Liam Pickering's A-Grade players ahead of 2027

Liam Pickering has named his 45 A-Graders ahead of the 2027 AFL season.

"Tightening up" on his rankings from last season, Pickering narrowed his list down, leaving out a number of star players and All-Australian talents en route to forming his final list.

Per the list, three teams enter the new season without an A-Grader, while Brisbane and Geelong top the league with six A-Graders each.

See Pickering's A-Graders below:

ADELAIDE

Jordan Dawson, Izak Rankine

"You can make a case for Josh Worrell. Riley Thilthorpe on last year's form - no. Wayne Milera is next rung down."

BRISBANE

Harris Andrews, Will Ashcroft, Josh Dunkley, Logan Morris, Hugh McCluggage, Dayne Zorko

"The other one was Zac Bailey. I'll take it on board if you think I've been harsh on him. Charlie Cameron - next rung down. Excellent player."

CARLTON

Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh, Jacob Weitering

"Harry McKay out. I think the young blokes will get in - Harry Dean and Jagga Smith - but they are not there yet."

COLLINGWOOD

Nick Daicos, Lachie Neale

"Darcy Moore - he didn't play all year. When he is at his best, yes. Jordan De Goey (also). Josh Daicos, excellent player, just a rung below."

ESSENDON

Nil

"They've got no A-Graders at the moment."

FREMANTLE

Shai Bolton, Andrew Brayshaw, Luke Jackson, Caleb Serong

"Josh Treacy and Alex Pearce - I'm being a bit harsher. The other one is Hayden Young. He will get there. Jordan Clark, excellent player, not there. This time next year, they could be all in."

GEELONG

Patrick Dangerfield, Max Holmes, Tom Stewart, Bailey Smith, Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron

"Patrick Dangerfield is A-Grade. He won games for the Cats this year."

GOLD COAST

Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell, Christian Petracca

"Can't find any room for another A-Grader. I like Bodhi Uwland a lot."

GWS

Lachie Ash, Finn Callaghan, Sam Taylor

"Tom Green didn't play all year - he will be in there. Clayton Oliver had a good year but not for me."

HAWTHORN

Will Day, Jai Newcombe, Nick Watson, Zach Merrett

"No Jarman Impey, no James Sicily. I'm talking about the very top end. Jack Gunston is a B-Grader."

MELBOURNE

Max Gawn, Kysaiah Pickett

NORTH MELBOURNE

Harry Sheezel, Nick Blakey

"Luke Davies-Uniacke was questionable. He was stiff, because I really do rate him. Nick Larkey had a poor year. I like Cooper Trembath - he could be a genuine A-Grader. Tristan Xerri is a bit stiff, a strong B."

PORT ADELAIDE

Jason Horne-Francis

"Connor Rozee was injured all year. Mitch Georgiades, B. Aliir Aliir is a B."

RICHMOND

Nil

"A bit like Essendon. None. Nick Vlastuin is closest."

ST KILDA

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Callum Wilkie

"Jack Sinclair is stiff, he's a good player."

SYDNEY

Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Brodie Grundy, Charlie Curnow, Errol Gulden

"Tom Papley was stiff. Callum Mills is out for the whole year."

WEST COAST

Nil

"Harley Reid... not yet. He had a terrific year."

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Marcus Bontempelli, Zak Butters, Ed Richards

"Sam Darcy is coming off a knee reco - I think he is going to be the best of the lot. Bailey Dale and Aaron Naughton, no."