Collingwood AFL 2026 Squad List-one Big Surprise Pick
The Collingwood AFL 2026 squad is built around a premiership-calibre core headlined by Darcy Moore, Nick Daicos, Josh Daicos, Brayden Maynard, Scott Pendlebury, Jack Crisp and Jordan De Goey, with depth pieces including Bobby Hill, Jamie Elliott, Bobby Hill, Beau McCreery, Darcy Cameron, Dan Houston and Harry Perryman. A widely circulated 2026 selection preview also listed a best 23 that featured Moore, Quaynor, Maynard, Houston, Crisp, N. Daicos, Perryman, Hill, McStay, Elliott, Cameron, J. Daicos and Pendlebury, while Collingwood's own 2026 list announcement confirmed the club's AFL playing list for the season [web:1][web:5][web:8].
Collingwood 2026 squad overview
The Magpies list for 2026 blends established veterans with prime-age stars and several younger options, which is exactly why the squad looks strong on paper. The balance of elite ball use, intercept marking, forward pressure and midfield running remains the defining feature of the group, even after another offseason of list churn around the competition [web:1][web:3][web:4].
Collingwood's identity in 2026 is still built on controllable territory, fast transition and pressure that forces repeat contests, and the list reflects that style almost line for line. The club's 2026 public list reveal and external squad templates both show the same broad structure: a senior spine, a deep on-ball group, and flexible defenders who can shift roles mid-game [web:4][web:5][web:8].
Projected AFL squad
The table below summarises a practical 2026 Collingwood squad view using the names most consistently associated with the club's senior AFL list and selection previews. This is the most useful format for readers who want a quick reference to the likely first-choice group [web:1][web:4][web:5].
| Line | Players | Why they matter |
|---|---|---|
| Back line | Isaac Quaynor, Darcy Moore, Jeremy Howe, Brayden Maynard, Billy Frampton, Dan Houston | Interception, shutdown roles, rebound, and aerial strength [web:1][web:4] |
| Midfield | Jack Crisp, Nick Daicos, Josh Daicos, Harry Perryman, Scott Pendlebury, Patrick Lipinski, Ned Long | Ball-winning, spread, composure and inside-outside balance [web:1][web:3][web:4] |
| Forward line | Bobby Hill, Jamie Elliott, Beau McCreery, Dan McStay, Tim Membrey, Lachie Schultz | Goal scoring, pressure, marking and matchup flexibility [web:1][web:4] |
| Ruck/utility | Darcy Cameron, Mason Cox, Finlay Macrae, Ed Allan, Charlie West, Oscar Steene | Ruck contest, second-possession support, and role versatility [web:4] |
Strongest units
The midfield depth remains the biggest reason Collingwood can be rated as a contender in 2026. Nick Daicos is the centerpiece, Josh Daicos brings elite running and clean disposal, Crisp remains one of the most reliable two-way runners in the game, and Pendlebury still provides elite decision-making and calm under pressure [web:1][web:3][web:4].
At the other end, the defensive structure looks stable because Moore, Maynard, Quaynor and Howe give Collingwood both lockdown coverage and attack from the back half. The addition of Houston to the mix adds another kicking weapon, and that matters because Collingwood's game plan depends on fast, accurate exits from defensive 50 [web:1][web:4].
The forward pressure unit is also formidable, especially when Elliott, Hill and McCreery are available together. That combination creates repeat stoppages, panic ball movement from opponents, and scoring chances from turnovers, which has been a key ingredient in Collingwood's best recent performances [web:1][web:4].
Selection watch
- Check whether the preferred back six stays intact, because Moore, Maynard, Quaynor and Howe are the structural pillars.
- Track midfield load management for Pendlebury and De Goey, since Collingwood can rotate through several ball-winners.
- Watch the forward mix, especially whether Membrey, McStay and Schultz are all fit and available at the same time.
- Monitor emerging depth such as Ed Allan, Charlie West, Ned Long and Oscar Steene, who can change balance quickly.
