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?

 

[Spirit Level]

Picked up a great rumour last night, from a friend of a friend who's brother works at the club.

Word is that they plan to use Cox (Yank variety) as a 2nd ruck from the start of the season, 5 man bench is a big reasoning behind this.

Does this come to fruition? Does this mean Jackson is now a Kouta type midfielder?

 

[AstonSouffle]

Picked up a great rumour last night, from a friend of a friend who's brother works at the club.

Word is that they plan to use Cox (Yank variety) as a 2nd ruck from the start of the season, 5 man bench is a big reasoning behind this.

Does this come to fruition? Does this mean Jackson is now a Kouta type midfielder?

If Jackson pulls out a 34-disposal game with 2 goals, then we'll all be asking why we're not working how he can play there full-time.

Genuinely could see this paying off.

 

[Jezzitizle]

Not sure Jackson as a full time mid will work, I’d give it a 30% chance.

If the season and Jackson start poorly, King and Cornes will be all over it, piling pressure on JL.

Gutsy move if he tries it, don’t think he will personally.

 

[Cesoir]

Not sure Jackson as a full time mid will work, I’d give it a 30% chance.

If the season and Jackson start poorly, King and Cornes will be all over it, piling pressure on JL.

Gutsy move if he tries it, don’t think he will personally.

If we start making selection decisions based on what those arse clowns think then we are truly rooted.

Oh, and I think it's closer to 34.7%.

 

[Mk LXIII]

Picked up a great rumour last night, from a friend of a friend who's brother works at the club.

Word is that they plan to use Cox (Yank variety) as a 2nd ruck from the start of the season, 5 man bench is a big reasoning behind this.

Does this come to fruition? Does this mean Jackson is now a Kouta type midfielder?

Sounds fair to me but I think your opening sentence needed some more colour like, "My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with a girl who heard ... " Artistic licence .

 

[rgauci]

Best 23
Bolton Voss Jackson
Frederick Treacy Switkowski
Sharp Serong Erasmus
McVee Cox Clark
Chapman Pearce Ryan
Darcy Young Brayshaw

Int: Johnson Reid Wagner O’Driscoll Amiss

Reserves 23
Dudley Nicholls Riddle
Pickett Draper Murray
Carr Simpson Whan
O’Meara Murphy Walker
Worner Macdonald Davies
M.Cox Sweid Banfield

Sturt Ryda ???? ???? ????

Have I forgotten anyone?

Big chances with JOM now a HBF.

 

[Spirit Level]

Sounds fair to me but I think your opening sentence needed some more colour like, "My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with a girl who heard ... " Artistic licence.

It actually took me a while to get the wording right to accurately describe the lineage

 

[Sherriff Incorporated]

Big chances with JOM now a HBF.

He's not. Started one match sim there. Rest of the time match sim he is playing midfield. Spoke to somone watching the match sim where he was named at half back. He said actually O'Meara was almost solely on ball that match sim too.