Selecting every AFL team’s best 23 for 2026: Fremantle Dockers

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. 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. Another pre-season under the belt of their emerging crop, as well as heightened competition at selection, should see Justin Longmuir lead one of the best lists in the league this year. With that in mind, let's take a look at Fremantle's best 23 for the 2026 season. Defenders Known for their strong rearguard, the Dockers' defence only grew stronger over the off-season with the addition of Melbourne youngster Judd McVee. 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, Brandon Walker or Heath Chapman 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. Clark, Walker and Chapman, as well as Karl Worner, join McVee and veteran defender Luke Ryan 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. 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 and Brennan Cox as the names to shut down opposition key forwards. [caption id="attachment_152998" align="alignnone" width="2560"] LAUNCESTON, 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)[/caption] Young tall Josh Draper will look for more action in that area after a quieter second season, with Hugh Davies and Ollie Murphy other key defenders who have had limited or no exposure. Bailey Banfield 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. Cooper Simpson also switched to defence in 2025 and showed some promise as a rebounder before injury struck. Midfielders The Dockers might be home to the midfield unit with the greatest upside in the AFL. Their headline trio of Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw and Hayden Young are now household names, with the latter hoping to get back to his best after an injury-impacted 2025 campaign. Add in the dynamism that Shai Bolton and Luke Jackson provide, and it's clear to see a Fremantle outfit in full force will be a headache for opposing engine rooms. Then there's young talent in Murphy Reid, Matthew Johnson, Neil Erasmus and Nathan O'Driscoll, who will all be pressing their case for more midfield exposure, placing pressure on senior names like Jaeger O'Meara and Corey Wagner. [caption id="attachment_90714" align="alignnone" width="2560"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 12: Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw and Sean Darcy of the Dockers walk the pitch during the 2021 AFL Round 13 match between the Fremantle Dockers and the Gold Coast Suns at Optus Stadium on June 12, 2021 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] The aforementioned McVee will also eye midfield opportunities after crossing the Nullabor, potentially adding some outside run alongside Michael Frederick and Jeremy Sharp. The ruck setup has been complicated in the past, but Jackson's versatility to play as a midfielder has eased Longmuir's plans. Sean Darcy takes on the first-string role, allowing Jackson to switch between his dual midfield posts and a resting role forward. The arrival of Mason Cox will mostly see the ex-Magpie there for depth, but he'll be able to pinch-hit if relied upon. Forwards Fremantle's forward line continues to grow new strengths, with 2025 seeing the emergence of Patrick Voss as a big-bodied key forward. The former Bomber kicked 37 goals from 20 games last year to stake his claim as the best support for spearhead Josh Treacy, with Jye Amiss also battling for supremacy. That trio, in addition to a rotating Luke Jackson, has seen the Dockers' attacking third become an arduous battleground for defences. Mason Cox now adds to that pecking order, while second-year tall Charlie Nicholls will hope to place some selection pressure on those ahead of him in the queue. At ground level, Bolton, Reid, Frederick, Sam Switkowski and Isaiah Dudley are there to pounce, only compounding the difficult task on hand for the opposition. [caption id="attachment_160851" align="alignnone" width="2560"] PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 30: Patrick Voss of the Dockers looks on during the round three AFL match between West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium, on March 30, 2025, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)[/caption] The Dockers also handed Geelong VFL gun Tobyn Murray a contract via last year's draft, with the lively half-forward a mature-aged option who could have an impact in 2026. Fellow draftees Leon Kickett and Adam Sweid both had state league experience last year and could also get a look as crafty front-half options. Best 23 FB: Jordan Clark, Alex Pearce, Luke Ryan HB: Heath Chapman, Brennan Cox, Brandon Walker C: Michael Frederick, Hayden Young, Judd McVee HF: Murphy Reid, Jye Amiss, Shai Bolton FF: Patrick Voss, Josh Treacy, Sam Switkowski FO: Sean Darcy, Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw I/C: Luke Jackson, Karl Worner, Jeremy Sharp, Matthew Johnson, Isaiah Dudley Stiff to miss: Corey Wagner, Neil Erasmus, Bailey Banfield, Jaeger O'Meara, Nathan O'Driscoll, Joshua Draper

		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: Fremantle Dockers

With one of the best lists in the league, the year ahead could be a fruitful one for Fremantle.

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