Best 23 in 2026?

[Andyy]

Gunna start by saying Broady is a favorite and been a great servant.

I have to ask though should he have retired this year.
Could have - yes, should have - no. Just my 2c. Doesn't mean he has to play 20+ games in 2026. He might have to transition to depth this year unfortunately.

I ask simply because of where our general defenders are at.

First off Luke Trainor. Future KPD but should be playing third tall until the real size and strength comes. Third tall is potentially a role Broad plays.
Priority one for me is getting games into Trainor in a tall role where he belongs.
Broady should be playing small if he can still run fast enough. Honestly though we are very top heavy if we're going with Miller, Balta, Gibcus, Trainor, Broad, Brown etc

Then there is Broads main role general defender plays one v one well, provides a bit of rebound and can intercept mark.He can play on talls and smalls.

We have a bloke in Tom Brown who is 22 who has just got to 42 games and he is tracking well in that role, would like a bit more offense from him but he is building.
Do we try Brown forward maybe? Bloke has a serious leg on him.

We also have a general defender called Nick Vlastuin who is probably the first defender picked every week.
Thankfully we didn't trade this legend out like someone else suggested LOL

There is only six spots in a back line so obviously our kpd's will be two of Miller, Balta and Gibbo. Vlastuin makes three automatic selections.. Trainor and Brown make 5 if they are to be developed in their best roles.
It still leaves us fitting in highly likely Grlj as a running hb and Banks in the old Short role.
Is Grlj really a HBF or are we just talking about HBF until he's big enough to play inside? I was under the impression he can play as a pacey extractor

For the roles Broady plays for us and given where those coming thru are at and not to forget We do have likely replacements for him in a period of rebuild. I am asking the question should he play in front of those mentioned.

I hate leaving him out of our best 23, but the back half does have its share of experienced players, the main reason why Nathan would get picked.
Imo its time to give Brown Broads role. We need to develop Trainor out of the back half as our y Grimes type third  tall who can play kpd but can be effective as a general defender on smaller types if needed.

This is not a disrespectful go at Broady, its  good to have him around the place with so many kids. But i keep asking what is best for us and i think playing both Trainor and Brown in the backhalf is the way to go.

[one-eyed]

According to yesterday's HeraldSun:

PREDICTED​ BEST​ 23​

B:   N. Balta​       J. Gibcus​            B. Miller​

HB:  J. Short​      N. Vlastuin​         S. Banks​

C:   L. Trainor​       J. Ross​             S. Lalor​

HF: T. Hotton​       S. Lalor​            J. Faull​

F:  R. Mansell​    S. Campbell​        T. Lynch​

R: T. Nankervis​   T. Taranto​         J. Hopper​

Int: N. Broad​   T. Brown​   D. Prestia​   S. Green​      S. Cumming​

Source: HeraldSun




The dopes have named Lalor twice .

[Andyy]

Terrible team.

Trainor on the wing has already failed.
Lalor on the opposing wing is stupid.
Ross in the centre is poor, he should be spending lots of time in the VFL.
Mansell same as Ross.

[mightytiges]

Terrible team.

Trainor on the wing has already failed.
Lalor on the opposing wing is stupid.
Ross in the centre is poor, he should be spending lots of time in the VFL.
Mansell same as Ross.

It would make more sense to swap Banks and Trainor, Ross and Lalor, and add Armstrong at HF. Don't see Shorty playing off HB either. Based on preseason so far, Alger or Maurice would be ahead of Green on the bench.

[Andyy]

Terrible team.

Trainor on the wing has already failed.
Lalor on the opposing wing is stupid.
Ross in the centre is poor, he should be spending lots of time in the VFL.
Mansell same as Ross.

It would make more sense to swap Banks and Trainor, Ross and Lalor, and add Armstrong at HF. Don't see Shorty playing off HB either. Based on preseason so far, Alger or Maurice would be ahead of Green on the bench.

smash like button

[one-eyed]

HeraldSun have updated their Best 23 for us by putting Hugo on a wing.


Source: HeraldSun

[one-eyed]

Selecting every AFL team’s best 23 for 2026: Richmond Tigers

Patrick Parnell
zerohanger.com
January 15, 2026

With some pundits predicting a winless season for the Tigers in 2025, a five-win campaign was considered a success given the youthful state of their list.

After a huge draft haul in 2024 with a record six first-round picks, the Tigers added another two first-rounders in 2025 in Sam Cumming (Pick 7) and Sam Grlj (Pick 8 ).

