Preview 2026 Best 23 Discussion

[go_the_dockers]

Need to look at someone like Mitch Marsh in this draft then

Looking like he should be there close to our pick.

 

[King Huskii]

If JLO has Banfield in the team we may as well start another rebuild

 

[pK75]

FF: Voss Amiss Switta
HF: Reid Treacy Bolton
C: Johnson Brayshaw Wags
HB: Simpson Cox Clark
FB: Ryan Pearce Chappy

R: Darcy Serong Young

I: Jackson Ras NOD Walker Frederick

Peel:
FF: Dudley McDonald pick 11
HF: Sturt Nicholls pick 28
C: Sharp JOM Carr
HB: Banfield Davies Whan*
FB: Draper Murphy Worner

R: Riddle pick 39

Geez this is hard, couple of Cat B rookies to bring in as well.

 

[go_the_dockers]

--If Reid moves to midfield, I think NOD moves to Peel and their is spot open in the forward line. Hopefully Dudley is ready, otherwise we need Pick 11 to be a forward.

It is clear that our forward depth is poor, we lots of depths in the back half. Our midfield depth is ok, but we lack a classy wing in the best 22.

If we were able to find a classy winger, and gun small forward I am not sure who comes out for the winger.

The other thing is clear than any injuries in the forward line will be hard to cover, and it won't take too much for our midfield depth to be under pressure.

I think we need to target a mature ager or two to improve the 24th to 30th players on our list, and hopefully our best 23 if we get the right player.


Best 23

FF: Voss Amiss Switta
HF: Reid Treacy Bolton
C: Johnson Brayshaw Wags
HB: Simpson Cox Clark
FB: Ryan Pearce Chappy

R: Darcy Serong Young

I: Jackson Ras NOD Walker Frederick



Depth

Ready for AFL
Forwards: Dudley
Mids: JOM, Sharp
Backs: McDonald, Worner, Banfield, Murphy , Draper , Davies ,

Not Ready
Forwards: Nicholls
Mids: Whan, Carr,
Backs: Murphy , Draper , Davies ,


Injured:Sturt

 

[Spirit Level]

Bit premature but:

FF: Voss Amiss Switta
HF: Reid Treacy Bolton
C: Brayshaw Jackson Chappy
HB: Simpson Cox McVee
FB: Ryan Pearce Clark

R: Darcy Serong Young

I: Ras Johnson NOD Wags Frederick

Maybe too many mids

 

[Flour bag punter]

FB: Walker, Cox, Ryan
HB: Simpson, Pearce, Clark
C: Sharp, Young, Johnson
HF: Frederick, Treacy, Bolton
FF: Voss, Amiss, Reid

R: Jackson, Brayshaw, Serong.

INT: Darcy, Erasmus, Dudley, Switkowski, Wagner.

Best team to suit needs.

Don’t have to change the backline from outside when there’s options in the list.

Simpson and Walker are needed- Walker holds down the derisive end allowing Simpson and Clark to move the ball.

Banfield is emergency.

Having Dudley and Switkowsi with Wagner on the bench offers flexibility.

Worner is unlucky to miss out. But can see him being a bench option.

We need unflinching finals type players. I am yet to be convinced that Freddy or Walks are guys that will stand up in this environment. Worner is streets ahead of Walker in this regard.
They both have next year to prove themselves and could easily do so.
I wouldn’t be selecting either as our Finals team at this stage.

 

[jakefooty23]

Mcvee-Pearce-Ryan
Chapman-Cox-Clark
Erasmus-Serong-Sharp
Switta-Treacy-Reid
Bolton-Voss-Dudley
Darcy-Brayshaw-Young
Jackson-Simpson-Wagner-Johnson

It won't happen but I'd like to start 2026 with Freddy and Amiss in the wafl finding form

 

[Lach72]

Bit premature but:

FF: Voss Amiss Switta
HF: Reid Treacy Bolton
C: Brayshaw Jackson Chappy
HB: Simpson Cox McVee
FB: Ryan Pearce Clark

R: Darcy Serong Young

I: Ras Johnson NOD Wags Frederick

Maybe too many mids

That works for me.

 

[go_the_dockers]

Bit premature but:

FF: Voss Amiss Switta
HF: Reid Treacy Bolton
C: Brayshaw Jackson Chappy
HB: Simpson Cox McVee
FB: Ryan Pearce Clark

R: Darcy Serong Young

I: Ras Johnson NOD Wags Frederick

Maybe too many mids

Brisbane play so many mids, and they find a way to make it work.

I don't see a reason why Young, Serong, Brayshaw can all not spend 30% of their time on the wing or forward.

