LINDENOW
1. Charlie Moss
Crafty small forward who has kicked bags of goals in the thirds. Good late-season senior form, but likely to play in the thirds.
2. Oliver Simpson
Youngster who is still eligible for the thirds, but has fitted in well on a wing and adds plenty of run and enthusiasm. Father was a premiership player at Paynesville.
3. Jonah Thomas
Mainstay at Lindenow over the past few seasons, who will play a role through half-forward and the wing.
4. Lachy Carroll
Can play key forward or pinch-hit in the midfield, kicking a couple of vital goals in the preliminary final. Underrated and, given the depth of the Cats’ forward line, can be hard to match up on.
5. Logan Dunkley
Mercurial talent who is capable of anything on his day. Crossed back from Bairnsdale this season and is the type of player grand finals are made for.
6. Peter Harrison
Super talent who is capable of almost anything. Sensational in the qualifying final, and will be looking for a similar effort. Can go into the midfield if need be or play any number of roles in the forward 50.
7. Jack Van Reyk
Three-time premiership defender who plays his role with limited fuss. Will picket Matt Wilkinson and won’t be overawed.
9. Cooper Shaw
Tough defender who has been plagued by shoulder issues. Uncompromising and extremely effective, he is a quiet achiever who always gives 110 per cent.
10. Jack Richards
The marquee signing at the beginning of the season and hasn’t disappointed the Cats with his efforts. Capable of playing a significant role forward or in the ruck.
11. David Donchi
The 2012 Lucknow premiership star was a dominant winner of the 2026 EGFNL best and fairest. A ball magnet who is dangerous by hand and foot, bringing others into the game.
13. Joshua Lando
Premiership defender who has returned from Bairnsdale this season and had another steady year in defence. Can play small or tall.
15. Noah Rutherford
Handy utility who has been plagued by shoulder problems in recent seasons, but fit and healthy this season, he has played some handy football. Omitted for the qualifying final, he will struggle to regain his spot.
16. Rohan Blandford
Premiership player who can play midfield or forward. Tough competitor who has a habit of finding the football.
18. Justin Gould
The 2019 premiership coach has turned the clock back this season, back to his very best at the coalface, leading from the front and plotting premiership success.
19. Joshua Onley
Consistent defender who hasn’t conceded more than two goals in a match this season. Gets the big job on Jim Reeves, which could be match-defining.
21. Patrick Alexander
Premiership player who adds flair as a high half-forward and is capable of hitting the scoreboard. Heart and soul Cat.
23. Robert Maisey
Back in the senior mix in 2026, he is a role player who kicks the ball well and is strong in the contest. He has been playing on the wing of late, but can go back.
25. Cameron McPhan
Highly skilled premiership player who has exquisite foot skills that light up forwards’ eyes when the ball is in his hand.
30. Kyle Holmes
Veteran half-back who has been a consistent club servant for years, reads the play well, and can do a job.
31. Samual Richards
Revelation at half back after crossing from Maffra in the pre-season. Great intercept mark with an old head on young shoulders.
33. Todd Alexander
Triple premiership player who adds plenty of experience and run off half-back. There is still a bit left in the veteran Cat.
34. Dion Grace
Has grown into the competition’s premier big man after several years on the periphery. Great at the stoppages and serviceable around the ground, he has been a great pickup from Lucknow.
37. Sam Confait
Returned in recent weeks after a rib injury. Good driver in heavy traffic, experienced, and with a cool head, he won’t be overawed.
40. Benjamin Rutherford
Speedy youngster who is a good mover with nice kicking skills. Omitted for the preliminary final and unlikely to be an inclusion.
42. Aidan Keil
Young utility who mainly plays in defence, but can provide run and also lock down if needed.
BOISDALE-BRIAGOLONG
1. Daniel Johnson
Onballer who plays with his heart on his sleeve and works hard at the centre bounces, creating plenty of space for Porter, Brunt, and Jolly. In-and-under, he is often the last man up. Can be used as a tagger, and you can be assured if it gets rough and ready, he won’t take a backward step. 2024 premiership player.
6. Nicol Sandison
Another 2024 premiership player who has played sparingly this season (seven games), but is in and firing at the right time. Great intercept marking and courage have been to the fore in recent weeks. Will get a dangerous tall (Jack Richards) in the grand final and is expected to rise to the occasion.
