Best 23 - 2026

[Jirik13]

Serious question, can we be the highest scoring team of the year?

I think why not, considering we were the 4th highest scoring team in 2025. Kids will be one more year older, more time to build synergy within new plan, possibly JUH.

 

[Jen2310]

Powell. Collins. B.Uwland
Rioli. Ballard. Noble
Weller. Petracca. Z.Uwland
Miller. Read. Humphrey
Long. King. Rogers
Witts. Rowell. Anderson
Jeffrey. Andrew. Graham. Walter. Davies

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/gold-coast-preview-can-the-suns-become-contenders-in-2026/news-story/014308411b38a1e7618345ef42d91972

 

[GC2015]

Powell. Collins. B.Uwland
Rioli. Ballard. Noble
Weller. Petracca. Z.Uwland
Miller. Read. Humphrey
Long. King. Rogers
Witts. Rowell. Anderson
Jeffrey. Andrew. Graham. Walter. Davies

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/gold-coast-preview-can-the-suns-become-contenders-in-2026/news-story/014308411b38a1e7618345ef42d91972

No room for Lombard? Reports are he's been smashing it in training.

 

[Jen2310]

No room for Lombard? Reports are he's been smashing it in training.

I suspect its one of him or rogers in the forward line.
I'm not sure Davies is quite in the best 23 with a fit squad.

 

[Jirik13]

No room for Lombard? Reports are he's been smashing it in training.

Pretty much spot on.

When will Z Uwland and Patterson get opportunities? Can they make round 1?

Can JUH force himself into round 1 lineup at the expense of Walter?

Personally, I expect both Lombard and Rogers to be in the best 23.

Wings not settled. Clohesy is my choice.

No spot for Davies if everybody healthy.

 

[The Kings Ransom]

I think there are maybe 28 max players in contention for the round 1 best 23.

Rogers
Lombard
Clohesy
Weller
Walter
JUH
Davies
Farrar
Z.Uwland
D. Patterson

Probably taking the 18-28 positions.

 

[Southern Sun]

Bit of thought after seeing the progress of some through pre season so far.

Uwland ballard collins
Rioli Andrew Powell
Noble Anderson clohesy
Miller walter Humphrey
Rogers King long

Witts Rowell petracca
Graham( mid/fwd) read (ruck/wing) lombard(fwd) Jeffery(back) JUH (fwd)

The wings still up for grabs, zeke, weller, gulbin, Powell, Patterson all thereabouts. I like Powell down back still as he can actually defend plus give great rebound.
JUH to rotate with walter-long-king, maybe with Read for small parts also.
I wonder if dimma sticks with Davies as he did show some good signs last year, just not sure who he pushes out.
Great depth though, we are stacked and ready.

 

[Jirik13]

Bit of thought after seeing the progress of some through pre season so far.

Uwland ballard collins
Rioli Andrew Powell
Noble Anderson clohesy
Miller walter Humphrey
Rogers King long

Witts Rowell petracca
Graham( mid/fwd) read (ruck/wing) lombard(fwd) Jeffery(back) JUH (fwd)

The wings still up for grabs, zeke, weller, gulbin, Powell, Patterson all thereabouts. I like Powell down back still as he can actually defend plus give great rebound.
JUH to rotate with walter-long-king, maybe with Read for small parts also.
I wonder if dimma sticks with Davies as he did show some good signs last year, just not sure who he pushes out.
Great depth though, we are stacked and ready.

I can’t see Noble on the wing. Did he ever play there?

 

[Jen2310]

I can’t see Noble on the wing. Did he ever play there?

Briefly trialled there maybe in 2022. I always thought it would be something he could do with his pace, but it didn't last long.

 

[GEEitLONG]

Bit of thought after seeing the progress of some through pre season so far.

Uwland ballard collins
Rioli Andrew Powell
Noble Anderson clohesy
Miller walter Humphrey
Rogers King long

Witts Rowell petracca
Graham( mid/fwd) read (ruck/wing) lombard(fwd) Jeffery(back) JUH (fwd)

The wings still up for grabs, zeke, weller, gulbin, Powell, Patterson all thereabouts. I like Powell down back still as he can actually defend plus give great rebound.
JUH to rotate with walter-long-king, maybe with Read for small parts also.
I wonder if dimma sticks with Davies as he did show some good signs last year, just not sure who he pushes out.
Great depth though, we are stacked and ready.

I think you'll find Patterson is more of a half back flank at this stage. His ability to create attacking opportunities, speed and X factor may see him get a run from very early in the season because he may have the most weapons, X factor and speed in the club. Great kicking skills and vision. Tackles well and elite closing speed. Dylan brings so many weapons and skills, he could learn on the job, rather than in ressies. Rioli on one flank, Dylan on the other. Potentially the most dangerous attacking HBF duo in the comp.

