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Opinion Your 2026 R1 team

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B: Cowan Weitering Dean
HB: Saad Haynes Florent
C: Carroll Cripps (Acres/O Hollands)
HF: Hayward Kemp Ainsworth
F: Moir McKay Byrne
OB: (Pittonet/Reidy) Smith Walsh
IC: (Williams/Newman) Cerra Hewett Chesser O'Keeffe
EM: McGovern Wilson Lord Boyd Evans E Hollands Young Cottrell

In the past it's been injuries which have selected our team. It's going to be hard for the coaches with this one. I think it could be shaped something like this.

It's the first time in a very long time where I can say we have a real forward line. Midfield has a little more pace and agility. There are some nice kicks squeezing into that team. Plenty of arguments for some of those who miss out. I expect a lot from that team.
 
B: Harry Dean, Jacob Weitering, Nic Newman
HB: Adam Saad, Nick Haynes, Zac Williams
C: Matt Carroll, Patrick Cripps, Ollie Hollands
HF: Jagga Smith, Harry McKay, Ben Ainsworth
F: Hudson O'Keeffe, Brodie Kemp, Will Hayward
Foll: Marc Pittonet, Sam Walsh, George Hewett
I/C: Adam Cerra, Lachie Cowan, Ollie Florent, Campbell Chesser, Francis Evans
 

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Preseason Track Burners Best 23

Newy - Weiters - Saad
Cowan - Haynes - Florent
Carroll - Cripps - Jagga
Hayward - Harry - Ainsworth
Tank - HOK - Kemp
Reidy - George - Walshy
I/C | Cerra - Ollie - Lord - Elijah - Zac
E | Pitto - Chesser - Byrne - Wilson - Cottrell

Newman starts if he's fit and tracks as the only one not in full training that makes the cut. Carroll bursts his way in, as does Kemp who looks the goods to line up with H. HOK as a marking target gets the nod over Pitto, who is beaten out by the more athletic (not by much, mind) Reidy.

Elijah gets the nod after his redemption arc and Zac comes in on the bench as the versatile spark who can play anywhere. Chesser is close, as is Wilson. But Carroll's preseason and development sees him start ahead of both.

Bring on the preseason games.
 
Cowan Weitering Newman
Saad McGovern Florent

Carroll Cripps Acres
Ainstey Harry Hayward
Frankie Kemp Byrne

Pittonet Walsh Hewett

IC: HoK Williams Smith Cerra E Hollands

Unlucky Lord, O Hollands

Against Sydney We will see Cowan on Curnow I hope.
 
Agree with just about all of this Drakey. Of the wing options you have here, I would not consider Cottrell. Has had plenty of

opportunities playing on the wing, but just does not get the pill enough. Yes, he does cover the ground. See him more

suited at half forward, this is where he has played his best footy for us imo.

Carroll looks to me like he has filled out a bit and now has total confidence in his body. Is set for a break out year,

hopefully he makes the left wing his own. Such a damaging kick, will be exciting to see what he does this season.

Chesser is an interesting one, been a little underwhelming so far from what I have seen. Has the physical attributes, nice

size and has power and speed. Not sure about his kicking at this stage, just really hoping he can step up from here and

show us all that he belongs at this level. Blake has been great, at his best. However his shoulders seem pretty stuffed and

we may have to look past him now.

Agreed. Acres has to go off any time he over-extends that shoulder. Been a warrior but it feels like the time has come for someone to push him out. At the very least he's still a great depth option. I'm hoping Carroll with his disposal and Chesser with his pace can claim those spots but they'll have to be good to push Blake out.
 
Interested at how many teams just have Weitering down back supported by a lone 3rd tall in Haynes or Gov.
Surely the kid (Dean) or Young will be there. If Young ‘arry lives up to his profile, it makes sense to play him beside Weiters and Haynes. Two great mentors to fast track his progress. Jacob and Lewy Young have not gelled well in the past.

