Garry & Tim’s 10: The best AFL players of March

Garry Lyon and Tim Watson have named their Top 10 players for the month of March.

The Melbourne and Essendon legends have curated their list based on who they believe played the best footy across the course of the first four rounds.

A coach of the month has also been named.

They will revisit this each month and put forward their Top 10s monthly across the 2026 season

“These are the guys we believe are the best performers across the competition in the first month of the season,” Watson said on SEN Breakfast.

Garry & Tim’s Top 10 - March

10. Ben King (Gold Coast)

Watson: “He’s kicked 16 goals from 18 kicks - that is efficiency.

“I would think that would continue given the volume of the supply from the Suns midfielders.”

9. Shai Bolton (Fremantle)

Watson: “Two 30-plus disposal games. Looks to be enjoying himself more than we’ve seen in the past.

“He’s playing a really valuable role for Fremantle.”

8. Josh Treacy (Fremantle)

Lyon: “He’s playing like a key forward should play. He’s got massive presence, presents beautifully.

“I think he’s going to be right there for All-Australian selection.”

7. Tom Barrass (Hawthorn)

Lyon: “Barrass is in for his defensive work. He’s had two cracking great games as a full-back.

“He’s probably the best defender for the year so far.”

6. Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne)

Lyon: “He’s as dynamic as anyone right now. He’s in pretty rare touch.”

5. Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)

Watson: “Still one of the most influential midfielders in the game. Senses the moment in games when he needs to produce something.

“He’s still getting in the face of the opposition.”

4. Max Gawn (Melbourne)

Lyon: “He’s had some superb games. He had a dominant last quarter (against Carlton) that lifted them over the line in his 250th.

“Remains the No.1 ruckman in the competition despite having won eight All-Australians already.”

3. Christian Petracca (Gold Coast)

Watson: “A lot of people forgot how good Christian Petracca was. He’s gone up there, got himself super fit and he is a spectacular player.

“He’s in the best kicking form we’ve seen for a long time.”

2. Nick Daicos (Collingwood)

Lyon: “Daicos has been unbelievably consistent. His third quarter on the weekend (against GWS) might have been one of the best quarters he’s played in his career, and that’s saying something.

“He sits comfortably at two.”

1. Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)

Lyon: “He has started the season on fire.”

Watson: “Bont’s performances to this point underline how consistently he has performed throughout the course of his career.

“We’re seeing maybe better moments of his absolute best right throughout the four quarters. He’s going forward and kicking goals too.”

Coach of the month

Andrew McQualter (West Coast)

Watson: “McQualter has the nomination for the month of March.

“They had just one win in 2025, hadn’t won a game for 10 months, many tipped them to be clear motherless last again.

“They’ve had two impressive wins, they’ve come from behind in both those games. So that goes to the heart of his coaching that he’s been able to prepare his players for that.”