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2026 Rolling All-Australian Team

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Guardian Hawk

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Hello all,

With all teams having now played 5 games and nearly a quarter of the way through the season, it's probably about time we start this thread for 2026. The purpose is to put together who we think is the AA team to the current point of the season (i.e. not a guess at who will be in at the end of the year).

We can continue to update and put forward changes/suggestions as the season progresses.

My first attempt (noting I have not watched every game and probably will miss someone obvious)...

B: J. Worrell, T. Barrass, C. Wilkie
HB: L. Ash, A. Aliir, J. Sinclair
C: B. Smith, Z. Butters, J. McInerney
HF: J. Rachele, J. Treacy, K. Pickett
F: N. Watson, B. King, J. Gunston
R: M. Gawn, N. Daicos, M. Bontempelli
I: I. Heeney, H. Sheezel, B. Grundy, F. Callaghan, J. Steele

Critique away, and pick your own sides!

Edit: and for completeness, a 2nd side to complete the squad of 44...

B: J. Sicily, A. Pearce, B. Uwland
HB: D. Zorko, R. Lester, J. Clark
C: M. Holmes, C. Serong, J. Daicos
HF: S. Bolton, S. Darcy, J. Ginnivan
F: Z. Bailey, N. Larkey, A. Naughton
R: L. Jackson, W. Ashcroft, Z. Merrett
I: T. English, J. Newcombe, E. Richards
 
Last edited:
Guardian Hawk said:
Hello all,

With all teams having now played 5 games and nearly a quarter of the way through the season, it's probably about time we start this thread for 2026. The purpose is to put together who we think is the AA team to the current point of the season (i.e. not a guess at who will be in at the end of the year).

We can continue to update and put forward changes/suggestions as the season progresses.

My first attempt (noting I have not watched every game and probably will miss someone obvious)...

B: J. Worrell, T. Barrass, C. Wilkie
HB: L. Ash, A. Aliir, J. Sinclair
C: B. Smith, Z. Butters, J. McInerney
HF: J. Rachele, J. Treacy, K. Pickett
F: N. Watson, B. King, J. Gunston
R: M. Gawn, N. Daicos, M. Bontempelli
I: I. Heeney, H. Sheezel, B. Grundy, F. Callaghan, J. Steele

Critique away, and pick your own sides!
Click to expand...
Where is Jobe Shanahan?
 
My first premature AA team prediction for 2026:

FB - Josh Worrell (ADE) - Callum Wilke (STK) - Bodhi Uwland (GCS)

HB - Max Holmes (GEL) - Alex Pearce (FRE) - Lachie Ash (GWS)

C - Justin McInerney (SYD) - Marcus Bontempelli (WBD) - Finn Callaghan (GWS)

HF - Kysaiah Pickett (MEL) - Jack Gunston (HAW) - Isaac Heeney (SYD)

FF - Nick Watson (HAW) - Ben King (GCS) - Josh Treacy (FRE)

FOL - Max Gawn (MEL) - Nick Daicos (COL) - Bailey Smith (GEL)

INT - Josh Rachele (ADE) - Zak Butters (POR) - Harry Sheezel (NOR) - Will Ashcroft (BRI) - Luke Jackson (FRE)
 
Stewart Wilkie Barrass
Clark Pearce Sicily
Mcinerney Serong Smith
Pickett Treacy Heeney
Gunston King Bailey
Gawn Daicos Bont

Macdonald Jackson Ashcroft Watson Neale
 

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Guardian Hawk said:
Hello all,

With all teams having now played 5 games and nearly a quarter of the way through the season, it's probably about time we start this thread for 2026. The purpose is to put together who we think is the AA team to the current point of the season (i.e. not a guess at who will be in at the end of the year).

We can continue to update and put forward changes/suggestions as the season progresses.

My first attempt (noting I have not watched every game and probably will miss someone obvious)...

B: J. Worrell, T. Barrass, C. Wilkie
HB: L. Ash, A. Aliir, J. Sinclair
C: B. Smith, Z. Butters, J. McInerney
HF: J. Rachele, J. Treacy, K. Pickett
F: N. Watson, B. King, J. Gunston
R: M. Gawn, N. Daicos, M. Bontempelli
I: I. Heeney, H. Sheezel, B. Grundy, F. Callaghan, J. Steele

Critique away, and pick your own sides!
Click to expand...
Very good list but few changes for me. Now this would be an unstoppable center line and rover squad. Added an emergency too.

B: J. Worrell, T. Barrass, C. Wilkie
HB: J. Sicily, A. Aliir, J. Sinclair
C: B. Smith, Z. Butters, W. Ashcroft
HF: J. Rachele, J. Treacy, K. Pickett
F: N. Watson, B. King, J. Gunston
R: M. Gawn, J. Newcombe , M. Bontempelli
I: I. Heeney, H. Sheezel, B. Grundy, F. Callaghan, N.Daicos
E: J. Ginnivan
 
Kavliaris69 said:
Very good list but few changes for me. Now this would be an unstoppable center line and rover squad. Added an emergency too.

