Selecting every AFL team’s best 23 for 2026: Brisbane Lions

Fresh off a second straight flag, the Lions didn't sit still and ensured their prospects for another premiership tilt in 2026 with an aggressive off-season of player movement. Utilising free agency, Brisbane acquired West Coast captain Oscar Allen and Essendon ruckman Sam Draper, who could both be sizeable signings if they return to peak fitness and form in the Queensland capital. While multiple premiership Lions have also changed clubs, Chris Fagan's squad is only stronger than it was last September, with the club's fresh faces, emerging stars and depth chart all combining to have the Lions sitting as the flag favourites early in 2026. Here we select Brisbane's best 23 lineup for 2026... Defenders The Lions' premiership backline will only be stronger this year, with key defender Jack Payne to eventually return from an Achilles injury that brought a cruel and abrupt end to his 2025 season. He headlines a list of Lions defenders set to return to the fold after long injury stints, with Keidean Coleman and Tom Doedee both eyeing Opening Round spots after ACL injuries. Doedee has been the forgotten man at Springfield, having played one AFL game since June 2023 when he was back with the Crows. It'll be no easy task to lock in a spot in Fagan's back seven, with co-captain Harris Andrews and rebounders Dayne Zorko, Darcy Wilmot and Jaspa Fletcher being the incumbents. [caption id="attachment_153107" align="alignnone" width="2560"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 28: Brandon Starcevich of the Lions shares a laugh with Jack Payne of the Lions prior to the start of the round 3 AFL match between the Brisbane Lions and Collingwood Magpies at The Gabba, on March 28, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/Getty Images)[/caption] Senior duo Darcy Gardiner and Ryan Lester are likely to face some competition from Payne and Doedee, while the void opened by Brandon Starcevich's departure to West Coast likely falls the way of Noah Answerth. That leaves Keidean Coleman with a squeeze of his own, however the defender who played a starring role in the 2023 Grand Final defeat to Collingwood should slot in somewhere given his ability to also play further up the field. Utility options Bruce Reville, Conor McKenna and Shadeau Brain will also press their case, while Luke Beecken is another to keep in mind after getting a small look at AFL minutes last year. Midfielders It's hard to argue that the Lions are home to the best midfield unit in the AFL. Will Ashcroft, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Neale and Hugh McCluggage headline a ball-winning pack littered with the game's top line, while most clubs would crave an outside option like Jarrod Berry. He paired nicely with Levi Ashcroft as the club's wing duo, and that partnership is likely to continue in 2026. Sam Marshall ended his rookie season with a premiership medal, and it could be Dan Annable's turn this year after the Lions Academy product made his case as a ready-made midfielder in his draft year. The young pair join James Tunstill and mature-aged draftee Tai Hayes in being names who will press their case from VFL level early into the new season. Then you factor in the quality half-forwards of Zac Bailey and Cam Rayner, who will both get their share of midfield action as front-half threats. The ruck tandem will be an interesting watch across the course of the year, with Draper potentially ready for the start of the season after his Achilles injury in 2025. [caption id="attachment_144846" align="alignnone" width="2560"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Josh Dunkley of the Lions celebrates as the final siren sounds during the 2023 AFL Second Preliminary Final match between the Brisbane Lions and the Carlton Blues at The Gabba on September 23, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] Once fit and firing, does the ex-Bomber share the ruck workload with Darcy Fort, who is now a two-time premiership player? The Lions have liked to use two rucks, and with no key forward of theirs having a known ability to pinch-hit, Draper and Fort could both be used in the same side - a decision that will be aided by the new five-player interchange. There's also no discoutning Henry Smith's selection chances, with the fringe big man consistently looking too good for VFL level last year. Forwards The addition of Allen is a sizeable one for the Lions, who have managed to find their Joe Daniher replacement after securing a flag without him. While the departed Eagles spearhead will be key in the club's hunt for a third straight premiership, you get the sense it's third-year forward Logan Morris that will cause the most headaches for the opposition. The smaller-sized key forward kicked 53 goals in 2025, often taking on the opposition's best defender given Eric Hipwood's absence. A trio of Morris, Allen and Hipwood is enticing, however the latter will miss some time to start the year due to further concerns with a recent ACL injury. Premiership forward Ty Gallop will step up in his place, as he did so well last September, as is the embarrassment of riches Brisbane has with their tall forward stocks. The quality doesn't drop at ground level either, with the aforementioned Rayner and Bailey being the zippy goalsneaks who work tirelessly up and down the ground. [caption id="attachment_169202" align="alignnone" width="2560"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Levi Ashcroft, Kai Lohmann, Callum Ah Chee, Ty Gallop, Cam Rayner, Charlie Cameron, Zac Bailey, Logan Morris, Stuart Dew during the AFL Grand Final match between the Geelong Cats and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 27, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] That star pairing combined for 78 goals last year, stepping up to the plate as both Kai Lohmann and Charlie Cameron worked through regressions. Should Cameron and Lohmann return to their best form, there may be no stopping Brisbane's attacking tandem. If their poorer form extends into this season, then expect Will McLachlan to be ready to make his mark, while Lincoln McCarthy is also eyeing his long-awaited return from injury. Best 23 FB: Dayne Zorko, Harris Andrews, Tom Doedee HB: Jaspa Fletcher, Jack Payne, Darcy Wilmot C: Hugh McCluggage, Josh Dunkley, Jarrod Berry HF: Cameron Rayner, Oscar Allen, Zac Bailey FF: Logan Morris, Eric Hipwood, Kai Lohmann FO: Sam Draper, Will Ashcroft, Lachie Neale I/C: Levi Ashcroft, Charlie Cameron, Noah Answerth, Darcy Fort, Keidean Coleman Stiff to miss: Ryan Lester, Darcy Gardiner, Bruce Reville, Sam Marshall, Dan Annable, Ty Gallop, Will McLachlan, Lincoln McCarthy

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	ADEL	23	18	5	72	139.3
2	GEEL	23	17	6	68	141.5
3	BL	23	16	6	66	114.2
4	COLL	23	16	7	64	122.4
5	GWS	23	16	7	64	115.3
6	FRE	23	16	7	64	109
7	GC	23	15	8	60	124.9
8	HAW	23	15	8	60	120.9

Selecting every AFL team’s best 23 for 2026: Brisbane Lions

The reigning premiers are absolutely STACKED for their tilt at the three-peat.

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