A lot of posters just trying to fit all of the smaller options in.
 

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This is how i see it atm. Lets say for a Rd 5 team. Everyone fit except O'Farrell & Motlop:

Newman Weitering Dean
Cowan Haynes Saad

O.Hollands Cripps Carroll
Pittonet Hewett Walsh

Smith McKay Hayward
O'Keefe Kemp Ainsworth

Cerra E.Hollands Florent Williams Moir

Next levels:

Lord McGovern Chesser Wilson Cottrell Reidy

Boyd Byrne Campo Campo Acres

Ison F.Young Charleson Monahan

Duffy Fogarty L.Young

Inj: O'Farrell Motlop

To me, thats not a finals team, but i clearly see this as a transition year. I am not a fan of how we have been coached, and that will either hopefully improve a lot this year, or will be overhauled for next year. So that's enough about that.

I am looking forward as soon as possible to settling in combo's of Weiters, Dean, O'Farrell down back. Great combo of solidity, dependability and intercepting. And McKay Kemp, O'Keefe up forward. McKay roaming and using his full deck of aces, Kemp plays best deep imo, and Skull is gonna be an AFL forward of prescence imo.

I am looking forward to Cowan getting more license to be a weapon. He has the attributes and mindset imo. Empower and encourage him.

I am looking forward to Jagga, Walsh and Walker bringing brilliance. Crippa will still be Crippa for another 4 years. George has been great and will continue to be solid. Cerra needs to lift a level. He can do it. Lord is reliable depth. And B.Campo should be similar.

I am looking forward to seeing the progress of both Hollands, Carroll, Chesser and L.Campo. Wings don't look overly strong but they all have their chance to grab a wing and be good. Elijah, enough said, lets see. Good enough to be very good. Ollie, i am a fan. gives it everything and without his run, we wouldve been in more shite lately. A goer. Carroll has something. Not quick but just has a certain "danger" about him for the oppo. very interesting watch this year.

Our recruits?..

I have been a big fan of Hayward his whole career. Rapt to have him. Hard working and oozing talent.
Florent, Ainsworth and Chesser i havent been fans of for varying reasons. Hoping theyll be ok for us.

Pitt is Pitt. But from my info, thats still a bit better than Reidy. Thats ok. As long as they compete. Which they do.

Think we should move past Fog, L.Young and Acres. Boyd probably getting to same category. Gov is lucky he may be still needed now and then.

Wilson and Byrne seem like they may see some action.

That'll do. 2c.
 
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This is how i see it atm. Lets say for a Rd 5 team. Everyone fit except O'Farrell & Motlop:

Newman Weitering Dean
Cowan Haynes Saad

O.Hollands Cripps Carroll
Pittonet Hewett Walsh

Smith McKay Hayward
O'Keefe Kemp Ainsworth

Cerra E.Hollands Florent Williams Moir

Next levels:

Lord McGovern Chesser Wilson Cottrell Reidy

Boyd Byrne Campo Campo Acres

Ison F.Young Charleson Monahan

Duffy Fogarty L.Young

Inj: O'Farrell Motlop

To me, thats not a finals team, but i clearly see this as a transition year. I am not a fan of how we have been coached, and that will either hopefully improve a lot this year, or will be overhauled for next year. So that's enough about that.

I am looking forward as soon as possible to settling in combo's of Weiters, Dean, O'Farrell down back. Great combo of solidity, dependability and intercepting. And McKay Kemp, O'Keefe up forward. McKay roaming and using his full deck of aces, Kemp plays best deep imo, and Skull is gonna be an AFL forward of prescence imo.

I am looking forward to Cowan getting more license to be a weapon. He has the attributes and mindset imo. Empower and encourage him.

I am looking forward to Jagga, Walsh and Walker bringing brilliance. Crippa will still be Crippa for another 4 years. George has been great and will continue to be solid. Cerra needs to lift a level. He can do it. Lord is reliable depth. And B.Campo should be similar.

