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Opinion Your 2026 R1 team

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Our best 23 side for this season looks very good. If I could be critical of it, it's probably that there will be a few really raw players in some key positions and that it's probably one perfect fit onballer away from being a premiership contender.

If you get the right combination of players they free up each other. Having another quick dangerous half back or two in the side frees up Saad who gets targeted each week being the only threatening half back in the team. Wilson perhaps but Florent will take a bit of focus as well.

Take Curnow out of the forward line but add a plethora of players who are strong overhead and smart when it comes to presenting and the opposition won't crowd McKay. O'Keeffe, Kemp, Moir, Hayward, Byrne and Ainsworth will really spread the opposition defence. Playing Carlton will not all be about crowding McKay and Curnow and locking down Saad.

My only main concern is that none of the other onballer really take the head off Walsh. The others don't require close checking, but Walsh does.
 
Wise words Batman, I reckon you are about right.

I have refrained from doing my best 23 until now but can't hold out any longer as I have an hour to kill before going to a schmooze event. Anyway, my best 23 isn't for Round 1, it is what I reckon our best 23 will look like once the cobwebs have blown off and a few of the new guys start to gel. It is a formidable team and has a great balance of speed, aerial power and smart ball users. Some of the selections are based on hope. Example: Reidy as Pitto is a bit slow for my liking.

Cowan, Weitering, Newman
Florent, Dean, Saad
O Hollands, Cripps, Walsh
Ainsworth, Moir, Williams
Hayward, McKay, Evans

Reidy, Hewett, Smith

Cerra, Motlop, Chesser, Haynes, Cotrell

EMERG: B Camporeale, Acres, O'Keefe

TA
 
HereComesJuddy said:
B: Saad Weitering Carroll
HB: Florent Dean Wilson
C: Chesser Cripps OHollands
HF: Ainsworth Harry Smith
FF: Hayward HOK Williams
Foll: Reidy Walsh Cerra
Int Cowan Lord Hewett Moir Evans

Not so sure we would play a team like this but I really like it. So much run in all areas of the park and I think the spark of our youth will be infectious.

- Smith to play more forward than back with plenty of stints in the midfield.

- Moir to get amongst the mids with stints up forward.

- Cowan to play 50/50 midfield / back. Let’s put him around the ball more and watch him come of age.

Honourable mentions: Charleston, BCampo & Ison. Expect these guys to be there abouts. After a chat with a knowledgeable chap yesterday, I think we have some youth on our list ready and raring to go. I especially love our forward types of Hayward, Evans, Ainsworth, Moir, Williams and Jagga. A very nimble, mobile attack group we now have which will trouble plenty of backlines.

A team that’s full of players playing for the jumper is what I want to see in 2026. Quick, exciting, daring are all words I think our team in 2026 will be associated with 💙
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Like it, forward facing, speedy and does away with some conservatism
 
Lachie Cowan - Jacob Weitering - Harry Dean
Nic Newman - Nick Haynes - Ollie Florent

Ollie hollands - George Hewett - Campbell Chesser
Marc Pittonet - Sam Walsh - Patrick Cripps

Ben Ainsworth - Harry McKay - Zac Williams
Ashton Moir - Brodie Kemp - Will Hayward

Adam Cerra - Adam Saad - Motlop - Jagga smith - McGovern .
 

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I am going to have a go at a mid season team. If we have a focus on our run and pace and kicking skills.

Williams is a little left field for wing but the only thing holding him back is question marks about his body. This is about if he is sound enough for it and not on ability. Our other wing options aren't necessarily overwhelming when it comes to kicking and consistency. If he can stay fit, he'd be a good option here with his experience as a half back, half forward and on the ball.

Haynes or Dean? Haynes IMO was unlucky not to win our best and fairest last season, if he is fit he should be there. Dean has time to develop which is important. I am happy for Dean to play reserves and master that and play a few games later like O'Farrell did.

Saad or Newman or Wilson? It's a good question. Saad had a down year and I think that was more about him not having support and playing another role. Should he not be able to pick up his form from a few years ago it will simply open the door to another player. I don't think Carroll is a part of the conversation, I think he stays, pace and kicking plus his defending is really solid.

