2026 Ladder Predictions

[timokane]

Heres my first one for the year 2026 only Jan i know:

1. Suns the new lions can be anything in 2026 hardwicks time to coach another flag hottest team right now
2. Lions touch drop be it a spot or two still best going around level of content in 2026
3. Crows see gws but they have won 2 flags
4. GWS solid outift well coached organised done well blue chip as well yet to win a flag as yet amazing
5. Freo back up 2025 in 2026
6. Dogs bevs last throw at the stumps still solid getting some kids helps around the mark again
7. Pies around the mark could be the dawn of somewhat of a cliff lean year this one drop off but still makes it in there be it week 1 september better in 2027 not quite in 2026 they working themselves out for the future foundation times
8. Swans getting back on track new coach working well thus far a getting there season
9. Cats bit of a downer in 2026 still got them making finals again might be last dance tho
10. Hawks other teams working them out in 2026 2025 they peaked
11. St Kilda on the rise made a slash see how Ross last year will go just got on the right track
12. Port see blues stagnate team now
13. Blues rinse repeat of 2025 in 2026 season of stagnation in 12 months time to make hard decisions
14. North see tigers going up a notch
15. Melbourne on the slide tipping spoon in 2028 they are following essendon
16. Richmond see north go up a notch
17. Essendon second last spoon in 2027
18. West coast last spoon tho go to 17th in 2027

 

[beside the seaside]

Nepo babies Suns have the 2nd hardest draw.

That's terrible mate, sorry to hear. Hopefully an official complaint has been lodged, this should not stand.

 

[BillytheLid]

Nepo babies Suns have the 2nd hardest draw.

Just like ladder predictions assessments of the fixture are speculative and up to one's own interpretation. I did not describe it as 'soft' and perhaps 'favorable' is not the best descriptor but for mine it looks like a pretty good draw.

Whichever way you slice it they have a dream start. First 2 rounds at home. Eagles, Richmond and Melbourne across the first 4 weeks, then an “away” game against Sydney on neutral territory (Norwood) followed by Essendon at home. At worst they should 5-1 and set up for the season.

 

[Jirik13]

That's terrible mate, sorry to hear. Hopefully an official complaint has been lodged, this should not stand.

Suns has already raised the issue with RTB. He is now in charge of nepo babies claims.

 

[Jirik13]

Just like ladder predictions assessments of the fixture are speculative and up to one's own interpretation. I did not describe it as 'soft' and perhaps 'favorable' is not the best descriptor but for mine it looks like a pretty good draw.

Whichever way you slice it they have a dream start. First 2 rounds at home. Eagles, Richmond and Melbourne across the first 4 weeks, then an “away” game against Sydney on neutral territory (Norwood) followed by Essendon at home. At worst they should 5-1 and set up for the season.

For sure great start. Check out the fixture after bye. Just adding AFL fixture difficulty fact based on teams position in 2025. Obviously you are entitled to your view.

 

[Andrewgtv05]

		W	L	D	%
1.	Hawthorn	19	4	0	126.7%
2.	Sydney	17	6	0	132.6%
3.	Geelong	17	6	0	122.5%
4.	Adelaide	16	7	0	107.4%
5.	Melbourne	15	8	0	110.8%
6.	Port Adelaide	13	10	0	102.2%
7.	Essendon	12	11	0	101.0%
8.	Fremantle	11	12	0	98.3%
9.	St Kilda	11	12	0	97.5%
10.	Gold Coast	10	13	0	99.1%
11.	GWS	10	13	0	94.0%
12.	Collingwood	10	13	0	92.6%
13.	Brisbane Lions	9	14	0	95.1%
14.	Richmond	9	14	0	92.0%
15.	Western Bulldogs	9	14	0	91.2%
16.	Carlton	8	15	0	96.9%
17.	North Melbourne	8	15	0	93.4%
18.	West Coast	3	20	0	66.5%

WC1: ESSENDON v Gold Coast
WC2: FREMANTLE v St Kilda

QF1: HAWTHORN v Adelaide
QF2: SYDNEY v Geelong
EF1: MELBOURNE v Fremantle
EF2: PORT ADELAIDE v Essendon

SF1: Adelaide v MELBOURNE
SF2: Geelong v PORT ADELAIDE

PF1: HAWTHORN v Port Adelaide
PF2: SYDNEY v Melbourne

GF: HAWTHORN v Sydney

This is what will happen I think. Check back in August to see if I am right or wrong

You only made that Ladder just to give Essendon a finals win right?

 

[BigVic]

You only made that Ladder just to give Essendon a finals win right?

Simmed the whole season + top 10 finals

 

[Seattle Mariners]

Suns to have a shit year due to a horrid fixture. 10th at very best.

In 2025 they showed time and time and time again (aside from the Freo final) that they failed the big assignments on the road.
Geelong - GMHBA
Adelaide - AO
Brisbane - GABBA twice.
GWS - Engie stadium.
It’s just not good enough and they have the above assignments again this year in addition to Hawthorn in Launceston.

