Prediction Round 1, 2026 - Best 23

[Ian Dunross]

Stop gap at best

He may come on but who knows

Targeting Henry Smith out of Brisbane next trade period might be a go, although I imagine he will get offered a decent contract by Brisbane with Oscar retiring and Fort already 32.

 

[Coopers]

Anybody else think that Hinge isn't best 23 anymore? struggled in the back end of 2025

Good Hinge, or bad Hinge?

Same conversation as ROB actually

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Good Hinge, or bad Hinge?

Same conversation as ROB actually

Healthy Hinge or injured Hinge?

Motivated ROB or last year of contract ROB...

 

[Crow till I die]

OK.. we have round 1, but fast forward till the back end of next season and I'd like our side to look like this and fingers cross be readying ourselves for another finals campaign:-

B: Michalanney Butts Worrell
HB: Cumming Murray Milera
C: Ah Chee Rankine Dawson
HF: ANB Fog Rachele
FF: Pedlar Thilthorpe Keays

1st R: McAndrew Curtin Draper
Int: Soligo Laird Peatling Bond Maley

The midfield rotation would be then Rankine and Rachele moving in and out of the middle and forward line, Soligo moving through there along with Peatling. Getting daws out of the middle to have him as a receiver is something we have to look at moving forward as he will get banged up staying as an inside mid. Ah Chee on the other wing will be a quality user and outlet that can also move forward and hit the scoreboard. An almost completely rebuild midfield might be the answer next year fingers crossed.

I'd be hoping McAndrew has risen to the level and has displaced ROB and in tandem with Maley who whilst a bit undersized, with the new ruck rules could very well be an around the ground 10 mins per quarter chop out and can drift to a forward pocket too.

To me, Draper and Curtin need to be a primary part of it and my hope is that over the season both can really take to the centre square role with aplomb. Both have the talent..lets hope the midfield coaching does not let them down.

The back third almost picks itself - its much better structured with Butts on the big forwards, Murray on he second forward and Worrell as the main interceptor. Cumming adds marking power back there too as another interceptor in what I think is his preferred spot at half back.

Who of real note has missed: Keane, Edwards, Walker, Hinge and Taylor.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

OK.. we have round 1, but fast forward till the back end of next season and I'd like our side to look like this and fingers cross be readying ourselves for another finals campaign:-

B: Michalanney Butts Worrell
HB: Cumming Murray Milera
C: Ah Chee Rankine Dawson
HF: ANB Fog Rachele
FF: Pedlar Thilthorpe Keays

1st R: McAndrew Curtin Draper
Int: Soligo Laird Peatling Bond Maley

The midfield rotation would be then Rankine and Rachele moving in and out of the middle and forward line, Soligo moving through there along with Peatling. Getting daws out of the middle to have him as a receiver is something we have to look at moving forward as he will get banged up staying as an inside mid. Ah Chee on the other wing will be a quality user and outlet that can also move forward and hit the scoreboard. An almost completely rebuild midfield might be the answer next year fingers crossed.

I'd be hoping McAndrew has risen to the level and has displaced ROB and in tandem with Maley who whilst a bit undersized, with the new ruck rules could very well be an around the ground 10 mins per quarter chop out and can drift to a forward pocket too.

To me, Draper and Curtin need to be a primary part of it and my hope is that over the season both can really take to the centre square role with aplomb. Both have the talent..lets hope the midfield coaching does not let them down.

The back third almost picks itself - its much better structured with Butts on the big forwards, Murray on he second forward and Worrell as the main interceptor. Cumming adds marking power back there too as another interceptor in what I think is his preferred spot at half back.

Who of real note has missed: Keane, Edwards, Walker, Hinge and Taylor.

I seriously doubt Keane will be missing from our best side.

Would be disappointed if Edwards is not playing most games next season. We need to prioritise young talent.

 

[Crow till I die]

I seriously doubt Keane will be missinf frok our best side.

Would be disappointed if Edwards is not playing most games next season. We need to prioritise young talent.

I think that we look structurally better with Butts there instead of Keane. Worrell picks himself as 3rd man interceptor and Murray when fully fit is probably our best big key back. Just my opinion.

As for Edwards I completely agree, he would though have to really ramp up his performances to hold out a Peatling or Soligo for that midfield spot. I would be having him day 1 preseason with the midfield group and make it clear his days at half back are over and we see him as a midfielder going forward.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I think that we look structurally better with Butts there instead of Keane. Worrell picks himself as 3rd man interceptor and Murray when fully fit is probably our best big key back. Just my opinion.

As for Edwards I completely agree, he would though have to really ramp up his performances to hold out a Peatling or Soligo for that midfield spot. I would be having him day 1 preseason with the midfield group and make it clear his days at half back are over and we see him as a midfielder going forward.

Imo, it's between Butts & Murray for team balance, unless we need to lockdown on 2 tall forwards.

 

[crows dude]

Imo, it's between Butts & Murray for team balance, unless we need to lockdown on 2 tall forwards.

