KICK 22 of 2026
The Kicker's best-22 AFL team built by the open formula — six midfielders, six defenders, six forwards, two ruckmen, two interchange. Ranked within position by season-average KICK-{P}, displayed on a season-anchored scale (matches the same 0–100 scaling readers see on every player profile).
This is an objective formula's pick, not a subjective panel selection. The AFL's All-Australian team uses panel judgment that weights finals form, captaincy, and reputation alongside performance. Where we agree with AA: probably most names. Where we disagree: argue with the formula, not the team. How the formula works →
Interchange · top 2 non-mid non-ruck reserves
Top 2 defenders or forwards from outside the starting 18, ranked by position-anchored scaled KICK-{P}. Mids and rucks are excluded from the bench — six starting mids already represent that position, and rucks are capped at 2 starters. If D+F together can't supply 2 candidates above the season-games floor, mids backfill.
A note on methodology + scope
Squad composition mirrors AFL's All-Australian team structure: 6/6/6/2/2 = 22 players. Eligibility: 5+ games this season (auto-scaled to ~half the season's max games-played-so-far, floor 5). Position classification is career-aggregate — a small number of manual overrides handle obvious mid-career role shifts (Lachie Ash → defender; Mark Blicavs → utility, excluded).
Historical KICK 22 archives (1991–2024) are deferred. The position classifier is career-aggregate, so retroactive picks have known drift on players who shifted positions across their career. Current-year picks are the cleanest comparison; older years drift.