Ainsworth Kemp Hayward is the best half forward line we have had since Lappin Whitnall Hickmott. It's going to be hard to displace. Byrne to cement his spot? Definitely, we don't have a small forward outside of this team on our list who has what he has and can do. Genuine small forward who is good in air, hard tackler, good overhead and can go into the middle.

Cowan Weitering Haynes
Saad O'Farrell Florent
Chesser Cripps Williams
Ainsworth Kemp Hayward
O'Keeffe McKay Byrne
Reidy Walsh Cerra
Carroll Smith Moir ? ?

Last two spots from:
Lord Dean Motlop McGovern Newman Hewett Wilson Evans Hollands Hollands Acres

Starting to show some decent depth, there are players like Ison and the Camporeales who I haven't put on the list who may well jump on there.
 
Assuming Kemp wont be ready, Harry Dean is too raw but Jagga will be ready & Elijah is given the spot.

FB - Cowan, Weitering, Haynes
HB - Florent, McGovern, Newman
C- Ollie Hollands, Walsh, Chesser
HF- Zac Williams, HOK, Elijah Hollands
FF- Hayward, Harry, Ainsworth
R- Pittonet, Cripps, Cerra
I- Jagga, Hewett, Ison, Lord, Motlop
Emg - Cotterell, Carroll, Acres, Reidy
 
Last edited:
ItsAllAboutMe said:
Assuming Kemp wont be ready, Harry Dean is too raw but Jagga will be ready & Elijah is given the spot.

FB - Cowan, Weitering, Haynes
HB - Florent, McGovern, Newman
C- Ollie Hollands, Walsh, Chesser
HF- Zac Williams, HOK, Elijah Hollands
FF- Hayward, Harry, Ainsworth
R- Pittonet, Cripps, Cerra
I- Jagga, Hewett, McGovern, Lord, Motlop
Emg - Cotterell, Carroll, Acres, Ison.
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I’m assuming McGovern listed twice isn’t a mistake, but we’re bringing Jeremy out of retirement as a SSP pick? I like it.
 
Bamboo Harvester said:
Opening Round:

FB - Cowan, Weitering, Haynes
HB - Florent, Dean, Newman
C- O Hollands, Walsh, Chesser
HF- Williams, McGovern, E Hollands
FF- Hayward, Harry, Ainsworth
R- Pittonet, Cripps, Cerra
I- Jagga, Hewett, Saad, HOK, Moir
Click to expand...
I like it this 23 BUT Cottrell will play whenever he is fully fit .... ppl too often forget how important Cotters actually is ;.. until they see him again lighting it up & setting the tone with his energy & endurance running ... he runs to defend & attack
 
jezzatigerbrent said:
I like it this 23 BUT Cottrell will play whenever he is fully fit .... ppl too often forget how important Cotters actually is ;.. until they see him again lighting it up & setting the tone with his energy & endurance running ... he runs to defend & attack
Click to expand...
Yeah but its been a long time since Cotters has been fit and played well though. Hopefully he gets back to his best, but I think its far from a guarantee and in his position wing/half forward we now have quite a few options, all who probably have higher ceilings than Cotters.
 
I think one of the ways we can improve this season is to have a few more players rotating through the midfield. Our onball group lacks pace and agility and our wings look a little low on pace, kicking skill and general quality there.

One way we can get around this is if we are putting some of our forwards and backs through the midfield more. Motlop, Moir, Williams and perhaps even Florent, Haynes, Cowan and of course Smith. Some of those players have good skill, pace and agility and keeping legs in the middle fresher keeps the pace, agility and all round energy up late in games of those slower less agile players. The extra bench spot is a good opportunity to play an extra utility in my opinion.
 
jezzatigerbrent said:
I like it this 23 BUT Cottrell will play whenever he is fully fit .... ppl too often forget how important Cotters actually is ;.. until they see him again lighting it up & setting the tone with his energy & endurance running ... he runs to defend & attack
Click to expand...
Can see him in the 23 when fit.

I actually like the prospect of Zaccy and Elijah as our high half forwards, both very good users with the ball to deliver into our forward line, something we've been sadly lacking - AND now even more imprtant with our potential smaller more mobile forward setup.

