Prediction Best 22 - 2026

[L_W_P]

FB: Wilkie - Howard - Clark
HB: Tauru - JSOS - Sinclair
C: NWM - Windhager - Flanders
HF: Phillipou - King - Owens
FF: Higgins - Sharman - Ryan
R: TDK - Hall - Macrae
I: Marshall - Wilson - Garcia - Wood - Hill

Think Clark and Howard get first crack in the D50 but won't be shocked if Hammer & LOC finish the season in those spots.

Could see Clark getting into the middle more with 5 on the bench.

Hammer could also feature forward but I suspect that King & Sharman get the key posts with Owens backing them up. I'd love Mitch getting more midfield time but the coaching staff seems to love the role he plays across half forward so I don't think that will change.

RoMa and TDK will tag team the ruck and rest forward also.

Trav, Box, Hastie, Keeler, Dodson and Collard all thereabouts based on potential. Fincher probably gets a few games as well. Roos not afraid of blooding youth this time around.

Barratt & Said not really getting any hype so they might be struggling down the order. Both have dropped back a spot with JSOS and Ryan coming in.

No excuses going into 2026 though. We have a genuine 25-28 players we could be using week to week so, barring injuries or a horrific draw, finals has to be expected.

 

[westernsainter]

FB: Wilkie - Howard - Clark
HB: Tauru - JSOS - Sinclair
C: NWM - Windhager - Flanders
HF: Phillipou - King - Owens
FF: Higgins - Sharman - Ryan
R: TDK - Hall - Macrae
I: Marshall - Wilson - Garcia - Wood - Hill

Think Clark and Howard get first crack in the D50 but won't be shocked if Hammer & LOC finish the season in those spots.

Could see Clark getting into the middle more with 5 on the bench.

Hammer could also feature forward but I suspect that King & Sharman get the key posts with Owens backing them up. I'd love Mitch getting more midfield time but the coaching staff seems to love the role he plays across half forward so I don't think that will change.

RoMa and TDK will tag team the ruck and rest forward also.

Trav, Box, Hastie, Keeler, Dodson and Collard all thereabouts based on potential. Fincher probably gets a few games as well. Roos not afraid of blooding youth this time around.

Barratt & Said not really getting any hype so they might be struggling down the order. Both have dropped back a spot with JSOS and Ryan coming in.

No excuses going into 2026 though. We have a genuine 25-28 players we could be using week to week so, barring injuries or a horrific draw, finals has to be expected.

This is about dead on I'd say.

Jumps out a bit to me that we do need a decent small/general defender. I like starting Clark there over Stocker but I'm still not sold. Going by Ross' comments in the off season it sounds like they want Hammer back up forward this year. Won't be surprised to see him getting regular selection on the bench with how versatile he can be.

Ideally by the end of the year Box and Trav have taken big steps forward. Would love to see Collard get some consistency too.

Considering the depth that we have now I cannot stress how happy I am we have our own VFL team. Our development over the last decade has been disastrous and I think the Sandringham alignment was a big part of that.

 

[Sully111]

I'd be absolutely shocked if Flanders wan't in the middle for the first centre bounce/throw

 

[beside the seaside]

I'd be absolutely shocked if Flanders wan't in the middle for the first centre bounce/throw

That is absolutely the role he has been brought in to play and why we gave up 7 for him.

 

[beside the seaside]

B Silvagni Caminiti Wilkie
HB Sinclair Tauru Windy
C Hill Flanders Wilson
HF Ryan King Hall
F Higgins Marshall Sharman
R DeKoning NWM MacRae
I Henry Travaglia Owens Pou Garcia

 

[Anythings_sipposible]

Great thing about Wilkie and JSOS are they can play both tall and small. There are very, very few small forwards who Wilkie can't go with, maybe the Watsons and the Kozis of the world, but we can always bring in Stocker for those roles, or tag with Windy.

An added bonus is that both JSOS and Wilkie will also make the smalls accountable, because of they're not, they'll just float off and intercept. They are also very good kicks.

I could realistically see us playing a 4 tall backline, with either of those two playing on a small/floating

 

[maanco]

Great thing about Wilkie and JSOS are they can play both tall and small. There are very, very few small forwards who Wilkie can't go with, maybe the Watsons and the Kozis of the world, but we can always bring in Stocker for those roles, or tag with Windy.

