Best 23s: Blockbuster trade fills the biggest void in the AFL

The trade period and draft are done and lists are for the most part finalised, with the exception of a couple of supplemental selection period slots. 

With all that information now in, we have a decent idea what every team will look like in 2026, barring summer breakouts or injuries.

We've gone through all 18 AFL teams to compile their best 23s – obviously with five on the bench now, the best 22 is officially dead. 

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One thing to note is we have not included any players out with significant long term injuries, including GWS pair Darcy Jones and Josh Kelly, Essendon defender Nic Martin and Carlton defender Harry O'Farrell, among others. 

ADELAIDE

FB: M. Michalanney, M. Keane, J. Worrell

HB: M. Hinge, N. Murray, W. Milera

C: J. Peatling, J. Soligo, I. Cumming

HF: C. Ah Chee, D. Fogarty, A. Neal-Bullen

FF: T. Walker, R. Thilthorpe, J. Rachele

FOL: R. O'Brien, J. Dawson, I. Rankine

INT: S. Draper, D. Curtin, S. Berry, R. Laird, B. Keays

STRENGTH: The firepower of this Adelaide forward mix is as good as any team in the competition. Especially with the addition of Callum Ah Chee, another reliable role player to work alongside emerging superstars like Riley Thilthorpe and Izak Rankine.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: The minor premiers still lack depth in their midfield for the most part. They hoped to add Christian Petracca in the trade period, but that fell through. The emergence of their 2024 top draftee, Sam Draper, might help in that department.

BRISBANE

FB: R. Lester, H. Andrews, D. Wilmot

HB: K. Coleman, J. Payne, D. Zorko

C: L. Ashcroft, J. Dunkley, H. McCluggage

HF: Z. Bailey, L. Morris, C. Rayner

FF: C. Cameron, O. Allen, K. Lohmann

FOL: S. Draper, L. Neale, W. Ashcroft

INT: E. Hipwood, J. Berry, D. Annable, J. Fletcher, N. Answerth

STRENGTH: Is it fair to just say 'everything'? It's not just the additions of Oscar Allen and Sam Draper to sure up key position slots, and a top draftee in Daniel Annable, it's returning stars like Jack Payne, Keidean Coleman, Eric Hipwood and more who didn't even feature in the grand final win. This is the best list in the competition and it's stronger than ever.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: They just won a premiership without an established key forward and without their full back. Their midfield is the deepest in the league. You could maybe say their ruck depth is questionable with Draper coming off an Achilles and Darcy Fort being 32 … maybe.

CARLTON

FB: L. Cowan, J. Weitering, N. Haynes

HB: N. Newman, H. Dean, O. Hollands

C: J. Smith, P. Cripps, M. Cottrell

HF: Z. Williams, W. Hayward, B. Ainsworth

FF: J. Motlop, H. McKay, A. Moir

FOL: M. Pittonet, S. Walsh, G. Hewett

INT: O. Florent, A. Cerra, C. Lord, A. Saad, F. Evans

STRENGTH: It's a fresh looking Carlton side going into 2026, with a handful of new faces on top of exciting youngsters who might change the vibe after a tough year. They're a deeper side than last year across the board, which should make them a bit more consistent.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Without Charlie Curnow, a lot now rests on the shoulders of Harry McKay. They lack a secondary key forward on their list, particularly with Brodie Kemp coming off a torn Achilles. They will hope Harry Dean can fill the void in defence as well, but that group also looks shaky.

COLLINGWOOD

FB: B. Maynard, D. Moore, J. Howe

HB: D. Houston, B. Frampton, J. Daicos

C: S. Sidebottom, J. Crisp, P. Lipinski

HF: B. McCreery, T. Membrey, J. De Goey

FF: J. Elliott, D. McStay, B. Hill

FOL: D. Cameron, N. Daicos, S. Pendlebury

INT: L. Schultz, H. Perryman, I. Quaynor, N. Long, H. Harrison

STRENGTH: Their best 23 is incredibly strong on paper, as they showed for the majority of the 2025 season. If they can stay healthy and pace their veterans, they will remain very difficult to beat. Their defensive group can dominate in the air and with rebound.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Without Brody Mihocek and Mason Cox, the Pies are lacking key forward depth on their list and asking a lot of the undersized Tim Membrey and injury prone Dan McStay. They'll hope Jack Buller and Charlie West can be big factors in 2026.

