2026 Ladder Predictions

[justlookingaround]

I’m gonna go out on a limb and predict qclash grand final

 

[txbyhull]

Sydney
Brisbane
Geelong
Gold Coast
Fremantle
Western Bulldogs
Hawthorn
Adelaide

Saints
Collingwood

GWS
Port Adelaide
Carlton
Essendon
North
West Coast (ignore "AFL Club:")
Melbourne
Richmond

 

[CDC60]

1 Brisbane
2 Sydney
3 Fremantle
4 Geelong
5 Gold Coast
6 Hawthorn
7 Western Bulldogs
8 Adelaide

9 St Kilda
10 Collingwood
11 GWS
12 Carlton
13 Port Adelaide
14 Melbourne
15 North Melbourne
16 Richmond
17 Essendon
18 West Coast

 

[Viceregal]

I’m gonna go out on a limb and predict qclash grand final

Would it come with umpires who don't believe in fairy tales? (cf 2016)

 

[Seattle Mariners]

With an average winning margin of approx 25 points, and only two wins over 50 points (57 max) in 2025, the Lions are yet to have a dominant year. I have a feeling this could be it.

Perhaps this is the year they have a dominant home and away season (20-21 wins) but lose a prelim or GF.

 

[Coolangatta]

1. Brisbane Lions
2. Gold Coast
3. Hawthorn
4. Port Adelaide
5. Western Bulldogs
6. Sydney
7. Fremantle
8. St Kilda

9. Adelaide
10. GWS

11. Geelong
12. Colingwood
13. Carlton
14. Essendon
15. West Coast
16. North Melbourne
17. Melbourne
18. Richmond

I'll probably only get about 3-4 of these correct...

 

[The Tip Jar]

This is what my new model likes! Unfortunately for my mighty Eagles.

• Geelong: 22-1
• Brisbane Lions: 19-4
• St Kilda: 18-5
• Hawthorn: 16-7
• Essendon: 16-7
• Sydney: 14-9
• GWS: 14-9
• Western Bulldogs: 14-9
• Adelaide: 13-10
• North Melbourne: 11-12
• Fremantle: 10-13
• Carlton: 10-13
• Collingwood: 10-13
• Gold Coast: 7-16
• Port Adelaide: 6-17
• Melbourne: 5-18
• Richmond: 1-22
• West Coast: 1-22

Well… let’s just say beta testing uncovered a few screws to be tightened, cogs to be oiled. What else is pre-season for?!

With the real stuff just days away, we’ve sacked the old boffins and hired new gizmos to recompute our predictions and give the app a facelift. Sorry to the Saints and Bombers fans for any false hope, lel.



Subject to change when teams are announced.

 

[Cringle]

Ladder Prediction

1. Brisbane
2. Fremantle
3. Gold Coast
4. Geelong
5. Western Bulldogs
6. Sydney
7. GWS
8. Adelaide
9. St Kilda
10. Hawthorn
11. Port
12. Collingwood
13. North
14. Carlton
15. Melbourne
16. Richmond
17. Essendon
18. West Coast

 

[Cringle]

There’s always a random riser RE Adelaide last year and a big slider RE Sydney.

I’m sure this year will be no different.

Have a feeling Hawthorn could have a down year (similar to Collingwood pre ‘22 premiership).

Or GWS.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

 

[EBERT THE KING]

1. Brisbane - Best team in a long long time
2. Gold Coast - Primed and ready. Petracca to be the recruit of the year
3. Fremantle - Their best chance at making the big dance
4. Sydney - Chips in for 2026
5. Western Bulldogs - Awesome list and will only get better in 2027 with the acquisition of Butters
6. Geelong - So strong at home. Will win a final
7. Adelaide - Will slide somewhat but still enough to play finals
8. Hawthorn - Good side but midfield lacking in comparison to those teams above them. Will make some big moves end of 2026
9. St.Kilda - Have to make finals for the spending to be justified
10. Carlton - Seem fresh and reinvigorated. Queitly hitting drafts hard and got a kings ransom for Charlie. Hayward will be massive for them
11. Collingwood - The start of a disastrous slide. Shallowest list in the comp
12. North Melbourne - The start of a rise. Clarko back against the wall but its time for the boys to become men
13. GWS - A gap year. Just hammered with injury. Green is their most important player. Greene, Hogan, Kelly all getting long in the tooth
14. Essendon - New coach for 2027. Merrett to depart. Just a debacle. Expect Cox, Tsatas and Perkins to all be gone in 2027.
15. Port Adelaide - Just a weird list and a full rebuild on the way once Butters departs.
16. Melbourne - Third oldest list and the pain is only beginning. How long does Kozzie hang around for?
17. Richmond - Will win less games than last year
18. West Coast - Will double their wins from 2025

