Best 23 for 2026

[The Nostradamus]

See how it develops over the next month when we start ramping up, so far it looks to be something like...

McDonald Logue Pink
Hardeman Comben McKercher

Simpkin Sheezel O'Sullivan
Xerri LDU Wardlaw

Powell Darling Dovaston
Curtis Larkey Zurhaar

Parker Daniel Trembath Stephens ?????

Duursma for that bench spot

Then for mine it’s cooper Harvey for pink

Lmac to play third tall (like the team Riley Bev posted) unless we play a side with 3 genuine KPF

Cooper the lockdown defender

 

[DuckYeah]

If Colby plays back half teams will drag him deep to defence or play through his man . Needs to be delivering ball to forwards or kicking goals

yes and no, teams will need to watch him as he’ll quickly create the spare link up. Doesn’t work that way because as a team we should be able to cover that

 

[zoomba23]

Duursma for that bench spot

Then for mine it’s cooper Harvey for pink

Lmac to play third tall unless we play a side with 3 genuine KPF

Cooper the lockdown defender

Unfortunately what you think often doesn't reflect reality. Pink is there whether you like it or not

 

[Passmore]

Unfortunately what you think often doesn't reflect reality. Pink is there whether you like it or not

We all have a line up in our minds that we want to see, then there's reality, based on previous form and what's been presented so far over the pre-season.

There's time for things to change. There's match sim, the full intra club in 2 weeks, then 2 more praccies before rd 1.

 

[zoomba23]

We all have a line up in our minds that we want to see, then there's reality, based on previous form and what's been presented so far over the pre-season.

There's time for things to change. There's match sim, the full intra club in 2 weeks, then 2 more praccies before rd 1.

And injuries and developmental curves on top of it. Likely that everyone's soft spot fringe players will get a sustained crack at it

 

[Chip Scab1]

Thredgold wont be ready but that could be 2028 defensive line. harvey probably be gone by the end of this year unless something significant changes

Zurhaar cant play wing.

Comben chf? Nope.

Who is George?

Quite an out there team

Braydos George. If we can get him fit, he'll be like another Top 5 draftee. He looks strong, fast and a good kick. You'll love him. Looks like a footballer at the very least.

Zurhaar can't play wing, true, but what's with these teams consisting of a small, crab-skilled, slowish wingers? Or improving half-coward Dyldo, I dunno, just feel if we put a senior bloke with a big body who isn't slow in there - we'll actually be in a better position than we are currently with the likely incumbents.

Thredgold may not be ready, but I really like the look of him and his defensive-first mindset and athleticism should compliment what we're trying to achieve down there. We need only bring the ball to ground, and then we run all over our opposition for 2.5 quarters until we tire.

Comben CHF? Yes, I admit it's a little out there... but on paper, at least, it does straighten us up a bit, and he doesn't need to do much more than be a target and play as a semi-defensive CHF to stop these easy D50 exits we have to contend with (every week).

Then use the senior blokes who can pinch hit and lose not a great deal to come in when we have injuries/suspensions. Having them as automatic selections snookers our development a bit (in my eyes anyway) as they aren't exactly die for the jumper unselfish types who we really need to set the tone for the young guns as an example to follow (other than Darling), in most cases our talented kids are covering for their misgivings (which I feel is holding the kids and us back a tad).

 

[DuckYeah]

If we can get him fit, he'll be like another Top 5 draftee

Not happening. Call me sceptical, ive seen these players come n go in the past. We have had our fair share of these types too. Add him to the list

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Not happening. Call me sceptical, ive seen these players come n go in the past. We have had our fair share of these types too. Add him to the list

Yep.

Goater in the same category - The ‘Elite father son who can’t be named and was destroyed by an injury’ category.

 

[Chip Scab1]

Not happening. Call me sceptical, ive seen these players come n go in the past. We have had our fair share of these types too. Add him to the list

Agree it's a long shot, but I'm hopeful on him.

The over-arching issue I find is simply this; we acknowledge our leadership and senior players have been woeful (bar Parker and Darling). Yet when someone selects a team without said senior frauds there is no agreement.

Our backline stinks; I have tried to fix it (sure it will take some time to gel) but it's a start.

Our midfield mix is putrid, again I have tried to fix it with what we have/have in reserve.

2026 to me is a write-off. Sure if everything clicks we may make WW. That's our ceiling. I'd be happy with that, but not on the back of senior frauds who don't get us closer to the ultimate.