ESSENDON

FB: J. Ridley, B. McKay, A. McGrath

HB: M. Redman, Z. Reid, J. Farrow

C: A. Roberts, J. Caldwell, X. Duursma

HF: M. Guelfi, N. Caddy, B. Fiorini

FF: I. Kako, P. Wright, K. Langford

FOL: N. Bryan, Z. Merrett, S. Durham

INT: L. Blakiston, J. Gresham, D. Parish, S. Robey, H. Jones

STRENGTH: If they can actually keep this group healthy, they bat quite deep in the midfield and have quite a solid defensive core with some speed off the flanks. Keeping Zach Merrett helps and there's a growing group of young talent that is worth getting excited about.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Not having Nic Martin in 2026 hurts as this team needs all the star power it can get around a decent crop of role players. The ruck department is also a big question mark, pending Nick Bryan's return from a torn ACL.

FREMANTLE

FB: L. Ryan, A. Pearce, J. McVee

HB: J. Clark, B. Cox, H. Chapman

C: N. O'Driscoll, A. Brayshaw, N. Erasmus

HF: M. Reid, P. Voss, S. Bolton

FF: L. Jackson, J. Treacy, S. Switkowski

FOL: S. Darcy, C. Serong, H. Young

INT: J. Amiss, J. Draper, M. Frederick, K. Worner, J. O'Meara

STRENGTH: They certainly don't lack for talls between the starting ruckmen in Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson and the trio of key forwards in Josh Treacy, Jye Amiss and Patrick Voss. The Dockers have everything they need there.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: This team doesn't want for much if they can find a bit more luck on the injury front in 2026. The midfield looks strong on paper, but depth behind the big three remains a bit of a question mark.

GEELONG

FB: C. O'Sullivan, J. Henry, Z. Guthrie

HB: L. Humphries, S. De Koning, T. Stewart

C: O. Dempsey, J. Worpel, B. Smith

HF: P. Dangerfield, J. Cameron, S. Mannagh

FF: T. Stengle, S. Neale, G. Miers

FOL: R. Stanley, M. Holmes, T. Atkins

INT: M. Blicavs, B. Close, J. Bowes, T. Bruhn, O. Mullin

STRENGTH: The Cats have the best group of attacking mid-forward weapons in the competition, with Ollie Dempsey, Bailey Smith, Shaun Mannagh, Gryan Miers coupled with Max Holmes and Patrick Dangerfield and the returning Tanner Bruhn.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: After failing to secure Rowan Marshall in the trade period, Geelong's ruck stocks do not look particularly enticing with 35-year-old Rhys Stanley and the injury prone Toby Conway. This is a big red flag for a premiership contender.

GOLD COAST

FB: B. Uwland, S. Collins, M. Andrew

HB: D. Patterson, C. Ballard, D. Rioli

C: A. Davies, C. Petracca, T. Miller

HF: B. Humphrey, J. Walter, Z. Uwland

FF: B. Long, B. King, E. Read

FOL: J. Witts, N. Anderson, M. Rowell

INT: W. Powell, J. Farrar, L. Weller, J. Noble, W. Graham

STRENGTH: Adding Christian Petracca and top draftee Zeke Uwland to an already top quality midfield unit makes the Suns incredibly dangerous next season. They might just challenge Brisbane for the best list in the competition if these draftees are as good as they seem.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: They shed a lot of depth and role players in order to bring in this loaded draft hand, meaning they will be relying on them pretty early on. Who knows what they get from Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, but he is a cherry on top at this point.

GWS GIANTS

FB: H. Himmelberg, S. Taylor, C. Idun

HB: L. Ash, J. Buckley, L. Whitfield

C: T. Bedford, C. Oliver, S. Coniglio

HF: B. Daniels, A. Cadman, C. Brown

FF: T. Greene, J. Hogan, J. Stringer

FOL: K. Briggs, T. Green, F. Callaghan

INT: L. Aleer, X. O'Halloran, J. Riccardi, R. Angwin, H. Thomas

STRENGTH: The Giants have one of the best defensive groups in the AFL, particularly after holding onto rising key defender Leek Aleer. Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley have become as good as any lockdown defensive combo, while Connor Idun remains underrated.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Clayton Oliver adds some much needed depth on-ball, but not having Josh Kelly for most of 2026 offsets that somewhat. They're asking a lot of Tom Green and Finn Callaghan in particular.

