Toast Bring on 2026!

[Run n Spread]

I’m trying to objectively look at next season and where our improvement comes from against the likely flag threats

1.Bris will get back talent from the sidelines, top academy pick again (changes are needed) , and if they can get Allens body right will go up a notch again.
2. Geel. Will depend who they add, can’t see them dropping off. Their weakness is still they are reliant on danger to an extent
3. Hawks. Hawks will get their best player back in Day, possibly add Merrett. That strengthens their one weakness. Then pre seasons for dear/lewis will help. Still heavily reliant on Gunston however.
4. Freo. Young list will improve naturally.
5. Adel will need to target mid to get better. I think they overachieved a bit off a weak fixture.
6. Doggies need defensive tweaks. Have the talent. Add Weightman back. Need a defender.
7. GWS: similar boat to us for mine. Thankfully we got a flag
8.Gold Coast: young talent will improve. Adding another 3 top 10 players by all reports.

Then that leaves us. Can we improve? Because we will need to. Where does it come from? A fit Bobby if he stays. Must retain Elliot. Refreshing of our KPF. We def need some midfield changes/rotations.

Lions = depends who wants out? For not getting a game. They can cover Berry and Neale and that is without the insane talent on the sidelines. Will win next week do a 3 peat and possibly go 4.
Geelong= Great side well coached but very very reliant on their top 5. 1 is an ageing danger and Cameron. Drop imo. Probably 5-8 but not a lot to drop out
Hawks= Up again. Will pay for Merret or like.
Freo= The anti Collingwood. Perceptually young. But never seem to come on then replaced. Drop out imo
Dogs= Same. Talented but need a fresh mind. Similar to Godwin reckon bevo and them could do with a fresh approach
Giants= Should've won a flag by now in their 10 year window. The Green Coniglio Kelly Whitfield contracts keep them up but how much longer can they go on? Insane talent will be in the 8 but not sure GWS is a footy culture
GC Should be top 4 who knows? Is Hardwick the right fit? They need to embrace the qld lifestyle like fagan and dew did and combine it rather than try a Richmond recreation with hardwick going crazy every second week.

Pies = A mystery tbh. List management is like a combined crossword (everything needs to fit and dynamic right) and chess (very strategic)
Right now we have the best of both.
Bucks the chess player (who frankly built the list to spite the succession bitching) and Mcrae (the master tactician).
Whether Mcrae can build or is he a gambler who wants all in once again who knows? Reckon make the 8 but is it a late glory or reset. Old man Malthouse at wce and pies was actually insanely good at this. Sure a grumpy prick but knew how to create a list and keep.competitive (all be it his gameplan got outdated) Guess lower half of 8.

Others
Swans = top 8 again. Imo Whether Cox gets them going or stars up and about who knows. Can see top 2 or bottom 4 crash.
Dees= See above.
Port= treading water
Blues = They need to do an essendon but less drastic. Don't have the players
Essendon= rebuilding mile off
Wce Richmond = see above
Who have I forgotten?
North = really should be in the 8 next year. Enough talent
Saints= Ballsy moves. Don't know they've targeted the right ones apart from de kon mid table
Crows??? = Great year Ordinary finals. Need a game plan re set. It's attacking yes but just a sort of run foward soccer without offside.
Not sure it holds up long term too easily shut down. Like us need to be very strategic or bomb out

 

[TradeDraft]

I see next season or 2 be a Transition Years where the Old Players Start to make way for Young Talent

Best thing we can hope for is what Happened in 2010

But at this very early Stage I have us in the 6-14 Area on the Ladder

 

[Vicky Park]

It’s not all doom and gloom, at least regarding our defence. Over the course of the year it performed very well.

Howe appears to be done, but if Reef comes on, and we can add one or two of TJ, Cochrane, and maybe Ryan, and add an experienced defender from elsewhere to the mix, then that area of our team and system should continue to thrive.

 

[spartan-magpie]

I see next season or 2 be a Transition Years where the Old Players Start to make way for Young Talent

Best thing we can hope for is what Happened in 2010

But at this very early Stage I have us in the 6-14 Area on the Ladder

I agree with this, but I only see us having one down year and by that I’m expecting us to finish 6-10 on the ladder while we try and consolidate a new/tweaked game plan, new players/recruits to cover the veterans and hopefully some youth to push out guys that are underperforming.

Hopefully we will bring in some key FA or shrewd trades, like King, Curbiw or Butters over the next 2 pre-seasons and be contending again in 27.

This off season would be a good one to get creative to set us up by making some painful calls that can net us some good trade capital.

I’d look at giving up Beau, Crisp, Bobby or Degoey if it could allow us to bring in something elite like a Curnow or Butters.

 

[Markfs]

meh

 

[TradeDraft]

We recruited Hill, McStay, Mitchell and Billy who all helped us get the 2023 flag. In that off-season no one saw it coming when we landed Schultz. Last off-season no one saw it coming when we landed Houston. We can’t draft for shit but this year we’ll get some no-brainer kids who look good. We won’t be sitting still and as long as we have Nick Daicos we’re a chance.

Our Draft Picks last year look very Promising

 

[manicpie]

Our Draft Picks last year look very Promising

Will Howes get an extension?. With West and probably buller available next year. McCarthy also has to be considered. I'd like to keep him but he could miss out

 

[Ugene41]

If we continue to recruit has beens like 34yo Steven May, or a 30yo Charlie Curnow, who’s contracted, and will require giving up another upteen draft picks, this club is cooked, not only for 2026, but for next 5-6 seasons as well. I said at the time, both Shultz and Houston were mistakes, the result of overrating our 2023 list which netted a premiership. We should have gone for youth, just like Geelong and Brisbane did. Hawthorn has passed us as well. At the moment we are the fourth best team in the competition and it’s not going to get any better until we start giving games to Steele, Parker, West, TJ, Allan and some of the other younger players on our list.