- Look for role flexibility from Perryman and Houston, because both can influence multiple lines in the same match [web:1][web:3][web:4].
What the numbers suggest
A useful way to frame the 2026 list is through role density rather than just star power. Collingwood appears to have at least three elite distributors off half-back or through midfield, multiple first-choice forward pressure players, and enough rotating utility types to cover injury or form dips across a long season [web:1][web:4].
In practical terms, that means the squad can survive short absences better than most clubs because it is not dependent on one line alone. The concern, however, is that several of the club's best players are also older or heavily managed, which means the gap between best-case and worst-case line-ups can widen quickly during the grind of a season [web:1][web:4].
Collingwood's 2026 VFL additions also matter because they provide a visible reserve pool, with the club confirming 15 fresh faces for the VFL program and naming players such as Will Phillips, Eddie Ford, Brynn Teakle, Taj Woewodin and Zai Millane among the arrivals. That depth does not replace AFL stars, but it does strengthen the club's internal competition for spots [web:2].
Strengths and risks
The biggest strength of the Collingwood squad is its ceiling: when the stars are fit, the side can control territory, win contested ball and generate enough forward entries to beat anyone. The biggest risk is availability, because the list leans on several high-value contributors whose output can swing the team's week-to-week performance [web:1][web:4].
- Strength: elite intercept and rebound defense.
- Strength: high-end midfield creativity and two-way running.
- Strength: multiple small-forward threats who pressure relentlessly.
- Risk: injury management around key senior players.
- Risk: possible reliance on system continuity over raw depth in key roles [web:1][web:4].
If Collingwood can keep its top-end personnel on the park, the list looks strong enough to contend deep into the year. If it cannot, the squad still has enough versatility to remain competitive, but the margin for error becomes much thinner [web:1][web:4][web:5].
Recent squad context
The 2026 playing list sits in a familiar Collingwood pattern: one part experienced core, one part peak-age prime movers, and one part developing support cast. That formula has kept the club relevant for several seasons, and the 2026 version looks particularly powerful because it retains a central spine while adding more line-breaking and pressure options [web:3][web:4].
External team templates published in early 2026 and the club's own list communications point to the same overall picture: Darcy Moore captains a group that still features Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Crisp and Howe, while younger and newer names like Ned Long, Charlie West, Harry Perryman and Dan Houston broaden the range of available combinations [web:1][web:4][web:5].
"Strong lists win flags only when the best names are available in the right roles," is the simplest way to read Collingwood's 2026 outlook, because the club's quality is obvious but its durability will decide the season [web:1][web:4].
Frequently asked questions
Helpful tips and tricks for Collingwood Afl 2026 Squad List
Who are the main stars in Collingwood's 2026 squad?
Collingwood's headline names in 2026 include Darcy Moore, Nick Daicos, Josh Daicos, Brayden Maynard, Scott Pendlebury, Jack Crisp, Jordan De Goey, Bobby Hill, Jamie Elliott and Darcy Cameron [web:1][web:3][web:4].
Does Collingwood have enough depth for 2026?
Yes, the list looks deep enough to cover short-term absences, especially in defence and midfield, and the club's VFL additions further support that depth. The biggest question is whether the depth can maintain the same quality if multiple senior players miss time at once [web:2][web:4].
What is Collingwood's biggest weakness?
The main concern is durability, because several of the club's most important contributors are senior players or players who have historically required careful management. That does not make the squad weak, but it does increase the importance of list balance and match availability [web:1][web:4].
Who are the breakout names to watch?
Ned Long, Charlie West, Ed Allan and Oscar Steene are the most obvious younger names to monitor, while Harry Perryman and Dan Houston are important because they add role flexibility and can reshape the side quickly [web:1][web:2][web:4].
How does this squad compare with recent Collingwood lists?
The 2026 squad looks similar in spirit to recent Collingwood lists, but it has a slightly broader spread of ball users and hybrid roles. That makes the team harder to matchup against, provided the key senior players remain available [web:1][web:4][web:5].