The trade and free agency period is the ideal time for clubs to address any glaring list needs.
But even the best teams go into the rest of the off-season with question marks.
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Of course, some could yet be addressed via the drafts, delisted free agency and even the SSP (Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period) to shore certain positions up.
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Below foxfooty.com.au analyses every club’s key list chasm for the 2026 AFL season.
ADELAIDE CROWS
List chasm: Midfield versatility/potency
There’s a reason the Crows went shopping for Christian Petracca and looked at other experienced midfielders in the trade period. For their on-ball group couldn’t match it with other contenders when the heat was at its hottest in September. Granted, Adelaide was missing Izak Rankine. So you do wonder how that could’ve potentially distorted our view of the Crows’ midfield and thus it not been an accurate reflection of how good that group can be. For Rankine — and to a lesser degree, Josh Rachele, who returned for the semi-final against Hawthorn — provide more of an X-factor and different feel to an otherwise relatively one-paced group. And outside of Jordan Dawson, who do you really trust? And who’s a bona fide? Giving more opportunities to youngsters including Sid Draper and Dan Curtin could help bolster the engine room and take it to another level. Plus, the likes of Jake Soligo, James Peatling, Sam Berry and others simply getting a taste of finals and an idea of the level required should automatically hold them in better stead.
BRISBANE LIONS
List chasm: Replacing Brandon Starcevich
The loss of Brandon Starcevich shouldn’t be glossed over. Not that it’s cause for concern as such, but the defender has been a pivotal part of the back-to-back premiers’ back six including shutting down Patrick Dangerfield and Tom Papley in the last two grand finals. Brisbane’s other best small lockdown defender, Noah Answerth, will miss the start of the Lions’ flag defence due to a ruptured Achilles. While Keidean Coleman should return to the fold after an injury-ruined 2025, the dasher is clearly a very different, more offensive type of player. So who steps up to play on the opposition’s best small forward? Or is well equipped to play on playing on versatile forwards? It might be the only little query in an otherwise stacked line-up bolstered by Oscar Allen and Sam Draper, provided the pair can overcome their recent injury woes.
Have we seen the AFLW Mark of the Year? | 01:03
CARLTON
List chasm: Run, carry and polish
The big question hovering over the Blues for some time now. For that contest-heavy style that ascended Carlton in Michael Voss’ first few years as coach is out of tune with the run and gun, crisp ball movement of the best teams. So how does that reflect on the personnel? They Blues shook up their list profile over a busy trade period including bringing in Will Hayward, Oliver Florent, Ben Ainsworth, Campbell Chesser and Liam Reidy, while Charlie Curnow, Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni departed. The other big addition is Jagga Smith after the former No. 3 draft pick’s 2025 was wiped by injury. Nic Newman — their best distributor across half back — also returns. It gives Carlton a more dynamic feel in every part of the ground, particularly if the likes of Jesse Motlop and Ollie Hollands can take steps forward and they commit to more of a high-speed game style. There’s still concern over whether this team has enough quality ball users though. So even if they tweak the way they play, you can’t magically make players better kicks.
COLLINGWOOD
List chasm: A consistent second midfield star
You could argue the Pies need for a reliable key forward is more pressing, particularly following Brody Mihocek’s departure. But that would be offset by a consistent second midfield star to support Nick Daicos by making Collingwood’s engine room more of a strength. When Scott Pendlebury went down in the opening minutes of the preliminary final loss to Brisbane — in a game Jordan De Goey was quiet — it was stark how much Collingwood needs more midfield juice. They’ve found one in Ned Long to play that defensive-first, inside midfield role. But Craig McRae still needs another reliable game breaker alongside Nick Daicos. That could be brother Josh, who’s shown flashes on the ball including a 16-disposal, two-goal fourth quarter against Gold Coast when he was thrown into the middle. Beau McCreery is also expected to get more midfield opportunities in 2026 after some promising stints. Even just getting a healthier season out of De Goey following two injury-hampered years could make a big difference. After an underwhelming first season in black and white, could Dan Houston get pushed on the ball? Or will McRae have something else up his sleeve? There could be a few handy midfielders on the market too to potentially help build out their depth more.
