2026 Rolling All-Australian Team

[KissKiss]

Ruck - Jackson

Hes arguably the form player in the comp this year or at least the most valuable

 

[JHF1870]

Regarding Aliir Aliir

Ranks No.2 in the League for marks (10 per game), contested marks (2.4 per game), intercept marks (4.1 per game) and intercept possessions (9.1 per game).

This bloke is clearly in the top few key defenders in the league, AA lock at this point of the season, would have to be.

Hes in AA form. I just want him to clean up with the dropped fumble marks ets. But Hes def in discussion

 

[JHF1870]

2026 All-Australian Team - updated from Round 6

As some of you may know, I have a player rankings model which weights the most important metrics to winning football.

This version is model purity first, with enough positional honesty that it doesn’t look silly. It keeps every player currently ranked 1 to 20, then adds the required defensive structure: two key defenders and one genuine small/general defender.

Line	Position	Player	Team	Model Rank	Role Note
B	BP	Jack Sinclair	St Kilda	41	Genuine general defender
B	FB	Callum Wilkie	St Kilda	58	Key defender
B	BP	Nick Blakey	Sydney	18	Attacking defender
HB	HBF	Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera	St Kilda	4	High half-back / wing distributor
HB	CHB	Aliir Aliir	Port Adelaide	63	Key defender
HB	HBF	Max Holmes	Geelong	12	Wing / half-back transition
C	W	Bailey Smith	Geelong	9	Midfielder
C	C	Isaac Heeney	Sydney	5	Midfielder
C	W	Justin McInerney	Sydney	7	Midfielder / wing
HF	HFF	Christian Petracca	Gold Coast	3	Mid-forward
HF	CHF	Josh Treacy	Fremantle	11	Key forward
HF	HFF	Shai Bolton	Fremantle	6	Mid-forward
F	FP	Nick Watson	Hawthorn	13	General forward
F	FF	Jeremy Cameron	Geelong	20	Key forward
F	FP	Charlie Cameron	Brisbane	16	General forward
FOLL	R	Max Gawn	Melbourne	19	Ruck
FOLL	RR	Marcus Bontempelli	Western Bulldogs	2	Midfielder
FOLL	RO	Kysaiah Pickett	Melbourne	1	Midfielder / forward impact
INT	INT	Zac Bailey	Brisbane	8	Mid-forward
INT	INT	Jason Horne-Francis	Port Adelaide	10	Mid-forward
INT	INT	Nick Daicos	Collingwood	14	Midfielder
INT	INT	Zak Butters	Port Adelaide	15	Midfielder
INT	INT	Connor Macdonald	Hawthorn	17	General forward / high forward

Changes from the Round 6 version

In	Out
Jack Sinclair	Harris Andrews
Aliir Aliir	Jack Ginnivan
Jeremy Cameron	Luke Davies-Uniacke
Charlie Cameron	Caleb Serong
Connor Macdonald	Josh Rachele

Main positional changes

Player	Round 6 Role	Updated Role
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera	Back pocket	Half-back
Isaac Heeney	Centre half-forward	Centre
Shai Bolton	Interchange	Half-forward
Kysaiah Pickett	Forward pocket	Rover
Nick Daicos	Rover	Interchange
Zac Bailey	Half-forward	Interchange

Reasoning for the week

The biggest adjustment is defensive balance.

The previous version was probably too loose positionally. It had elite players everywhere, but it was light on genuine defensive structure. This version fixes that by adding two proper key defenders in Wilkie and Aliir, plus Sinclair as a genuine general defender.

NWM is the tricky one. He is not really a pure defender. He is more wing / high half-back / transition midfielder. But half-back is a fair compromise because he has a slightly defensive field position, provides rebound, and fits the modern attacking half-back role.

Player	Rank	Position	AFP	Read
NWM	4	Midfielder	-3.6	Wing / high half-back / transition mid
Max Holmes	12	Midfielder	-13.3	Wing / half-back-ish
Nick Blakey	18	Gen. Defender	-19.4	Real attacking defender
Jack Sinclair	41	Gen. Defender	-27.9	Real defender
Wayne Milera	47	Gen. Defender	-27.4	Real defender

So yes, Milera is more of a true defender than NWM. But if the aim is model-first selection, NWM at half-back is defensible.

