The opening month of the 2026 AFL season has concluded, allowing for an initial assessment of team standings and player performances.
This season, a monthly rolling All-Australian team will be introduced, aiming to eventually mirror the official All-Australian selection as closely as possible.
The guidelines for the ABC Sport All-Australian team mirror those of the official team, consisting of 23 players, including five on the bench, while adhering to positional requirements.
As the season is still in its early stages, these selections are subject to change. Players may be added or removed based on their form throughout the year.
Below is the inaugural edition of the ABC Sport’s All-Australian team.
Backline: Tom Barrass, Tom McCartin, Callum Wilkie
Hawthorn has had a strong start to the season with a 3-1 record, largely due to the solid defensive efforts from their players.
The 30-year-old Barrass has earned 12 coaches’ votes and ranks third among defenders, leading his team with an impressive average of 6.3 spoils per game across four matches.
McCartin has delivered an outstanding performance, anchoring a Swans defense that has allowed the fewest points in the league at 65.8 per game. He leads his team in defensive one-on-one contests, winning 73% of them while averaging 6.5 spoils per match.
Wilkie stands out as the top defender in the league with 18 coaches’ votes, surpassing Port Adelaide’s Aliir Aliir. He averages 26.3 disposals and 10.5 marks per game, showcasing his dominant presence.
Wilkie also records an impressive average of five one-on-one contests per game, winning 90% of them, along with 10 interceptions per match.
Half-Backs: Tom Stewart, Josh Worrell, Jack Sinclair
After dealing with injuries last season, Stewart has returned to form, demonstrating his skills as one of the top defensive quarterbacks in the league with an average of 8.5 intercept possessions per game.
He also contributes significantly with 7.8 rebound 50s per game, ranking second among defenders and excelling at transitioning defense into offense.
Worrell is enjoying a remarkable season, averaging a career-high 26.3 disposals and leading defenders in rebound 50s with eight per game. He also maintains a perfect record in defensive one-on-one situations.
Sinclair is averaging 31.5 disposals per game, which would mark a new career high, and is an integral part of the Saints’ defensive strategy.
Centerline: Ed Richards, Zak Butters, Shai Bolton
Following a standout season where he claimed the Bulldogs’ best and fairest award and earned All-Australian honors, Richards has solidified his status among the league’s elite midfielders.
He leads the Bulldogs in average meters gained per game with 555.3, while also contributing 5.7 clearances and 9.3 score involvements, the highest among his teammates.
Butters continues to demonstrate his value, averaging 29.8 disposals and seven clearances per match, and is recognized as one of the most valuable midfielders in the league.
Bolton, who struggled in his first season with Fremantle, has made a strong comeback, averaging a career-high 4.2 clearances per game and posing a consistent goal-scoring threat from the midfield.
Half-Forwards: Isaac Heeney, Josh Treacy, Jack Gunston
Heeney remains a formidable presence as a midfield-forward, scoring eight goals in three matches while averaging 20.7 disposals per game.
He leads the Swans in coaches’ votes with 16 and records an average of 8.3 score involvements per game.
Treacy has emerged as a key player for Fremantle, netting 14 goals in his first four games, including back-to-back four-goal performances. He averages 8.8 marks per match, with four of those inside 50.
Gunston continues to impress, ranking second in the AFL for goals with 16 in four matches. His ability to create space for teammates in the forward line adds to his value.
Forwards: Kysaiah Pickett, Ben King, Christian Petracca
Pickett has been a standout performer, contributing significantly to Melbourne’s surprising success this season. He averages 23.2 disposals, six inside 50s, and 4.8 clearances per match, all career-high figures, while scoring in each of his first four games.
King is finally realizing his potential, having scored 19 goals in the initial four matches of this season. His consistent goal-scoring has seen him improve his tally year-on-year.
Petracca, who was a key addition for Gold Coast last year before injury, is excelling with an average of 25.7 disposals and a league-leading 12 score involvements per game, alongside 4.3 clearances from fewer midfield minutes compared to his earlier playing days.
Followers: Max Gawn, Marcus Bontempelli, Nick Daicos
Gawn is on track to achieve a record-breaking ninth selection in the All-Australian team, demonstrating dominance with averages of 22.5 disposals and 5.5 clearances per game, both career highs, along with 38.5 hitouts per match, marking his best performance since 2019.
Bontempelli is currently at the peak of his abilities and continues to be a pivotal player for his team, showcasing his skills and leadership on the field.
