Team Mgmt. 2026 Best 23

[rioli brownlow]

McGrath McKay Ridley
Redman Reid Roberts
Duursma Durham fiorini
Merrett Caddy Caldwell
Langford Wright Kako
Blakiston Sharp Parish

Nguyen Perkins May tsastas clarke

 

[NAB777]

B: Nguyen McKay Ridley
HB: McGrath REID Redman
C: Fiorini Caldwell Duursma
HF: Durham Caddy Kako
F: Langford Wright El-Achkar
OB: Bryan Merrett Parish
IC:Johnson, Roberts, Clarke, Sharp, El-Hawli,
EMG: Blakiston, Perkins, Tsatas

[/I]

Roberts WTF

 

[eth-dog]

Roberts WTF

He's in the side? I don't get the big deal with naming players on the bench. Nobody thinks Roberts isn't best 23. Nobody will put him out of the side.

Players rotate on and off the bench all the time. One defender has to start on the bench, it's not a big deal

 

[NAB777]

He's in the side? I don't get the big deal with naming players on the bench. Nobody thinks Roberts isn't best 23. Nobody will put him out of the side.

Players rotate on and off the bench all the time. One defender has to start on the bench, it's not a big deal

In no universe would you name Nguyen on the ground & Roberts on the bench.

 

[eth-dog]

In no universe would you name Nguyen on the ground & Roberts on the bench.

You're arguing semantics. Also they play different roles. Nguyen is a lock down, Roberts half back.

 

[ant555]

In no universe would you name Nguyen on the ground & Roberts on the bench.

I am with Eth. Nguyen is more likely to be playing back pocket so there is a scenario where he starts on the ground and Roberts is on the bench. Can also come down to where they play Mcgrath.

 

[King Patty]

I am thinking with finding nguyen to play lock down role.
Brad may move McGrath up the ground a bit.
And would expect Brad to pick experienced leaders of McGrath and Redman at half back over promising Roberts, not a huge stretch

plus Roberts may not even be the defensive 7th on bench, he likely is but it could be Johnson and Roberts could be playing further up ground relieving wing/ midfield. I imagine Roberts has midfield aspirations.

Clarke could even be the 7th def if tall opposition forward line.

I also wanted to group a lot of talented kids together on the bench who are all quite flexible in positioning.

 

[FootyGuru]

Nguyen has a crack and has done some defensive jobs but he is a while off being a best 22 player. You can carry a Nguyen lock down back pocket if most your prime defensive movers are back there(Ridley redman Roberts Reid and McGrath). He simply doesn’t affect the game enough offensively yet, hoping he gets there though.

 

[Bombers36]

Nguyen has a crack and has done some defensive jobs but he is a while off being a best 22 player. You can carry a Nguyen lock down back pocket if most your prime defensive movers are back there(Ridley redman Roberts Reid and McGrath). He simply doesn’t affect the game enough offensively yet, hoping he gets there though.

I think Nguyen has more upside than Prior hence people including him in their best 23's. I'm also seeing Durham at half forward in a number of people's best 23's and I like it - especially with Robey injured/managed and Perkins not having come on as we'd like...Durham is decent overhead and runs in straight lines & makes our forward line look better;-

Ridley McKay McGrath
Redman Reid Roberts
Fiorini Parish Duursma
Durham Caddy Kako
Langford 2MP Guelfi

Bryan/Blaki Caldwell Merrett

Bench: Tsatas Sharp Clarke Nguyen Perkins

 

[EnolaGay]

I think Nguyen has more upside than Prior hence people including him in their best 23's. I'm also seeing Durham at half forward in a number of people's best 23's and I like it - especially with Robey injured/managed and Perkins not having come on as we'd like...Durham is decent overhead and runs in straight lines & makes our forward line look better;-

Ridley McKay McGrath
Redman Reid Roberts
Fiorini Parish Duursma
Durham Caddy Kako
Langford 2MP Guelfi

Bryan/Blaki Caldwell Merrett

Bench: Tsatas Sharp Clarke Nguyen Perkins

Nguyen tackles with intent, Prior on the other hand had linguine arms a number of times last season. Hopefully Prior ends up good depth for us this season.