The forward line also makes more sense now. Treacy plays CHF, Jeremy Cameron gives the side a proper full-forward, and Charlie Cameron comes in as the small forward after leading the goals plus assists table.

King and Gunston are still close to the discussion because they fit the traditional full-forward role, but the model is not just counting goals. Cameron gives more all-round value in this version.

Final read

Is your model rank for the season ir rolling 40 games and how far back? Is it adjusted for games.

 

[RCAB]

Is your model rank for the season ir rolling 40 games and how far back? Is it adjusted for games.

The AA team was purely created from the 2026 performance model. Previous seasons are not included, that's a different model.

 

[Lingsface]

Gawn is still the ruck for me, recency bias is strong. Gawn played some match winning games and has been super consistent. Jackson for his versatility could be named on the bench or in multiple positions.

 

[JZTIME!]

Genuine question.

Xerri's clearance and contested possession averages lead the competition. For a ruckman that is just WOW. I can't believe he isn't spoken about as a lock so far. Jackson has all the tools including forward craft so if your picking a side would take him number 1.
5 on the bench means X has to the 2nd ruck on current form. Maybe its because he plays for North i don't know. If it was your ruckman putting up these numbers, and having this effect, how would you see it?

 

[txbyhull]

Genuine question.

Xerri's clearance and contested possession averages lead the competition. For a ruckman that is just WOW. I can't believe he isn't spoken about as a lock so far. Jackson has all the tools including forward craft so if your picking a side would take him number 1.
5 on the bench means X has to the 2nd ruck on current form. Maybe its because he plays for North i don't know. If it was your ruckman putting up these numbers, and having this effect, how would you see it?

Missing 3 games for a start hurts the talk in terms of 'rolling'.

Maybe by the end of the season who knows. Right now he is top 5 but I wouldn't have him 1, 2 or 3

 

[jakson68]

I think we need to see more Jack Crisp

25

Jack Crisp

Age

32

Ht

190cm

Wt

91kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.2

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

9.7

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

2.2

4star

D

17.7

4star

K

10.7

4star

HB

7.0

4star

M

5.1

5star

T

1.6

3star

CL

1.0

3star

D

14.4

4star

K

8.4

4star

HB

6.0

4star

M

2.8

3star

T

3.0

5star

CL

1.4

4star

in teams.
Apparently, he is ranked No 2 for wingman in 2026 according to Champion Data ratings.

So it must be true

 

[Fadge]

I think we need to see more Jack Crisp in teams.
Apparently, he is ranked No 2 for wingman in 2026 according to Champion Data ratings.

So it must be true

Amazed you're the first to have brought him up.

The Algorithm Worshippers need to lift!

 

[The Feeder Club]

Missing 3 games for a start hurts the talk in terms of 'rolling'.

Maybe by the end of the season who knows. Right now he is top 5 but I wouldn't have him 1, 2 or 3

AA being about universal positivity for the AFL, why he missed 3 games will be a bigger reason than the actual number missed

 

[RCAB]

I think we need to see more Jack Crisp in teams.
Apparently, he is ranked No 2 for wingman in 2026 according to Champion Data ratings.

So it must be true

The question is what defines a wingman? Crisp has a attended nearly a quarter or centre bounces this year, and tends to cover most of the ground like a rover.

 

[jakson68]

The question is what defines a wingman? Crisp has a attended nearly a quarter or centre bounces this year, and tends to cover most of the ground like a rover.

Only the masterminds of CD know how to read the tea leaves and conjure up their reasoning with how they come up with their ratings.
I love Crispy but I cannot come to any conclusion where he is No 2 in any particular position.

 

[RCAB]

Only the masterminds of CD know how to read the tea leaves and conjure up their reasoning with how they come up with their ratings.
I love Crispy but I cannot come to any conclusion where he is No 2 in any particular position.