I see it as Murray or Keane rather than Murray or Butts. Butts Worrell and one of Keane/Murray

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I see it as Murray or Keane rather than Murray or Butts. Butts Worrell and one of Keane/Murray

Should be more horses for courses.

We made a big mistake not resting Keane late & bringing back Butts to compare to Murray going into the finals.

 

[1990crow]

OK.. we have round 1, but fast forward till the back end of next season and I'd like our side to look like this and fingers cross be readying ourselves for another finals campaign:-

B: Michalanney Butts Worrell
HB: Cumming Murray Milera
C: Ah Chee Rankine Dawson
HF: ANB Fog Rachele
FF: Pedlar Thilthorpe Keays

1st R: McAndrew Curtin Draper
Int: Soligo Laird Peatling Bond Maley

The midfield rotation would be then Rankine and Rachele moving in and out of the middle and forward line, Soligo moving through there along with Peatling. Getting daws out of the middle to have him as a receiver is something we have to look at moving forward as he will get banged up staying as an inside mid. Ah Chee on the other wing will be a quality user and outlet that can also move forward and hit the scoreboard. An almost completely rebuild midfield might be the answer next year fingers crossed.

I'd be hoping McAndrew has risen to the level and has displaced ROB and in tandem with Maley who whilst a bit undersized, with the new ruck rules could very well be an around the ground 10 mins per quarter chop out and can drift to a forward pocket too.

To me, Draper and Curtin need to be a primary part of it and my hope is that over the season both can really take to the centre square role with aplomb. Both have the talent..lets hope the midfield coaching does not let them down.

The back third almost picks itself - its much better structured with Butts on the big forwards, Murray on he second forward and Worrell as the main interceptor. Cumming adds marking power back there too as another interceptor in what I think is his preferred spot at half back.

Who of real note has missed: Keane, Edwards, Walker, Hinge and Taylor.

First final best 23

FB: Worrell ~ Murray ~ Michalanney
HB: Cumming ~ Keane ~ Milera
C: Curtin ~ Dawson ~ Ah Chee
R: O'Brien ~ Soligo ~ Rachele
HF: ANB ~ Thilthorpe ~ Rankine
FF: Keays ~ Fogarty ~ Walker
B: Peatling ~ Draper ~ Edwards ~ Pedlar ~ Laird

 

[crows dude]

First final best 23

FB: Worrell ~ Murray ~ Michalanney
HB: Cumming ~ Keane ~ Milera
C: Curtin ~ Dawson ~ Ah Chee
R: O'Brien ~ Soligo ~ Rachele
HF: ANB ~ Thilthorpe ~ Rankine
FF: Keays ~ Fogarty ~ Walker
B: Peatling ~ Draper ~ Edwards ~ Pedlar ~ Laird

A few updates for me
Butts for Keane
Rankine starting in midfield
With 5 on Bench bringing in extra tall Maley so Thilthorpe can stay forward

FB: Worrell ~ Butts ~ Michalanney
HB: Cumming ~ Murray ~ Milera
C: Curtin ~ Dawson ~ Ah Chee
R: O'Brien ~ Rankine ~ Rachele
HF: ANB ~ Thilthorpe ~ Soligo
FF: Keays ~ Fogarty ~ Walker
B: Peatling ~ Draper ~ Maley ~ Pedlar ~ Laird

 

[MsTopG]

OK.. we have round 1, but fast forward till the back end of next season and I'd like our side to look like this and fingers cross be readying ourselves for another finals campaign:-

B: Michalanney Butts Worrell
HB: Cumming Murray Milera
C: Ah Chee Rankine Dawson
HF: ANB Fog Rachele
FF: Pedlar Thilthorpe Keays

1st R: McAndrew Curtin Draper
Int: Soligo Laird Peatling Bond Maley

The midfield rotation would be then Rankine and Rachele moving in and out of the middle and forward line, Soligo moving through there along with Peatling. Getting daws out of the middle to have him as a receiver is something we have to look at moving forward as he will get banged up staying as an inside mid. Ah Chee on the other wing will be a quality user and outlet that can also move forward and hit the scoreboard. An almost completely rebuild midfield might be the answer next year fingers crossed.

I'd be hoping McAndrew has risen to the level and has displaced ROB and in tandem with Maley who whilst a bit undersized, with the new ruck rules could very well be an around the ground 10 mins per quarter chop out and can drift to a forward pocket too.

To me, Draper and Curtin need to be a primary part of it and my hope is that over the season both can really take to the centre square role with aplomb. Both have the talent..lets hope the midfield coaching does not let them down.

The back third almost picks itself - its much better structured with Butts on the big forwards, Murray on he second forward and Worrell as the main interceptor. Cumming adds marking power back there too as another interceptor in what I think is his preferred spot at half back.

Who of real note has missed: Keane, Edwards, Walker, Hinge and Taylor.

I would rather Keane in over Murray. Murray since his acl has been bloody awful imo.

 

[Ian Dunross]

I would rather Keane in over Murray. Murray since his acl has been bloody awful imo.

This. Keane has been VERY good. Once a match or so he'll make a big blunder, but he has reduced those significantly and they are offset by his intercept marking and general all round good play.

