Honeyball takes a look at the likely best 23 for the Brisbane Lions ahead of the 2026 AFL season, noting ins and outs, key injuries, plus a look at relevant AFL Fantasy and SuperCoach players.
We’ve used quotes from Lions coach Chris Fagan’s chat on afl.com.au’s Your Coach podcast to offer additional insight on relevant players.
Ins: Oscar Allen (free agent, West Coast), Daniel Annable (No.6 draft pick, Academy), Cody Curtin (No.43 draft pick), Sam Draper (free agent, Essendon), Koby Evans (No.38 draft pick), Tai Hayes (No.44 draft pick), Ben Murphy (Category B rookie)
Outs: Callum Ah Chee (delisted), Darcy Craven (delisted), Sam Day (retired), Oscar McInerney (retired), Deven Robertson (delisted), Brandon Ryan (delisted), Brandon Starcevich (trade, West Coast)
Key injuries: Sam Draper (foot), Jack Payne (knee), Eric Hipwood (knee)
Predicted Opening Round 23
B: Ryan Lester, Darcy Gardiner, Noah Answerth
HB: Dayne Zorko, Harris Andrews, Jaspa Fletcher
C: Darcy Wilmot, Josh Dunkley, Jarrod Berry
HF: Zac Bailey, Logan Morris, Cam Rayner
F: Charlie Cameron, Oscar Allen, Ty Gallop
Foll: Darcy Fort, Hugh McCluggage*, Lachie Neale
I/C: Kai Lohmann, Sam Marshall, Keidean Coleman, Levi Ashcroft, Will Ashcroft
*injury cloud
Keidean Coleman
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan: “He is in the best shape I’ve ever seen him in. He’s given himself the best chance physically to not only come back, but improve on what he was doing before he got injured, which was some pretty good stuff, runner-up in a Norm Smith Medal (in 2023).
“I think he knew last year that he was probably out of the game longer than he should have been because he didn’t do his rehab as well as he could have. He’s learned that lesson and really applied himself over the past 12 months to be the athlete he is now. He clearly looks fitter, stronger, leaner, all of those things. Good on him. It’s exciting what he might be able to do.”
Jaspa Fletcher
Fagan: “Jaspa Fletcher could play in the midfield, but he’s one of the gun half-back flankers in the comp now.”
Daniel Annable, Zac Bailey, Will Ashcroft
About The Author
Ben Somerford