 

[Reservoir tiger]

1. Lions
2. Hawks
3. Crows
4. Suns
5. Giants
6. Dockers

7. Dogs
8. Swans
9. Cats
10. Saints

11. Blues
12. Pies
13. Power
14. Roos
15. Dees
16. Tigers
17. Eagles
18. Bombers

 

[Chaisa]

1. Brisbane - I think they're the hottest Premiership favourite in a long time. No real weaknesses in the side, lots of stars. Will take a lot of beating and I think unlike previous years they may flex their muscles during the season itself too.
2. Sydney - will bounce back. A-tier midfield at full fitness, and Curnow gets their forward line humming too. I am still slightly concerned some of the queries that have held us back in previous years haven't been addressed, but have a side that will win a lot of H&A games.
3. Geelong - it's Geelong. The forward line injuries are a tad concerning but I think their forward line is strong enough to address it, and their midfield has improved. I won't be writing them off.
4. Fremantle - TBH I'm still far from convinced that Longmuir is the right man for the job but the side is good enough that I don't think it'll matter that much anyway. Need to keep their defence fit though.
5. Western Bulldogs - I think they'll at least focus on defence more to stop them from being scored against by good teams so easily. That said, their defensive personnel is still quite weak so there's only so much it can do. Beveridge is still a bit of a loose cannon coach which won't help things and may cost them a Top 4 spot, but too much talent to see them dropping too far.
6. Hawthorn - would've been Top 4 for sure with Merrett and Day, but not signing one of them and losing the other to injury means their midfield looks worryingly weak. Everything else is quite strong though and they've got a very good coach and gameplan. Should do fine.

7. Gold Coast - think they're getting a bit over-rated. Only had one good season and look to be getting massively ahead of themselves. Still too much talent to see them dropping too much, but think there'll be a slight regression before really loading in 2027.
8. St Kilda - look like they're building towards something. Nasiah might be on the verge of being the best player in the competition. Boosted their depth quite nicely. Should at least break past the shit teams.
9. Port Adelaide - I don't really rate them, but that draw is absurd and they still have some very good players. Could see that start giving them a boost and seeing them overperform slightly.
10. Collingwood - on the verge of falling apart but as long as they have Daicos and McRae's gameplan they won't fade too hard. Won't be too easy to beat, regardless.

11. Greater Western Sydney - injuries look like they might **** them. Pre-season vibes aren't great. They'll have some stirring wins but the consistency won't be there.
12. Adelaide - also being bit hard by the injury bug. Hard start to the season too. Think things will go pear-shaped early and they'll struggle to recover from it.
13. Essendon - they'll improve, I guess. Midfield is decent at full fitness and I think they can pinch some games against the crap teams. Didn't look that poor when they were something resembling full-fitness last year and Scott can some pull shit out of his ass.
14. Carlton - just feel very bleh. Not enough class throughout the side. They won't be terrible, but I just can't see them winning many games.
15. North Melbourne - haven't looked great in the pre-season. Terrible defence. Have some good players but the entire package isn't great. I guess they might improve slightly, but I'm not putting them higher until they show genuine signs.
16. Melbourne - looked good in the pre-season but other than Gawn and Pickett it's very hard to get excited about the team. Anything happens to one of those two they fall into spoon contention. They might be slightly above the Bottom 2, but will struggle.
17. West Coast - will improve but were so far back from everyone else it won't be by a lot.
18. Richmond - think they'll step back from last year, they had quite a few older guys play key roles and I think they'll full on embrace the kids if they're fit this time around.

Made some pretty bold calls, but then again ladders always end up being more unexpected than you'd think. Think that middle tier will be quite close.

