Prediction 2026 Best 23 Discussion

[YelloMit]

B: Ryan, Pearce, McVee
HB: Chapman, Cox, Clark
C: Sharp, Young, Erasmus
HF: Bolton, Treacy, Reid
F: Jackson, Voss, Switkowski
R: Darcy, Serong, Brayshaw

IC: Amiss, Johnson, Wagner, Frederick, O'Driscoll

 

[King Huskii]

B: Ryan, Pearce, McVee
HB: Chapman, Cox, Clark
C: Sharp, Young, Erasmus
HF: Bolton, Treacy, Reid
F: Jackson, Voss, Switkowski
R: Darcy, Serong, Brayshaw

IC: Amiss, Johnson, Wagner, Frederick, O'Driscoll

I'd have almost exactly this except no Sharp. I'd place Wagner on the wing and either Simpson or Dudley on the bench.

 

[Jezzitizle]

I'd have almost exactly this except no Sharp. I'd place Wagner on the wing and either Simpson or Dudley on the bench.

Or maybe Draper with lowish tog, rotating with Chappy, BCox and Pearce, and maybe chopping out in the ruck?

 

[King Huskii]

Or maybe Draper with lowish tog, rotating with Chappy, BCox and Pearce, and maybe chopping out in the ruck?

We are starting to have depth

 

[Gussman]

B: Chapman - Cox - Ryan
HB: Clark - Pearce - McVee

C: Johnson - Young - O'Driscoll/Sharp/Wagner
Fol: Darcy - Brayshaw - Serong

HF: Fredrick - Treacy - Bolton
F: Swirkowski - Amiss - Voss

Int: Jackson - Erasmus - Reid - Cox/Dudley/Kickett/Murray/Sweid - Walker/Worner/Draper/O'Meara/Banfield

My view on what the best 23 will likely look like. A few players in contention for the open mid, forward and defender positions, but most of the team is looked in imo.

 

[King Huskii]

B: Chapman - Cox - Ryan
HB: Clark - Pearce - McVee

C: Johnson - Young - O'Driscoll/Sharp/Wagner
Fol: Darcy - Brayshaw - Serong

HF: Fredrick - Treacy - Bolton
F: Swirkowski - Amiss - Voss

Int: Jackson - Erasmus - Reid - Cox/Dudley/Kickett/Murray/Sweid - Walker/Worner/Draper/O'Meara/Banfield

My view on what the best 23 will likely look like. A few players in contention for the open mid, forward and defender positions, but most of the team is looked in imo.

Yeah i like the team. I think Wagner has to play his training standards is elite so far. He looks not best 23 but best 18.

 

[bellie4pm]

B: Chapman - Cox - Ryan
HB: Clark - Pearce - McVee

C: Johnson - Young - O'Driscoll/Sharp/Wagner
Fol: Darcy - Brayshaw - Serong

HF: Fredrick - Treacy - Bolton
F: Swirkowski - Amiss - Voss

Int: Jackson - Erasmus - Reid - Cox/Dudley/Kickett/Murray/Sweid - Walker/Worner/Draper/O'Meara/Banfield

My view on what the best 23 will likely look like. A few players in contention for the open mid, forward and defender positions, but most of the team is looked in imo.

Vv close to mine. Thinking first years wont play first game - and Sharp and NOD not at Wagners level atm in terms of kicking - and Walker and Draper need to impress at WAFL first. So wagner / mox or dudley / worner or JOM or Banners.

Missing anyone?

 

[go_the_dockers]

B: Ryan, Pearce, McVee
HB: Chapman, Cox, Clark
C: Wagner, Young, Erasmus
HF: Bolton, Treacy, Reid
F: Jackson, Voss, Switkowski
R: Darcy, Serong, Brayshaw

IC: Amiss, Johnson, Simpson, Frederick, (Best small forard)



Best small forward comes down to preseason. It is probably Dudley's spot to lose, but if either of Kickett/Murray/Sweid shows good form in the preseason then his spot will be under serious pressure.

Notes
Wing - 4 plus players will rotate through the two wing roles. Frederick, Amiss, Jackson, Erasmus, Johnson, Reid, Switta etc etc can all have a run. This is one spot we will use the extra rotation.

 

[worsemim]

I'm gonna skip my b23 because I basically agree with the consensus. But because I can't resist giving my opinions:

Think there's about zero chance of MCox starting a game without injuries—we're already too tall, we don't have the forward/ruck rotations for him.

Simpson is a sneaky chance of nabbing that last defender I/C spot over Worner—he'll have a much higher ceiling on skills and pace out of defence and I expect to see that in the scratch matches.

However, if Ryan isn't fit for r1, I'd expect Draper as cover for height. (Even though Ryan is not tall, he is a bigger body against medium talls, third man up against KPDs, etc.)