May be one defender light, if Wags spend significant time in the midfield. If he plays at half back, then we are fine.
I guess Chapman could always move back, and NOD or someone else could play the wing role.

 

[blue shark]

We need unflinching finals type players. I am yet to be convinced that Freddy or Walks are guys that will stand up in this environment. Worner is streets ahead of Walker in this regard.
They both have next year to prove themselves and could easily do so.
I wouldn’t be selecting either as our Finals team at this stage.

Adding McVee and Simpson, Draper?
Agree that we need to find another small or medium forward.
Freddy could be better at pressure acts but that counts for plenty of players and IMO is a coaching issue.
The club has a down hill skier vibe or risk adverse approach.
The games against the Lions and Cats showed how far we are off the pace.
Man on man we falter, and guarding space or a zone only makes it worse.

 

[jakefooty23]

As much as I love amiss, I really think he could benefit from going back to the wafl and dominating for a few weeks. He could elevate his game and add extra strings to his bow and then come back to the AFL side with more confidence. Freddy I think could also benefit from a twos stint, needs to add more to his game aswell, for a player with speed and agility he doesn't chase and tackle as much as I'd like.

 

[Footskill]

BANNERS

 

[Jezzitizle]

As much as I love amiss, I really think he could benefit from going back to the wafl and dominating for a few weeks. He could elevate his game and add extra strings to his bow and then come back to the AFL side with more confidence. Freddy I think could also benefit from a twos stint, needs to add more to his game aswell, for a player with speed and agility he doesn't chase and tackle as much as I'd like.

Let’s see how he goes in the scratchies - would have to be horrific, or the team would need to decide we are too tall and change approach.

Also maybe a fit young will bring the best out in him, Young won’t miss the lead ups at the ball, which are Amiss’ one wood.

 

[Docker82]

Bit premature but:

FF: Voss Amiss Switta
HF: Reid Treacy Bolton
C: Brayshaw Jackson Chappy
HB: Simpson Cox McVee
FB: Ryan Pearce Clark

R: Darcy Serong Young

I: Ras Johnson NOD Wags Frederick

Maybe too many mids

NOD out and one of Worner or Walker in IMO.

 

[Boppo]

As much as I love amiss, I really think he could benefit from going back to the wafl and dominating for a few weeks. He could elevate his game and add extra strings to his bow and then come back to the AFL side with more confidence. Freddy I think could also benefit from a twos stint, needs to add more to his game aswell, for a player with speed and agility he doesn't chase and tackle as much as I'd like.

Move Amiss out of the fwd line and there’s no way Voss gets the freedom he does to kick goals.

 

[rgauci]

Bolton Treacy Amiss
Switkowski Voss Frederick
Sharp Jackson Brayshaw
Clark Cox Young
Chapman Pearce McVee
Darcy Serong Johnson

Int: Erasmus NOD Ryan Wagner Simpson

 

[blue shark]

Move Amiss out of the fwd line and there’s no way Voss gets the freedom he does to kick goals.

How Gunston plays, fitness and forward play is exactly what Amiss needs to follow.
We have two power forwards, so he needs to work on continuous leads and ground ball.
If he is wrestling with his opponent then that is a distraction and shouldn’t be his role.
A tall medium who can operate in his strike zone and can get separation and open ground behind him.
Gunston let Buddy, Roughead do their thing and not get in the way.
Amiss need to get more involved and play smarter.
Then you have Jackson. Darcy so no need for him to add size?

 

[Barnabus]

Bolton Treacy Amiss
Switkowski Voss Frederick
Sharp Jackson Brayshaw
Clark Cox Young
Chapman Pearce McVee
Darcy Serong Johnson

Int: Erasmus NOD Ryan Wagner Simpson

Dropping Reid seems a bit harsh.

FF: Bolton Treacy Amiss
HF: Reid Voss Switkowski
C: Eramus Serong Chapman
HB: Mcvee Cox Clark
FB: Ryan Pearce Walker
R: Darcy Brayshaw Young
B: Jackson Johnson Wagner Simpson Frederick

Compared to the team that took on GC we add McVee, Simpson, Switkowski, Walker and Johnson which improves speed across all our lines. Also most of the players coming in are good ball users or free up other good ball users.

Walker in allows Chapman to play up the ground, a bit like how Hawthorn use Weddle. I think he is wasted on last line of defence lockdown roles. McVee, Simpson, Clark and Chapman to cover off the attackong HB roles and rotate through a wing spot. I think we missed Johnson's mix of size and running capacity.

