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SELECT 👉 Hagley Oval feed
The 12 veterans fighting for one last hurrah in 2026
SEN • December 3rd, 2025 11:38 am
These are the veterans who might be fighting for one last hurrah in 2026.
While it’s no given if they’ll retire at the end of next year, there’s no denying that their respective careers are almost at the end.
“When you go back and have a look at some of our celebrated elder statesmen there are quite a few who might be going around for the last time next year,” Sam Edmund said on SEN Breakfast.
“We don’t want to retire anyone here and now, so it is a little bit sensitive, but for all intents and purposes these guys are close to bowing out.
“Can they potentially go out with a real bang?”
Cam Mooney only included players who he believes has a chance of winning the flag with their club in 2026.
“There’s no point me saying a West Coast or Richmond player because they’re not going to play finals this year,” Mooney said.
“These are the elder statesmen who are coming to an end next year or are just about there. Is this their last shot at a flag?”
See the last hurrah veterans list below:
Taylor Walker (Adelaide)
Edmund: “He had a horrible finals series, particularly against Hawthorn when he was borderline a liability. But it’s ‘a’ bad game.
“Can he still get it done? I reckon he can.
“He’s a beautiful kick, one of the best set shots in the business, his field kicking is amazing. And he still kicked 39 goals last season.”
Mooney: “What we learnt last year is can the big three (Walker, Thilthorpee and Fogarty) work up forward come finals time?
“I’ve been in the same situation with three talls and come finals time it’s a hell of a lot harder.
“‘Tex’ is probably my number one (veteran).”
Scott Pendlebury & Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
Mooney: “425 games and 354 games respectively. If it’s not next year it will be the one after, but I think it’ll likely be 2026.
“Pendles’ is 38 in January and ‘Sidey’ is also 38 in Jan. That’s telling me they’re at the end.
“The thing with Collingwood is we might get that great start, they were 14-2 last year, then won three of their last nine games.
“Is that the precursor of what we’re going to see again next year? If it is then the old guys have to go.”
Jeremy Howe (Collingwood)
Edmund: “You could fold Jeremy Howe into that conversation as well.
“Howe is 35 in June. His absence was so sorely felt last season.”
Dayne Zorko (Brisbane)
Edmund: “I don’t know if it will be his last year or not, but he has every right if his form continues to just go and go and go.
“All-Australian in 2024, still a massive part of the Lions, so much football flows through the hands of a man who will be 37 before the season starts.
“He’s a five-time best and fairest, the resume is stacked, he’s still a massive barometer for Chris Fagan’s team.
“I just wonder if Kiddy Coleman comes back in and they’ll get reinforcements, they’ll recruit a bit - how long can he continue for?
“But you know he’s going to be massive next season.”
Jack Gunston (Hawthorn)
Mooney: “What an unbelievable year Jack had. But at 34 next year, after 283 games and 73 goals last year, has he got the ability to even get close to that again?
“What he did last year was just incredible. 12 months ago we all thought ‘Gunner’ was done.
“I think Hawthorn are a massive shot of winning a premiership. Can he get around 50-plus goals again and help them get over the line?”
Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong)
Edmund: “37 in April, still an enormous part of that side, the figurehead as captain.
“Unbelievable in the prelim against Hawthorn, he couldn’t have done anymore in that game. Unfortunately he couldn’t back it up in the Grand Final, he looked every bit of his age.
“You’d think this would be his last year. A huge barometer for them clearly.”
Rhys Stanley (Geelong)
Edmund: “He just has to deliver in the ruck because they couldn’t get Rowan Marshall in, Toby Conway just can’t get his body right.
“We know Mark Blicavs helps out but Stanley is massive at his vintage still.”
Dane Rampe (Sydney)
Mooney: “He’ll be 36 in June. Can the Swans jump back up the ladder? I think they will.
“I think it will be a really good year for them and can Dane Rampe hold his spot and get one last crack?”
Adam Treloar (Western Bulldogs)
Edmund: “Treloar will be 33 on the eve of a new season and had to fight and face some nervy times to get the one-year deal.
“The soft tissue injuries have become a real problem. But when he’s fit he is comfortably in their best 23.
“Still knows how to play the game, but can the body survive? If it does he’s going to play a big part.”
Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs)
Edmund: “This guy just keeps on keeping on and we marvel at him and he’s so important to that side - Tom Liberatore.
“‘Libba’ will be 34 in May. Is he going to be one of those guys where he is just braining them on one-year deals and then suddenly he’s done? I don’t know.
“He might just decide out of nowhere that ‘I’m done’ at the end. But he’s massive for the Dogs.
“They’ve got some youth coming through that midfield but those two (Treloar and Liberatore) in particular are comfortably best 23 players at the Dogs, but are getting close to the end.”
Jaeger O’Meara (Fremantle)
Mooney: “He’s played 200 games, he only averaged 15 disposals last season which is his lowest in 10 years.
“He’s got a midfield of Hayden Young, Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw and Shai Bolton will go through there - can O’Meara have one last swansong?
“I think Fremantle are a big shot at winning a premiership. Can he get one before he gets out?”
