Every AFL club’s best side for 2023 season

There were plenty of off-season moves in the AFL, but which players who swapped jumpers walk straight into their new club’s starting side? SEE YOUR ROUND 1 SIDE HERE.

Armed with a fresh batch of draft picks and trade coups, every AFL club will enter 2023 with high hopes.

This is how each team’s 23 is forecast to look when the campaign kicks off in Round 1 on March 16.

ADELAIDE

Coach: Matthew Nicks

Captain: Rory Sloane (TBC)

Matthew Nicks has been backed in to rebuild the Crows. Picture: Getty Images

BRISBANE

Coach: Chris Fagan

Captain: Dayne Zorko

CARLTON

Coach: Michael Voss

Captain: Patrick Cripps

COLLINGWOOD

Coach: Craig McRae

Captain: TBC

Craig McRae had a stunning first season as the Collingwood senior coach, can he take them a couple of steps further in 2023? Picture: Getty Images

ESSENDON

Coach: Brad Scott

Captain: TBC (Andy McGrath or Zach Merrett likely to replace Dyson Heppell)

New coach Brad Scott will be looking to get plenty of time into his youngsters.

FREMANTLE

Coach: Justin Longmuir

Captain: Nat Fyfe

GEELONG

Coach: Chris Scott

Captain: TBC

Chris Scott won a premiership in his first year at Geelong and now finally has the satisfaction of a second one. Can they go back-to-back?

GOLD COAST

Coach: Stuart Dew

Captains: Touk Miller, Jarrod Witts

Ben Long will strengthen the Suns. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

GWS GIANTS

Coach: Adam Kingsley

Captain: TBC

New GWS Giants coach Adam Kingsley will hope to make the most of his team’s talent. Picture: Phil Hillyard

HAWTHORN

Coach: Sam Mitchell

Captain: TBC

The Hawks probably exceeded expectations in Mitchell’s first year in charge. The departure of some serious top-end experience makes that unlikely in 2023.

MELBOURNE

Coach: Simon Goodwin

Captain: Max Gawn

NORTH MELBOURNE

Coach: Alastair Clarkson

Captain: TBC

Alastair Clarkson has a difficult job on his hands to rebuild this young Kangaroos side. Picture: Getty Images

PORT ADELAIDE

Coach: Ken Hinkley

Captain: Tom Jonas

Ken Hinkley is under some serious pressure heading into the final season of his contract. Picture: Getty Images

RICHMOND

Coach: Damien Hardwick

Captains: Dylan Grimes, Toby Nankervis

The inclusion of Tim Taranto can quickly turn around Richmond’s fortunes. Picture: Michael Klein

ST KILDA

Coach: Ross Lyon

Captain: Jack Steele (TBC)

SYDNEY SWANS

Coach:John Longmire

Captains: Dane Rampe, Callum Mills, Luke Parker

Aaron Francis will hope for a big role in the Swans side. Picture: Phil Hillyard

WEST COAST EAGLES

Coach: Adam Simpson

Captain: Luke Shuey

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Coach: Luke Beveridge

Captain: Marcus Bontempelli

Originally published as Every AFL club’s best side for 2023 season