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

		W	L	D	%
1.	Brisbane Lions	19	4	0	129.0%
2.	Geelong	18	5	0	123.7%
3.	Gold Coast	17	6	0	122.2%
4.	Adelaide	17	6	0	121.4%
5.	GWS	17	6	0	117.7%
6.	Hawthorn	17	6	0	117.5%
7.	Fremantle	17	6	0	114.6%
8.	Western Bulldogs	15	8	0	110.4%
9.	St Kilda	13	10	0	101.8%
10.	Collingwood	13	10	0	101.2%
11.	Sydney	11	12	0	98.1%
12.	Port Adelaide	9	14	0	95.5%
13.	North Melbourne	8	15	0	90.9%
14.	Melbourne	5	18	0	85.7%
15.	Carlton	5	18	0	84.7%
16.	Essendon	2	21	0	73.7%
17.	West Coast	2	21	0	71.9%
18.	Richmond	2	21	0	70.5%

 

[CanuckSuns]

They were only a few kicks from a GF this year.

They lost to Brisbane by 29 points?

 

[Seattle Mariners]

Wins/losses in approx form. Pies and Hawks to draw in their early season Thursday night game.

Fremantle 18-5
GWS 17-6
Brisbane 16-7
Carlton 16-7
North Melbourne 15-8
Geelong 15-8

St Kilda 14-9
Collingwood 13-9-1
Sydney 12-11
Gold Coast 12-11

Hawthorn 11-11-1
Adelaide 11-12
Bulldogs 10-13
Essendon 9-14
Port Adelaide 8-15
West Coast 5-18
Melbourne 4-19
Richmond 4-19

I’m expecting a bit of “feedback” but when was the last time one season copied the previous one?

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

Wins/losses in approx form. Pies and Hawks to draw in their early season Thursday night game.

Fremantle 18-5
GWS 17-6
Brisbane 16-7
Carlton 16-7
North Melbourne 15-8
Geelong 15-8

St Kilda 14-9
Collingwood 13-9-1
Sydney 12-11
Gold Coast 12-11

Hawthorn 11-11-1
Adelaide 11-12
Bulldogs 10-13
Essendon 9-14
Port Adelaide 8-15
West Coast 5-18
Melbourne 4-19
Richmond 4-19

I’m expecting a bit of “feedback” but when was the last time one season copied the previous one?

carlton are no chance of finishing of higher than 10th

 

[TheUnicorn]

carlton are no chance of finishing of higher than 10th

Crazier things have happened.

 

[Worm4]

carlton are no chance of finishing of higher than 10th

Would you have said Adelaide were no chance on finishing on top in 2025, after the 2024 season ?
There is always some chance....

 

[Fadge]

carlton are no chance of finishing of higher than 10th

Carlton and North to win 31 home and away games between them would be 10,000 to 1.

 

[DQ 4EVER]

Carlton and North to win 31 home and away games between them would be 10,000 to 1.

Put me down for a $1 bet

 

[FreoAFLWMan]

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

9. Fremantle
10. Carlton
__________________________

11. Greater Western Sydney
12. Port Adelaide
13. Melbourne
14. St Kilda
15. North Melbourne
16. Essendon
17. West Coast
18. Richmond

Adelaide wins Home Qualifying Final only
9 and 10 taste victory in week 1 of finals
Gold Coast makes the prelim
Hawthorn defeats Brisbane in Grand Final.

 

[JustaBattler]

insert <something bad about Collingwood>
T@

 

[Seattle Mariners]

How’s the weekly ladder going to look with the new wild card/top 10?
Will they draw a line under the top 6, top 8 or top 10?

 

[Jezzitizle]

How’s the weekly ladder going to look with the new wild card/top 10?
Will they draw a line under the top 6, top 8 or top 10?

They’ll put it right under wherever the nepo babies are Jirik13

 

[Jirik13]

They’ll put it right under wherever the nepo babies are Jirik13

Wish they done it in the previous 14 years. Nothing better than play finals and win. Go nepo babies.

 

[Gavin Excell]

How’s the weekly ladder going to look with the new wild card/top 10?
Will they draw a line under the top 6, top 8 or top 10?

I think people will cotton on to the wildcard BS as being an extension of the final 8 to a final 10
Betting markets dont even have a final 8 market for 2026

 

[Jezzitizle]

I think people will cotton on to the wildcard BS as being an extension of the final 8 to a final 10
Betting markets dont even have a final 8 market for 2026

Is there actually anyone who doesn’t know it is a top 10?

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

Is there actually anyone who doesn’t know it is a top 10?

Top 10? What do you mean?

 

[Gavin Excell]

Is there actually anyone who doesn’t know it is a top 10?

I think at the time of announcement the CEO was talking up wildcard rubbish when it's just an extension of the 8