Following their golden era, which spanned from 2017 to 2020, the Tigers will aim to continue building their next premiership side in 2026. This is what their best 23 in 2026 might look like...

Defenders

Josh Gibcus remains central to the Tigers' defensive future. After a horror run with injury early in his career, his intercept marking and athleticism mean he could be a long-term pillar down back. 195cm intercepting defender Luke Trainor also looks to be a long-term prospect for the Tigers after featuring 21 times in his debut season.

Noah Balta is capable of playing at either end of the ground, but when deployed down back he has proven he can match it with the competition's best forwards. Ben Miller has emerged as a dependable key defender after featuring in every game in 2025.

Nick Vlastuin remains the backbone of the Tigers' back six. The experienced premiership defender is brave and reliable, combining his intercept game with the ability to shut down quality opponents. Nathan Broad continues to be trusted with difficult roles, while youngster Tom Brown adds composure and class with his elite ball use.

Midfielders

Tim Taranto remains the Tigers' prime mover in the midfield after claiming the 2025 best and fairest in a difficult season. His ability to win contested footy and hit the scoreboard makes him Richmond's most influential midfielder.

Dion Prestia remains a crucial figure when fit. The premiership midfielder has battled injury in recent seasons, but at his best still brings class and experience. Jacob Hopper continues to provide the midfield with a tough, uncompromising edge, excelling in the contest and at clearance.

Jack Ross enjoyed a career-best campaign in 2025 and has earned greater trust from Adem Yze on the inside, emerging as a reliable midfield option. Josh Smillie is yet to make his AFL debut due to injury, but his size and athleticism make him one of the club's most exciting midfield prospects.

James Trezise offers flexibility as both a wingman and rebounding defender, with his neat left foot and running capacity proving effective. Hugo Ralphsmith remains on the fringe and will be eager to cement a permanent wing role in 2026, while draftee Sam Grlj could also feature on the outside for the Tigers with his speed and running power.

Youngster Kane McAuliffe, who endured limited opportunity in 2025, will look to build on his 14 games as a powerful inside presence. Patrick Retschko arrives from Geelong as a hard-running utility, while Tyler Sonsie's talent is obvious, but he must deliver greater consistency at AFL level to lock down a spot.

Toby Nankervis continues to lead the group as captain and first-choice ruck. His physicality and stoppage work remain crucial to Richmond's midfield, while Samson Ryan and category B rookie Oliver Hayes-Brown provide ruck depth, with the latter unlikely to feature unless injury strikes.

Forwards

Tom Lynch remains the leader of the Tigers' forward line. The premiership key forward continues to provide a reliable focal point inside 50, with his experience crucial in guiding a young group.

The Tigers' next generation of tall targets is beginning to emerge. Harry Armstrong and Jonty Faull, both first-round selections, are expected to start in the best 23 and could form a formidable long-term partnership. Further developing options Liam Fawcett and Thomas Sims will likely continue their development at state league level before consistent senior opportunities arise.

Sam Lalor looms as potentially the most exciting Richmond prospect since Dustin Martin. The 2024 No.1 pick showed glimpses of his enormous potential in 2025, with his explosiveness, aerial ability and capacity to pinch-hit through the midfield giving the Tigers a genuine weapon.

Mykelti Lefau, after being cruelled by injury, shapes as another X-factor. His athleticism and natural goal sense were evident in 2024, and he could force his way into the best 23 by season's end if he can stay injury-free.

Rhyan Mansell leads Richmond's small forwards with his elite front-half pressure, while fellow Seth Campbell was the club's leading goalkicker in 2025. Draftee Sam Cumming could join the pair in the front half, where his power at ground level and overhead marking could prove an asset. Jasper Alger, Maurice Rioli, Steely Green and Taj Hotton provide further small-forward depth.

Best 23

FB: Nick Vlastuin, Noah Balta, Tom Brown

HB: Sam Banks, Ben Miller, Jayden Short

C: Luke Trainor, Dion Prestia, James Trezise

HF: Seth Campbell, Tom Lynch, Taj Hotton

FF: Rhyan Mansell, Jonty Faull, Sam Lalor

FO: Toby Nankervis, Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto

I/C: Nathan Broad, Jack Ross, Josh Gibcus, Harry Armstrong, Sam Cumming


Stiff to miss: Josh Smillie, Sam Grlj, Hugo Ralphsmith, Maurice Rioli, Jasper Alger, Mykelti Lefau

https://www.zerohanger.com/selecting-every-afl-teams-best-23-for-2026-richmond-tigers-172084/4/