of him going full beast mode is one the things I'm most excited about heading into this season

I agree. I can't split O'Meara and him because both are training exceptionally., As is Johnson.

 

[bellie4pm]

Unless Banfield crap at training, think we are deluding ourselves re him not being in the 23…

 

[Spirit Level]

Unless Banfield crap at training, think we are deluding ourselves re him not being in the 23…

Why? McVee or Simpson takes his spot in the backline, there's no room for him in the midfield and we've just drafted multiple small forwards and one of them will surely command a spot there, plus by all reports Duds is in ripping knick

 

[ImperialPurple]

Why? McVee or Simpson takes his spot in the backline, there's no room for him in the midfield and we've just drafted multiple small forwards and one of them will surely command a spot there, plus by all reports Duds is in ripping knick

Why? Because he’s Bailey Banfield. In a nuclear war everyone else would perish, but Banners will still be at half back kicking the ball OOTF under absolutely no pressure at all. But then he’ll also be helping the war victims in between those inexplicable kicks and pulling miracle goals out of his arse.

 

[King Huskii]

Why? Because he’s Bailey Banfield. In a nuclear war everyone else would perish, but Banners will still be at half back kicking the ball OOTF under absolutely no pressure at all. But then he’ll also be helping the war victims in between those inexplicable kicks and pulling miracle goals out of his arse.

Even more reason to delist him, so he can save the world

 

[rgauci]

Why? Because he’s Bailey Banfield. In a nuclear war everyone else would perish, but Banners will still be at half back kicking the ball OOTF under absolutely no pressure at all. But then he’ll also be helping the war victims in between those inexplicable kicks and pulling miracle goals out of his arse.

Or take that corridor kick that won us a game.

 

[oldgoat]

Why? Because he’s Bailey Banfield. In a nuclear war everyone else would perish, but Banners will still be at half back kicking the ball OOTF under absolutely no pressure at all. But then he’ll also be helping the war victims in between those inexplicable kicks and pulling miracle goals out of his arse.

pulling pearls out of poo?