Mason Cox to leave Collingwood! | 00:29
ESSENDON
List chasm: Health
Health is your best player, right David King? That’d be a good start after an injury year from hell. For we really don’t have a great handle on what Essendon was in 2025 with so much key personnel sidelined. When you look at their best 23 on paper, it has potential to be a frisky team, but still with some obvious holes. For one, the ruck position after they yet haven’t replaced Sam Draper and Told Goldstein. Nick Bryan is slated to be the No. 1 ruck, but he’ll miss the start of the year through injury, leaving Vigo Visentini and Lachie Blakiston as their remaining options. Speaking of the midfield, it’d be among the more shallow engine rooms in the competition, which is the opposite of what’s needed in the modern game. It’ll be led by Zach Merrett, who could return unhappy after his failed trade to Hawthorn, Jye Caldwell, who’s struggled to stay on the park consistently, and Sam Durham. Darcy Parish has also been cruelled by injuries, while their other midfield options are unproven after several draft misses, plus Nic Martin will miss a key chuck of 2026 through injury. Also, who’s going to kick their goals? Not a single Bomber kicked over 30 majors in 2025, with Peter Wright (28) and Nate Caddy (20) their leading goalkickers. Though injury clearly played a part in that, it’s another area where there’s not a great base level of consistent production after plenty of change in recent years.
FREMANTLE
List chasm: Nothing glaring … but scope to strengthen key defensive stocks
There’s no obvious flaws in the Dockers’ 23. Their small forwards struggled in the elimination final loss to Gold Coast. But it’s not as though they’re not well stoked stocked there with the likes of Michael Frederick, Shai Bolton, Murphy Reid and Sam Switowski. Plus their talls didn’t perform a whole heap better. And they’ve added a dynamic defender in Judd McVee who can play a range of different forwards. There’s scope to strengthen their key defensive stocks, particularly if Alex Pearce got struck down with injury. But most of their backs excel on both sides of the ball, so it’s not exactly a pressing need. The Dockers clearly need a healthy season out of Hayden Young as their premium score involvements pure midfielder that does the most damage. And though Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw are stars, can they add a Matt Rowell-type explosion from stoppage to their repertoires?
Petracca heaps praise on new coach | 01:47
GEELONG
List chasm: Ruck and midfield depth
Chris Scott’s midfield depth got exposed on grand final day. Bailey Smith and Max Holmes are clearly A-graders, but it drops away pretty quickly to the likes of Tom Atkins, Jack Bowes, Gryan Miers, Oisin Mullin and Jhye Clarke, who can still play key roles on their day. The addition of James Worpel will help to bash and crash against other star midfielders and the Cats would love another option, like former No. 7 draft pick Clark, to emerge. Then there’s the ruck situation, which didn’t improve after Geelong’s failed bid for Rowan Marshall. It leaves Rhys Stanley to be the No. 1 ruck again going into 2026, unless Toby Conway can put his injury woes behind him and emerge. But the Stanley/Mark Blicavs looked slow and old on grand final day. The Cats have gotten by just fine without a star ruck for several years now though and it’s not the worst problem to have. Depending on how new rules impact the importance of a role that’s become less valuable in general.
GOLD COAST SUNS
List chasm: Star small forward
They might have the best collection of key forwards, particularly after the addition of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (if he can bounce back). Or at the least the most promising group of key forwards. But what about when the ball hits the deck in attack? Ben Long is coming a career-best season with 45 majors. But can he back it up or was it a year out of the box? Bayley Humphrey (25 goals) will surely get more midfield minutes and Ben Ainsworth (23 goals) is gone. You sense Christian Petracca will spend a fair bit of time up forward too. For Gold Coast could use more creative forwards in general, despite being well represented in the air. Jamie Elliott would’ve been a dreamy addition and to add invaluable experience. But you’d still have to say the club has closed the gap — potentially entirely — on Damien Hardwick’s call that they had 80 per cent of a premiership list already when he took over as coach.
Curnow insists no bad blood with Voss | 01:33
GWS GIANTS
List chasm: Midfield questions
The Giants are well-stocked all throughout the field — having topped up their midfield with Clayton Oliver and kept important depth defender Leek Aleer during the trade period, with Jayden Laverde set to join as a delisted free agent. But while they got Oliver on the cheap, he stills comes with a level of risk and simply mightn’t be an elite starting midfielder anymore. Particularly if he and Tom Green don’t function well together. The addition of adding Oliver is as much about building on-ball depth as anything though in an area the Giants aren’t blessed with heaps of reliable options. They could also look to upgrade in the ruck department in what would be casting an eye to the long-term picture. Kieren Briggs didn’t have his greatest season, and he’s likely not getting any better than he is right now at 26 years of age. Nick Madden and Logan Smith are the only other ruckmen currently on GWS’ list going into next season, so if Briggs were to go down with injury at some stage next year — or simply decline in form — there isn’t a heap to write home about in terms of rucks to pick from. It’s certainly food for thought for a Giants outfit that sat fifth-last in the competition for centre-clearance differential.
