Prediction Best 22 - 2026

[The Punter]

We have a midfield and midfield-adjacent group that includes:

The White Mamba (193cm)
Wood (192cm)
Banfield (192cm)
Macrae (192cm)
Pou (190cm)
Hastie (190cm)
O’Connell (189cm)
Box (188cm)
Trav (187cm)
Nas (187cm)

At an average of 190cm, we now have some serious size in there, and most if not all of them have decent wheels as well.

We’ve historically been absolutely monstered around the ball by bigger and stronger midfields, so it strikes me that this was a concerted list strategy.

Very exciting.

*you could make an argument that Carroll (188cm) could be included in that group too, which brings the average down to 189.8cm, but the point remains…

Who is the White Mamba?

Also, nice exclusion of Windy and Flanders...

 

[sasaint]

There's an argument that young Keeler could be a sneeky chance for opening round.
His ability to play forward, back and pinch hitting ruck is very enticing!

Agree, I think we do Round 0 like this:

B: Stocker, Caminiti, Wilkie
HB: Sinclair, Silvagni, Windhager
C: Boxshall, Phillipou, Wood
HF: Ryan, Sharman, Hall
F: Higgins, Owens, Marshall
Foll: TDK, NAS, Flanders
Int: Tauru, Wilson, Hill, Macrae, Keeler

Emer: Byrnes, Banfield, Garcia

The add of Keeler either back of forward will do the Pies head in trying to cover.

 

[The Punter]

Agree, I think we do Round 0 like this:

B: Stocker, Caminiti, Wilkie
HB: Sinclair, Silvagni, Windhager
C: Boxshall, Phillipou, Wood
HF: Ryan, Sharman, Hall
F: Higgins, Owens, Marshall
Foll: TDK, NAS, Flanders
Int: Tauru, Wilson, Hill, Macrae, Keeler

Emer: Byrnes, Banfield, Garcia

The add of Keeler either back of forward will do the Pies head in trying to cover.

I'm not as sure as others that:

• Wood is back in the team for Round 0
• Wood plays that many games in the ones this year (yes, I know he's in the leadership group, but still)

 

[Sully111]

I'm not as sure as others that:

• Wood is back in the team for Round 0
• Wood plays that many games in the ones this year (yes, I know he's in the leadership group, but still)

I agree

Something has to give.

Hill will play.

I'd rather see Boxshall play and Wood miss out.

 

[The Punter]

I agree

Something has to give.

Hill will play.

I'd rather see Boxshall play and Wood miss out.

Boxshall veeeerrrry hard to keep out of the team.

 

[Barrels]

Who is the White Mamba?

Also, nice exclusion of Windy and Flanders...

They weren’t excluded… other than for the fact they are - at 185cm and 183cm - probably considered smaller to medium midfielders these days.

Hence the word “includes”…

Doesn’t seem at odds with my original observation whatsoever.

 

[SainterEire]

Who is the White Mamba?

Also, nice exclusion of Windy and Flanders...

Kobe McDonald is the white mamba

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Kobe McDonald is the white mamba

 

[bird_man]

He'll certainly get a run if howard and king aren't available.

But if all our talls (fwd and back) are available- he most likely plays 2's.

This is a good situation for our win loss column, so who cares?

I reckon if Howard to get a game it would be in place of Caminiti.

Probably time to move past him though. The Viking is too talented to leave out and with Wilkie, Caminiti and SOS in the side he's going to be a weapon for us coming over the top and can be thrown forward if needed.

 

[ScrappyDo]

I reckon if Howard to get a game it would be in place of Caminiti.

Probably time to move past him though. The Viking is too talented to leave out and with Wilkie, Caminiti and SOS in the side he's going to be a weapon for us coming over the top and can be thrown forward if needed.

Good to have you back birdy.

 

[SaintKing23]

The age old debate; Caminiti or Howard...

If both are fully fit and we want to win, I'd be taking Howard. He's still better for us structurally and is a better player. Caminiti hopefully over-takes him sooner rather than later but for now, he's too clumsy and a rash decision maker. People make fun of Howard but often forget that when he's fit, he's quite handy. It allows Wilkie to play of his own natural game also.

 

[Marlo]

The age old debate; Caminiti or Howard...

