2026 AFL line-ups: Way-too-early predicted teams for West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers in round one

Now that both WA clubs’ playing lists are sorted, who’s in line to take to the field once the season begins next March? Here’s an early crack at what West Coast and Freo’s line-ups could look like for Round 1. FREMANTLE (to play Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, Saturday March 14) B: Luke Ryan, Brennan Cox, Heath Chapman HB: Judd McVee, Alex Pearce, Jordan Clark C: Matt Johnson, Hayden Young, Neil Erasmus HF: Shai Bolton, Patrick Voss, Murphy Reid F: Jye Amiss, Josh Treacy, Sam Switkowski R: Luke Jackson, Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw IC: Sean Darcy, Michael Frederick, Karl Worner, Jaeger O’Meara, Nathan O’Driscoll It’s reasonable to assume Freo won’t be making a raft of changes to the line-up that came within a kick of a semifinal berth in September. Melbourne recruit Judd McVee slots into the defensive unit as the prospective sole newcomer who wasn’t on the Dockers’ list last season, with Bailey Banfield the most likely man to be squeezed out. Sam Switkowski and Matt Johnson loom as the two other additions to the side that lost to Gold Coast in their finals opener. Switkowski replaces Isaiah Dudley, while Johnson adds to Fremantle’s midfield flexibility as the retired Nat Fyfe makes way. As well as Banfield and Dudley, the likes of Brandon Walker, Corey Wagner and Cooper Simpson will be leading the charge to press their case for selection for the enviable task of taking on the Cats in Geelong to open the new season. WEST COAST (to play Gold Coast at People First Stadium, Sunday March 15) B: Brady Hough, Harry Edwards, Brandon Starcevich HB: Tom McCarthy, Tylar Young, Reuben Ginbey C: Liam Duggan, Elijah Hewett, Willem Duursma HF: Jack Graham, Jobe Shanahan, Liam Baker F: Archer Reid, Jake Waterman, Jamie Cripps R: Matt Flynn, Harley Reid, Elliot Yeo IC: Tim Kelly, Bo Allan, Deven Robertson, Tyler Brockman, Cooper Duff-Tytler Unsurprisingly, this team is significantly harder to predict than Fremantle’s as the one-win Eagles eye a string of changes. Just 11 players who featured in West Coast’s season-ending loss to Sydney feature in the above line-up. No.1 draft pick Willem Duursma is likely to follow in the footsteps of fellow top selection Harley Reid and debut in round one, while No.4 selection Cooper Duff-Tytler will look to join him. Fellow first-rounder Josh Lindsay is also set to be in the mix but might be given time to build in the WAFL first. Recruits Brandon Starcevich and Tylar Young appear set to go straight away, with a spot seemingly up for grabs in the middle of the ground for Deven Robertson. There’s a close watch on what roles the likes of Liam Duggan, Tom McCarthy and Bo Allan will be tasked with across the pre-season ahead of slotting into the 23, with a potential flow-on effect to other players. Tyrell Dewar, Tom Cole, Bailey Williams, Jack Hutchinson, Jack Williams, Hamish Davis and Noah Long will be among those staking their claim for spots over summer.