HAWTHORN
List chasm: Game-breaking midfielder
Zach Merrett sure would’ve been handy … Although the Hawks were missing Will Day through injury in the finals series, they didn’t have the midfield starpower to match it with Geelong, who was overwhelmed by Brisbane. Clearly, the Lions’ midfield is on its own level, but Hawthorn’s feels a couple of rungs down in a period it’ll be hoping to match it with the best. Day is clearly Hawthorn’s classiest midfielder and Jai Newcombe is becoming more well rounded, but it’s otherwise a blue-collar group that specialises more inside the contest. James Worpel’s departure should open up more opportunities for Cam Mackenzie, who will hope to follow in Josh Ward’s footsteps and have a breakout season in 2026. Mackenzie going to another level could give them Sam Mitchell that other game-breaker he needs in the engine room. And of course, having a fit Day and September specialist Newcombe, both firing alongside each other could also significantly raise the Hawks’ ceiling. Which one would you tag?
Merrett’s bid to join Hawks fails | 01:28
MELBOURNE
List chasm: Spine
The Demons addressed one of their biggest needs of the last few years — key-position attack — by acquiring Brody Mihocek from Collingwood. But you look at their spine and it’s still an area of concern, particularly with Mihocek turning 33. Harry Petty hasn’t worked as a forward and it might be time to give up on the experiment and send him back to defence. The Dees have made it clear they’ll prioritise the development of their younger defenders, such as Daniel Turner, Blake Howes and Jed Adams, over the prospect of Steven May and Tom McDonald continuing to be surefire senior mainstays. And while philosophically that might be the better approach, it will almost certainly be cause for some growing pains. And while Judd McVee was by no means a key defender, he was a potent interceptor and reliable one-on-one stopper who’ll be missed in the back half in 2026. It comes after Melbourne had one of its poorest defensive campaigns in some time. The Dees’ 88.6 average points conceded was their worst output since 2019, while their score-per-inside-50 against rate was 48 per cent; their worst since 2016.
NORTH MELBOURNE
List chasm: Reliability at both ends of ground … particularly defence
The Kangaroos’ depth in their engine room is considerable, but it’s inside the arcs at both ends of the ground where they’re again likely to be tested in 2026. List manager Brady Rawlings was confident at the beginning of the most recent trade period that his club wasn’t in desperate need of another key defender, however many of their pillars in the back half remain somewhat unproven. Charlie Comben’s move down back was certainly a success this season, however inconsistencies and inexperience remain in the games of other key personnel who could be called on. As much as anything, the Roos just need to develop a and get reps into a back six unit so they can improve their system. Up forward, Jack Darling remains the second key forward for Nick Larkey, but he isn’t the long-term answer once North finally remove themselves from the bottom sector of the ladder. Paul Curtis is going to be a star, if he isn’t already, and Cam Zurhaar can be a star on his day. Matt Whitlock can play at both ends of the ground, but with Finnbar Maley now longer at the club, you would suspect that they’ll be heavily considering one of their early second-round draft picks (currently No. 25 and 26) on the best available key forward.
PORT ADELAIDE
List chasm: Half-back punish
The considerable hole left by dual All-Australian rebounder Dan Houston at the end of last year wasn’t filled anywhere near as well as some would have hoped this year. Ultimately, smooth-moving left-footer Kane Farrell assumed Houston’s old role but didn’t give the side as much run-and-dash as his predecessor. Meanwhile, 22-year-old Josh Sinn’s expected rise as a rebounder didn’t come this year, and Logan Evans couldn’t hold down a consistent senior spot, while Ryan Burton was delisted at the end of this season. It doesn’t take an expert to see that the Power are lacking in this area — and in the modern-day game, where half-back counterpunch ability is irrefutably crucial to success, the void remains glaring.