 

[Southern Sun]

I think you'll find Patterson is more of a half back flank at this stage. His ability to create attacking opportunities, speed and X factor may see him get a run from very early in the season because he may have the most weapons, X factor and speed in the club. Great kicking skills and vision. Tackles well and elite closing speed. Dylan brings so many weapons and skills, he could learn on the job, rather than in ressies. Rioli on one flank, Dylan on the other. Potentially the most dangerous attacking HBF duo in the comp.

Was miles back in the 2k'er so I think he may take a bit of time. He may end up the best of the lot but I can see him building up in the reserves. Not always a bad thing too.

 

[GEEitLONG]

Was miles back in the 2k'er so I think he may take a bit of time. He may end up the best of the lot but I can see him building up in the reserves. Not always a bad thing too.

If a 2 km time trial was the measure of a footballer, then Gary Ablett doesn't get a run. So thank god its not.

 

[Jirik13]

If a 2 km time trial was the measure of a footballer, then Gary Ablett doesn't get a run. So thank god its not.

Probably fair point. Rowell is nowhere near the best in 2 km trial.

According to Jeffrey interview Patterson is competing with Noble and Rioli for a spot.

 

[GC2015]

According to Jeffrey interview Patterson is competing with Noble and Rioli for a spot.

So if those three are battling it out for the halfback spot, is it fair to assume Zeke will be fighting for a spot on the wing with Weller and Clohesy?

 

[Jirik13]

So if those three are battling it out for the halfback spot, is it fair to assume Zeke will be fighting for a spot on the wing with Weller and Clohesy?

Yeah, it looks like.

 

[The Kings Ransom]

Wonder if we will look to push Read and JUH up the field toward the wings and play 2 of Walter, King, Humphrey, Petracca deep.

The half forwards charge with the flight of the ball to the feet of the one on one players Lombard / Rogers / Miller etc..

 

[GEEitLONG]

Wonder if we will look to push Read and JUH up the field toward the wings and play 2 of Walter, King, Humphrey, Petracca deep.

The half forwards charge with the flight of the ball to the feet of the one on one players Lombard / Rogers / Miller etc..

Walter looks like he has a huge task trying to get a regular gig. Although a year older, hes surrounded by increased competition. I believe he'll be traded in the next couple of years..

 

[The Kings Ransom]

Walter looks like he has a huge task trying to get a regular gig. Although a year older, hes surrounded by increased competition. I believe he'll be traded in the next couple of years..

Possible.
I think it will all be dictated by how he plays. As a 3rd year tall forward I have faith that he will continue to improve each year, obviously just depends how much he improves and how others around him play.

 

[Bring Back the Wave]

Wonder if we will look to push Read and JUH up the field toward the wings and play 2 of Walter, King, Humphrey, Petracca deep.

The half forwards charge with the flight of the ball to the feet of the one on one players Lombard / Rogers / Miller etc..

Supposedly Read has been doing some training on the wing. Could be looking for the dan Curtin mould

 

[GEEitLONG]

MSN

www.msn.com

ZERO HANGER. Suns Best 23​

FB: Mac Andrew, Sam Collins, Wil Powell

HB: John Noble, Charlie Ballard, Daniel Rioli

C: Lachie Weller, Touk Miller, Zeke Uwland

HF: Christian Petracca, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Bailey Humphrey

FF: Ben Long, Ben King, Jed Walter

FO: Jarrod Witts, Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell

I/C: Joel Jeffrey, Bodhi Uwland, Dylan Patterson, Leo Lombard, Ethan Read

Stiff to miss: Alex Davies, Jake Rogers, Nick Holman, Ned Moyle, Sam Clohesy

.

 

[TheSunGod]

MSN

www.msn.com

ZERO HANGER. Suns Best 23​

FB: Mac Andrew, Sam Collins, Wil Powell

HB: John Noble, Charlie Ballard, Daniel Rioli

C: Lachie Weller, Touk Miller, Zeke Uwland

HF: Christian Petracca, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Bailey Humphrey

FF: Ben Long, Ben King, Jed Walter

FO: Jarrod Witts, Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell

I/C: Joel Jeffrey, Bodhi Uwland, Dylan Patterson, Leo Lombard, Ethan Read

Stiff to miss: Alex Davies, Jake Rogers, Nick Holman, Ned Moyle, Sam Clohesy

.

No Will Graham?

 

[Southern Sun]

No Will Graham?

It's funny how he gets forgotten so often. One of the first picked for mine.

 

[Jirik13]

It's funny how he gets forgotten so often. One of the first picked for mine.

Yeah, most opposition fans don't know him, most journalists don't mention him.

 

[The Kings Ransom]

I think they look at his 2025 numbers and see 8 games @ 10 possessions a game and don't understand that this doesn't totally represent his team value.

 

[Choppers]

Doesn't matter...............Dimma loves him