 

[FootyGuru]

I think Nguyen has more upside than Prior hence people including him in their best 23's. I'm also seeing Durham at half forward in a number of people's best 23's and I like it - especially with Robey injured/managed and Perkins not having come on as we'd like...Durham is decent overhead and runs in straight lines & makes our forward line look better;-

Ridley McKay McGrath
Redman Reid Roberts
Fiorini Parish Duursma
Durham Caddy Kako
Langford 2MP Guelfi

Bryan/Blaki Caldwell Merrett

Bench: Tsatas Sharp Clarke Nguyen Perkins

Not sure prior makes a true best 22 either. Both prior and Nguyen probably play games though.

 

[jdstorm]

Currently it’s looking

Ridley McKay Roberts
Redman Reid McGrath
Fiorini Tsatsas Farrow
Bryan Caldwell Durham
Zerrett Caddy Dursma
Langford Wright Kako

Clarke parish Sharpe Johnson Huss

 

[Yoda_]

2026 (AFL)

(Back Pocket) Jordan Ridley	(Full Back) Ben McKay	(Back Pocket) Andrew McGrath
(Half Back Flank) Archie Roberts	(Centre Half Back) Zac Reid	(Half Back Flank) Mason Redman
(Offensive Wing) Brayden Fiorini	(Centre) Darcy Parish / Merrett	(Deffensive Win) Xavier Duursma
(Half Forward Flank) Isaac Kako	(Centre Half Forward) Nate Caddy	(Half Forward Flank) Archie Perkins
(Forward Pocket) Matt Guelfi	(Full Forward) Peter Wright	(Forward Pocket) Kyle Langford
(Ruck) Nick Bryan	(Ruck Rover) Jye Caldwell	(Rover) Sam Durham
(Interchange 1) Jaxon Prior	(Interchange 2) Angus Clarke	(Interchange 3) Saad El~Hawli
(Interchange 4) Liam Blackiston	(Interchange 5) Merrett / Parish

2026 (VFL)

(Back Pocket) Nick Cox	(Full Back) Lewis Hayes	(Back Pocket) Jayden Nguyen
(Half Back Flank) Max Kondogiannis	(Centre Half Back) Kayle Gerryn	(Half Back Flank) Jacob Farrow
(Offensive Wing) Archer Day~Wicks	(Centre) Zak Johnson	(Deffensive Wing) Jade Gresham??
(Half Forward Flank) Sullivan Robey	(Centre Half Forward) Archer May	(Half Forward Flank) Rhys Unwin
(Forward Pocket) Hussein El~Achkar	Full Forward) Liam McMahon	(Forward Pocket) Tom Edwards
(Ruck) Vigo Visentini	(Ruck Rover) Elijah Tsatas	(Rover) Dyson Sharp
Harrison Jones???	Nic Martin injured

(2028 AFL Side)

(Back Pocket) Andrew McGrath	(Full Back) Ben McKay	(Back Pocket) Jordan Ridley
(Half Back Flank) Archie Roberts	(Centre Half Back) Zac Reid	(Half Back Flank) Jacob Farrow
(Offensive Wing) Brayden Fiorini	(Centre) Sam Durham	(Deffensive Wing) Xavier Duursma
(Half Forward Flank) Sullivan Robey	(Centre Half Forward) Nate Caddy	(Half Forward Flank) Nic Martin
(Forward Pocket) Hussein El~Achkar	(Full Forward) Archer May	(Forward Pocket) Isaac Kako
(Ruck) Vigo Visentini	(Ruck Rover) Jye Caldwell	(Rover) Dyson Sharp
(Interchange 1)Koby Bewick (f/m/d)	(Interchange 2) Angus Clarke (d/f)	(Interchange 3) Lachie Blackiston (r/d)
(Interchange4) Jayden Nguyen (d)	(Interchange 5) Darcy Parish (m)

probably overlooked a few in that 2028 side (namely Zac Johnson, Archer Day~Wicks, Elijah Tsatas, Lewis Hayes, Nick Bryan)

We just need some of these youngsters to kick on and not just be role players but genuinely good A grade players.

