An early look at every AFL club’s best side for the 2024 season

Archie Perkins has plenty of talent, but where is he best suited with competition for spots hot at Essendon? We predict every club’s best 23.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19: Archie Perkins of the Bombers in action during the round one AFL match between Hawthorn Hawks and Essendon Bombers at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on March 19, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Armed with a fresh batch of draft picks and trade coups, every AFL club will enter 2024 with high hopes.

With pre-season training back in full swing, this is how each team’s 23 could look come March.

Will top Crows draftee Daniel Curtin debut in round 1? Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

ADELAIDE

Coach: Matthew Nicks
Captain: Jordan Dawson

BRISBANE

Coach: Chris Fagan
Captain: Lachie Neale, Harris Andrews

CARLTON

Coach: Michael Voss
Captain: Patrick Cripps

Star recruit Lachie Schultz at Collingwood training. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

COLLINGWOOD

Coach: Craig McRae
Captain: Darcy Moore

ESSENDON

Coach: Brad Scott
Captain: Zach Merrett

FREMANTLE

Coach: Justin Longmuir
Captain: Alex Pearce

Mature-age Geelong draftee is vying for an early-season spot. Picture: Alison Wynd

GEELONG

Coach: Chris Scott
Captain: Patrick Dangerfield

GOLD COAST

Coach: Damien Hardwick
Captain: Jarrod Witts, Touk Miller

GWS

Coach: Adam Kinglsey
Captain: Toby Greene

HAWTHORN

Coach: Sam Mitchell
Captain: James Sicily

Can former Saint Jack Billings have an impact at Melbourne? Picture: Brendan Beckett

MELBOURNE

Coach: Simon Goodwin
Captain: Max Gawn

NORTH MELBOURNE

Coach: Alastair Clarkson
Captain: Jy Simpkin, Luke McDonald

PORT ADELAIDE

Coach: Ken Hinkley
Captain: Connor Rozee

RICHMOND

Coach: Adem Yze
Captain: Toby Nankervis

Marcus Windhager enjoyed a big finish to 2023. Picture: Michael Klein.

ST KILDA

Coach: Ross Lyon
Captain: Jack Steele

SYDNEY

Coach: John Longmire
Captain: Callum Mills, Dane Rampe, Luke Parker

WEST COAST

Coach: Adam Simpson
Captain: Liam Duggan, Oscar Allen

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Coach: Luke Beveridge
Captain: Marcus Bontempelli

Originally published as An early look at every AFL club’s best side for the 2024 season