But that's the question, is he a wingman.

My model doesn't think that Crisp is a wingman based on one of the criteria I just laid out. If we were to accept that attending one in four center bounces can still classify you as a wingman, then even my model would have Crisp ranked 2nd behind Brayden Cook this season.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Genuine question.

Xerri's clearance and contested possession averages lead the competition. For a ruckman that is just WOW. I can't believe he isn't spoken about as a lock so far. Jackson has all the tools including forward craft so if your picking a side would take him number 1.
5 on the bench means X has to the 2nd ruck on current form. Maybe its because he plays for North i don't know. If it was your ruckman putting up these numbers, and having this effect, how would you see it?

As a genuine ruckmen I’m picking him last out of all of Gawn, Grundy, Jackson.


Some per game averages to help
Grundy 36 hitouts - 12.8 HTA @ 35% - Win %48 - 75 RC
Gawn 31.8 hitouts - 9 HTA @ 29% - Win %49.6 - 64 RC
Jackson 27.2 hitouts - 8.8 HTA @ 32% - Win %48 - 57 RC
Xerri 23.6 hitouts - 7.6 HTA - Win %34 - 69 RC

All are better actual ruckmen.

Take into consideration Jackson also plays forward and mid, Gawn plays forward now too.


Averages for all

Grundy:
20 disp 13 cp 6 clearances 3 marks (1 contested) 1 goal 8.5 score inv 5 tackles.
36 hitouts - 12.8 HTA - Win %48 - 75 RC

Gawn:
21 disp 15 cp 6.5 clearances 4 marks (1.6 contested) 0.8 goals 6.6 score inv 2 tackles.
31.8 hitouts - 9 HTA - Win %49.6 - 64 RC

Jackson:
19 disp 12 cp 5 clearances 3 marks (1 contested) 0.8 goals (2.2 SOG) 7.8 score inv 6.6 tackles.
27.2 hitouts - 8.8 HTA - Win %48 - 57 RC

Xerri:
23 disp 19 cp 8.8 clearances 2.4 marks (1 contested) 0.2 goals 6 score inv 8 tackles.
23.6 hitouts - 7.6 HTA - Win %34 - 69 RC

 

[Mr Meow]

I think we need to see more Jack Crisp in teams.
Apparently, he is ranked No 2 for wingman in 2026 according to Champion Data ratings.

So it must be true

As far as genuine wingmen, Crisp has often been up there. But outside of 2023, they are very rarely even in consideration. Stoppage midfielders get the nod on the wings. I haven't seen the breakdown on Crisp this season for wing vs midfield minutes. He does move around a fair bit.

 

[RCAB]

As far as genuine wingmen, Crisp has often been up there. But outside of 2023, they are very rarely even in consideration. Stoppage midfielders get the nod on the wings. I haven't seen the breakdown on Crisp this season for wing vs midfield minutes. He does move around a fair bit.

That's because pure-wingmen aren't that impactful in the modern game. There are no Dipper or Flower type players truly being best on ground.

Top 20 Wingmen Global Model Score

Criteria:
Position = Midfielder
Centre bounce attendance ≤ 15%
Average Field Position between -20 and +12
3+ matches

That AFP band keeps them in the wing corridor: not deep defenders, not permanent forwards. Minus AFP = more defensive-side wing. Plus AFP = more forward-side wing.