If both are fully fit and we want to win, I'd be taking Howard. He's still better for us structurally and is a better player. Caminiti hopefully over-takes him sooner rather than later but for now, he's too clumsy and a rash decision maker. People make fun of Howard but often forget that when he's fit, he's quite handy. It allows Wilkie to play of his own natural game also.

Agree

I am warming to Caminiti tho. Looks like he could become one hell of an athlete. Hopefully a bit of confidence will add some authority to his game

 

[akaifu]

I'm not as sure as others that:

• Wood is back in the team for Round 0
• Wood plays that many games in the ones this year (yes, I know he's in the leadership group, but still)

I agree

Something has to give.

Hill will play.

I'd rather see Boxshall play and Wood miss out.

Personally still think Wood has an important on-field role to play for us as that tall winger/7th defender and that he, Hill and Boxy can all fit in the same 23

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

I reckon if Howard to get a game it would be in place of Caminiti.

Probably time to move past him though. The Viking is too talented to leave out and with Wilkie, Caminiti and SOS in the side he's going to be a weapon for us coming over the top and can be thrown forward if needed.

If Howard returns, Caminiti will go forward.
Means Marshall & Tdk can rotate & rest on the bench.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Round O team

B. Tauru  Howard Wilkie

H.B. Sinclair Silvagni Windhager

C. Boxshall Phillipou Wilson

H.F. Hall Caminiti Owens

F. Higgins Sharman Ryan

Foll. DeKoning NWM Flanders

I/C. Clark,  Hill, Macrae, Marshall, Wood

 

[Jade Buddha]

We need both Marshall and TDK on field IMO. Complete waste one of them sitting on the bench for any extended periods.
Hammer forward will only be back up.

 

[bird_man]

If Howard returns, Caminiti will go forward.
Means Marshall & Tdk can rotate & rest on the bench.

Might as well just play one ruck if you aren't gonna play them forward at all

 

[Sully111]

B: Stocker, Caminiti, Wilkie
HB: Sinclair, JSOS, Tauru
C: Wilson, Nas, Hill
HF: Hall, Keeler, Owens
F: Higgins, Sharman, Ryan
Foll: TDK, Flanders, Phillipou
Bench: Marshall, Windy, Boxshall, McRae, Garcia

Same as last time except Pou starting and Hugo on the bench.

If they don't play Keeler, bring in Clark. I think Hunter could have a really good year if he can stay on the park.

Caminiti and Howard are either/or for me

Getting tough which is great.

 

[Mowman]

Boxshall veeeerrrry hard to keep out of the team.

How the hell does the Punter get a day off LOL
Most level - headed bloke in here


I love this Joint
it really is f&&&& Up lol

 

[Dard Ball Get]

How the hell does the Punter get a day off LOL
Most level - headed bloke in here


I love this Joint
it really is f&&&& Up lol

 

[Barrels]

How the hell does the Punter get a day off LOL
Most level - headed bloke in here


I love this Joint
it really is f&&&& Up lol

****ing bizarre stuff.

 

[pebblesofsand]

We need both Marshall and TDK on field IMO. Complete waste one of them sitting on the bench for any extended periods.
Hammer forward will only be back up.

The only reason why TDK and Marshall will play together is because the selectors have convinced themselves that it will work.

Just like the Keeler as FF and Collard as the pressure fwd roles last year, it will take them 5 or 6 weeks to realise its not doing anything for the team and Marshall will then be playing 2's.

And that will definitely be the case if King ever gets fit enough to get back on the park.

 

[The Punter]

How the hell does the Punter get a day off LOL
Most level - headed bloke in here


I love this Joint
it really is f&&&& Up lol

Obviously cannot discuss what warranted it, but it didn't happen in a discussion on footy. Back anyway. Nine days to go now until we get a real taste.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Might as well just play one ruck if you aren't gonna play them forward at all

yep , 50% TOG is kind of crap.

 

[SG34]

This is the Reddit best 23 for 2026
BStockerWilkieTauruHBSilvagniHowardSinclairCWilsonWindhagerWoodHFPhillipouOwensHallFHigginsKingMarshallFOLTDKNWMFlandersINTRyanMacraeSharmanGarciaClarkEMGTravagliaCarrollCaminiti

It was complied by a St Kilda Reddit group.