Also, I'm not terribly keen on selecting too many midfielders and having one (eg. JOM, Young, Serong) resting at HF for significant minutes. Much prefer Dudley or one of our new recruits who have that speed and side-step to utilise at ground level. Because we have so many marking targets, we'll see a lot of defences running a "congest the forward line and spoil the ball from behind" strategy like the Saints ran against us in r16 with Tauru. JOM, or any other of the midfielders we could rest forward, simply cannot crumb the ball as well as a bona fide small.

 

[theGav56]

Questions about the wing position:

How much of a specialist position is it?

I don't watch enough of other teams: are we an outlier in how we use wings?

Which is the better strategy?:

• specialist wingers like Sharp and NOD (Whan?
• rotating midfielders like Erasmus, MJ, Wagner, O'Meara?
• disruptive strategies like Amiss and Jackson in bursts?

I have been frustrated with how Longmuir uses the wing position. He seems to treat it as almost irrelevant and makes moves designed to take it out of the equation. The selection and use of Sharp and example.

To me it becomes restrictive and predictable. In 2026 I am hoping for the wings to become an option for us to help maximise what I see as a pace advantage we have been building.

 

[Jezzitizle]

I keep sort of forgetting we have Shai Bolton

10

Shai Bolton

Age

27

Ht

176cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.3

3star

K

6.9

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

2.9

4star

CL

1.4

4star

D

12.7

3star

K

9.2

4star

HB

3.5

2star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.7

4star

CL

1.8

4star

D

9.2

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

4.6

4star

M

2.0

3star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.0

1star

, then see him in training pics.

Feel like he could go nuts this year, coaches now have a good idea of how to use him, and second year in our system.

What an absolute cream player to have.

 

[serial_thrilla]

Last chance to sign up for the Freo Buddy Draft before I randomise the draft order later today:

Universal Love Thread '2026 Freo Buddy Draft (Now including coaching staff!)'

Jan 23, 2026

Welcome all to the 2026 Freo Buddy Draft!

The Buddy Draft is an opportunity to adopt a player from the 2026 squad and become their biggest fan on here (and elsewhere if you like, idk). Some people prefer to be superstars by association and choose the biggest names and highest performers in the team, while others like to root for the underdog and advocate for those considered on the fringes. Underperformers. Scapegoats even. There's no right or wrong selections, it's whoever you would like spend a season being in the corner of.

I have taken over the running of the Buddy...​

• serial_thrilla
• Replies: 388
• Forum: Fremantle

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• 
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[Ysaye]

Questions about the wing position:

How much of a specialist position is it?

I don't watch enough of other teams: are we an outlier in how we use wings?

Which is the better strategy?:

• specialist wingers like Sharp and NOD (Whan?
• rotating midfielders like Erasmus, MJ, Wagner, O'Meara?
• disruptive strategies like Amiss and Jackson in bursts?

I have been frustrated with how Longmuir uses the wing position. He seems to treat it as almost irrelevant and makes moves designed to take it out of the equation. The selection and use of Sharp and example.

To me it becomes restrictive and predictable. In 2026 I am hoping for the wings to become an option for us to help maximise what I see as a pace advantage we have been building.

IMO some key points that I think have been made over the pre-season by a few posters and others I have heard:

(1) There is not one wing position - it is very much now two different positions. Specifically the skinny side winger and the fat side winger. As Superkoops said, the skinny creates congestion,whereas the fat side guards space.
(2) We regularly saw players like Erasmus, O'Meara etc. on the skinny side, which makes sense - contested ability is important for this role. Most teams rotate onballers who have high levels of endurance to and from this position. Tackling can also be important.
(3) Because the fat side is about guarding space, you need players who not only have great stamina but are good at reading the play to the point that they can be in that space at the right time. I think that is why you often see ODriscoll and Sharp at half back when they go back to the WAFL; its about honing that positioning and reading of the play. You also see Brisbane's Jaspar Fletcher and Josh Daicos also "alternate" between wing and half back - a point here is that Brisbane and Collingwood play more attacking style for longer which would value them being at half back for longer.
(4) If a team wants to control the ball and be highly defensive for significant periods of time then you want a good fat side winger because this allows you time to get your positioning well setup (as the offensive ball will be forced along heavily congested lines) - Geelong are a prominent exponent of this and Oliver Dempsey is their primary wingman in this endeavour.
(5) As Terry Wallace pointed out a few weeks back we also favour this as our primary strategic setup (saying basically the above). As a person in list management he reckons we now have a team that would suit more a default brand that is focussed less on control and more on speed of ball movement (he didn't elaborate on why (he mentioned Shai Bolton) but I presume he was saying this because of our contested ball winning and marking ability forward of centre).
(6) We saw periods of games the backend of last year where we had periods of fast attacking footy; remember McCrae after the game having a dig about questioning why we didn't playing like that more of the time?