HAWTHORN

FB: B. Hardwick, T. Barrass, J. Sicily

HB: J. Weddle, J. Battle, J. Scrimshaw

C: M. D'Ambrosio, J. Newcombe, J. Impey

HF: J. Ginnivan, C. Dear, D. Moore

FF: J. Gunston, M. Chol, N. Watson

FOL: L. Meek, W. Day, J. Ward

INT: K. Amon, C. Nash, C. MacDonald, C. Mackenzie, H. Morrison

STRENGTH: Another elite defensive group, Tom Barrass and Josh Battle have made this Hawthorn backline quite formidable. Josh Weddle is one of the competition's fastest rising stars and could break out fully in 2026 across half back or anywhere on the field.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Not landing Zach Merrett in the trade period leaves this midfield unit a bit thin. Will Day is coming off a significant foot injury and the likes of Josh Ward and Cam Mackenzie aren't at the top level yet. They feel a star midfielder short of premiership contention.

MELBOURNE

FB: X. Taylor, S. May, D. Turner

HB: J. Bowey, J. Lever, T. Rivers

C: X. Lindsay, J. Viney, C. Windsor

HF: K. Chandler, B. Mihocek, B. Fritsch

FF: L. Pickett, J. Van Rooyen, H. Petty

FOL: M. Gawn, K. Pickett, H. Langford

INT: J. Steele, J. Melksham, C. Salem, T. Sparrow, E. Langdon

STRENGTH: The Dees have a lot of exciting young players to build around in this new era, which immediately stands out in this best side. Young midfielders Langford, Windsor and Lindsay will help shape a new unit with more pace and run than the previous starters.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: How will this backline hold up across a season? They're clearly hoping to move on from Steven May, but they don't have a heap of size down back without him unless someone breaks out. Taylor will need time to find his feet at AFL level as well.

NORTH MELBOURNE

FB: J. Archer, G. Logue, T. Pink

HB: C. McKercher, C. Comben, R. Hardeman

C: J. Simpkin, G. Wardlaw, T. Powell

HF: L. Parker, J. Darling, P. Curtis

FF: L. Dovatson, N. Larkey, C. Zurhaar

FOL: T. Xerri, H. Sheezel, L. Davies-Uniacke

INT: Z. Duursma, F. O'Sullivan, C. Harvey, D. Stephens, C. Trembath

STRENGTH: If they can keep Wardlaw healthy, the midfield group ticks a lot of boxes on paper. They have three genuine stars in there and one of the best ruckmen in the competition. Simpkin, Powell, Parker and McKercher provide great depth. Time to put the pieces all together.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: It's still difficult to trust this defensive group. Charlie Comben looks like a quality intercept marking defender and Jackson Archer has shown a lot of promise, but they will be hoping for someone like Matt Whitlock or Wil Dawson to snare a spot back there this season.

PORT ADELAIDE

FB: K. Farrell, A. Aliir, J. Sinn

HB: J. Burgoyne, E. Ratugolea, C. Rozee

C: M. Bergman, W. Drew, O. Wines

HF: J. Lukosius, O. Lord, J. Berry

FF: D. Byrne-Jones, M. Georgiades, J. Richards

FOL: J. Sweet, Z. Butters, J. Horne-Francis

INT: L. Jones, T. Marshall, J. Wehr, C. Moraes, C. Durdin

STRENGTH: It's hard to argue against the calibre of the Port Adelaide midfield group. Few teams boast multiple match winning players like Butters, Horne-Francis and Rozee can be at their best, while Bergman is a player on the rise as well and Drew handles the grunt work.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: The lack of depth beyond a few stars is stark and speaks to where the list is at coming off an extended run in the top eight. They lack potency up forward outside of Georgiades and might have to play Horne-Francis forward to kick winning scores.

