THE MOVE of superstar Zak Butters to the Western Bulldogs as a free agent last week has given coach Luke Beveridge access to one of the most powerful starting midfields we have seen in a long time. 

With Butters standing alongside captain Marcus Bontempelli and 2025 club champion Ed Richards, the Bulldogs have the combination of size, skill, fast feet and toughness to be the best centre ball-up group in the game next season. 

It has put the team back in the premiership mix, but there are other midfield groups that will rise to the challenge and improve as well, with grand finalist Fremantle still getting better in its engine room, and Hawthorn looming large after the trade period.   

AFL.com.au looked ahead to 2027 and predicted each team's best midfield combination, ranking them after the player movement period.   

1. WESTERN BULLDOGS 

Marcus Bontempelli 
Zak Butters
Ed Richards 

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Tim English, Marcus Bontempelli, Matt Kennedy, Ed Richards (39 centre clearances, ranked No.8)

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Marcus Bontempelli (18.8), Ed Richards (17.6), Tom Liberatore (11.8)

2027 outlook: The addition of Butters has turned the Bulldogs into a 2027 premiership contender, with no club boasting as much class in its midfield top three. Other midfields might run deeper, but good luck at the opening centre ball-up against the Dogs, who already ranked top six for clearance and centre differential. How the Bulldogs balance their attacking weapons with structural and defensive-minded players will be a focus. 

2. FREMANTLE 

Caleb Serong 
Shai Bolton 
Andrew Brayshaw 

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Luke Jackson, Shai Bolton, Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw (57 centre clearances, ranked No.3) 

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Caleb Serong (14.4), Shai Bolton (13.9), Andrew Brayshaw (12.2)   

2027 outlook: The Dockers have big names, great chemistry, and a system that allows them to score heavily from clearances, ranking No.1 in the AFL in 2026 for scores from clearance differential. Could easily have the best midfield in the game next season, with Hayden Young and Murphy Reid both capable of stepping into the Dockers' best trio and Luke Jackson a dominant ruck force. 

3. SYDNEY

Errol Gulden 
Isaac Heeney 
Chad Warner 

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Brodie Grundy, Isaac Heeney, Justin McInerney, Chad Warner (33 centre clearances, ranked No.10) 

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Isaac Heeney (18.7), Chad Warner (17.3), Errol Gulden (13.8) 

2027 outlook: The Swans might have been a mid-table team when it came to clearance wins in 2026, but their ability to convert them into scores was powerful. Gulden showed his class when returning from a shoulder injury and he ended the season as the Swans' best midfielder and a top 10 player in the AFL. Brodie Grundy provides great ruck service and ranked No.10 himself in the AFL for clearances. Centre clearances are so important now, and the Swans are the best in the game at scoring from that source.  

4. BRISBANE 

Will Ashcroft
Josh Dunkley 
Hugh McCluggage 

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Sam Draper, Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley, Will Ashcroft (45 centre clearances, ranked No.6) 

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Lachie Neale (14.2), Will Ashcroft (12.7), Josh Dunkley (11.1) 

2027 outlook: What a luxury for the Lions that they can lose one of the game's great stoppage players and have multiple top tier options to turn to, with Hugh McCluggage and Zac Bailey clearly capable of playing bigger roles at the coalface and Levi Ashcroft on an upward midfield trajectory. Their top-four rating owes a lot to Will Ashcroft's ascent to being a top five midfielder in the game and the two-way role that Josh Dunkley plays as well as anyone. Ranked No.1 in the AFL for clearance differential in 2026 and No.3 for scores from clearance.  

5. HAWTHORN 

Jai Newcombe 
Will Day 
Zach Merrett 

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Lloyd Meek, Jai Newcombe, Josh Ward, Cam Mackenzie (25 centre clearances, ranked No.14)

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Jai Newcombe (14.4), Josh Ward (12.6), Will Day (11.5)  

2027 outlook: From desperately needing a player like Merrett 12 months ago to now adding the former Bomber as the cherry on top, the Hawks midfield has come on in leaps and bounds. Jai Newcombe had the inside covered in 2026 as the No.2 clearance player in the AFL, while Will Day showed what he can do on the outside after returning from a shoulder injury, with the duo complementing each other well. Merrett takes them to another level, while Josh Ward is growing rapidly.   

6. GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

Clayton Oliver
Finn Callaghan 
Tom Green 

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Kieren Briggs, Clayton Oliver, Finn Callaghan, Brent Daniels (22 centre clearances, ranked No.16) 

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Clayton Oliver (13.6), Finn Callaghan (13.4), Xavier O'Halloran (9.3)

2027 outlook: The Giants rocket up the rankings for 2027 based largely on the return of Tom Green, who ranked No.1 in the AFL for clearances in 2025 (8.5 a game) before suffering an ACL injury during the following pre-season. Clayton Oliver is yet to play alongside Green and they have similarities as players, but Finn Callaghan complements them well as a player who can burst to the outside and take ground. Ranked 17th for both clearance and centre clearance differential in 2026, so a lot of faith is being put both in Green and for Callaghan to reach another level.    