Gives us O'Meara, Worner, Banfield, NOD, Sharp, Draper, Omac, Davies and Dudley playing at Peel as really solid depth. Nicholls, Murphy, Carr and Riddle to benefit from another year of development. Use the draft to add a small forward, a midfielder and a wing if possible. The small forward being the highest priority.

 

[eastfreo75]

How Gunston plays, fitness and forward play is exactly what Amiss needs to follow.
We have two power forwards, so he needs to work on continuous leads and ground ball.
If he is wrestling with his opponent then that is a distraction and shouldn’t be his role.
A tall medium who can operate in his strike zone and can get separation and open ground behind him.
Gunston let Buddy, Roughead do their thing and not get in the way.
Amiss need to get more involved and play smarter.
Then you have Jackson. Darcy so no need for him to add size?

Amiss needed to work on his strength but he got into a wrestling fight with his direct opponent this year to test his new power.

I agree he needs to get on his bike and lead up the ground and create space for the other talls.

 

[Jezzitizle]

How Gunston plays, fitness and forward play is exactly what Amiss needs to follow.
We have two power forwards, so he needs to work on continuous leads and ground ball.
If he is wrestling with his opponent then that is a distraction and shouldn’t be his role.
A tall medium who can operate in his strike zone and can get separation and open ground behind him.
Gunston let Buddy, Roughead do their thing and not get in the way.
Amiss need to get more involved and play smarter.
Then you have Jackson. Darcy so no need for him to add size?

Amiss got his hands to quite a few in the wrestle and didn’t finish the mark, it will come same as it did for Treacy.

 

[mattis117]

Putting on my Nostradamus cap.

B: Draper, Pearce, Walker
HB: McVee, Cox, Simpson
C: Clark, Brayshaw, Johnson
HF: Frederick, Amiss, Bolton
F: Switkowski, Treacy, Voss
Fol: Darcy, Serong, Young

Int: Erasmus, Chapman, Jackson, Reid + best complementary player, e.g. NOD, Banfield, Dudley, Ryan, Wagner, Worner.

Philosophy: play two attacking half backs as a given. Set up remainder of defence with defensive players. Simpson is too talented to not be playing, so shift Clark to a wing, where I think he could be as good as Guldon.

The brutal reality of this is there is a backline squeeze. I would love to see Draper take his game to the next level and force his way in as our third defensive tall. We play Draper, Pearce, Walker, Cox as a rock solid defensive set up, and they feed the ball to Simpson and McVee for distribution. I am going out on a limb and making the early call that Ryan could be forced out if Draper improves substantially. I'd bring Walker back in as our specialist defender for smalls, which forces Worner out of the squad. Obviously BB should be playing for Peel. Sorry Bailey.

The forward half remains to be decided by trade and draft period but may also stay the same. I would absolutely love to see Dudley force his way in off the back of an incredible off/pre-season.

Midfield - Backing Erasmus and Johnson to take the next step and force themselves into B22. NOD a wildcard. NOD always seems to go up a level when he has an uninterrupted pre-season.

The selection squeeze is going to be ridiculous next year and I'm buoyed by the depth we will have.

 

[theGav56]

I can't see a naturally conservative, defense focused coach, shifting Clark from his current role.

I think there will be a focus on the synergy between Clark and JuddnotJudd.

Chapman the possible position shift, and/or Simpson to be pushed to get the forward part of his game working alongside Switkowski.

 

[Sherriff Incorporated]

Dropping Reid seems a bit harsh.

FF: Bolton Treacy Amiss
HF: Reid Voss Switkowski
C: Eramus Serong Chapman
HB: Mcvee Cox Clark
FB: Ryan Pearce Walker
R: Darcy Brayshaw Young
B: Jackson Johnson Wagner Simpson Frederick

Compared to the team that took on GC we add McVee, Simpson, Switkowski, Walker and Johnson which improves speed across all our lines. Also most of the players coming in are good ball users or free up other good ball users.

Walker in allows Chapman to play up the ground, a bit like how Hawthorn use Weddle. I think he is wasted on last line of defence lockdown roles. McVee, Simpson, Clark and Chapman to cover off the attackong HB roles and rotate through a wing spot. I think we missed Johnson's mix of size and running capacity.

Gives us O'Meara, Worner, Banfield, NOD, Sharp, Draper, Omac, Davies and Dudley playing at Peel as really solid depth. Nicholls, Murphy, Carr and Riddle to benefit from another year of development. Use the draft to add a small forward, a midfielder and a wing if possible. The small forward being the highest priority.