B: J. Worrell, T. Barrass, C. Wilkie
HB: J. Sicily, A. Aliir, J. Sinclair
C: B. Smith, Z. Butters, W. Ashcroft
HF: J. Rachele, J. Treacy, K. Pickett
F: N. Watson, B. King, J. Gunston
R: M. Gawn, J. Newcombe , M. Bontempelli
I: I. Heeney, H. Sheezel, B. Grundy, F. Callaghan, N.Daicos
E: J. Ginnivan
Click to expand...

Good side - Ashcroft was my unluckiest player so good call (McInereny has had a great start and should be in though - especially as a true winger).

I didn't go for Sicily as my side already has 4 talls - competing with Worrell and Wilkie for me and I think those two have been a fraction better so far.

Love Ginni and didn't include as I didn't want to appear biased - plus a few half forwards have had incredible starts - Rachele, Pickett (Heeney if you count him), I'd have Ginni next (like you) but then there is S. Bolton, Z. Bailey, C. MacDonald and even Murphy Reid has been impressive.

Newcombe is my favourite player but I left him out for similar reasons as Ginni (didn't want to be biased and the midfield slots are highly competitive) - your side has 6 Hawks feels which probably feels a little too much to me. He's be in the squad but not the side for me...

Speaking of which, maybe I should complete my squad of 44...
 
A 2nd side to complete my squad of 44....

B: J. Sicily, A. Pearce, B. Uwland
HB: D. Zorko, R. Lester, J. Clark
C: M. Holmes, C. Serong, J. Daicos
HF: S. Bolton, S. Darcy, J. Ginnivan
F: Z. Bailey, N. Larkey, A. Naughton
R: L. Jackson, W. Ashcroft, Z. Merrett
I: T. English, J. Newcombe, E. Richards
 
Progressive Aggresion said:
My first premature AA team prediction for 2026:

FB - Josh Worrell (ADE) - Callum Wilke (STK) - Bodhi Uwland (GCS)

HB - Max Holmes (GEL) - Alex Pearce (FRE) - Lachie Ash (GWS)

C - Justin McInerney (SYD) - Marcus Bontempelli (WBD) - Finn Callaghan (GWS)

HF - Kysaiah Pickett (MEL) - Jack Gunston (HAW) - Isaac Heeney (SYD)

FF - Nick Watson (HAW) - Ben King (GCS) - Josh Treacy (FRE)

FOL - Max Gawn (MEL) - Nick Daicos (COL) - Bailey Smith (GEL)

INT - Josh Rachele (ADE) - Zak Butters (POR) - Harry Sheezel (NOR) - Will Ashcroft (BRI) - Luke Jackson (FRE)
Click to expand...

Like the players but can I just say my pet peeve is plonking blokes iin roles they do not play, not a shot at you but a general comment.

Pickett is a genuine midfielder this year, he's not playing half forward, and it's been three years since Heeney is a half forward. Pick some actual half forwards.

Not sure who has been the best HF, but Connor Macdonald I'll throw up as one who has had a brilliant start for the Hawks, Voss for Freo you could put on the HF flank he'd be another, Rachele on your bench you could pick there.

Only one that raised an eyebrow for me and I love the guy, but has Callaghan actually been that good this year?
 
00Stinger said:
If Gawn isn't your staring ruckman so far, rip your side up and start again please
Click to expand...

Yep just a question whether you pick a second one and with it being a 5 man bench think you can this year. Then again if you pick a FWD/ruck you may not
 
Guardian Hawk said:
Good side - Ashcroft was my unluckiest player so good call (McInereny has had a great start and should be in though - especially as a true winger).

I didn't go for Sicily as my side already has 4 talls - competing with Worrell and Wilkie for me and I think those two have been a fraction better so far.

Love Ginni and didn't include as I didn't want to appear biased - plus a few half forwards have had incredible starts - Rachele, Pickett (Heeney if you count him), I'd have Ginni next (like you) but then there is S. Bolton, Z. Bailey, C. MacDonald and even Murphy Reid has been impressive.

Newcombe is my favourite player but I left him out for similar reasons as Ginni (didn't want to be biased and the midfield slots are highly competitive) - your side has 6 Hawks feels which probably feels a little too much to me. He's be in the squad but not the side for me...

Speaking of which, maybe I should complete my squad of 44...
Click to expand...
I tried not to be biased but did base it on first 5 rounds. Picked Ginni as a mid sized utility that could be used anywhere based on great form so far. Newcombe I thought was well deserved and Sicily was also deserved but can be replaced.
 

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Kavliaris69 said:
I tried not to be biased but did base it on first 5 rounds. Picked Ginni as a mid sized utility that could be used anywhere based on great form so far. Newcombe I thought was well deserved and Sicily was also deserved but can be replaced.
Click to expand...

