AFL Supercoach 2026: Brisbane Lions 2026 Squad Analysis

The Brisbane Lions will be looking to become three-peaters in 2026 after a scintillating campaign last year saw them add another piece of silverware to the trophy cabinet.

Chris Fagan’s side has become one of the most dangerous and well balanced in the competition with stars across every line.

And in a scary thought for the rest of the League, the Lions look as though they’ll only get better this season after adding Sam Draper and Oscar Allen as free agents from rival clubs, plus young gun Daniel Annable at the draft via their Academy program.

The loss of Brandon Starcevich, Callum Ah Chee and Oscar McInerney is significant, but you’d expect this side to be featuring at the pointy end of September again in 2026.

Let’s take a look at the Lions’ SuperCoach prospects for the upcoming season.

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Predicted Round 1 starting team

FB: Ryan Lester, Darcy Gardiner, Dayne Zorko

HB: Keidean Coleman, Harris Andrews, Darcy Wilmot

C: Levi Ashcroft, Hugh McCluggage, Jarrod Berry

HF: Zac Bailey, Oscar Allen, Cam Rayner

FF: Charlie Cameron, Logan Morris, Kai Lohmann

FOLL: Sam Draper, Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley

I/C: Will Ashcroft, Jaspa Fletcher, Daniel Annable, Noah Answerth, Darcy Fort

The Lions lose a trio of established players in McInerney, Ah Chee and Starcevich but are well equipped to deal with those outs given their ins over summer.

It looks as though ex-Don Draper will share ruck duties with Fort to begin the year, while Allen looks set to lead the forwards alongside young gun Morris in the absence of Hipwood, who is dealing with a knee issue.

Key defender Jack Payne is also in doubt for round one due to a knee injury.

Fagan’s side is also set to be bolstered by the return of several players from long term injuries, including Noah Answerth, Keidean Coleman, Tom Doedee and Lincoln McCarthy.

Annable will be vying with the likes of Sam Marshall and Bruce Reville for a spot in the best 23 early in the year and was an absolute ball magnet through his junior years.

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Fixtures

Round 1: Sydney Swans (A)

Round 2: BYE

Round 3: St Kilda (A)

Round 4: Collingwood (H)

Round 5: North Melbourne (A)

Byes: Round 2 & 15

The Lions take on the Western Bulldogs in Opening Round, which means they have a bye in round 2.

Between rounds 5 and 9, the Lions take on North Melbourne, Melbourne, Adelaide, Essendon and Carlton which is pretty juicy.

The fact they feature in Opening Round means we get to assess some of their cheapies/mid-priced options before we need to lock in our final teams.

Brisbane shares a bye with Essendon, Sydney and West Coast, three sides that aren’t overly SuperCoach relevant.

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LOCK

There probably aren’t any ‘locks’ for the Lions yet, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any good options.

Plenty of coaches will look to Keidean Coleman ($233,800 DEF) as a mid-pricer in defence should he feature in Opening Round and score well.

Coleman lit up the 2023 finals series but has suffered through two injury-plagued seasons since.

A quality user who can break opposition sides apart with his ball use, he’ll be like a new recruit to Fagan’s side should he stay fit.

Former Lion Sam Draper ($396,600 RUC/FWD) is worth monitoring over pre-season to see what percentage of time he spends as a ruck and as a forward.

I suspect he’ll share duties with Darcy Fort, but if he’s getting significant ruck minutes, he could be worth a look at a cheap price after missing a lot of footy due to an Achilles issue last year.

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POINT OF DIFFERENCE

Brisbane’s midfield mix is arguably the best in the competition with stars everywhere you look.

Josh Dunkley ($621,100 MID) is tailor made for SuperCoach and had an elite run home last year, averaging about 118 points in the final seven weeks of the season.

He’s one of the coaches favourites and his balance between tackling and finding his own footy makes him a solid SuperCoach option.

Hugh McCluggage ($646,300 MID) took his game to another level in 2025 as well, averaging 119.4 points per game.

The star on-baller only dropped four scores of less than 100 last year with a low of 80, meaning he’s a consistent and reliable option.

Both Dunkley and McCluggage are in less than five per cent of sides respectively at the moment.

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CHEAPIES

If Academy graduate Daniel Annable ($181,000 MID) was on the club’s list last year, there is a chance he would’ve been a premiership player.

A tough midfielder who is an absolute ball magnet, Annable is a beast around the coalface and enhanced his transitional game during his draft year.

Will he be in the side for round one? He’s probably right on the fringes, but a solid pre-season will have him well and truly in the mix.

Given the Lions’ star-studded on-ball brigade, it’s likely Annable starts his AFL career at half forward or on a wing, much like Levi Ashcroft did last year.

Having said that, he’s got the play style to score wherever he plays, so keep a close eye on him during the practice matches.

There are several other Lions priced cheaply but their job security would be shaky at best.

Former Crow Tom Doedee ($189,400 DEF) could be worth a look if named given he’s had SuperCoach success in the past.