Every AFL club's squad for the 2027 season is coming together, so how does each team's back, midfield and forward line stack up against their rivals?
We at Zero Hanger will be going through all 18 clubs, analysing and ranking them 1-18 across all three thirds of the ground, starting with the backline.
While the draft, delisted free agent signing period and trial spots remain for clubs to recruit players, the majority of each team's starting 23 are in place.
Focusing on the players at their disposal, their style of football in 2026, and with a look forward to Round 1, 2027, this is how we ranked every club 1-18 for its midfield.
1. Western Bulldogs
Midfielders: Ed Richards, Marcus Bontempelli, Zak Butters, Matthew Kennedy, Joel Freijah, Ryley Sanders, Rhylee West, Finn Maginness, Cooper Hynes, Sam Davidson, Riley Garcia.
There was no doubt who the number one spot would go to following Butters' move from Port Adelaide to the Bulldogs.
His addition has turned the Dogs' already stacked midfield into a genuine premiership-winning contender, as no other club has arguably as much talent in its top three midfielders.
The opening centre ball up is a scary sight with Richards, Bontempelli and Butters all lining up next to one another, and good luck to coaches picking which of the three to tag.
Bontempelli had another podium Brownlow Medal finish and Butters finished equal eighth, while Richards was arguably the Dogs' best player in 2026, finishing with an average of 26 disposals per game.
The Bulldogs ranked first for average stoppage clearances (25.4) and only second behind Brisbane for average total clearances (38.4) in 2026, as Butters should only help add to this already ridiculous stat.
Luke Beveridge has all the pieces in place to contend for his first Premiership since 2016, and with Kennedy, Freijah and Sanders as the 'backup' midfielders, other sides should find it tough to stop this midfield.
