Collingwood
Does Jordan De Goey have one more super season left in him? The goal-kicking midfielder was restricted to 13 games in 2024, and 11 this year – his 2025 campaign derailed by groin issues, and the need to complete a mini pre-season through the season proper. He had only two standout games this year, against Melbourne (26 disposals, one goal) on the eve of the finals, and in the losing qualifying final to Adelaide (26 disposals, one goal). Turning 30 in March, and having just had his first child, De Goey – a subject of trade rumours in October – will look to make a splash.
Ready to rebound: Jordan De Goey will hope for a productive 2026.Credit: Getty Images
Essendon
There is plenty for the Bombers to wish for, such as off-field stability, a return to the finals and a September win for the first time in more than two decades, and Zach Merrett regaining the faith of his teammates after his failed trade to Hawthorn. But it’s what their new batch of draftees can do – namely Sullivan Robey, Dyson Sharp and Jacob Farrow – which will have fans excited. All three were first-round selections, with club insiders hoping they form the Bombers’ nucleus of the next decade.
The Bombers’ 2025 draftees: Hussien El Achkar, Jacob Farrow, Sullivan Robey, Dyson Sharp and Max Kondogiannis.Credit: Getty Images
Fremantle
It’s time this group truly clicked and delivered the club’s maiden premiership. The Dockers boast a midfield of Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Hayden Young, which should be among the league’s best next season. They finished outside the top four by just percentage this year, but were eliminated at home in week one of the finals by the Suns – a disappointing exit.
Geelong
The Cats will be hoping either Mitch Edwards or Toby Conway can emerge as a frontline ruckman. Veteran Rhys Stanley has been awarded another one-year contract, but it’s the uncapped Edwards, heading into his third season, and Conway, with just six senior games to his credit (none in 2025) because of form and injury, whom they need to take charge. Club insiders say Edwards is a chance to debut early in the new season.
That’s mine: Toby Conway and Toby Nankervis jostle for the ball in 2024.Credit: Getty Images
Gold Coast
The Suns can taste a premiership within the next couple of seasons, if their encouraging trajectory continues apace under Damien Hardwick. They will hope Christian Petracca fits in seamlessly with Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell and skipper Noah Anderson, and will need to avoid a major injury to key forward Ben King. We’ve seen many a team tipped for higher honours fail to climb football’s Everest. Can the Suns rise?
GWS
The Giants will hope the Clayton Oliver experiment goes according to plan. The Giants aren’t as deep as they once were through the midfield, so the punt on Oliver was worth the risk. But it remains to be seen if the former Demon can re-emerge as one of the league’s premier onballers, with his lack of outright speed through the midfield a real issue. The Giants will also hope Oliver’s off-field issues have settled.
Hoping for a healthy season: Playmaker Will Day and coach Sam Mitchell.Credit: AFL Photos
Hawthorn
The Hawks will hope Will Day can have an injury-free campaign, the silky midfielder – widely considered the Hawks’ best player – missing the past two finals’ campaigns. Day has been training well through summer, and appears on track for a round-one return. That the Hawks opted not to pay full freight in a trade for Merrett means Day’s health is of even greater importance.
Melbourne
The Demons will hope 2026 brings a calmness not seen for a couple of years. A tumultuous 2025 campaign, which included the departures of premiership coach Simon Goodwin and stars Petracca and Oliver means it’s time for a fresh start. They will also hope Jacob van Rooyen can morph into the strong-marking forward they crave. Van Rooyen managed only 16 goals in 16 games this year.
Work to do: Melbourne foward Jacob van Rooyen shapes as a key figure in 2026.Credit: Getty Images
North Melbourne
With a year and two senior games to Matt Whitlock’s credit, the Kangaroos will hope the key position player, whom they contentiously traded back into the 2024 national draft to secure with the last pick of the first round, can become a consistent senior presence. The Roos failed to beat any top-eight sides again this year; they will hope that changes in 2026 in what shapes as a defining year for Alastair Clarkson in his time at Arden Street.
Port Adelaide
It shapes as a rebuilding year for the Power under new coach Josh Carr. Just how well he and his new coaching group gel will be one of the key watches at Alberton in 2026, as will the decision star midfielder Zak Butters makes on his own future. The 25-year-old Victorian is out of contract at the end of 2026, and will be the league’s No.1 free agent target. “I haven’t set [a] timeline for myself. It’s definitely one I’m in no rush to make, and I’ll definitely feel like I’ll make it when the time’s right with the club, with my manager, with my family and I feel like everyone will be on the same page,” Butters said in Adelaide recently.
Power play: Sam Lalor celebrates a goal at the MCG.Credit: AFL Photos
Richmond
It’s another year of development for the Tigers, but they will hope to be in finals contention – until at least the mid-point of the season. That would show tremendous growth for a club with the league’s third-youngest list, in both average age (23.8) and average games played (58.7). Former No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor will look to continue his development, while a full season from luckless defender Josh Gibcus would be huge.
St Kilda
The Saints will hope their off-season recruiting spree results in a leap into the finals. But, for that to happen, they also need key forward Max King to finally have some luck on the injury front and become the dominant player many think he can be. The Saints have already announced he won’t be back in full training until the end of January, after yet more knee surgery. It’s going to be an intriguing season for Ross Lyon’s side, particularly when it comes to how Tom De Koning handles his multi-million dollar payday.
Sydney
The Swans will hope Curnow and his troublesome knee can hold up, with the former Blue pivotal to Dean Cox’s bid to have his team back in September action. A fit Tom Papley is also a must, the excitable small forward restricted to 11 games this year. The Swans won eight of their final 11 games, but their dash was too late – this time they will hope to win eight of their first 11 games to firmly plant a finals flag.
West Coast
The Eagles have the youngest and least-experienced list, so expectations are not great for coach Andrew McQualter after the club’s first one-win season. But what supporters will hope for is the continued development of Harley Reid, Reuben Ginbey, Bo Allan, Elijah Hewett and Jobe Shanahan, and a glimpse into the future from their latest No.1 pick, Willem Duursma. The latter looks ready to roll.
Huge grab: Sam Darcy in full flight against Melbourne.Credit: Channel Seven
Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs will hope Sam Darcy can turn into the marking monster he showed he was more than capable of being this year (48 goals in 17 games). If the son- and grandson-of-a-gun can do so, the Bulldogs will be well-placed to do something they haven’t achieved under Luke Beveridge – finish the home-and-away season in the top four. Ryley Sanders has had a minor setback with a hamstring strain, but the Bulldogs hope the damaging midfielder can emerge as a blue-chip star in 2026.
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