Opening Round 2026: Locks, Concerns and Steals

It's time to build Opening Round squad and the preseason practice matches have given us real 2026 GDS scoring data to work with. We crunched the numbers across all the preseason games covering every clubs and cross-referenced every player's output against current GDS selection percentages.

The result is a clear picture of who the field is getting right, who they're getting wrong, and who they're completely sleeping on. Here's your Opening Round cheat sheet.

The Locks: Preseason Backed, Highly Selected

These are the players where the selection percentage is fully justified by what they showed in preseason. No arguments here.

Jack Sinclair (DEF, St Kilda) posted the highest GDS score of any player across all six preseason games with 182 GD points. That is an absurd number. He averaged 121.8 GDS across 2025 and is currently selected by 43% of coaches. Sinclair looked ready from ball-up and the data backs the hype. Lock.

Tim English (RUK, Western Bulldogs) put up 154 GD points in preseason, the second-highest individual score of the entire preseason slate. Selected by 46% of coaches with a 2025 average of 124.4 GDS, English dominated the hitouts and racked up 23 disposals. Your first choice ruck is safe.

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (DEF, St Kilda) scored 151 GD points in his first preseason hit-out at his new club. The most selected player in the game at 48%, his 2025 average of 135.4 GDS already made him a must-have. The preseason confirmed he's settled in immediately. The Saints' defensive duo of Sinclair and Wanganeen-Milera could be the most potent DEF pairing in GDS this season.

Nick Daicos (MID, Collingwood) scored 120 GD in preseason. Selected by 48% of coaches, Daicos averaged 127.3 GDS in 2025. Clean, reliable, and did exactly what you'd expect. No surprises, just premium output.

Marcus Bontempelli (MID, Western Bulldogs) posted 114 GD. At 45% selection and a 2025 average of 129.0 GDS, Bontempelli ticked over nicely without being pushed. The Bulldogs midfield looked sharp across the board.

Lachie Ash (DEF, GWS) put up 110 GD in preseason. Selected by 41% of coaches with a 2025 average of 119.5, Ash was clean and composed across half-back. Reliable DEF pick.

The Concerns: Highly Selected, Preseason Red Flags

These players carry high selection percentages but their preseason output raises questions. That doesn't mean they're bad picks for the whole season. It means the Opening Round might not be the week to rely on them.

Lachie Whitfield (DEF, GWS) is the biggest preseason flop on this list. Selected by 48% of coaches (equal highest in the game), Whitfield managed just 51 GD points in preseason on only 15 disposals, albiet in a storm. His 2025 average of 126.4 GDS tells you the talent is elite, and that he should be a opening round lock.

Errol Gulden (MID, Sydney) managed just 27 GD in preseason before leaving the field early with an injury. Reports suggest he's fit and available for Opening Round, so the 27 points is essentially a throwaway number. That said, at 39% selection, coaches are backing Gulden almost entirely on reputation. His 2025 average of 122.9 GDS across limited games proves the ceiling is genuine mid-premium territory. Do we trust the talent? Absolutely.

Christian Petracca (FWD, Gold Coast) posted 101 GD in his first preseason game at his new club. At 42% selection, coaches are paying for a bounce-back season after an injury-affected 2025 (103.9 GDS avg). The 101 preseason score is fine, not great. New team, new system, new teammates. The upside is real in a think FWD crop but there's more risk baked in here than the selection percentage suggests.

The Steals: Strong Preseason, Low Selection

This is where Opening Round squads are won. These players produced genuine numbers in preseason but the field hasn't caught on yet.

Max Windhager (St Kilda) scored 163 GD points in preseason, the second-highest score at any club behind only teammate Sinclair. Windhager racked up 41 disposals and looked like a completely different player BUT as a 2026 MID the benchamrk is high, and I would be following the crows and staying away.

Ed Richards (MID, Western Bulldogs) put up 120 GD in preseason. At roughly 19% selection, he's flying under the radar despite posting a premium preseason number alongside Bontempelli and English. His 2025 average of 114.9 GDS already had him as a solid mid. The preseason suggests more. A POD play at best.

Jack Impey (Hawthorn) posted 124 GD in preseason, the highest scorer for the Hawks. Currently only with a 1% selection percentage, Impey could be a sneaky differential if he holds a key role across half-back. Another POD play.

Quick Hits: Other Preseason Standouts

A few more names that caught our eye in the data. Tom Liberatore (WBD) scored 131 GD, showing the veteran is far from done. Zac Bailey (BRL FWD) posted 111 GD, backing up his 2025 form. Lachie Neale (BRL MID) hit 126 GD, still a force. Lachie Ashcroft (BRL MID) matched Neale with 125 GD. The Brisbane midfield looks loaded.

On the other side, Toby Greene (GWS FWD) posted 119 GD in preseason against a 2025 average of 96.9 GDS. At 30% selection, he could outperform expectations if that form carries.