{"id":396118,"date":"2026-01-06T21:38:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T21:38:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/396118\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T21:38:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T21:38:12","slug":"selecting-every-afl-teams-best-23-for-2026-fremantle-dockers-afl-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/396118\/","title":{"rendered":"Selecting every AFL team\u2019s best 23 for 2026: Fremantle Dockers – AFL News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Fremantle looks primed for a tilt at the premiership given the demographic and depth of its list, with All-Australian quality littered across every line.<\/p>\n

The Dockers didn’t have the busiest off-season, instead mostly relying on a squad that took them to September while being one of the youngest in the competition in 2025.<\/p>\n

Another pre-season under the belt of their emerging crop, as well as heightened competition at selection, should see Justin Longmuir<\/a> lead one of the best lists in the league this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

With that in mind, let’s take a look at Fremantle’s best 23 for the 2026 season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Defenders<\/p>\n

Known for their strong rearguard, the Dockers’ defence only grew stronger over the off-season with the addition of Melbourne youngster Judd McVee<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How Longmuir looks to use McVee will be interesting, with his ability as a lockdown asset on small forwards potentially freeing up the likes of Jordan Clark<\/a>, Brandon Walker<\/a> or Heath Chapman<\/a> to play with more freedom further up the field. However, McVee, too, could roll up onto the wing or act as a midfield tagger at his new club.<\/p>\n

Clark, Walker and Chapman, as well as Karl Worner<\/a>, join McVee and veteran defender Luke Ryan<\/a> as the distributing options out of the backline, with Fremantle possessing a number of elite kicks that will look to open up the game from the back half.<\/p>\n

Ryan, who has been one of the game’s best interceptors, is also part of Fremantle’s aerial threat formation on the last line, complementing captain Alex Pearce<\/a> and Brennan Cox<\/a> as the names to shut down opposition key forwards.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"ALAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA – JULY 13: Luke Ryan of the Dockers kicks the ball during the 2024 AFL Round 18 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Fremantle Dockers at the UTAS Stadium on July 13, 2024 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson\/AFL Photos via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Young tall Josh Draper will look for more action in that area after a quieter second season, with Hugh Davies<\/a> and Ollie Murphy<\/a> other key defenders who have had limited or no exposure.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bailey Banfield<\/a> showed good signs in his switch to defence last year and could continue in a similar role, with his range of roles a helping hand in Longmuir’s plans.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cooper Simpson<\/a> also switched to defence in 2025 and showed some promise as a rebounder before injury struck.<\/p>\n


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