Actually totally agree but I'd start LJ ruck as I thibk that would allow Darcy to spend time against the oppositions second ruck in the first quarter. I like Chappy, Wagner and McVee rotating wing/half back. I also like Ryan playing on taller players and not really quick smalls so him as the third tall works. There is potentially three quick players we can add to the team that played most weeks last year in Simpson, McVee and Walker. With Worner, NOD and Banfield coming out of the team that played most weeks that's a massive upgrade in speed (bar NOD obviously) and skill with two elite kickers coming into the team provided we get the job done for McVee.

It's a really good best 23 but I think NOD and Dudley could also be big improvers outside of the 23 if they have really good preseasons as both need to be at peak fitness to play well. Worner's also a very good player to be on the fringe of our best side. Joshy Draper is potentially a very good player to have on the fringes as Im backing him to rebound from his disappointing year in 2025. He has all the attributes to play both ends of the ground. So potentially we could have really good depth and we'll probably add a star sate league player or two via the draft or SSP like we normally do. I really like the look of Ed Perryman who we've been linked too. Perryman is 25 and only 180cm so you know he must have some really good attributes to be considered as a potential draftee. He plays wing/half back and is considered an elite kick.

 

[Sherriff Incorporated]

Putting on my Nostradamus cap.

B: Draper, Pearce, Walker
HB: McVee, Cox, Simpson
C: Clark, Brayshaw, Johnson
HF: Frederick, Amiss, Bolton
F: Switkowski, Treacy, Voss
Fol: Darcy, Serong, Young

Int: Erasmus, Chapman, Jackson, Reid + best complementary player, e.g. NOD, Banfield, Dudley, Ryan, Wagner, Worner.

Philosophy: play two attacking half backs as a given. Set up remainder of defence with defensive players. Simpson is too talented to not be playing, so shift Clark to a wing, where I think he could be as good as Guldon.

The brutal reality of this is there is a backline squeeze. I would love to see Draper take his game to the next level and force his way in as our third defensive tall. We play Draper, Pearce, Walker, Cox as a rock solid defensive set up, and they feed the ball to Simpson and McVee for distribution. I am going out on a limb and making the early call that Ryan could be forced out if Draper improves substantially. I'd bring Walker back in as our specialist defender for smalls, which forces Worner out of the squad. Obviously BB should be playing for Peel. Sorry Bailey.

The forward half remains to be decided by trade and draft period but may also stay the same. I would absolutely love to see Dudley force his way in off the back of an incredible off/pre-season.

Midfield - Backing Erasmus and Johnson to take the next step and force themselves into B22. NOD a wildcard. NOD always seems to go up a level when he has an uninterrupted pre-season.

The selection squeeze is going to be ridiculous next year and I'm buoyed by the depth we will have.

I like Clark spending at least some time on the wing but I can't see it happening with such a conservative coach. Im also backing Draper to be massively improved in 2026. He has all the tools but just lost confidence over the 2025 season.

 

[ignoramus]

Putting on my Nostradamus cap.

B: Draper, Pearce, Walker
HB: McVee, Cox, Simpson
C: Clark, Brayshaw, Johnson
HF: Frederick, Amiss, Bolton
F: Switkowski, Treacy, Voss
Fol: Darcy, Serong, Young

Int: Erasmus, Chapman, Jackson, Reid + best complementary player, e.g. NOD, Banfield, Dudley, Ryan, Wagner, Worner.

Philosophy: play two attacking half backs as a given. Set up remainder of defence with defensive players. Simpson is too talented to not be playing, so shift Clark to a wing, where I think he could be as good as Guldon.

The brutal reality of this is there is a backline squeeze. I would love to see Draper take his game to the next level and force his way in as our third defensive tall. We play Draper, Pearce, Walker, Cox as a rock solid defensive set up, and they feed the ball to Simpson and McVee for distribution. I am going out on a limb and making the early call that Ryan could be forced out if Draper improves substantially. I'd bring Walker back in as our specialist defender for smalls, which forces Worner out of the squad. Obviously BB should be playing for Peel. Sorry Bailey.

The forward half remains to be decided by trade and draft period but may also stay the same. I would absolutely love to see Dudley force his way in off the back of an incredible off/pre-season.

Midfield - Backing Erasmus and Johnson to take the next step and force themselves into B22. NOD a wildcard. NOD always seems to go up a level when he has an uninterrupted pre-season.

The selection squeeze is going to be ridiculous next year and I'm buoyed by the depth we will have.

Can’t see Ryan getting cut, outside of injury, and seeing as he played with broken ribs for most of the season as it is, it would have to be a debilitating injury. He is a leader of the playing group and heart and soul.