7. COLLINGWOOD 

Nick Daicos 
Lachie Neale
Jordan De Goey 

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Darcy Cameron, Nick Daicos, Jordan De Goey, Ed Allan (30 centre clearances, ranked No.12)   

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Nick Daicos (18.1), Scott Pendlebury (11.3), Ed Allan (10.4)  

2027 outlook: Another team that shoots up the rankings after a poor 2026, with Lachie Neale's addition transforming the Magpies' stoppage game. The Magpies ranked No.15 for clearance differential and No.14 for scores from clearances, so Neale is a desperately needed sidekick for superstar Nick Daicos. The third wheel in that starting midfield could be Jordan De Goey, or it could well be Ed Allan to balance out the attacking strengths of his teammates. 

8. GEELONG  

Bailey Smith
Max Holmes 
Tom Atkins 

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Mitch Edwards, Bailey Smith, Oisin Mullin, Tom Atkins (31 centre clearances, ranked No.11) 

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Bailey Smith (15.0), Max Holmes (14.2), Tom Atkins (10.5) 

2027 outlook: The Cats have two of the best transition midfielders in the game in Bailey Smith and Max Holmes, but they were behind the top tier in 2026 when it came to the stoppage game and all-important centre ball-ups. Shaun Mannagh showed in September what he can do in the midfield, while Tom Atkins remained part of the best combination in 2026. The addition of ruckman Rowan Marshall should be significant in helping the Cats star onballers get a better scoring return at stoppages. 

9. CARLTON 

Patrick Cripps 
Sam Walsh 
Jagga Smith 

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Marc Pittonet, Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh, George Hewett (52 centre clearances, ranked No.4) 

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Patrick Cripps (13.0), Sam Walsh (12.8), George Hewett (11.8) 

2027 outlook: The Blues' midfield could easily outperform this ranking in 2027 if Telstra AFL Rising Star Jagga Smith continues his rapid ascent and Sam Walsh and Patrick Cripps continue the form they showed under new coach Josh Fraser. Likewise George Hewett, who was part of the Blues' best combination in 2026 as Carlton broke even across the season for scores from stoppages. A bottom four club at converting first possession to clearances, there is upside for the Blues midfield and Smith holds the key. 

10. GOLD COAST 

Noah Anderson 
Matt Rowell 
Christian Petracca 

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Ned Moyle, Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell, Touk Miller (46, ranked No.5) 

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Matt Rowell (13.6), Noah Anderson (13.0), Alex Davies (8.6)

2027 outlook: The Suns' midfield on paper should be challenging the best in the game, but their output in 2026 forces them down the rankings significantly. Incredibly, the Suns ranked 16th over the season for clearance differential and 13th at centre clearances, with teams able to outscore them from the coalface. Finding the right balance with their roles and building chemistry, with crucial on-field guidance from Scott Pendlebury, could see them back among the AFL's best midfields. 

11. ADELAIDE 

Jordan Dawson 
Izak Rankine 
Sam Berry 

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Lachie McAndrew, Jordan Dawson, Izak Rankine, Sam Berry (38 centre clearances, ranked No.9) 

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Izak Rankine (15.1), Jordan Dawson (14.8), Sam Berry (10.7)   

2027 outlook: The dynamic movement of Izak Rankine and strength and skill of Jordan Dawson makes for an awesome combination, but the Crows need more depth in their midfield and chased Zac Bailey for that reason. After missing out, they will hope that young midfielder Sid Draper can make a leap in 2027, while Charlie Edwards has a lot of promise. Sam Berry had a career-best season and was more damaging while retaining his workmanlike strengths and will likely remain part of the Crows' best combination next year. Ranked No.6 for scores from clearances. 

12. NORTH MELBOURNE 

Luke Davies-Uniacke 
Harry Sheezel 
Finn O'Sullivan

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Tristan Xerri, Luke Davies-Uniacke, Harry Sheezel, Finn O'Sullivan (44 centre clearances, ranked No.7)

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Luke Davies-Uniacke (14.8), Harry Sheezel (13.2), George Wardlaw (12.1)

2027 outlook: Could Jaymie Graham's midfield be the big bolter of 2027? As unlucky as Harry Sheezel might have been in 2026, none of the Roos midfielders have been All-Australian yet and they appear to have that level in them, with Luke Davies-Uniacke earning a squad nomination. The midfield is much stronger when George Wardlaw (16 games in 2026) is in it, and he could be part of the team's best combination in 2027 if fit and back to his best. Ranked No.8 for clearance differential in 2026 and No.11 for scores from clearance differential. 