Rank	Player	Team	Score	Overall Rank	CBA %	AFP	Disp	MG	I50	R50
1	Brayden Cook	Adelaide	0.381	65	0.0	-12.1	17.6	380	2.5	2.4
2	Jase Burgoyne	Port Adelaide	0.259	109	5.8	-6.1	19.4	285	3.3	1.6
3	Jack Bowes	Geelong	0.252	112	9.7	+2.9	18.2	318	3.6	0.6
4	Jarrod Berry	Brisbane	0.208	131	9.2	-12.6	19.0	353	2.8	2.2
5	Matt Roberts	Sydney	0.205	133	0.0	-8.4	20.1	444	3.9	2.1
6	Lachie Weller	Gold Coast	0.178	141	0.0	-6.7	16.4	378	2.9	1.8
7	Bradley Hill	St Kilda	0.164	151	0.0	-16.4	23.1	465	3.8	2.4
8	Matthew Carroll	Carlton	0.162	152	0.0	-3.9	16.0	378	3.6	1.9
9	Massimo D’Ambrosio	Hawthorn	0.158	155	0.0	-8.6	18.7	424	3.3	1.8
10	Ed Langdon	Melbourne	0.148	162	0.0	-12.6	18.4	267	2.3	2.5
11	Harvey Thomas	GWS	0.145	164	0.0	-7.8	20.1	279	2.6	2.3
12	Bailey Williams	Western Bulldogs	0.139	168	0.0	-13.4	21.4	381	2.5	2.3
13	Oliver Dempsey	Geelong	0.130	170	1.2	+10.8	17.5	255	2.3	1.0
14	Harvey Langford	Melbourne	0.121	173	3.0	+8.7	15.3	293	2.4	0.5
15	Mason Wood	St Kilda	0.121	174	0.0	-2.8	15.4	274	2.6	1.3
16	Ryan Maric	West Coast	0.072	200	0.0	-13.5	19.3	331	2.3	0.7
17	Bruce Reville	Brisbane	0.058	205	0.0	-1.9	15.3	367	3.8	1.3
18	Josh Weddle	Hawthorn	0.049	212	5.5	-4.4	15.6	328	3.4	1.9
19	Jai Culley	Melbourne	0.021	232	9.2	+4.8	12.3	191	2.0	0.6
20	Tom Blamires	North Melbourne	0.015	236	0.0	-17.5	18.4	339	2.7	2.4

Brayden Cook is the best rated but is ranked 65th, so he wouldn't even make the squad. To be fair, most of the top mids can play pure wing if asked and would also perform better, but they're so valuable they're needed around the ball.

 

[Mr Meow]

That's because pure-wingmen aren't that impactful in the modern game. There are no Dipper or Flower type players truly being best on ground.

Top 20 Wingmen Global Model Score

Criteria:
Position = Midfielder
Centre bounce attendance ≤ 15%
Average Field Position between -20 and +12
3+ matches

That AFP band keeps them in the wing corridor: not deep defenders, not permanent forwards. Minus AFP = more defensive-side wing. Plus AFP = more forward-side wing.

Rank	Player	Team	Score	Overall Rank	CBA %	AFP	Disp	MG	I50	R50
1	Brayden Cook	Adelaide	0.381	65	0.0	-12.1	17.6	380	2.5	2.4
2	Jase Burgoyne	Port Adelaide	0.259	109	5.8	-6.1	19.4	285	3.3	1.6
3	Jack Bowes	Geelong	0.252	112	9.7	+2.9	18.2	318	3.6	0.6
4	Jarrod Berry	Brisbane	0.208	131	9.2	-12.6	19.0	353	2.8	2.2
5	Matt Roberts	Sydney	0.205	133	0.0	-8.4	20.1	444	3.9	2.1
6	Lachie Weller	Gold Coast	0.178	141	0.0	-6.7	16.4	378	2.9	1.8
7	Bradley Hill	St Kilda	0.164	151	0.0	-16.4	23.1	465	3.8	2.4
8	Matthew Carroll	Carlton	0.162	152	0.0	-3.9	16.0	378	3.6	1.9
9	Massimo D’Ambrosio	Hawthorn	0.158	155	0.0	-8.6	18.7	424	3.3	1.8
10	Ed Langdon	Melbourne	0.148	162	0.0	-12.6	18.4	267	2.3	2.5
11	Harvey Thomas	GWS	0.145	164	0.0	-7.8	20.1	279	2.6	2.3
12	Bailey Williams	Western Bulldogs	0.139	168	0.0	-13.4	21.4	381	2.5	2.3
13	Oliver Dempsey	Geelong	0.130	170	1.2	+10.8	17.5	255	2.3	1.0
14	Harvey Langford	Melbourne	0.121	173	3.0	+8.7	15.3	293	2.4	0.5
15	Mason Wood	St Kilda	0.121	174	0.0	-2.8	15.4	274	2.6	1.3
16	Ryan Maric	West Coast	0.072	200	0.0	-13.5	19.3	331	2.3	0.7
17	Bruce Reville	Brisbane	0.058	205	0.0	-1.9	15.3	367	3.8	1.3
18	Josh Weddle	Hawthorn	0.049	212	5.5	-4.4	15.6	328	3.4	1.9
19	Jai Culley	Melbourne	0.021	232	9.2	+4.8	12.3	191	2.0	0.6
20	Tom Blamires	North Melbourne	0.015	236	0.0	-17.5	18.4	339	2.7	2.4