2025 AFL trade period comes to an end | 02:30
RICHMOND
List chasm: Two-way midfielder
Richmond’s midfield combinations were problematic all season, with Adem Yze’s coaching staff consistently looking to inject more pace into a core mix that was generally one-paced. Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper and Dion Prestia attended the most centre bounces, and while Hopper is capable of exploding from stoppage, they all lack general speed and have the tendency to slouch in defensive transition. This year, Richmond ranked 17th for clearance differential, 17th for points from clearance differential, and 16th for contested possession differential. It shouldn’t shock anyone to say the Tigers would benefit greatly from a two-way midfielder after the club conceded the third-most goals to opposition midfielders this season. However, the longer-term future of Richmond’s engine room looks incredibly bright with Sam Lalor at the forefront, and expect dynamic livewire Taj Hotton to attend more centre bounces in year two.
ST KILDA
List chasm: Key-position attack
The Saints’ tall attack has been utterly hamstrung by Max King’s frustrating injury situation, and the club will be desperately hoping the spearhead can get on the park next year after donuts this year and 23 combined games in the two seasons prior. Small livewire Jack Higgins was the only St Kilda forward to play 23 games this year. Cooper Sharman, who appeared 21 times at senior level this year, has performed admirably in stints but is 10 centimetres shorter than King and isn’t quite a dominant force in attack, while Mitch Owens has been playing as a makeshift tall, and Anthony Caminiti now specialises in defence. One of the big questions looming large over Moorabbin heading into 2026 is how the Tom De Koning-Rowan Marshall dynamic looks. With De Koning now the club’s number-one tapster, Ross Lyon and company will be relying on Marshall to be able to make a consistent impact forward of the ball.
Ross Lyon coy on Aleer backflip | 03:06
SYDNEY SWANS
List chasm: Key back stocks
The Swans successfully lured ex-Hawthorn defender Jai Serong during the trade period. But they still lack true key defensive depth, with Dane Rampe, who’s yet to be offered a new deal for 2026, and Nick Blakey having been made to play taller this year in a defence that was able to be exploited. Outside of Tom McCartin — who’s had his concussion struggles — and Lewis Melican, who hasn’t always been a best-23 mainstay, the other listed key defenders on Sydney’s list are Joel Hamling 14, Will Edwards, Patrick Snell and Riak Andrew, who played a combined 14 senior games this season. Rampe, 34, and Hamling, 32, are the Swans’ two oldest current players, highlighting a clear long-term need at the position. After a grand final appearance in 2024, the Swans ranked just 10th this year for score-per-inside-50 allowed.
WEST COAST EAGLES
List chasm: Midfield support
To the surprise of no one, Harley Reid can’t do it all himself in the middle of the ground — at least, not this early in his career. The Eagles struggled mightily in the guts without the reliable presence of veteran ball-winner Elliot Yeo — who the club will be hoping can get back on the park next year — and the stark form drop-off of 2019 All-Australian Tim Kelly. The Eagles are expected to sign former Brisbane midfielder Deven Robertson as a delisted free agent in a move that would add a seasoned, ready-made body to an engine room in need of just that. Further, it would shock most pundits if West Coast didn’t stand pat and draft highly-touted ball-winner Willem Duursma — this class’ best prospect — to add to its young midfield brigade. Greater output from the middle portion of the ground is crucial if the Eagles are to improve on their all-time-worst 1-22 campaign.
Merrett’s manager FUMING as trade fails | 00:32
WESTERN BULLDOGS
List chasm: Key defensive stopper
No surprises here for Bulldogs fans. Luke Beveridge’s key defensive void down in defence was widely acknowledged heading into this year’s trade period, but unfortunately, they didn’t recruit anyone who could fill it. The likes of Callum Wilkie and Jordan Butts were linked to the Kennel at the back end of the season, however now their best shot looks to be either signing a delisted free agent, or having a key defender or two train with them throughout the summer before recruiting them as an SSP. Foxfooty.com.au understands the club has preliminary interest in three-club journeyman Sam Frost, after the club delisted longtime servant Liam Jones in September. Former Tiger Jacob Blight could also be a player worth looking into, as he hopes to continue his AFL career elsewhere. The Dogs are pretty well represented with interceptors in Rory Lobb and James O’Donnell, but could use that bigger-bodied sweeper to really tighten their defence and shut down key forward stars. They last year had a chance to select Matt Whitlock to boost their stocks, but opted against it — instead selecting midfielder Cooper Hynes. Currently holding pick 14, do they try and go with youth down back, or back in 21-year-old Jedd Busslinger as their next-gen key defender?