Updated 2026 side with pre season well underway;

(Back Pocket) Jordan Ridley	(Full Back) Ben McKay	(Back Pocket) Andrew McGrath
(Half Back Flank) Archie Roberts	(Centre Half Back) Zac Reid	(Half Back Flank) Mason Redman
(Offensive Wing) Brayden Fiorini	(Centre) Darcy Parish / Merrett	(Deffensive Win) Xavier Duursma
(Half Forward Flank) Isaac Kako	(Centre Half Forward) Nate Caddy	(Half Forward Flank) Archer Day~Wicks
(Forward Pocket) Matt Guelfi	(Full Forward) Peter Wright	(Forward Pocket) Kyle Langford
(Ruck) Lachlan Blackiston	(Ruck Rover) Jye Caldwell	(Rover) Sam Durham
(Interchange 1) Jaxon Prior	(Interchange 2) Angus Clarke	(Interchange 3) Saad El~Hawli
(Interchange 4) youngster	(Interchange 5) Merrett / Parish

 

[King Patty]

My Changes

In: Blakiston (will start as #1 Ruck until Bryan Returns), Gresham (apparently presented well in good shape)
Out: Bryan (as wont be ready for start of season, but think he will be the #1 ruck when back), El-Achkar (probably a bit hopeful he gets played early, maybe a few VFL games first)

Added Cox to Emergencies - 3 highly rated first round picks with experience that can't crack in to the best 23, preferring competitors like Nguyen. Perform in the VFL and get your chance.

Would love to squeeze Perkins in as he plays well against Hawks.

Bench makeup

• Johnson - Def/mid/fwd
• Clarke - Wing / defence
• Sharp - Midfield / forward
• El-Hawli - half back/wing/half forward
• Nguyen - Small defender / small forward

B: McGrath McKay Ridley
HB: Roberts REID Redman
C: Fiorini Caldwell Duursma
HF: Durham Caddy Langford
F: KAKO Wright Gresham
OB: Blakiston Merrett Parish
IC:Johnson, Clarke, Sharp, El-Hawli, Nguyen
EMG: Perkins, Tsatas, Cox

 

[Yoda_]

My Changes

In: Blakiston (will start as #1 Ruck until Bryan Returns), Gresham (apparently presented well in good shape)
Out: Bryan (as wont be ready for start of season, but think he will be the #1 ruck when back), El-Achkar (probably a bit hopeful he gets played early, maybe a few VFL games first)

Added Cox to Emergencies - 3 highly rated first round picks with experience that can't crack in to the best 23, preferring competitors like Nguyen. Perform in the VFL and get your chance.

Would love to squeeze Perkins in as he plays well against Hawks.

Bench makeup

• Johnson - Def/mid/fwd
• Clarke - Wing / defence
• Sharp - Midfield / forward
• El-Hawli - half back/wing/half forward
• Nguyen - Small defender / small forward

B: McGrath McKay Ridley
HB: Roberts REID Redman
C: Fiorini Caldwell Duursma
HF: Durham Caddy Langford
F: KAKO Wright Gresham
OB: Blakiston Merrett Parish
IC:Johnson, Clarke, Sharp, El-Hawli, Nguyen
EMG: Perkins, Tsatas, Cox

Gresham may start in the seniors but sounds like Archer Day~Wicks is closing quickly for his spot on that HFF.

 

[King Patty]

Gresham may start in the seniors but sounds like Archer Day~Wicks is closing quickly for his spot on that HFF.

I consider Gresham as a small.
Durham (Fwd/mid) and Langford are my HFF.
Then Perkins as Emergency all ahead of Day Wicks.