No more hack kick and hope to the forwards please.
 
gbatman said:
I think one of the ways we can improve this season is to have a few more players rotating through the midfield. Our onball group lacks pace and agility and our wings look a little low on pace, kicking skill and general quality there.

One way we can get around this is if we are putting some of our forwards and backs through the midfield more. Motlop, Moir, Williams and perhaps even Florent, Haynes, Cowan and of course Smith. Some of those players have good skill, pace and agility and keeping legs in the middle fresher keeps the pace, agility and all round energy up late in games of those slower less agile players. The extra bench spot is a good opportunity to play an extra utility in my opinion.
Click to expand...

Its probably a result of our midfield make up all being players that are a little one dimensional, and lack the versatility to go and play other positions. Cripps has only just realised he can be a weapon spending minutes forward.. Walsh could be a real weapon if he spent 10 minutes a quarter of half back.. Cerra & Hewett I am not sure have the tricks to move into a different role.
 

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ItsAllAboutMe said:
Its probably a result of our midfield make up all being players that are a little one dimensional, and lack the versatility to go and play other positions. Cripps has only just realised he can be a weapon spending minutes forward.. Walsh could be a real weapon if he spent 10 minutes a quarter of half back.. Cerra & Hewett I am not sure have the tricks to move into a different role.
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For me, I’m over trying to fit everyone in. The midfield isn’t dynamic enough, and we need to be prepared to drop players to address that. The overall team balance is far more important than shoehorning individuals into the side.
 
FB - Cowan, Weitering, Dean
HB - Florent, Haynes, Newman
C - Hollands, Walsh, Chesser
HF - Williams, McKay, Moir
FF - Hayward, Kemp, Ainsworth
R - Reid, Cripps, Cerra
I- Jagga, Hewett, Frankie, Saad, Wilson

Bold - didn’t play 2025

A mix or future, stability, maturity, leadership and experience.
 
ItsAllAboutMe said:
Its probably a result of our midfield make up all being players that are a little one dimensional, and lack the versatility to go and play other positions. Cripps has only just realised he can be a weapon spending minutes forward.. Walsh could be a real weapon if he spent 10 minutes a quarter of half back.. Cerra & Hewett I am not sure have the tricks to move into a different role.
Click to expand...
Cripps had moments early 2022 where he was regularly going forward and impacting. Then we stopped doing it. Cerra could possibly play wing but that means he doesn't go into the middle. Hewett is onball only. We become too slow and too immobile without Walsh in the middle and when he is there, he's targeted as he's our only quick and threatening player in the middle. It's a tricky one for us. I think we are one quick, A grade onballer away from having a very good midfield.

I am still adamant that something has to give out of Cripps, Hewett, Cerra etc trade wise and we need to land a big fish for in there. Walker and Smith can develop on wings and flanks.

Outside pace and talent is looking good. Inside pace and talent is a big middle of the road. Beating Carlton will still be all about negating and blocking Walsh.

I think to get around that, we need to have a group who rotate through there. Then we land Walker plus another.
 
gbatman said:
Cripps had moments early 2022 where he was regularly going forward and impacting. Then we stopped doing it. Cerra could possibly play wing but that means he doesn't go into the middle. Hewett is onball only. We become too slow and too immobile without Walsh in the middle and when he is there, he's targeted as he's our only quick and threatening player in the middle. It's a tricky one for us. I think we are one quick, A grade onballer away from having a very good midfield.

I am still adamant that something has to give out of Cripps, Hewett, Cerra etc trade wise and we need to land a big fish for in there. Walker and Smith can develop on wings and flanks.

Outside pace and talent is looking good. Inside pace and talent is a big middle of the road. Beating Carlton will still be all about negating and blocking Walsh.

I think to get around that, we need to have a group who rotate through there. Then we land Walker plus another.
Click to expand...
Ainsworth, Williams, Moir and Jagga should add some zip to our midfield when they rotate through there. We just need to pray the coaching staff find the right balance when the 3 big boys bashing their opponents isn't working.
 
We have Hewett and Cripps almost permanently in the midfield which is why playing Cerra or Lord alongside them becomes problematic. There's a reason clubs are less and less interested in drafting "big bodied midfielders". Having too many of them is a death sentence. Something Voss has been VERY slow to work out although I'm sure he did try as much as he could to push Cripps forward last season.