 

[JackFlash]

Nobody really knows what is going to happen in 2026, but it's trying to predict the unpredictable.
My Sept29th 2025 prediction was :
1. Hawthorn
2. Suns
3. Brisbane
4. Fremantle
5. Western Bulldogs
6. Giants
7. Geelong
8. St.Kilda


A day before the first game in 2026 i've changed things around a little:
1. Geelong
2. Brisbane
3. Western Bulldogs
4. Fremantle
5. Hawthorn
6. Sydney Swans
7*. Gold Coast Suns
8*. St.Kilda
9* Adelaide
!0* Collingwood

 

[kreuze_missile]

1. Carlton

2. Who cares.

 

[Kobe Gryant]

Nobody really knows what is going to happen in 2026, but it's trying to predict the unpredictable.
My Sept29th 2025 prediction was :
1. Hawthorn
2. Suns
3. Brisbane
4. Fremantle
5. Western Bulldogs
6. Giants
7. Geelong
8. St.Kilda


A day before the first game in 2026 i've changed things around a little:
1. Geelong
2. Brisbane
3. Western Bulldogs
4. Fremantle
5. Hawthorn
6. Sydney Swans
7*. Gold Coast Suns
8*. St.Kilda
9* Adelaide
!0* Collingwood

Mr Meow how long until this goes pear shaped? I give it until 10.30pm Friday.

 

[Mr Meow]

Mr Meow how long until this goes pear shaped? I give it until 10.30pm Friday.

Not much would have to change at all for Jack to send an SOS and revise Geelong down to 12th. He is an exciting poster to follow.

 

[JackFlash]

Mr Meow how long until this goes pear shaped? I give it until 10.30pm Friday.

As Brisbane have proved many times, the season is not judged by Round 1 alone. I put Geelong on top becasue i really have no idea who will be the dominant team this year.

 

[JPetro83]

Another Sydney v Brisbane GF

 

[Jirik13]

1. Brisbane - I think they're the hottest Premiership favourite in a long time. No real weaknesses in the side, lots of stars. Will take a lot of beating and I think unlike previous years they may flex their muscles during the season itself too.
2. Sydney - will bounce back. A-tier midfield at full fitness, and Curnow gets their forward line humming too. I am still slightly concerned some of the queries that have held us back in previous years haven't been addressed, but have a side that will win a lot of H&A games.
3. Geelong - it's Geelong. The forward line injuries are a tad concerning but I think their forward line is strong enough to address it, and their midfield has improved. I won't be writing them off.
4. Fremantle - TBH I'm still far from convinced that Longmuir is the right man for the job but the side is good enough that I don't think it'll matter that much anyway. Need to keep their defence fit though.
5. Western Bulldogs - I think they'll at least focus on defence more to stop them from being scored against by good teams so easily. That said, their defensive personnel is still quite weak so there's only so much it can do. Beveridge is still a bit of a loose cannon coach which won't help things and may cost them a Top 4 spot, but too much talent to see them dropping too far.
6. Hawthorn - would've been Top 4 for sure with Merrett and Day, but not signing one of them and losing the other to injury means their midfield looks worryingly weak. Everything else is quite strong though and they've got a very good coach and gameplan. Should do fine.

7. Gold Coast - think they're getting a bit over-rated. Only had one good season and look to be getting massively ahead of themselves. Still too much talent to see them dropping too much, but think there'll be a slight regression before really loading in 2027.
8. St Kilda - look like they're building towards something. Nasiah might be on the verge of being the best player in the competition. Boosted their depth quite nicely. Should at least break past the shit teams.
9. Port Adelaide - I don't really rate them, but that draw is absurd and they still have some very good players. Could see that start giving them a boost and seeing them overperform slightly.
10. Collingwood - on the verge of falling apart but as long as they have Daicos and McRae's gameplan they won't fade too hard. Won't be too easy to beat, regardless.