Below article (bit old) also worth a read:

How to judge one of footy's most unheralded roles

Michael Whiting takes a deeper look at one of the most complex roles in the AFL

www.afl.com.au

 

[King Huskii]

I'm gonna base my best 23 purely fron my observations at training now i have stopped

B. OMac. Cox. McVee
Hb. Clarke. Pearce. Chapman
C. Wagner. Young. Erasmus
Ruck. Darcy Serong. Brayshaw
Hf. Reid. Tracey. Bolton
F. Amiss Voss Switta

Int. Jackson Johnson Simpson. Fredrick. Dudley

Yes no Ryan as he's been running laps and so has Walker. Walker looks super fit. Big Cox training well but behind the pack for running. No Omera who is fit and looking good but with Jackson midfield rotations then I won't be dropping Johnson and Erasmus.

I'm sure Ryan to play come round 1 but OMac is ahead of him thus far.

 

[theGav56]

I'm gonna base my best 23 purely fron my observations at training now i have stopped

B. OMac. Cox. McVee
Hb. Clarke. Pearce. Chapman
C. Wagner. Young. Erasmus
Ruck. Darcy Serong. Brayshaw
Hf. Reid. Tracey. Bolton
F. Amiss Voss Switta

Int. Jackson Johnson Simpson. Fredrick. Dudley

Yes no Ryan as he's been running laps and so has Walker. Walker looks super fit. Big Cox training well but behind the pack for running. No Omera who is fit and looking good but with Jackson midfield rotations then I won't be dropping Johnson and Erasmus.

I'm sure Ryan to play come round 1 but OMac is ahead of him thus far.

How is Draper looking?

I don't love the kpd set up you have and would love one of the 3 to have greater mobility/flexibility.

 

[King Huskii]

How is Draper looking?

I don't love the kpd set up you have and would love one of the 3 to have greater mobility/flexibility.

He's looking good but OMac imo is training best out of all kpd bar Pearce and Cox. Ryan hopefully will be ready but that's a maybe as he hasn't joined in in any match sims due to his shoulder and needs to get his touch. He looks a little unfit too.

 

[mattis117]

He's looking good but OMac imo is training best out of all kpd bar Pearce and Cox. Ryan hopefully will be ready but that's a maybe as he hasn't joined in in any match sims due to his shoulder and needs to get his touch. He looks a little unfit too.

OMac is certainly first back up for Pearce and Cox. Draper can also play the 3rd tall, so he is therefore also back up for Ryan or Chapman. Worner fits into this category as well. Draper could push Ryan out if he improves sufficiently.

Seven backline spots

• 2 KPD (Pearce, Cox, OMac, Draper, Murphy/Davies)
• 3 General Defenders (Ryan, Chapman, Worner, Draper, Simpson, Walker)
• 2 rebounding defenders (Clark, McVee, Simpson).

Repeated names above indicate player can play multiple roles. Player sequence is general preference order per my opinion .
Per yellow text - there is a battle for the seventh backline spot.

 

[theGav56]

The club/coach don't seem to end long serving best 23 players abruptly. Possibly err on the gentle exit side of the ledger. Draper would have to have a remarkable season to push Ryan out, especially with the 5 man bench.

 

[Tonga Bob]

Hi all, we have just under a week left of voting for the Poster of the Year. Three people are tied in the lead, yet only eight people have voted so if you haven't yet please take a few minutes to vote on your favourite Game preview of 2025.

Every vote matters!

Win Prizes Thread 'Season 2025 Game Previews'

Mar 4, 2025

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Hello my purple friends, another season has quickly rolled around and that means we have another season of Game Previews to look forwards to! For those new to the concept, here's the skinny...

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• Tonga Bob
• Replies: 97
• Forum: Fremantle

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[Mr MysteryGuest]

Hello,

Why is banfield always getting games if he not considered best 23?

 

[eastfreo75]

Hello,

Why is banfield always getting games if he not considered best 23?

He has pictures of people at Epstein Island.

 

[Docker82]

Hello,

Why is banfield always getting games if he not considered best 23?

Same reason McKay was getting games for years at the Crows.

Fans and the club have different opinions and this site is purely fan opinion.

 

[ignoramus]

Hello,

Why is banfield always getting games if he not considered best 23?

There’s also the reason that best 23s are almost always “on paper” and are rarely all available every week.

Banfield has proven himself to be extremely versatile, having played forward (both taller and half), wing, defensive mid, and general defender. He’s relatively experienced and, by all accounts, well-versed in the roles and game plan. In that context, it’s not surprising he is regularly selected.

 

[ubiquitous226]

Hello,

Why is banfield always getting games if he not considered best 23?

King Huskii

Discuss.

 

[King Huskii]

King Huskii

Discuss.

He's my buddy I'll be talking him up all season. Death Taxes and Banfield