13. MELBOURNE 

Kysaiah Pickett 
Jack Steele 
Tom Sparrow 

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Max Gawn, Kysaiah Pickett, Jack Steele, Tom Sparrow (95 centre clearances, ranked No.1) 

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Kysaiah Pickett (14.9), Tom Sparrow (12.8), Jack Steele (12.5)  

2027 outlook: Max Gawn's dominance made the Demons the best team in the AFL for centre clearance differential in 2026, but their reliance on the champion big man as their No.1 clearance player works against the ground-level trio when ranking them against opposition groups. Tom Sparrow (5.4 clearances a game) was the best clearance winner outside of Gawn, but there is scope for Harvey Langford to break into the top group in 2027. Overall, the Demons ranked No.9 for clearance differential in 2026.  

14. PORT ADELAIDE 

Jason Horne-Francis 
Connor Rozee 
Willem Drew 

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Jordon Sweet, Zak Butters, Jason Horne-Francis, Ollie Wines (27 centre clearances, ranked No.13) 

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Zak Butters (18.0), Jason Horne-Francis (12.9), Willem Drew (11.4)  

2027 outlook: So much will rest on captain Connor Rozee in his return from a season ruined by hamstring surgery, with the dual All-Australian set to resume as a prominent onballer as the Power adjust to life without Zak Butters. A brilliant season from Jason Horne-Francis contributed to the Power ranking No.2 in clearance differential, and the 23-year-old has more scope for improvement. Port will then hope for improvement in players like Jase Burgoyne and Miles Bergman to contribute in the midfield, with Ollie Wines still relied on at stoppages and Willem Drew a reliable accountable midfielder. 

15. ST KILDA 

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
Max Hall 
Hugo Garcia 

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Tom De Koning, Max Hall, Hugo Garcia, Marcus Windhager (23 centre clearances, ranked No.15) 

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (17.4), Hugo Garcia (13.0), Sam Flanders (10.0)  

2027 outlook: Underwent perhaps the biggest midfield renovation of any club, with Max Hall and Hugo Garcia emerging as key players and Tom De Koning taking the No.1 ruck mantle, with Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera remaining a superstar who can play wherever he is needed in the moment. A tough and tenacious midfield group, they got results and ranked No.4 for clearance differential. Have not yet proved they are a midfield group that can send the Saints to September but there are positive signs.  

16. WEST COAST 

Harley Reid 
Willem Duursma 
Tim Kelly

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Bailey Williams, Harley Reid, Tim Kelly, Elliot Yeo (83 centre clearances, ranked No.2) 

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Harley Reid (11.7), Tim Kelly (10.9), Elliot Yeo (8.8)   

2027 outlook: West Coast has been beaten up in the midfield in recent seasons, but those days will be over in 2027. Harley Reid has the ability to be the best clearance player in the AFL and ranked No.7 in 2026. There is senior support around him with the addition of Jack Viney, but Willem Duursma's growth is where the upside for 2027 is. The No.1 pick showed a lot of promise when onball and will be bigger, stronger, and able to play that role with more consistency. Deven Robertson will return and was also important before his ACL injury.  

17. RICHMOND 

Tim Taranto 
Sam Lalor
Jack Ross 

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Oliver Hayes-Brown, Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper, Sam Cumming (13 centre clearances, ranked No.17) 

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Tim Taranto (13.9), Jack Ross (12.4), Dion Prestia (7.3)

2027 outlook: It's only a matter of time before the Tigers climb these rankings as Sam Lalor, Sam Cumming, Sam Grlj and Taj Hotton emerge, and then there is the unknown of Josh Smillie. Lalor looks ready to become part of the Tigers' best combination after returning from an Achilles injury late in the season, but it is still early days with a young group and Tim Taranto will likely do a lot of the heavy lifting again in 2027 after a third club best and fairest. Recruit Nathan O'Driscoll wants to evolve into an inside midfielder and has the leg speed the Tigers need.  

18. ESSENDON 

Sam Durham 
Jye Caldwell 
Dyson Sharp 

Best 2026 centre clearance combination: Peter Wright, Darcy Parish, Andrew McGrath, Elijah Tsatas (seven centre clearances, ranked No.18) 

Top three 2026 midfielders for player ratings: Zach Merrett (12.8), Sam Durham (11.5), Will Setterfield (10.9) 

2027 outlook: The Bombers have a lot of ground to make up on the competition and will need to do it without their seven-time club champion Zach Merrett. Ranked last in 2026 for clearance differential and scores from clearance differential, the Bombers will turn to Sam Durham and Jye Caldwell to lead the way and support youngsters like Dyson Sharp, who already looks capable of joining the Bombers' best centre bounce combination. That third spot could easily be taken by Sullivan Robey, however, while Jacob Farrow has scope as an inside midfielder after a top 10 finish in the best and fairest.