Who would pick up a coveted AFL All-Australian blazer if our three footy writers, Jake Michaels, Matt Walsh, and Jarryd Barca had their way? The 2026 season has concluded, so here's our final 23.
ESPN's final All-Australian team for 2026:
FB: Jarman Impey (HAW), Harris Andrews (BRIS), Callum Wilkie (STK)
HB: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (STK), Aliir Aliir (PA), Jordan Dawson (ADE)
C: Bailey Smith (GEE), Marcus Bontempelli (WB), Ollie Dempsey (GEE)
HF: Kysaiah Pickett (MEL), Josh Treacy (FRE), Harry Sheezel (NM)
FF: Logan Morris (BRIS), Charlie Curnow (SYD), Nick Watson (HAW)
R: Max Gawn (c) (MEL), Nick Daicos (COL), Will Ashcroft (BRIS)
I/C: Luke Jackson (FRE), Clayton Oliver (GWS), Izak Rankine (ADE), Zak Butters (PA), Lachie Ash (GWS)
Coach: Justin Longmuir (FRE)
All-Australian final changes:
IN:
Logan Morris (BRIS)
Izak Rankine (ADEL)
Lachie Ash (GWS)
OUT:
Jai Newcombe (HAW)
Shai Bolton (FREM)
Max Holmes (GEEL)
There's one glaring difference between ESPN's final All-Australia team for 2026, and the AFL list of 40 names that dropped on Monday evening. We've gone with Harry Sheezel, on the field no less, while the North star was unable to crack the official squad.
Blessed for key forward depth this year, we ended up going with the top two in the Coleman Medal (Charlie Curnow and Logan Morris), as well as Josh Treacy for his impact on Freo's fabulous season and strong marking. Nick Watson was the standout small in 2026, and will be flanked at different times by Kysaiah Pickett (ideally rotating through the middle) and Izak Rankine (ditto).
Geelong's Ollie Dempsey was by far the best wing this season; 30 goals to the end of the home-and-away season (after 28 last season) shows how damaging he can be holding width and running up and down the ground all day. Cardio partner Bailey Smith takes the other wing.
Just hitting the games-played threshold, departing Port star Zak Butters was rated top five on the ground in just about every game he played, and will be supported at stoppages by Nick Daicos, Will Ashcroft -- whose second half of the year in particular was awesome -- and Marcus Bontempelli.
Max Gawn has to be the starting ruck (and captain), and Luke Jackson can do just about anything, so it's almost harsh he's starting on the bench. Clayton Oliver rounds out the midfield brigade after an excellent debut season in orange.
Saints captain Cal Wilkie, Brisbane's Harris Andrews, and Port's Aliir Aliir are the key defenders, with star Saint Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Jordan Dawson, and Jarman Impey making up the back six. Giant Lachie Ash sneaks in on the bench, too, after averaging 28.7 disposals and finishing the season with more rebound 50s and inside 50s than any other general defender.
We were spoiled for choice in the backline this season and there are some stiff names: Tom McCartin, Alex Pearce, Connor O'Sullivan, and Billy Frampton can be counted unlucky, while Connor Idun and Bodhi Uwland just miss out as dashing and defensive flankers. Had Max Holmes played one or two more games, he too could have made the team.
Well there you go, have at it! Let us know what you think on Instagram, @espnfooty.