We’re 15 rounds in now and the ladder taking shape, the standout seasons being built and it’s a great time of year for looking forward in footy.

We start talking about premiership favourites, the fixture on the run home, and consider which players are separating themselves from the rest.

My task today is naming the current 2026 All-Australian team — with a twist.

I’m naming the 2026 All-Australian teams. Yes. Two of them.

The All-Australian team is a great snapshot of a season. As the years go by, they serve as a time capsule. We can look back at 1992 and know that Ken Hinkley and Mil Hanna were the game’s best half-back-flankers.

But it’s not enough. I’m proposing we name a first and second team. We need more detail, more time-capsule content for future generations. So, here they are.

In my All-Australian first team for 2026, there’s some first-timers. Wayne Milera, Nick Watson and Max Holmes have all had outstanding starts to 2026.

Some usual suspects return. Marcus Bontempelli will be fitted for what would be a record-equalling eighth jacket.

I’ve got five Dockers in the first team. First-timers Luke Jackson, Alex Pearce, Josh Treacy, Murphy Reid and previous All-Australian Shai Bolton.

Reid is young, yes, but his impact on games is unmistakable. Already, he’s a crucial cog in the AFL’s best team. His linking, creating and finishing with class. A rare talent.

Jackson might be the best player in the AFL this season. He was the first name I wrote down. Pearce just edges Sydney’s Tom McCartin, with the Freo skipper’s multiple match-winning plays on the defensive end demonstrating his sacrifice and work rate, from the front.

Jordan Dawson is the clear choice as All-Australian captain. His leadership in the face of personal adversity this season, losing his brother, has been nothing short of inspirational. His on-field play almost as impressive.

In the second team — there are some choices which might raise an eyebrow. I’m big on Geelong’s Connor O’Sullivan. This kid will be the AFL’s best defender within a year or two. He’s not far off already. A quad injury means Reuben Ginbey won’t make the AA team now, but I’d have had him in the first team if not for the setback.

Justin McInerney is another who made the second team, but injury will mean he won’t be there at the end of the year. Max Gawn is unlucky — the big man is having an outstanding season as usual — but I’ve got Jackson as the clear top ruck, with Brodie Grundy just edging Gawn for the back-up spot in the 1st team.

Tom Sparrow has had a breakout season and is a big reason for Melbourne’s success, while Bodie Uwland has become one of the game’s best defenders.

Then there’s Harley Reid. Harley has his haters, but his season has been excellent. He’d be leading the Eagles club champion award — particularly now without Ginbey — and has done everything possible to lead West Coast from the front. I didn’t hesitate to put him in the second team. A strong back half could have him in contention for the first team.

ALL-AUSTRALIAN FIRST TEAM

B: J Sicily (HAW) A Pearce (VC) (FRE) C Wilkie (STK)

HB: W Milera (ADE) A Aliir (PA) M Holmes (GEE)

C: Z Butters (PA) M Bontempelli (WB) J Dawson © (ADE)

HF: S Bolton (FRE) J Treacy (FRE) B Smith (GEE)

F: N Watson (HAW) J Gunston (HAW) K Pickett (MEL)

FOL: L Jackson (FRE) I Heeney (SYD) N Daicos (COL)

I/C: B Grundy (SYD) L Neale (BRI) C Petracca (MEL) M Reid (FRE) N Wanganeen-Milera (STK)

Coach: J Longmuir (FRE)

ALL-AUSTRALIAN SECOND TEAM

B: C O’Sullivan (GEE) T McCartin (SYD) B Uwland (GC)

HB: N Blakey (SYD) R Ginbey (WC) J Noble (GC)

C: J McInerney (SYD) H Reid (WC) F Callaghan (GWS)

HF: T Greene (VC) (GWS) J Cameron (GEE) T Sparrow (MEL)

F: M Georgiades (PA) B King (GC) Z Bailey (BRI)

FOL: M Gawn © (MEL) J Newcombe (HAW) C Oliver (GWS)

I/C: C Serong (FRE) H Sheezel (NM) W Ashcroft (BRI) L Parker (NM) J Sinclair (STK)

COACH: S King (MEL)