11. Greater Western Sydney - injuries look like they might **** them. Pre-season vibes aren't great. They'll have some stirring wins but the consistency won't be there.
12. Adelaide - also being bit hard by the injury bug. Hard start to the season too. Think things will go pear-shaped early and they'll struggle to recover from it.
13. Essendon - they'll improve, I guess. Midfield is decent at full fitness and I think they can pinch some games against the crap teams. Didn't look that poor when they were something resembling full-fitness last year and Scott can some pull shit out of his ass.
14. Carlton - just feel very bleh. Not enough class throughout the side. They won't be terrible, but I just can't see them winning many games.
15. North Melbourne - haven't looked great in the pre-season. Terrible defence. Have some good players but the entire package isn't great. I guess they might improve slightly, but I'm not putting them higher until they show genuine signs.
16. Melbourne - looked good in the pre-season but other than Gawn and Pickett it's very hard to get excited about the team. Anything happens to one of those two they fall into spoon contention. They might be slightly above the Bottom 2, but will struggle.
17. West Coast - will improve but were so far back from everyone else it won't be by a lot.
18. Richmond - think they'll step back from last year, they had quite a few older guys play key roles and I think they'll full on embrace the kids if they're fit this time around.

Made some pretty bold calls, but then again ladders always end up being more unexpected than you'd think. Think that middle tier will be quite close.

I enjoyed your assessments. Carlton probably too low. Surely ahead of Essendon who again have some injuries already.

Just curious what gave you impression that Suns are getting massively ahead of themselves? I think it's journalists who pump them up.

 

[BrainOfMorbius]

In all the years Brisbane has been a powerful side, we've never won a minor premiership. Why do people think this year is so different?

 

[timokane]

Heres mine on day one of the AFL season be it round zero zip what ever they call it today March 5th Thursday here goes:

1. Lions (benchmark now cant see anything changing in 2026)
2. Suns (primed for a cracking 2026 steadily getting more on the radar)
3. Swans (time is now bit of a make or break 2026 for them tho has to at least make the grand final other wise its back to the drawing board)
4. Freo (love what they are doing great tall height team young stars everywhere hard to beat in 2026)
5. Crows (tad drop off but still around the mark again in 2026)
6. Cats (see Crows home games always ensures they get around the mark again its a fixture thing thats all)
7. Pies ( leveling out times lean one this year but be on the right side of the ladder but the bottom half of the right side always have faith in Fly but list is starting to wear thin tho depth issues now)
8. GWS (sit this one out for Kingsley and co but lean one like the Pies)
9. Hawks (wildcard for them not much overall depth can be tested from time to time jury is out still 2025 was the year for the hawks see how things pan out need to have plan b in 2026)
10. Dogs ( mini rebuild but still in there fighting aways Bevo still keeps on keeping on tad lean one in 2026)
11. Saints (steady year working their way up on the right track still think its 2027 as finals for the saints)
12. North (Clarkes men 2026 improvement times for them and its good time as well for cellar dwellers and move into middle tier team handy on their day are north watch on them in 2026)
13. Blues (2025 all over again rinse repeat again need a full rebuild in 2027 but still has Voss so wont bottom out stagnate year for the Blues in 2026 neither here or there really but the fans go to the games tho)
14. Port ( see Blues similar situation as well to the Blues are Port)
15. Dees ( methinks entering into rebuilding times now and long term pain for the Dees nowadays)
16. Tigers (tiger kids will start doing some good things but still long way to go in still a rebuilding phase in 2026)
17. West coast (win one more game to finally avoid the spoon just this time maybe on percentage only)
18. Essendon (out of eagle and Essendon are spooners for 2026 Just a toss of a coin)

Grand final tip :
Brisbane v Suns/Swans

This one will be a close on as well ala 2023

 

[Jim Prideaux]

Heres mine on day one of the AFL season be it round zero zip what ever they call it today March 5th Thursday here goes:

1. Lions (benchmark now cant see anything changing in 2026)
2. Suns (primed for a cracking 2026 steadily getting more on the radar)
3. Swans (time is now bit of a make or break 2026 for them tho has to at least make the grand final other wise its back to the drawing board)
4. Freo (love what they are doing great tall height team young stars everywhere hard to beat in 2026)
5. Crows (tad drop off but still around the mark again in 2026)
6. Cats (see Crows home games always ensures they get around the mark again its a fixture thing thats all)
7. Pies ( leveling out times lean one this year but be on the right side of the ladder but the bottom half of the right side always have faith in Fly but list is starting to wear thin tho depth issues now)
8. GWS (sit this one out for Kingsley and co but lean one like the Pies)
9. Hawks (wildcard for them not much overall depth can be tested from time to time jury is out still 2025 was the year for the hawks see how things pan out need to have plan b in 2026)
10. Dogs ( mini rebuild but still in there fighting aways Bevo still keeps on keeping on tad lean one in 2026)
11. Saints (steady year working their way up on the right track still think its 2027 as finals for the saints)
12. North (Clarkes men 2026 improvement times for them and its good time as well for cellar dwellers and move into middle tier team handy on their day are north watch on them in 2026)
13. Blues (2025 all over again rinse repeat again need a full rebuild in 2027 but still has Voss so wont bottom out stagnate year for the Blues in 2026 neither here or there really but the fans go to the games tho)
14. Port ( see Blues similar situation as well to the Blues are Port)
15. Dees ( methinks entering into rebuilding times now and long term pain for the Dees nowadays)
16. Tigers (tiger kids will start doing some good things but still long way to go in still a rebuilding phase in 2026)
17. West coast (win one more game to finally avoid the spoon just this time maybe on percentage only)
18. Essendon (out of eagle and Essendon are spooners for 2026 Just a toss of a coin)

Grand final tip :
Brisbane v Suns/Swans

This one will be a close on as well ala 2023

How many predictions is that now?

 

[Mr Meow]

Heres mine on day one of the AFL season be it round zero zip what ever they call it today March 5th Thursday here goes:

1. Lions (benchmark now cant see anything changing in 2026)
2. Suns (primed for a cracking 2026 steadily getting more on the radar)
3. Swans (time is now bit of a make or break 2026 for them tho has to at least make the grand final other wise its back to the drawing board)
4. Freo (love what they are doing great tall height team young stars everywhere hard to beat in 2026)
5. Crows (tad drop off but still around the mark again in 2026)
6. Cats (see Crows home games always ensures they get around the mark again its a fixture thing thats all)
7. Pies ( leveling out times lean one this year but be on the right side of the ladder but the bottom half of the right side always have faith in Fly but list is starting to wear thin tho depth issues now)
8. GWS (sit this one out for Kingsley and co but lean one like the Pies)
9. Hawks (wildcard for them not much overall depth can be tested from time to time jury is out still 2025 was the year for the hawks see how things pan out need to have plan b in 2026)
10. Dogs ( mini rebuild but still in there fighting aways Bevo still keeps on keeping on tad lean one in 2026)
11. Saints (steady year working their way up on the right track still think its 2027 as finals for the saints)
12. North (Clarkes men 2026 improvement times for them and its good time as well for cellar dwellers and move into middle tier team handy on their day are north watch on them in 2026)
13. Blues (2025 all over again rinse repeat again need a full rebuild in 2027 but still has Voss so wont bottom out stagnate year for the Blues in 2026 neither here or there really but the fans go to the games tho)
14. Port ( see Blues similar situation as well to the Blues are Port)
15. Dees ( methinks entering into rebuilding times now and long term pain for the Dees nowadays)
16. Tigers (tiger kids will start doing some good things but still long way to go in still a rebuilding phase in 2026)
17. West coast (win one more game to finally avoid the spoon just this time maybe on percentage only)
18. Essendon (out of eagle and Essendon are spooners for 2026 Just a toss of a coin)

Grand final tip :
Brisbane v Suns/Swans

This one will be a close on as well ala 2023

Out of interest how many teams have won 38 or more games away from their home stadium the past 4 seasons, like Geelong have?

That's an average of 9.5 wins away from Geelong per season. I'd say going deep in September 3 of those 4 seasons has a fair bit to do with that.

The "carried by GMHBA" narrative doesn't hold up to actual inspection.

 

[almuz]

1. Sydney
2. Gold Coast - start winning consistently on the road
3. Brisbane
4. Fremantle
5. Hawthorn
6. Bulldogs

7. Port Adelaide - have nice double ups
8. St Kilda
9. Adelaide
10. GWS - I've been thinking they go off a cliff for years but always end up competitive

11. Carlton - I can also weirdly see them being a really competitive side but who kicks their goals
12. Geelong
13. Essendon
14. Collingwood
15. Melbourne - candidate to go off a cliff like 3 or 4 wins but just enough quality
16. North Melb
17. West Coast
18. Richmond