An added bonus is that both JSOS and Wilkie will also make the smalls accountable, because of they're not, they'll just float off and intercept. They are also very good kicks.

I could realistically see us playing a 4 tall backline, with either of those two playing on a small/floating

Of the 4 talls who would they be and how would it work?

 

[Saints4ever]

Of the 4 talls who would they be and how would it work?

I think Howard, Wilkie, JSOS, Tauru.

Other than Howard I think the other 3 are very versatile and can play the intercepting role or lockdown role.

I think those 4 can work will together with Sinclair providing the run and then another lockdown small probably Stocker or Hastie

 

[Anythings_sipposible]

Of the 4 talls who would they be and how would it work?

I think Howard, Wilkie, JSOS, Tauru.

Other than Howard I think the other 3 are very versatile and can play the intercepting role or lockdown role.

I think those 4 can work will together with Sinclair providing the run and then another lockdown small probably Stocker or Hastie

Pretty much what Saints4ever said, but I'd that Caminiti would be competing with Howard, and that we could just have two rebounders in Clark and Sinclair, as JSOS and Wilkie can play small

 

[TheJackal]

What’s XXXX form like?

Better than XXX it seems

 

[SG34]

FB: Wilkie - Howard - Clark
HB: Tauru - JSOS - Sinclair
C: NWM - Windhager - Flanders
HF: Phillipou - King - Owens
FF: Higgins - Sharman - Ryan
R: TDK - Hall - Macrae
I: Marshall - Wilson - Garcia - Wood - Hill

...

I like this list.
And do you realise, at 26.7 years old on April 1, 2026, it will be the oldest list in the AFL! EDIT, based on comparing those players to ALL other players on other lists. Not the starting 23s. So...

I don't care!

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

I like this list.
And do you realise, at 26.7 years old on April 1, 2026, it will be the oldest list in the AFL! EDIT, based on comparing those players to ALL other players on other lists. Not the starting 23s. So...

I don't care!

That's some quick maths you've done there.

For reference (last game played)

Pies 29y3m
Brisbane 26yr3m
Geelong 27y 1m
Hawks 26y4m
Suns 26y4m
Crows 26y 4m
Giants 25y11m
Dockers 25y4m

Comments
Pies are old. Cats not as old as I thought.

26y4m is a common average age apparently. Hawks, Crows and Suns not so young.

Giants and Dockers actually a fair bit younger. And both out in the first week of finals.

Essendon for reference only 1 month younger than the Dockers.

And Sydney at 26y10m easily the oldest outside the 8.

Median would probably be a better comparison. Pendles a big outlier

 

[saintmike65]

Anyone doing a best side for 26 without Boxshall or Garcia has either never learned from there or our mistakes or just doesn't watch or understand football enough.
No way do you leave talented youth like those 2 out of the side.

Those 2 would definitely be in my 23.
I won't do a best 23 until i watch training a few times...at this stage Hill, Wood and Stocker wouldn't be in it

 

[saintmike65]

I like this list.
And do you realise, at 26.7 years old on April 1, 2026, it will be the oldest list in the AFL! EDIT, based on comparing those players to ALL other players on other lists. Not the starting 23s. So...

I don't care!

Take out Howard, Hill and Wood makes a big difference

 

[saintmike65]

Wilkie JSOS Tauru
Sinclair Aleer Hastie
Wilson Pou Wood
Hall King Owens
Sharman Marshall Higgins

TDK Nas Windhager

I/C: Stocker, Macrae, Garcia, Clark and Boxshall Sub (Steele gone?)
Hill earning his spot back?

Good effort but i think Wood's days as a winger may be limited...i like Wilson and Windy on the wings & getting somes midfield minutes

 

[saintmike65]

FB: JSOS Caminiti Wilkie
HB: Sinclair Tauru Hastie
C: Windhager NAS Wilson
HF: Owens Sharman Hall
FF: Ryan King Higgins
R: TDK Flanders Phillipou
IC: Keeler, McRae, Wood, Hill, Garcia
E: Dodson, Clark, Steele

Nice mix, not sure about both Hill and Wood, Keeler a stretch

 

[saintmike65]

This is about dead on I'd say.