Newcombe might get in but boy jeez he’s butchered the ball the last two games. Yes got them over the line against the Cats in the end but not before about half a dozen clangers

Would pick nearly all your mods ahead right now
 
Backline

Pick 2 of Barrass/Pearce/Wilkie for the FB/CHB.
Pick 2 of Sicily/Stewart/Worrell.
Pick 2 of Sinclair/Clark/Ash.

Forward line.
Pick 3 of Gunston, King, Treacy, Larkey
Pick 1 of Watson, Lohmann, Bolton
Pick 2 of Pickett, Heeney, Petracca

Haven't really given much thought to the mids yet.
 
LukeParkerno1 said:
Newcombe might get in but boy jeez he’s butchered the ball the last two games. Yes got them over the line against the Cats in the end but not before about half a dozen clangers

Would pick nearly all your mods ahead right now
Click to expand...
Yes nuke has done some sloppy things but manages to find a way in the end. Great leadership in those moments.
 
Kavliaris69 said:
Yes nuke has done some sloppy things but manages to find a way in the end. Great leadership in those moments.
Click to expand...

Don’t disagree but I don’t think he’s near an AA side yet. Might get there but not off these 5 games
 
LukeParkerno1 said:
Newcombe might get in but boy jeez he’s butchered the ball the last two games. Yes got them over the line against the Cats in the end but not before about half a dozen clangers

Would pick nearly all your mods ahead right now
Click to expand...

Was genuinely awful for most of the last quarter against the Cats (and he was super relieved we got over the line) - not just ball use but fumbly. Was very strange for him, given he usually steps up in high pressure games, noting he was probably best on early in the game (and Scott changed his structure to apply a dedicated tag to quell his influence).

Newcombe's ball use was not at all poor against the Dogs, though. He went at nearly 80%, despite EASILY having the most contested possessions on the ground (19, nearly double the next best) and dominating the clearances (14, 7 the next best) where disposals are often under the most pressure. Comfortably the best midfielder on the ground last time out.

Doesn't mean he makes the side (midfield competition is hot) but it was really only a poor last quarter against the Cats (where both sides were a complete clanger-fest)
 
Guardian Hawk said:
Was genuinely awful for most of the last quarter against the Cats (and he was super relieved we got over the line) - not just ball use but fumbly. Was very strange for him, given he usually steps up in high pressure games, noting he was probably best on early in the game (and Scott changed his structure to apply a dedicated tag to quell his influence).

Newcombe's ball use was not at all poor against the Dogs, though. He went at nearly 80%, despite EASILY having the most contested possessions on the ground (19, nearly double the next best) and dominating the clearances (14, 7 the next best) where disposals are often under the most pressure. Comfortably the best midfielder on the ground last time out.

Doesn't mean he makes the side (midfield competition is hot) but it was really only a poor last quarter against the Cats (where both sides were a complete clanger-fest)
Click to expand...

Fair enough though I thought he had a number of poor clangers this week too, don’t really look at stats too much never have really. He was outstanding against us though Ward especially has surely been better for all the games.
 

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LukeParkerno1 said:
Fair enough though I thought he had a number of poor clangers this week too, don’t really look at stats too much never have really. He was outstanding against us though Ward especially has surely been better for all the games.
Click to expand...

Ward has definitely taken another step and improved as a player but no way is he in contention for AA or ahead of Newcombe to date. He has found the footy and played as a link man but is nowhere near as damaging.

About 30% of his footy is contested, he has 12 clearances for the season and he is yet to hit the scoreboard. He's had 3 prolific games and 2 quiet ones so far, with no coaches votes to date. Excited by his development but still a B+ player at the moment.
 
Guardian Hawk said:
Ward has definitely taken another step and improved as a player but no way is he in contention for AA or ahead of Newcombe to date. He has found the footy and played as a link man but is nowhere near as damaging.

About 30% of his footy is contested, he has 12 clearances for the season and he is yet to hit the scoreboard. He's had 3 prolific games and 2 quiet ones so far, with no coaches votes to date. Excited by his development but still a B+ player at the moment.
Click to expand...

I’d have Ward ahead of Newcombe right now, but neither in the side. No doubt Newcombe goes close if he plays the whole year but right now I couldn’t have him in as a mid.

The one everyone is sleeping on is Ginnavan. I’d have zero issue if he was named at half forward in the AA side right now
 
Kavliaris69 said:
I tried not to be biased but did base it on first 5 rounds. Picked Ginni as a mid sized utility that could be used anywhere based on great form so far. Newcombe I thought was well deserved and Sicily was also deserved but can be replaced.
Click to expand...
Newcombe wouldn't be in. I would have thought Hawthorn would have 3 definites at this stage Gunston, Watson and Barrass.
Ginnivan would be a possible but half forward has become an important position where some of the best players are. He isn't ahead of Heeney and probably not Bailey
 
From a Crows perspective, I think Wayne Milera should be in serious consideration for a place on the half back flank or the interchange bench.

He will fly under the radar of most fabs, especially in a conversation like an All Australian side but in 2026 he is slowly putting together a very good season as both a defender and as a ball winner. He should be in this discussion.
 
Last edited:

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