7. Tim Dessent
The helmet is long gone, but the 2024 premiership player’s trademark endeavour, courage, and commitment are still there for all to see. Rotates across the centreline and can go back or forward if required.
9. Kel Porter
In the twilight of a long and distinguished career, he has played little in 2026 but remains one of the stars of the competition on his day. Playing predominantly as a half-forward at present, he can swing into the middle and dominate a match. Never wastes a possession, bringing his teammates into the game. Born for the big occasion, as he showed in several grand finals at Maffra and for the Bombers in 2024, expect another huge performance.
10. Andrew McKenzie
Joined the club this season from Maffra. A more than handy ruckman who has battled injury in the second half of the campaign, he is working into fitness and form. Tough and relentless.
13. Nick Marshall
Another solid season as a wingman who can also be used in defence or as a tagger, as seen in the qualifying final against David Donchi. Hard-running left-footer with the ability to play short or tall. Consistent 2024 premiership player who rarely plays a bad game.
14. Ryan Marshall
Effective backman who often gets the job on much bigger forwards. Underrated 2024 premiership player who doesn’t get the kudos he often deserves. Good user of the ball by both hand and foot.
15. Jude Scriven
Can play on-ball or as a stopper. Included in the preliminary final, where he did a good job on the dangerous Kieran Vickery, he may get Peter Harrison or even David Donchi.
16. Ben Wilkinson
Returned to the club this season from Mildura. Can play ruck or key position. A reliable swingman who might play more forward in the grand final and can hit the scoreboard.
17. Matt Wilkinson
The big fella has had another injury-interrupted season but is toughing it out despite having an obvious limp. The 2024 premiership legend will play forward and can take a big grab. Not at his best, but takes some of the heat off Jimmy Reeves.
19. Tom Jolly
Has put together four exceptional seasons since crossing from Maffra. 2024 premiership star who can be used in the midfield or forward. Loves to hit the scoreboard and lacks nothing in the courage stakes. A good user of the ball by both hand and foot, his preliminary final performance needed to be seen to be believed.
23. Jackson Glenane
A smooth mover with an accurate left foot who has moved out of the centre to the half-back flank this season with great effect. The 2024 premiership star is the designated kicker after a behind, rarely wasting a possession while breaking the line at every opportunity.
24. Kade Renooy
Co-coach and exciting player proposition in his second year after crossing from Maffra. Can play half-back or through the midfield, where his run and carry can be damaging. Loves a goal.
25. Jordan Stubbe
Small forward who has worked his way into the lineup at the right time of the year. Good pressure player who usually bobs up with a goal.
26. Rhys Johnson
A tough half back who never takes a backward step, making his opponent earn every kick. The 2024 premiership player can get a bit excited, but his attack on the football could never be questioned. Can play tall or short.
27. Ben Brunt
Outstanding addition from Springvale Districts after being a regular senior contributor at Maffra. Relentless midfielder who knocks up getting the ball.
32. Declan Scriven
Tough, high-pressure type player who can provide intensity either through the midfield or as a forward.
33. Josh Davis
Has been a revelation at half back after crossing from Maffra. Good one-on-one player with clever kicking skills.
34. Matthew Hinks
Missed out in 2024 after playing some handy games at half-back. Has impressed this season as a wingman, uses the ball well, and doesn’t take a backward step.
41. Jesse Ross
Returned from Queensland and has been a productive high half-forward. Averages a goal a game and impressed in the preliminary final.
43. Jim Reeves
The 2024 premiership skipper and spiritual leader, blessed with mercurial ability, can fly high and hunt at ground level. Has a big heart and bleeds black and red. Big-game player who can use his leg speed to get into a contest if the pickings are bare close to goal. A player to watch.
45. Bayden Dowsett
Defender or tagger who went down in the qualifying final with an infected knee at half-time. Fierce competitor who is a chance to return.
53. Will Moon
Joined from Sale this season and has impressed as a tall back. Found going tough on Byron Vickery in the preliminary final, but will be looking to bounce back.
62. Zak Harrigan
Has played plenty of senior football this season. Currently on the outer, he is a swingman who could come in and play back if required.
85. Jack Davidson
Talented utility who has played some impressive football at senior level this season. Dropped for the preliminary final, he will be against it to get back in.
