AFL Supercoach 2026: Power Rankings – Finals Week 2

The Wildcard Finals are done and dusted and we finally have a top eight. 

I scored 1198 in week one, which has me sitting inside the top 16 per cent. 

Given how similar teams are in this format, one good pick can see you skyrocket, but a bad one can see you plummet. 

Unlike Supercoach Classic, we get to reset our teams each and every week, so let’s take a look at the best players to pick from each team in each position.

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DEFENDERS

1. Max Holmes
2. Dayne Zorko
3. Bailey Dale
4. Callum Mills
5. Oliver Florent
6. Wayne Milera
7. Tom Stewart
8. James Sicily
9. Jordan Clark

If Max Holmes is named this week, then I think we have to pick him. The Geelong star averaged 114.8 SC points in 2026, over 12 more than the next best playing option this week. He can do damage through the midfield or at half-back and is so crucial to the way Geelong moves the ball. I am a little bit concerned about the possibility of managed minutes, but given our lowest score gets flexed out anyway, I think it’s a risk worth taking. After that, it’s very much a lottery in the backline.

Brisbane Lions veteran Dayne Zorko is in some solid form and will have benefitted from the week off, while Western Bulldogs defender Bailey Dale was serviceable last week with 93 SC points.

Sydney captain Callum Mills couldn’t have been more impressive in the final home and away game for the Swans this year and will need to put in another huge performance if his side are to have a chance of beating the Lions.

Carlton’s Oliver Florent underwhelmed last week but has been in good form over the past six weeks, while All-Australian Crow Wayne Milera averaged 99.5 SC points throughout the course of 2026.

If you’re feeling really different, taking a flyer on someone like Tom Stewart, James Sicily or Jordan Clark isn’t the worst option, but they’ve scored very inconsistently this year. 

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MIDFIELDERS

1. Izak Rankine
2. Bailey Smith
3. Marcus Bontempelli
4. Will Ashcroft
5. Jordan Dawson
6. Lachie Neale
7. Caleb Serong
8. Jai Newcombe
9. Patrick Cripps

You’ve just got to select Izak Rankine given his form in recent times. The star Crow has averaged 189 SC points in his last three games and 165.2 in his last five, which makes him a serious captaincy shout.

After that, plenty of coaches will pick at least two of Bailey Smith, Marcus Bontempelli and Will Ashcroft, who all put together fantastic campaigns. They’re proven finals performers and are at their best when the heat is on.

Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson could be a nice differential after posting 184 against the Dogs earlier this year, while Lions star Lachie Neale is another worth considering.

Fremantle’s Caleb Serong, Hawthorn’s Jai Newcombe and Carlton’s Patrick Cripps are guns for other clubs you could have a look at, but I don’t really think you need to get too funky here when there are a plethora of great options.

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RUCKS

1. Luke Jackson
2. Brodie Grundy
3. Tim English
4. Lachlan McAndrew

Everyone should pick Luke Jackson. The guy dominated against Hawthorn earlier this year posting 141 SC points and it could have been even more if his disposal efficiency was better. He finds plenty of the footy, loves to lay a tackle and hits the scoreboard. The main dilemma is if you pick Brodie Grundy at Flex, but more on that later. 

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FORWARDS

1. Errol Gulden
2. Zac Bailey
3. Joel Freijah
4. Murphy Reid
5. Josh Treacy
6. Shai Bolton
7. Shaun Mannagh

Errol Gulden is currently in 51 per cent of teams, but that number should be 100 per cent by the time the whistle blows to start week two. The star Swan has averaged 139 SC points across the last five weeks and will need to be at his very best if the Swans are to have a chance of winning that clash against Brisbane.

Speaking of the Lions, Zac Bailey feels like the default F2 pick this week, having averaged 98.1 in 2026. He hits the scoreboard, can get involved up the ground and is a proven performer on the big stage.

If you don’t like those options, then you could definitely consider one of the Freo boys like Murphy Reid, Josh Treacy or Shai Bolton. My concern with these guys is their inconsistent scoring and I hope the Hawks can give the Dockers a run on Thursday, although that could be my Hawks bias shining through.

Western Bulldogs young gun Joel Freijah delivered in a big way in the Wildcard with 112 SC points and could be in line for even more midfield minutes with Matthew Kennedy ruled out due to concussion.

Geelong’s Shaun Mannagh is the high upside pick, but it’s certainly a big risk. 

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FLEX

The discussion here is whether you pick Brodie Grundy or a fourth midfielder. I’m finding it hard to pick between Bailey Smith, Marcus Bontempelli and Will Ashcroft, so to save myself that headache I might pick all three alongside Izak Rankine. Grundy is the wildcard.

The Sydney ruck averaged 119.9 SC points this year, but tailed off significantly in the second half of the season. I hold some concerns around Sydney’s chances in that qualifying final, so at this stage I think I’m going to go with an extra midfielder.

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