Jumps out a bit to me that we do need a decent small/general defender. I like starting Clark there over Stocker but I'm still not sold. Going by Ross' comments in the off season it sounds like they want Hammer back up forward this year. Won't be surprised to see him getting regular selection on the bench with how versatile he can be.

Ideally by the end of the year Box and Trav have taken big steps forward. Would love to see Collard get some consistency too.

Considering the depth that we have now I cannot stress how happy I am we have our own VFL team. Our development over the last decade has been disastrous and I think the Sandringham alignment was a big part of that.

Don't be surprised if Fincher is that small defender!

 

[BrutThough]

I like this list.
And do you realise, at 26.7 years old on April 1, 2026, it will be the oldest list in the AFL! EDIT, based on comparing those players to ALL other players on other lists. Not the starting 23s. So...

I don't care!

I'm not sure what list you are talking about but if it is ours, it's going to take some sort of draft haul from every other club to get us up to the oldest by April.

AFL Club Lists for 2026 - Draftguru

www.draftguru.com.au

 

[SG34]

I'm not sure what list you are talking about but if it is ours, it's going to take some sort of draft haul from every other club to get us up to the oldest by April.

AFL Club Lists for 2026 - Draftguru

www.draftguru.com.au

I used the 23 in the list provided and compared it to average age of other lists. Then I edited to say, just that. Obviously, a lot of juniors aren’t in the starting 23, and also, older players tend to end up in finals. Dangerfields, De Goey etc.

 

[jumperfan]

Assuming everyone magically gets back to full fitness without injuries:
Team 1:
FB: Stocker - Howard - Wilkie
HB: Sinclair - Silvagni - Clark
C: Wood - Flanders - Hill
HF: Hall - Marshall - Sharman
FF: Higgins - King - Ryan
Fol: De Koning - Wanganeen-Milera - Windhager
Int: Owens, Wilson, Philippou, two of Garcia, Boxshall and Macrae

Team 2/VFL:
FB: O'Connell - Barrat - Fincher
HB: Travaglia - Tauru - Armstrong
C: Byrnes - Dow - Hastie
HF: Said - Caminiti - Henry
FF: Collard - Keeler - Butler
Fol: Dodson - Carroll - ?
Int: ????????

 

[saintmike65]

Assuming everyone magically gets back to full fitness without injuries:
Team 1:
FB: Stocker - Howard - Wilkie
HB: Sinclair - Silvagni - Clark
C: Wood - Flanders - Hill
HF: Hall - Marshall - Sharman
FF: Higgins - King - Ryan
Fol: De Koning - Wanganeen-Milera - Windhager
Int: Owens, Wilson, Philippou, two of Garcia, Boxshall and Macrae

Team 2/VFL:
FB: O'Connell - Barrat - Fincher
HB: Travaglia - Tauru - Armstrong
C: Byrnes - Dow - Hastie
HF: Said - Caminiti - Henry
FF: Collard - Keeler - Butler
Fol: Dodson - Carroll - ?
Int: ????????

Question marks over Hill, Wood, Clark & Stocker

 

[stfan]

Question marks over Hill, Wood, Clark & Stocker

Competition over pre-season is going to be fierce for Best 23, or at least First Round 23.

The 4 you name all have runs on the board, but have others pusihing for their position. Stocker has one edge in that he is a genuine hard-arse on the field.



Plus, how much that some of the younger players improve their bodies and running capacity will be a factor.

Pou will need to have a good preseason. We all know he has the ability, but he needs to shake off his niggles and injury issues and to impress with his midfield game as he needs to be viewed as part of our midfield rotation.

Henry likewise could come into the 23 if he can really nail his preseason.

Taura right now probably starts in the VFL, but will be looking to impress.

Howard should start in front of Caminiti at FB, but will his body hold up?

 

[SaintsofSteel]

Competition over pre-season is going to be fierce for Best 23, or at least First Round 23.

The 4 you name all have runs on the board, but have others pusihing for their position. Stocker has one edge in that he is a genuine hard-arse on the field.



Plus, how much that some of the younger players improve their bodies and running capacity will be a factor.

Pou will need to have a good preseason. We all know he has the ability, but he needs to shake off his niggles and injury issues and to impress with his midfield game as he needs to be viewed as part of our midfield rotation.

Henry likewise could come into the 23 if he can really nail his preseason.

Taura right now probably starts in the VFL, but will be looking to impress.