Most clubs look for speedy wingers and flankers to graduate from those positions to the midfield and have max 1 slower big bodied mid. Dawson, Heeney, Daicos, Butters, Rozee, McLuggage, etc. all started as speedy outside flankers. Ollie Wines got pushed right out 12 months after winning a Brownlow. Matt Crouch got dropped.

We don't seem to prioritize speed in the midfield at all.

A fit Walsh is important. And without wanting to put pressure on him Jagga too could be transformative. If we end the season with Walsh and Jagga as our almost permanent presence in the midfield with one other player rotating around them (usually Cripps) we'll be in a good spot.
 

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tarczonandjane said:
I agree that it would be ideal if Cripps could move forward. But his late growth spurt in the under 18s meant that he never developed there, and he doesn’t have the craft for it. So I am sceptical. But I don’t disagree that it would work out well if he could develop the skill set.
Click to expand...
Criips reads the play very well. Knows how to get to the right spots and you simply have to put someone good on him... or he will punish you - as a mid or as a forward.

Even useful as a diversion/distraction frankly.
 
JuddgementDay said:
This is hard, but I'll give it a go...

B: Lachie Cowan - Jacob Weitering - Harry Dean
HB: Nic Newman - Nick Haynes - Ollie Florent

C: Ollie Hollands - George Hewett - Campbell Chesser
Foll: Marc Pittonet - Sam Walsh - Patrick Cripps

HF: Ben Ainsworth - Hudson O'Keeffe - Zac Williams
F: Ashton Moir - Harry McKay - Will Hayward

Int: Adam Cerra - Adam Saad - Jesse Motlop - Jagga Smith - Mitch McGovern

E: Boyd, C.Lord, Cottrell
Click to expand...
reckon the ruck from Freo will be our #1 ruckman by Rd 1 next year.
 
A fit Walsh and Smith transform our midfield - much for the better - instantly.

throw in some cameos from the likes of Ainsworth and Cerra moving (again) considerably faster than a snail, things looks pretty good.

Reckon many will be pleasantly surprised by the express zip Chesser brings to the 22 too. Not to mention he's a tough young fella!

He'd be comfortably our quickest over 50-200m.
 
Crazyjoedevolamk11 said:
Didn't Hewett just win our B&F & Cerra finish 3rd? 🤔 All of this depth we seem to have on the list is really going to make selection tough and pressure on performance to hold your spot is just what we have craved for years!!
Click to expand...
Really highlights how poor our 2025 season was, individually and collectively if Cez can finish third, TDK 6th , Hollands 7th, and guys like Williams, Saad and JSOS make top 10...

1765826468087.png
 
I would like Walsh to be more Bradley like, receive and deliver.
Ratten and Williams were not quick but were great at getting out of traffic to handball to a runner or deliver inside 50.

Cripps needs to dish quicker and not try to bust tackles and go for runs as often. Hewett looks to dish quicker than Cripps and that is what an inside bull should be doing IMO.
 
teddy-hopkins said:
We have Hewett and Cripps almost permanently in the midfield which is why playing Cerra or Lord alongside them becomes problematic. There's a reason clubs are less and less interested in drafting "big bodied midfielders". Having too many of them is a death sentence. Something Voss has been VERY slow to work out although I'm sure he did try as much as he could to push Cripps forward last season.

Most clubs look for speedy wingers and flankers to graduate from those positions to the midfield and have max 1 slower big bodied mid. Dawson, Heeney, Daicos, Butters, Rozee, McLuggage, etc. all started as speedy outside flankers. Ollie Wines got pushed right out 12 months after winning a Brownlow. Matt Crouch got dropped.

We don't seem to prioritize speed in the midfield at all.

A fit Walsh is important. And without wanting to put pressure on him Jagga too could be transformative. If we end the season with Walsh and Jagga as our almost permanent presence in the midfield with one other player rotating around them (usually Cripps) we'll be in a good spot.
Click to expand...
Agree with this, and I think George Hewett's form has made the tough decision even harder to make but IMO if we want to move forward as a side George probably ends up playing VFL or at best rotates off the bench
 

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