The AFL fixture for 2026 will drop this week and there are clear standout games on the calendar that everyone will be circling.
The majority will likely revolve around trade period drama and storylines, given it was one of the most turbulent ever.
Here are 10 matches we’re already frothing for next year.
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Charlie Curnow poses after being traded to Sydney AFL Photos via Getty Images
1. Charlie Curnow versus Carlton
No match-up will be more anticipated from a storyline perspective in 2026 than Sydney versus Carlton next year.
Charlie Curnow’s shock call to force his way out of the Blues, despite having four years left on his contract, has naturally left a sour taste in the mouth of fans who will be eager to let him know about it.
But on the flip side, Sydney effectively discarded Will Hayward and Ollie Florent to make the trade happen, both of whom will be in the navy blue for the match-up. There’s no doubt there’s some bad blood there.
Curnow won two Coleman Medals and has had a turbulent career with the Blues, but was unquestionably a fan favourite.
It will certainly be must-watch when Curnow lines up alongside former teammate Jacob Weitering and the rest of Carlton to kick off the season in Opening Round.
Zach Merrett of the Bombers looks dejected after a loss. AFL Photos via Getty Images
2. Zach Merrett says hi to future Hawthorn teammates?
Well… this might be awkward. Zach Merrett was all-in on becoming a Hawk in the trade period. So much so that his manager Tom Petroro’s visible anger as the deadline approached was one of the key visuals of the evening.
But Essendon held firm and forced the captain to return to Tullamarine. Whether he remains skipper next year is yet to be determined.
Hawthorn and Essendon are already bitter rivals, but Merrett has ignited it to levels not seen in decades.
It’s going to be awkward when Hawks fans are cheering him on in hopes that he requests a trade again at the end of 2026.
Clayton Oliver and Melbourne teammates celebrate the 2021 premiership. Â Paul Kane via Getty Images
3. Clayton Oliver versus Melbourne
Clayton Oliver didn’t plan to leave Melbourne in the trade period, he was told to explore his options, and he did, landing at GWS.
After two poor seasons and all the subsequent drama, there’s no doubt he will be excited to get one back on the club.
Oliver won four best and fairests and was a key part of their 2021 premiership drought breaking victory.
It’s hard to imagine Dees fans bare much ill-will towards him, but he might have a different view of the club after the last three years and all the turnover at the club.
Bailey Smith shoves Harris Andrews. AFL Photos via Getty Images
4. The grand final rematch
For about three quarters of footy, Brisbane versus Geelong was one of the best games of the year, before the Lions took control and blew the Cats away.
There’s always animosity in grand final rematches. Geelong entered favourites and will feel they let one slip between their fingers, while the Lions claimed back to back premierships.
The Cats will no doubt be out for a little bit of revenge when they meet again.
And unquestionably they will both be among the contenders again in 2026, making this a mouth-watering contest.
West Coast’s Oscar Allen with Liam Duggan and Jamie Cripps. Getty
5. Oscar Allen versus West Coast
This one didn’t generate as much craziness in the trade period, likely because it had felt inevitable since basically April.
Oscar Allen leaving wooden spooners West Coast for premiers Brisbane in free agency is the exact opposite of what the AFL would want, but Eagles fans aren’t particularly down about it given they received pick two as compensation.
But there’s no doubt there will be some spite between the Eagles and Allen. It’s not often a captain walks out on a club, particularly one struggling this much.
On the flip side, Brandon Starcevich made the most from Brisbane to West Coast and will likely be joined by Deven Robertson as a delisted free agent, adding another dimension.
Of course, it’s unlikely this will be a particularly close contest given the gap between the two teams, but you never know with the added layers.
Jack Silvagni in a St Kilda guernsey. Instagram
6. Jack Silvagni and Tom De Koning versus Carlton
All eyes were on Curnow, while Jack Silvagni and Tom De Koning slipped out the door at Princes Park on day one of free agency, with both joining St Kilda.
The pair left for money they simply couldn’t turn down, but good luck telling that to the Blues faithful.
The Silvagni name has been synonymous with Carlton since Serge played for the club in the 1950s. Now Stephen Silvagni is running the show at the Saints and he’s poached his son across after glimpses of the best form of his career.
The bad blood between the Silvagnis and Carlton has simmered for a little bit, but will now be on full display, while De Koning is now one of the highest paid players the game has ever seen.
This one will be spicy.
Christian Petracca in a Gold Coast guernsey. Getty
7. Christian Petracca versus Melbourne
After requesting a trade last year, Christian Petracca finally got his way and has departed Melbourne for Gold Coast.
Dees fans will have every right to feel hard done by given their midfield champion has tried to walk out on them in successive seasons and they will certainly get their chance to let him know about it.
This ranks slightly lower on the scale than Oliver, simply due to the Demons’ desire to move on from him.
But there’s no doubt this will be a fiery encounter between a Norm Smith Medallist and the club he fled.
Bailey Smith of the Cats celebrates a goal. AFL Photos via Getty Images
8. Easter Monday
No trade storyline here, just two of the best teams in the competition in front of 90,000 fans at the MCG.
Geelong and Hawthorn have been two of the most successful clubs of the last 20 years and their rivalry at times has been as good as any in the competition.
Both will have premiership aspirations next year and coming off the 2025 preliminary final battle there will be extra spice to this one.
Expect this to be one of the great spectacles of the season. The Easter Monday game has unquestionably turned into one of the great matches of the season.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan of the Bulldogs AFL Photos via Getty Images
9. Jamarra (if he’s picked) versus the Bulldogs
It’s hard to know how Bulldogs fans will feel if this eventuates in 2026. There’s likely a greater degree of apathy towards Jamarra Ugle-Hagan when compared to Bailey Smith’s exit a year earlier.
But if Ugle-Hagan does turn things around and enjoys success at Gold Coast, Bulldogs fans will no doubt feel annoyed that they got effectively nothing for him.
The former No.1 pick looked like a star key forward of the future, but didn’t play at any level in 2025 dealing with mental health and off-field behavioural issues.
Now he’s got an AFL lifeline with Gold Coast in the hopes of revitalising his career, while the Dogs are left to wonder what could have been.
Of course, it all depends on whether Ugle-Hagan is actually able to turn things around.
Jack Steele of the Saints leads his team up the race. AFL Photos via Getty Images
10. Jack Steele versus St Kilda
Jack Steele departed St Kilda for Melbourne with very little fanfare at the end of the trade period.
Captain of the club and someone who has helped lead them through some difficult times, the Saints were seemingly happy for him to find a new home as they managed the salary weight of all the players they splashed on in the trade period.
And while he was reluctant at first, Steele landed at the Demons.
It will certainly be one to watch when the two teams match up, particularly how Steele reacts to his old club.