Analysis 2026 List Analysis

[beema limapep]

Prestia i agree with but Lynch is going to dominate in 2026
just watch

Lynch has lost his spring and upper body strength. He'll be injured most of the year and hobbled the games he does play.

 

[THE_GUN]

Lynch has lost his spring and upper body strength. He'll be injured most of the year and hobbled the games he does play.

LOl Lynch never had a spring and He is stronger than he has ever been
you sure you are talking about Tom Lynch

 

[Meteoric Rise]

Lynch has lost his spring and upper body strength. He'll be injured most of the year and hobbled the games he does play.

He had played 4 games only in each of the previous two seasons. Had suffered serious injuries and no continuity.

Then plays full forward in a team that got slaughtered in around half their games.

Then consider he is playing to a losing midfield with one of the youngest and least experienced forward lines in history around him.

His radar was also a bit off.

And he spent 6 games on the sidelines suspended.

If you actually eliminate the early part of the season when the team was less organised and he could be forgiven for being rusty, the games he played from round 8 onwards he did pretty well.

Lynch from rd 8 onwards:

Averaged 1.8 goals 1.8 behinds

0.7 goal assists

2 contested marks

And if you corrected that disgraceful umpiring he copped v Crows which led to his suspension, those figures would look decidedly healthier as well.

I would not be surprised at all if Lynch does better in 2026 playing in front of a better midfield, with more forward cohesion, no injuries for 18 months+, and hopefully some umpiring that at least pretends to be fair.

 

[THE_GUN]

He had played 4 games only in each of the previous two seasons. Had suffered serious injuries and no continuity.

Then plays full forward in a team that got slaughtered in around half their games.

Then consider he is playing to a losing midfield with one of the youngest and least experienced forward lines in history around him.

His radar was also a bit off.

And he spent 6 games on the sidelines suspended.

If you actually eliminate the early part of the season when the team was less organised and he could be forgiven for being rusty, the games he played from round 8 onwards he did pretty well.

Lynch from rd 8 onwards:

Averaged 1.8 goals 1.8 behinds

0.7 goal assists

2 contested marks

And if you corrected that disgraceful umpiring he copped v Crows which led to his suspension, those figures would look decidedly healthier as well.

I would not be surprised at all if Lynch does better in 2026 playing in front of a better midfield, with more forward cohesion, no injuries for 18 months+, and hopefully some umpiring that at least pretends to be fair.

Lynch is a quality foward and AFL player that doesnt rely on speed to play his game
He is strong and smart and will be better as he is fitter and over his injuries and will be looking to be a leader and i think he will temper his anger and concentrate on his game and leadership.

Expecting him to play 18+ games and kick 40 goals plus

 

[Lsta062]

Really hoping for a Kane McAuliffe breakout year. His kicking needs improvement, but we need a breakout season from a player like him. He’s entering his third season and has the explosiveness + contest potential to transform our midfield.

I’m really hoping we shake up that midfield by getting more options

 

[Yze does it]

Going to be a lot of list movement again at end of 2026 looking at the out of contract group….Broad, Prestia and Lynch all to retire plus a fair few delistings. I’d estimate we’re probably pre-paying at least 1-1.5 million to reach 95% of salary cap with so much inexperience.

14 18 y.o.s IN over 2 years. the list so 5th youngest.
2nd last for experience.
Maybe minimal list change. Broad has Vlas back there, Lynch the only old guy up fwd, wasn't injured just suspended half the season. Prestia being retained for his experience.

Ross & Hugo have 90, 60 games experience. Its becoming more valuable to RFC. Lefau is mid 20s, don't rush him out the door.

 

[_RT_]

14 18 y.o.s IN over 2 years. the list so 5th youngest.
2nd last for experience.
Maybe minimal list change. Broad has Vlas back there, Lynch the old guy up fwd, wasn't injured just suspended half the season. Prestia being retained for his experience.

Ross & Hugo have 90, 60 games experience. Its becoming more valuable to RFC. Lefau is mid 20s, don't rush him out the door.

Actually the 3rd youngest list overall.

 

[Yze does it]

Now that we've fixed our incredible list-imbalance we can also have more integrity around selection. Green was okay last year but the fact we had to play him regardless of form was bad, same to some extent with Short/Smith. There might also be more competition for the second-wing slot rather than just Ross/Sonsie/Trainor/Trezise floating into it.

Still seem a no-brainer to try play TT more off half-forward and let some kids take a crack playing on-ball.

By my reckoning we need a bona-fide winger and then finding replacements for Nank/TT/Hopper (no doubt we'll pick up another top midfielder next draft). Maybe also a Lambert-style two-way runner as well.

for the lambert role
Campbell ran 16.0 kms vs Port. ~ 2nd most on that day.
Vs Carlton 31.9km/h equal top 4.
20 sprints. (top 2)
4 repeat sprints.

Campbell can kick a goal.

 

[Grrr]

I thought Lynch looked pretty spritely after his hiatus for belting whomever. Moved better than he had all season probably due to having a good 5 weeks of training without game day trauma after 2 years out. Hopefully that is a portent for 2026, back with good fitness and confidence.

Not sure why some want the Lambert role rejigged. Lambert covered for Dusty's lack of going back into defence like a normal mid. Not sure that will be necessary just yet, although Lalor has a fair bit of Dusty in him so may eventually be used similarly. We have Campbell, Mansell, Lalor, Hotton, Rioli all genuine half forwards, Algar, Cumming, Peucker, Green and Sonsie as a second tier. They can all play a bit like Lambert if used in tandem.

 

[The Vaucluse]

In my view, Lambert was elite and was much more than defensive cover for Dusty. He was a good in the contest, neat kick, clean hands and was handy around goal. When he had the footy, you felt confident that he was going to use it to advantage. For me, he was up there with Matty Knights, I’m not thinking for a moment people would agree, but he’s arguably my favourite player from our premiership era.

 

[Grrr]

In my view, Lambert was elite and was much more than defensive cover for Dusty. He was a good in the contest, neat kick, clean hands and was handy around goal. When he had the footy, you felt confident that he was going to use it to advantage. For me, he was up there with Matty Knights, I’m not thinking for a moment people would agree, but he’s arguably my favourite player from our premiership era.

Heretic.

 

[Timothy Luncheon]

In my view, Lambert was elite and was much more than defensive cover for Dusty. He was a good in the contest, neat kick, clean hands and was handy around goal. When he had the footy, you felt confident that he was going to use it to advantage. For me, he was up there with Matty Knights, I’m not thinking for a moment people would agree, but he’s arguably my favourite player from our premiership era.

I recently watched some highlights from our games back then, and I absolutely underrated him even though I thought he was great. Basically did only good things with the ball and was involved in so many attacking plays