Murray may yet bounce back but he needs to lose 7kg and do some pilates or yoga and improve his mobility significantly.

 

[crows dude]

For some fun a mate of mine and I got together and put together two sides selecting the teams the old school yard way. We had to bring the amount of players to 46 to make it 23 each. To do this we had to add a few top ups.

Came up with the below

MY SIDE - I had first pick which i went Dawson
F DOWLING WALKER TAYLOR
HF SOLIGO CURTIN PEATLING
C HINGE DAWSON CUMMING
HB MAXY WORRELL NANKERVIS
B BOND BUTTS EDWARDS

RUCK
O'BRIEN
BERRY
DRAPER

INTER - COOK WELSH DRURY J BOYLE H BOYLE

MATES SIDE
F NEALE-BULEN FOGARTY T MURRAY
HF AH CHEE THILTHORPE KEAYS
C SHOLL RANKINE JONES
HB LAIRD N MURRAY RYAN
B MILERA KEANE BORLASE

RUCK
MCANDREW
RACHELE
PEDLAR

INTER - COTTON MALEY ATKINSON O'LEARY HAYSMAN

 

[Big Dub]

2 tall forward set up with extra ruck/forward on bench, Curtin to first mid rotation, Cumming to half back for better ball movement, Charlie and Sid impress in pre-season:

FB: Worrell ~ Murray ~ Michalanney
HB: Cumming ~ Keane ~ Milera
C: Curtin ~ Dawson ~ Hinge
R: O'Brien ~ Soligo ~ Rankine
HF: ANB ~ Thilthorpe ~ Ah Chee
FF: Keays ~ Fogarty ~ Rachele
B: Draper (m/w) ~ Peatling (m/f) ~ Edwards (m/d) ~ Laird (d) ~ Turray/ McAndrew/ Moose (r/f)

 

[Golumless]

I think that we look structurally better with Butts there instead of Keane. Worrell picks himself as 3rd man interceptor and Murray when fully fit is probably our best big key back. Just my opinion.

No, we do not look better with Butts or Murray over Keane. Our defense became the best in the league for long stretches last year because Keane and Worrell are gun interceptors (both are top 5 for intercepts per game).

Who defends the tall forward as a shutdown is borderline irrelevant, outside of you just need a body who isn't going to embarass themselves. Hell, the only reason Butts came out of that stretch looking like a solid shutdown defender (instead of the depth KPD of previous years) is he had Keane/Worrell playing like elite two way defenders (and it is worth noting Murray also recorded similar increases to Butts in 1v1 play). Interceptors hide your shutdown players.

There's a reason the Dogs target Keane over Butts.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

For those few not putting Keane in our best 23...

Clean up men: The TEN intercept leaders of 2025

The intercept has become a vital statistic in the modern AFL.

www.zerohanger.com

 

[crows dude]

For those few not putting Keane in our best 23...

Clean up men: The TEN intercept leaders of 2025

The intercept has become a vital statistic in the modern AFL.

www.zerohanger.com

Worrell is better.

Then we’ve got a fit Muzza now and Butts is better defensively so they are my three before him if all 4 are fit. But horses for courses. There will be times when you may want the two interceptors and on defensive tall so Murray or butts then miss out.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Worrell is better.

Then we’ve got a fit Muzza now and Butts is better defensively so they are my three before him if all 4 are fit. But horses for courses. There will be times when you may want the two interceptors and on defensive tall so Murray or butts then miss out.

Indeed.

But perhaps also think about using Worrell forward if we need 2 lockdown defenders.

 

[Billy Cart]

Indeed.

But perhaps also think about using Worrell forward if we need 2 lockdown defenders.

I've thought about that as well if someone came looking for Butts.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Murray didn't seem quite himself after his return from injury. Wasn't the wrecking ball presence he'd been in the past, though I do remember reading that he still had the lowest one-on-one contest lost percentage in the league

I expect he'll be back to his best after a full preseason. Murray, Keane, Worrell could be an absolutely sensational combo

 

[MsTopG]

Murray didn't seem quite himself after his return from injury. Wasn't the wrecking ball presence he'd been in the past, though I do remember reading that he still had the lowest one-on-one contest lost percentage in the league

I expect he'll be back to his best after a full preseason. Murray, Keane, Worrell could be an absolutely sensational combo

I think Butts was probably our best defender before he got injured.

 

[crow2crow]

Murray didn't seem quite himself after his return from injury. Wasn't the wrecking ball presence he'd been in the past, though I do remember reading that he still had the lowest one-on-one contest lost percentage in the league

I expect he'll be back to his best after a full preseason. Murray, Keane, Worrell could be an absolutely sensational combo

i actually expect murray to go fwd/2nd ruck next year with tex gone. butts returns to defence with worrell and keane. but i guess we will see in the pre season.

 

[1990crow]

i actually expect murray to go fwd/2nd ruck next year with tex gone. butts returns to defence with worrell and keane. but i guess we will see in the pre season.

Um.. hate to break this to you but Tex isn't gone.

 

[crow2crow]

Um.. hate to break this to you but Tex isn't gone.

he not playing most of the games imo