RICHMOND

FB: J. Gibcus, B. Miller, N. Vlastuin

HB: J. Short, N. Balta, S. Banks

C: S. Grlj, T. Taranto, L. Trainor

HF: J. Hopper, H. Armstrong, T. Hotton

FF: J. Faull, T. Lynch, S. Campbell

FOL: T. Nankervis, S. Lalor, D. Prestia

INT: T. Brown, N. Broad, S. Cumming, J. Ross, R. Mansell

STRENGTH: Potentially the hardest best 23 to predict this off-season given the sheer quantity of young talent the Tigers have accumulated across the last two years. No team boasts as many top draft picks at the start of their careers and the key will be putting enough veteran bodies around them to protect them.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Having so many youngsters is their strength, but it will also impact their ability to perform consistently across the season. The forward line in particular will take time to find its feet given the young key forwards coupled with Tom Lynch in the final stage of his career.

ST KILDA

FB: A. Tauru, C. Wilkie, L. Stocker

HB: J. Sinclair, J. Silvagni, B. Hill

C: D. Wilson, M. Windhager, M. Wood

HF: M. Phillipou, C. Sharman, M. Hall

FF: J. Higgins, M. King, R. Marshall

FOL: T. De Koning, N. Wanganeen-Milera, S. Flanders

INT: M. Owens, J. Macrae, L. Ryan, H. Garcia, T. Travaglia

STRENGTH: The Saints splashed in the trade period to bolster their best side, and they have certainly given themselves the best ruck combo in the game with De Koning and Marshall, Silvagni gives their backline an extra tall it has needed and allows Tauru to develop alongside two veterans.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: The forward line is still somewhat hard to trust, particularly given Max King has barely featured at AFL level for multiple seasons now. Behind him, they'd be relying on Marshall or De Koning to hit the scoreboard, and neither are genuine key forwards.

SYDNEY

FB: D. Rampe, T. McCartin, S. Wicks

HB: N. Blakey, L. Melican, C. Mills

C: J. Jordon, I. Heeney, E. Gulden

HF: J. McInerney, J. Amartey, J. Dattoli

FF: T. Papley, C. Curnow, H. McLean

FOL: B. Grundy, C. Warner, J. Rowbottom

INT: B. Campbell, J. Lloyd, M. Roberts, A. Sheldrick, J. Serong

STRENGTH: Charlie Curnow fills the biggest void in footy and that's the full forward slot for the Swans. A team that would feel like it had everything else it needed, now has its spearhead inside 50 as well to make use of its elite midfield group.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: The backline remains somewhat questionable, though Jai Serong could emerge as the solution. Rampe will turn 36 next year, while McCartin and Melican will have to hold up once again as key defensive pillars.

WEST COAST

FB: W. Duursma, H. Edwards, B. Starcevich

HB: J. Lindsay, R. Ginbey, T. McCarthy

C: L. Duggan, H. Reid, B. Hough

HF: E. Hewett, J. Shanahan, T. Brockman

FF: C. Duff-Tytler, J. Waterman, J. Cripps

FOL: A. Reid, L. Baker, J. Graham

INT: T. Kelly, E. Yeo, B. Williams, T. Young, R. Maric

STRENGTH: With the additions of Duursma, Starcevich and Lindsay the Eagles have added significant depth to their run and carry stocks off half back and through the wings, particularly when you factor in McCarthy, who finished the year strong. If they can keep their best group healthy, they have a lot to work with across the board.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: Who will emerge as the team's key defenders in 2026? They have options, including Harry Edwards, Sandy Brock and Tylar Young, but someone is going to have to grab the spot and until then it's hard to know who to trust.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

FB: C. Budarick, R. Lobb, L. Bramble

HB: B. Dale, J. O'Donnell, B. Williams

C: J. Freijah, T. Liberatore, R. Sanders

HF: M. Kennedy, A. Naughton, L. Vandermeer

FF: C. Weightman, S. Darcy, R. West

FOL: T. English, M. Bontempelli, E. Richards

INT: A. Treloar, J. Croft, S. Davidson, R. Garcia, J. Harmes

STRENGTH: The Bulldogs' midfield continues to add more layers, with the emergence of Richards and Freijah coupled with Kennedy joining the club in 2025. They will hope Adam Treloar can get back to his best, while a Sanders breakout would be another weapon alongside Bontempelli and Liberatore.

NEEDS IMPROVEMENT: The Dogs tried desperately to add a star key defender to their list in the trade period, but ultimately came up short. With Liam Jones gone, that is the position of most concern for them in 2026. Can O'Donnell or Jedd Busslinger step up and support Lobb?