You can Essentially pull Nguyen and El-Hawli out of that side and put in your favourite two guys missing and it will go close to most best 23's.

I'm glad Day-Wicks has added size and strength, with 1 year deal he needs to make every post a winner.

 

[Bjchan13]

Round 1

AFL

B McGrath McKay Ridley
HB Redman Reid Roberts
C Duursma Durham Fiorini
HF Langford Caddy Merrett
F El Achkar Wright Kako
R Blakiston Parish Caldwell
INT Sharp Clarke May El Hawli Prior


VFL

B Burke Gerreyn Nguyen
HB Farrow Cox Kondogiannis
C Johnson Setterfield Day-Wicks
HF Unwin Jones Perkins
F Robey McMahon Guelfi
R Vinsentini Tsatas Gresham


LATE START: Edwards, Bryan, Hayes
SEASON: Martin

 

[Gabe251]

Round 1

AFL

B McGrath McKay Ridley
HB Redman Reid Roberts
C Duursma Durham Fiorini
HF Langford Caddy Merrett
F El Achkar Wright Kako
R Blakiston Parish Caldwell
INT Sharp Clarke May El Hawli Prior


VFL

B Burke Gerreyn Nguyen
HB Farrow Cox Kondogiannis
C Johnson Setterfield Day-Wicks
HF Unwin Jones Perkins
F Robey McMahon Guelfi
R Vinsentini Tsatas Gresham


LATE START: Edwards, Bryan, Hayes
SEASON: Martin

pretty bang on i think, perkins and gresham in

el hawli, el achkar out.

because: this ****ing club.

 

[ant555]

pretty bang on i think, perkins and gresham in

el hawli, el achkar out.

because: this ****ing club.

Perkins has not started full
Training yet

 

[joey_jo_jo]

Perkins has not started full
Training yet

He took part in match sim yesterday

 

[ant555]

He took part in match sim yesterday

Yes he did. About 60% of it.

 

[Petrify]

Round 1

AFL

B McGrath McKay Ridley
HB Redman Reid Roberts
C Duursma Durham Fiorini
HF Langford Caddy Merrett
F El Achkar Wright Kako
R Blakiston Parish Caldwell
INT Sharp Clarke May El Hawli Prior


VFL

B Burke Gerreyn Nguyen
HB Farrow Cox Kondogiannis
C Johnson Setterfield Day-Wicks
HF Unwin Jones Perkins
F Robey McMahon Guelfi
R Vinsentini Tsatas Gresham


LATE START: Edwards, Bryan, Hayes
SEASON: Martin

Don't think May gets a gig R1. Think they're committed to the Caddy + Wright duo then VFL May + McMahon partnership.

I think Farrow will pay round 1 also so I'd probably just swap those 2 and it looks good to me.

 

[FootyGuru]

Don't think May gets a gig R1. Think they're committed to the Caddy + Wright duo then VFL May + McMahon partnership.

I think Farrow will pay round 1 also so I'd probably just swap those 2 and it looks good to me.

May might get a gig, I think they will want more than caddy and Langford as a key forwards while wright is rucking and blaki is resting. That 5th spot to me goes to a versatile tall.

Caddy should be used as a roamer. Almost James Hird like. If the oppo wants to put a tall on him, role them up to stoppage and run them into the ground, if they want to go small take them to the square one out.

 

[Bjchan13]

Don't think May gets a gig R1. Think they're committed to the Caddy + Wright duo then VFL May + McMahon partnership.

I think Farrow will pay round 1 also so I'd probably just swap those 2 and it looks good to me.

Will be interesting to see the strategy with the 5 man bench. No issue with them playing Farrow if they think he is ready. We are already pretty stacked at half back is all.

 

[Bjchan13]

pretty bang on i think, perkins and gresham in

el hawli, el achkar out.

because: this ****ing club.

Perkins still has time to get himself in for round 1. Him training the house down for a month and putting his hand up would be a good thing