I am looking forward to seeing the progress of both Hollands, Carroll, Chesser and L.Campo. Wings don't look overly strong but they all have their chance to grab a wing and be good. Elijah, enough said, lets see. Good enough to be very good. Ollie, i am a fan. gives it everything and without his run, we wouldve been in more shite lately. A goer. Carroll has something. Not quick but just has a certain "danger" about him for the oppo. very interesting watch this year.

Our recruits?..

I have been a big fan of Hayward his whole career. Rapt to have him. Hard working and oozing talent.
Florent, Ainsworth and Chesser i havent been fans of for varying reasons. Hoping theyll be ok for us.

Pitt is Pitt. But from my info, thats still a bit better than Reidy. Thats ok. As long as they compete. Which they do.

Think we should move past Fog, L.Young and Acres. Boyd probably getting to same category. Gov is lucky he may be still needed now and then.

Wilson and Byrne seem like they may see some action.

That'll do. 2c.
1. Where's Frank the Tank?
2. Who takes Haynes spot for the first game? It's either L Young, McGovern or Wilson.
 
1. Where's Frank the Tank?
2. Who takes Haynes spot for the first game? It's either L Young, McGovern or Wilson.

Theres always one you forget lol.

The Frank of the last month would be on the bench or the first level of nexts.

The "other" Frank would be a couple of rungs lower.
 
I'm going to assume that Newman and Acres won't be ready for the first game.

B: Cowan, Weitering, Wilson
HB: Carroll, Dean, Saad
C: Walsh, Cripps, O Hollands
HF: Hayward, McKay, Ainsworth
F: Williams, O'Keeffe, Evans
Foll: Pittonet, Lord, Smith
Int: Kemp, Hewitt, Cerra, Florent, Byrne
Emerg: L Young, Fogarty, Moir

Others: McGovern, Chesser, Reidy, F Young, B Camporeale, L Camporeale, Boyd, Charleson, Ison, Duffy, Monahan

Inj: Haynes, Cottrell, Newman, Acres
LTI: O'Farrell, Motlop
SSP: E Hollands, White
 
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I'm going to assume that Newman and Acres won't be ready for the first game.

B: Cowan, Weitering, Wilson
HB: Carroll, Dean, Saad
C: Walsh, Cripps, O Hollands
HF: Hayward, McKay, Ainsworth
F: Williams, O'Keeffe, Evans
Foll: Pittonet, Lord, Smith
Int: Kemp, Hewitt, Cerra, Florent, Byrne
Emerg: L Young, Fogerty, Moir

Others: McGovern, Chesser, Reidy, F Young, B Camporeale, L Camporeale, Boyd, Charleson, Ison, Duffy, Monahan

Inj: Haynes, Cottrell, Newman, Acres
LTI: O'Farrell, Motlop
SSP: E Hollands, White
HUN has NN as fit, though OH returning to the HBF

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IMG_2166.webp
 

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Newman hasn't participated in match sim yet. So let's see what happens. I'd rather he had a bit more time.
Newy has banked quite a few credits, and it would be a brave person to write him off yet, but signs are his body is not allowing him to “come up” as readily. He remains notionally best 23, but like with Saad and Haynes, the end could come quickly.
 
Well, it seems like Fog is highly likely to be one of the staple forwards. H, Hayward, Ainsworth & Fog mentioned as doing the tough stuff c/- Fox Sports, which goes along with reports of him being in the A-team.

That leaves Kempy, HOK then EH, Frank, Carlos, Byrne, Flynn, Cotters + the possible rotation of Jagga/Walshy off HFF & any resting mids.
McGovern & L.Young as cameos.

Think 1 or both of HOK & LY need to be as the backup ruck and filling KPP.
 
Is there anything we can read into who is wearing Orange v white in the match sim?

The only thing I can read is the combinations we are playing on each side

Weitering is always with Dean
McKay is always with O'Keefe & Hayward
Jagga & Walsh are always together with Cripps
 

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