Brayden Cook is the best rated but is ranked 65th, so he wouldn't even make the squad. To be fair, most of the top mids can play pure wing if asked and would also perform better, but they're so valuable they're needed around the ball.

Yeah I do understand the rationale generally. Although in the past I also think Isaac Smith, Duncan, Crisp and McCluggage (before the midfield move) did actually have outstanding seasons on the wing without real AA consideration. To a lesser degree, Massimo, Dempsey, N.Martin, Menegola, B.Hill (Hawthorn), Sidebottom and Embley had some pretty good wing seasons too.

 

[jakson68]

As far as genuine wingmen, Crisp has often been up there. But outside of 2023, they are very rarely even in consideration. Stoppage midfielders get the nod on the wings. I haven't seen the breakdown on Crisp this season for wing vs midfield minutes. He does move around a fair bit.

Speaking of genuine, I think there are more true mid/forwards this year to choose from.
Instead of how they at times place a fulltime mid on the HFF, just to fit them in.

 

[PrancingPony]

Luke Jackson

9

Luke Jackson

Age

24

Ht

199cm

Wt

102kg

Pos.

F/R

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.3

2star

K

3.3

1star

HB

5.0

4star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.0

3star

G

0.3

3star

D

8.3

2star

K

3.3

1star

HB

5.0

3star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.0

2star

G

0.3

3star

D

8.3

3star

K

3.3

2star

HB

5.0

4star

M

1.5

2star

T

1.0

3star

G

0.3

3star

may be a lock for the ruck spot at this rate.

 

[Trav 20]

Luke Jackson may be a lock for the ruck spot at this rate.

''may be a lock''

Do you understand the problem with this phrasing ?

 

[PrancingPony]

''may be a lock''

Do you understand the problem with this phrasing ?

I do but I'm going to choose to ignore it.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Could be a year where they pick 3 rucks, I mean Jackson has played a bucket forward, so it wouldn't be the worst idea.

Can easily see it with the 6 on the bench.

 

[Mr Meow]

2 rucks is fine with the extended bench. Jackson as the utility/university corn, Grundy or Gawn as the more conventional ruck. It's probably Grundy at the moment.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

2 rucks is fine with the extended bench. Jackson as the utility/university corn, Grundy or Gawn as the more conventional ruck. It's probably Grundy at the moment.

can easily pick 3, not saying they will but Jackson on the HF line or HFF isn't the worst. They did pick Nic Nat there one year.

There has been a lot less forwards that are saying please pick me, King probably gets in via default, and would it be Naughton? Apart from that yikes. Don't say Bont or Heeney, I swear to goodness sakes no...which of course means they plonk them there. Trac they more likely pick on one HFF line.

 

[Mr Meow]

can easily pick 3, not saying they will but Jackson on the HF line or HFF isn't the worst. They did pick Nic Nat there one year.

There has been a lot less forwards that are saying please pick me, King probably gets in via default, and would it be Naughton? Apart from that yikes. Don't say Bont or Heeney, I swear to goodness sakes no...which of course means they plonk them there. Trac they more likely pick on one HFF line.

2 for me.

King is a deadly accurate kick for goal and very, very tall. I'd rather a more well rounded player like Cameron or Gunston get rewarded. Cameron has more than twice as many kicks and about 50% more score involvements.