We have to end 2026 with 95% of our future team gaining experience in the positions they are likely to fill. If not, wtaf are we doing? What is the point? Are we just happy heading back to the 'vortex' or do we actually want to be something.

 

[Merlin007]

See how it develops over the next month when we start ramping up, so far it looks to be something like...

McDonald Logue Pink
Hardeman Comben McKercher

Simpkin Sheezel O'Sullivan
Xerri LDU Wardlaw

Powell Darling Dovaston
Curtis Larkey Zurhaar

Parker Daniel Trembath Stephens ?????

That’ll be close. Probably duursma for the last spot

 

[Passmore]

That’ll be close. Probably duursma for the last spot

Him or another small like Banch to rotate with Dovaston.

 

[DuckYeah]

See how it develops over the next month when we start ramping up, so far it looks to be something like...

McDonald Logue Pink
Hardeman Comben McKercher

Simpkin Sheezel O'Sullivan
Xerri LDU Wardlaw

Powell Darling Dovaston
Curtis Larkey Zurhaar

Parker Daniel Trembath Stephens ?????

I think it will look something like this also. Although nothing like how I would like to see the team.

 

[footyfnatiC]

FB: McPotato Red Highue
HB: Mcdasher HoneyComb Softeman
C: Homer UDL Fossil
HF: CurtisJackson Ice Glen
FF: BirdStone LambSouva DontMessWithThe
ON: Cherry LordofWar Cheezels
INT: Stormy Reverse Sweetheart Durrr Fit&Skinny

Can you guess them all?

 

[ToxicMegaPunts]

B Hardeman Logue Pink

HB McKercher Comben FOS

C Stephens LDU Simpkin

HF Dovaston Larkey Konstanty

F Curtis Trembath Zurhaar

R Xerri Sheezel Wardlaw

I Darling Parker Banch Duursma Powell

 

[the big lebowski]

Him or another small like Banch to rotate with Dovaston.

Given you’ve seen a lot of training I find it noteworthy you have dova above both Bach and jk. Especially considering both of those guys have been mentioned by name as impressive on the track.

What have you seen to make you think this way?

 

[Passmore]

Given you’ve seen a lot of training I find it noteworthy you have dova above both Bach and jk. Especially considering both of those guys have been mentioned by name as impressive on the track.

What have you seen to make you think this way?

Nothing really. Just think they'll pick him. Kid's got swagger that'll be suited by the big time. Particularly a potentially volatile atmosphere that the Port game could be.

 

[Merlin007]

B Hardeman Logue Pink

HB McKercher Comben FOS

C Stephens LDU Simpkin

HF Dovaston Larkey Konstanty

F Curtis Trembath Zurhaar

R Xerri Sheezel Wardlaw

I Darling Parker Banch Duursma Powell

Maybe, but I'm not sure they'll be picking 3 small forwards to leave out MacDonald and Daniel

 

[DuckYeah]

B Hardeman Logue Pink

HB McKercher Comben FOS

C Stephens LDU Simpkin

HF Dovaston Larkey Konstanty

F Curtis Trembath Zurhaar

R Xerri Sheezel Wardlaw

I Darling Parker Banch Duursma Powell

Bang on

 

[Chip Scab1]

Kanga Merchant is a regular track watcher;

Is that Dom?

 

[LeFtBehinD]

Braydos George. If we can get him fit, he'll be like another Top 5 draftee.

Suggest a reset on expectations. If we can get him fit, he might be able to play an AFL game.

 

[Chip Scab1]

Best 23; obv Ducker Dov In on the back of Micky's positive report (good enough for me).

B: FOS - Logue - Thredgold
HB: Hugo - Pink - Hardeman
C: Powell - Sheezel - DuckerD
HF: Curtis -Comben- Trembath
F: Wardlaw-Larkey-Duursma
R: Xerri - LDU - McKercher
I/C: Parker - Darling - Simpkins - Konstanty - LMac

Em: Goater- George - WDawson - Stephen - Goad - Banch - MWhitlock - Urquhart - Daniel

We're so stacked.

Happy to roll with Simpkins for Port in Round 1 (I expect a Report showing all who's boss) but he'd want to play like a senior player and be Hard, hit Targets and not require our talented kids to cover for him defensively, or he can FRO.

Suggest a reset on expectations. If we can get him fit, he might be able to play an AFL game.

lol, don't take the jam out of my donut. Be gone with your reality.