Howard should start in front of Caminiti at FB, but will his body hold up?

The joy of doing a side this year is that we will have options all over the park, no more walk up starts. If RTB is going to play Marshall as a key forward/ruck how do we fit Caminiti into the F50? If that occurs RTB may leave Caminiti in defence and back him to play ahead of Howard at full back.

Hammer still has a huge upside and he improved significantly this year and was starting to back himself in to take some intercept marks. Howard is solely a spoiler and provides little else, although if Hammer remains forward Howard is the obvious full back choice.

The lock down small defender role is also up for grabs - Stocker gets first dibs, but Hastie, Clark, Byrnes, Fincher will keep him honest. I dont believe Carroll is going to make it as an AFL midfielder, so perhaps he should be tried down back through the VFL and see if he can become a mobile small defender option. At least it would give him some flexibility to remain competitive.

Players like Collard and Keeler are going to have a tough year as they will no longer get gifted games, if they play it will be because they have really earned their games. Other fringe players are also going to have to apply themselves at VFL level and show some real improvement if they want to remain on the list in 2027.

 

[stfan]

Those 2 would definitely be in my 23.
I won't do a best 23 until i watch training a few times...at this stage Hill, Wood and Stocker wouldn't be in it

Yes 2026 pre-season is going to be very competitive. We now have true depth.

In my case I think I will be more waiting till near the end of preseason too see how everyone is shaping up. Aboyr thre quarters of team at present picks itself. But the other spots have a number of suitors.

Also important, will be how some of the younger players muscle/strengthen up....or improve their tanks.

And for others if they can throw off injuries and niggles that have dogged them like Pou and Clark.

The imponderable is how much Lyon, and the coaches, will select on just selecting to maximise our chance of winning each week, one game at a time, over wanting to get games into some younger players who the Club believes will be part of our Best 23 in a year or two.
ie Taura.

With all of Wilkie, JSOS and Howard fit and available and arguably all Best 23 to give us our best chance of winning each week, do they also squeeze Taura into the 23, or in place of say Howard (who we might like to have in against the truly big forwards). And then you have Caminiti who will be desperate to impress to get into the 23, whether asa key back or forward.


Nas and Flanders to be locks for our midfield. Garcia v Boxshall v Clark v Macrae v Windy v Pou (as a mid). Hall is lock I feel now to have rotations through the midfield.

Windy to probably be in the 23 as a utility as he can play various roles: mid, tagger, wing.

Henry a wildcard if he has an excellent pre-season. But he then displaces who?

Sharman and Owens both look set to be our Third Talls.....but if say others are squeezing Pou out of the midfield, does he have to then squeeze out Owens or Sharman?

Keeler could also be a bit of a wildcard he continues his "Thilthorpe" makeover, and can list his concentration and workrate.

This is going to be a truly fascinating preseason. We will see which players can push themselves into the 23.

 

[stfan]

The joy of doing a side this year is that we will have options all over the park, no more walk up starts. If RTB is going to play Marshall as a key forward/ruck how do we fit Caminiti into the F50? If that occurs RTB may leave Caminiti in defence and back him to play ahead of Howard at full back.

Hammer still has a huge upside and he improved significantly this year and was starting to back himself in to take some intercept marks. Howard is solely a spoiler and provides little else, although if Hammer remains forward Howard is the obvious full back choice.

The lock down small defender role is also up for grabs - Stocker gets first dibs, but Hastie, Clark, Byrnes, Fincher will keep him honest. I dont believe Carroll is going to make it as an AFL midfielder, so perhaps he should be tried down back through the VFL and see if he can become a mobile small defender option. At least it would give him some flexibility to remain competitive.

Players like Collard and Keeler are going to have a tough year as they will no longer get gifted games, if they play it will be because they have really earned their games. Other fringe players are also going to have to apply themselves at VFL level and show some real improvement if they want to remain on the list in 2027.

Yes agree. Competition will be fierce.


If I was a player like say Dan Butler, I might be having chat with Lyon to see if I can play another role such as Back Pocket. His defensive game is good, he tackles well and has good burst pace to run forwards down. Much of his recent years has been as a defensive small forward. Hall, Ryan and Higgins will make it hard for him to play in the forward half. Plus Hill plays well when he pushes forward, and Henry will also be trying to get into the 23 as well.