2026 Ladder Predictions

[timokane]

Well i have Pies Collingwood in there in either 3rd or 4th

 

[blueiris]

Where's Collingwood?

Being that he’s Collingwood supporter I’d say top 4

 

[StevoJenkins]

2. Brisbane

Still the best, most complete system in the league. Still hard to tip against. Brisbane are proven, brutal, and organised. So why only #2? Only arguments against are the slow creep of old age - Zorko's ancient, Cameron, Lester and Neale are all reaching career twilight stage, so availability could become an issue - and whether they can keep up with the meteoric list development curve of their interstate neighbours.

All of these guys are being replaced over the next few seasons, if not already.

Zorko - Coleman (technically Zorko was a sub for Coleman to begin with)
Lester - Doodee/Gardiner
Neale - Literally any of our recently drafted mids

Only player on that list we don't have someone for right now is Cameron, but I'd assume there's a small forward target somewhere the club has their eyes on.

 

[timokane]

I think we will have a new flag winner in 2026.
Lions have the back to back just dont think they are a 3 peat team.
Have to look back to 2001-2003 lions team 1 flag better then the 2026 lions.
Tipping a new one 2026 will be closing out of both cats and lions era.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

I can't see how Melbourne isn't spoon favourites.
Outside of Gawn and Pickett there isn't much else.

No key forwards. Lever injury prone, game has gone past May, Viney etc.

Probably because Essendon, North, Richmond and West Coast exist. Melbourne should probably finish in the middle of that pack. Its hard not to have Eagles as spoon favourites unless injury hits one of those hard.

 

[Mr Meow]

Yes, I'm a stupidly optimistic Saints fan!
View attachment 2485182

We've had classes handful of confirmations from St Kilda supporters that their club will jump 3-5 spots ahead of Geelong in 2026. An exciting season awaits.

 

[JPetro83]

We should all put Geelong top 2 in our ladders hoping we all get it wrong and they finally fall off a cliff

 

[Tarkyn_24]

Lions, Swans and Dockers the three biggest contenders IMO

 

[RUNVS]

Lions, Swans and Dockers the three biggest contenders IMO

I think Gold Coast are going to be contenders in 2026. No other team in the league has a midfield that can even touch theirs in terms of quality.

 

[Tarkyn_24]

I think Gold Coast are going to be contenders in 2026. No other team in the league has a midfield that can even touch theirs in terms of quality.

I think they’re still maybe a year or two away from premiership contention but it’s hard to see them not being a force very, very soon. Depends on development

 

[JPetro83]

Lions, Swans and Dockers the three biggest contenders IMO

Dockers are NEVER a contender

 

[Seattle Mariners]

Ahh, the annual let's hype up our own team thread..

I've seen a Hawks supporter tip their side to come first.
I've seen a Port supporter tip their side to come fourth
I've seen a Carlton supporter tip their side to come third (probably the best one)
I've seen a St Kilda supporter tip their side to come 5th.
I've seen an Essendon supporter tip their side to make finals.

Sure some of them may happen, but it's quite amusing nonetheless.

FWIW I'm backing my side to come 17th.

 

[blueiris]

I think Gold Coast are going to be contenders in 2026. No other team in the league has a midfield that can even touch theirs in terms of quality.

I think you’ll find Brisbane is better

 

[RUNVS]

I think you’ll find Brisbane is better

As a whole maybe, but just counting their midfields I think Gold Coast's is better.

Also I would not be remotely surprised if the Grand Final in 2026 is an all Queensland affair, so I hope the AFL update their graphics and stats so there are more pictures and fewer words.

 

[bungalow_bill]

I think you’ll find Brisbane is better

By a fair way.. particularly if we put Levi in his preferred inside mid position. Went ballistic in the middle when he got the chance this year

GC midfield is pretty impressive though with the addition of Petracca

 

[Makeshift Park]

By a fair way.. particularly if we put Levi in his preferred inside mid position. Went ballistic in the middle when he got the chance this year

GC midfield is pretty impressive though with the addition of Petracca

Both are an embarrassment of riches. Brisbane's was better in 2025. I think between Petracca's inclusion and Humphrey's ascent they might surpass your mob next year. Let's see.

 

[Viceregal]

As a whole maybe, but just counting their midfields I think Gold Coast's is better.

Also I would not be remotely surprised if the Grand Final in 2026 is an all Queensland affair, so I hope the AFL update their graphics and stats so there are more pictures and fewer words.

If the GF is Lions vs Suns the commentators might actually come to the ground and call it in person (as opposed to remote over the TV) ... of course that won't help them get the names any better.

Btw is there a pool for chances of a new royal commission if this option eventuates ... it being a sign of civilisation as we know it ending...

 

[Seattle Mariners]

I'd hate to be that team that finishes 11th in the first year of the top 10...

 

[Viceregal]

I'd hate to be that team that finishes 11th in the first year of the top 10...

Eleventhmond doesn't quite have the same ring to it does it.

If the Dons came 9th or 10th (or 7th or 8th) would anyone non-Essendon be failing to cheer on their opponent just for the record's sake (and pain for those who choose red and black as their signature colours)

 

[JPetro83]

Ahh, the annual let's hype up our own team thread..

I've seen a Hawks supporter tip their side to come first.
I've seen a Port supporter tip their side to come fourth
I've seen a Carlton supporter tip their side to come third (probably the best one)
I've seen a St Kilda supporter tip their side to come 5th.
I've seen an Essendon supporter tip their side to make finals.

Sure some of them may happen, but it's quite amusing nonetheless.

FWIW I'm backing my side to come 17th.

Im tipping the Crows to do what they do best and thats let their fans down and probably finish 12th or 11th

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Im tipping the Crows to do what they do best and thats let their fans down and probably finish 12th or 11th

Worse would be 10th & they extend Nicks after losing all 4 quarters of another final.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Ahh, the annual let's hype up our own team thread..

I've seen a St Kilda supporter tip their side to come 5th.

I’m not sure that’s outrageous like you think it is, given two non-Saints fans tipped us to finish 4th and another tipped us to finish 5th, on the first page of this thread alone…

 

[Mr Meow]

I’m not sure that’s outrageous like you think it is, given two non-Saints fans tipped us to finish 4th and another tipped us to finish 5th, on the first page of this thread alone…

Saints should almost be flag favourites.

 

[Marlo]

Saints should almost be flag favourites.

Easy now

We lost to West Coast last season

Edit: ok read the last couple of pages and gather you're taking the piss

 

[SC_Power]

Ahh, the annual let's hype up our own team thread..

I've seen a Hawks supporter tip their side to come first.
I've seen a Port supporter tip their side to come fourth
I've seen a Carlton supporter tip their side to come third (probably the best one)
I've seen a St Kilda supporter tip their side to come 5th.
I've seen an Essendon supporter tip their side to make finals.

Sure some of them may happen, but it's quite amusing nonetheless.

FWIW I'm backing my side to come 17th.

To be fair, Port Adelaide have finished top 3 H&A 4 times in the last 6 seasons. It’s our finals against good teams failures under a H&A game plan that’s been our undoing.

Every year we’re tipped to slide down the ladder / miss finals. Last year came true finally, with an injury record second only to Essendons. This year predictions will be no different. With a decent run with injury I’d expect a return to finals.