Gone for youth like Geelong? Trading in young players like Tanner Bruhn, Oli Henry, Bowes + Pick 7 (Jye Clark)? How are they all going?

The one good trade recruit Geelong have picked up in the last 3 years is Smith. Meanwhile we've picked up Schultz, Houston, Perryman + Membrey who are all best 22.

 

[stormskye]

Will Howes get an extension?. With West and probably buller available next year. McCarthy also has to be considered. I'd like to keep him but he could miss out

He’s one im not sure on as I don’t see him making it as a forward. Need to be elite in the air and I haven’t seen that. Reminds me a bit of Krueger without the injuries. Only option to me is 1 year down back

 

[Chameleon75]

Can’t help myself, I’m already over wallowing in the misery of yesterday.

Now I’m looking forward to the Brownlow tomorrow night, the Grand Final on Saturday, the draft in November, the rookie draft in November, and whatever it is that happens in the pre-season when we sometimes bring in other players (like Parker), and then onto 2026.

I love footy and I love the Pies.

I can see it now, VP loitering around the cafes of Derrimut during trade week to get the inside goss.

 

[PREETY_FLY]

2026 Will be interesting, Hawthorn and GC will be on the rise with much younger lists, I really hope we don't go out and recruit May at 34yrs old, I hope we try and bring in some young talent or maybe try move up in the draft order.

Is there talk of may coming? Or is that a hope he doesn’t come?

He will be lucky to land a team given his age and attitude

 

[Ugene41]

I always try and be a little optimistic, but at the same time the edge of the cliff is coming for us be it next year or the year after. Unfortunately leaving that balance of the scale a little too late, meaning now any players with major trade value we will never look to trade, or those who leave (such as Jamie/Brody) are free agents so only get what we get.

The "edge of the cliff" has been the narrative ever since we had Varcoe, Greenwood, Mayne, Dunn/Roughead, Goldsack, Reid, and then also Treloar, Adams, Grundy, Langdon, WHE who were basically the nucleus of our premiership challenge under Buckley.

Yet we've managed to effectively transition away from all of them without getting any value from them in trades and our list has come out stronger.

Just saying we are too old by counting the number of 30+ year olds in our team is lazy analysis by the media and doesn't take into account how much we are reliant on them to win us matches week to week. Most of our 30+ year olds are really just role players where their experience is valued as it makes them better able to stick to our strict game plan. It won't actually be difficult to find similar role players (or even better ones) to replace them as long as we stage it so that we're not turning over 10 spots in our best 22 at once.

This year we managed to transition in Ned Long, Perryman, Houston who will all be key contributors for 5+ years. Plus game time for Allan/Parker/Steele who should also hopefully takeover from the contributions of Crisp/Steele in the next year or two.

The only match winner that's close to retirement is Jamie Elliott who will be hard to replace. And Pendles' onfield leadership/coaching (less so his contribution in play).

 

[Peters_Nuts]

Love this jmac70

You don't fluke your way into a prelim and I can't see us plummeting down the ladder. If 2026 is a slight regression to the benefit of 2027 then so be it.

What I'm optimistic for next season:

• Charlie West development. Kid already looks too good for VFL level and with another preseason under his belt, he could be playing by round 1 (or round 0 ffs).
• Improvement from Houston. Expecting a Schultz turnaround after a full season and another pre season in our system.
• More midfield time for Beau. Proved that the way the league is heading, he's a good midfield option.
• Bobby being back.
• Steele and Parker solidifying their spot in the best 23.
• Senior games for Ryan, Jiath and Reef. All should be ready to step up.
• Steene development. I'm still bullish on him.
• Another season of Nick.

I'm expecting us to add more than Buller this offseason and finals should be the expectation. I have no doubt that the club is already planning ahead for the retirements of Pendles, Sidey and Howe.

As it stands, you can expect Brisbane, Geelong and Hawthorn to remain where they are given their trade movements. Adelaide too if they gain Petracca. We'll probably be sitting in that 5th-8th bracket but anything could happen.

 

[stormskye]

Love this jmac70

You don't fluke your way into a prelim and I can't see us plummeting down the ladder. If 2026 is a slight regression to the benefit of 2027 then so be it.

What I'm optimistic for next season:

• Charlie West development. Kid already looks too good for VFL level and with another preseason under his belt, he could be playing by round 1 (or round 0 ffs).
• Improvement from Houston. Expecting a Schultz turnaround after a full season and another pre season in our system.
• More midfield time for Beau. Proved that the way the league is heading, he's a good midfield option.
• Bobby being back.
• Steele and Parker solidifying their spot in the best 23.
• Senior games for Ryan, Jiath and Reef. All should be ready to step up.
• Steene development. I'm still bullish on him.
• Another season of Nick.

I'm expecting us to add more than Buller this offseason and finals should be the expectation. I have no doubt that the club is already planning ahead for the retirements of Pendles, Sidey and Howe.

As it stands, you can expect Brisbane, Geelong and Hawthorn to remain where they are given their trade movements. Adelaide too if they gain Petracca. We'll probably be sitting in that 5th-8th bracket but anything could happen.

Brisbane and hawks will be going up a notch with their additions through returning from injury/trade. Hawks midfield potentially adding day and Merrett. Geel is a wait and see. Adel adding rankine and potentially petracca. Some very good teams again next season. We can improve with the addition of hill and a rejig of our forward mix. Hopefully a full pre season for degoey and HH pushing as best 23 might allow Mccreery more midfield minutes.
Praying Elliot stays. He’s absolutely key to any further success we have. We aren’t a serious contender without him. Have to get support for both him and nick, we are far to reliant on the both of them atm. Either of them have quiet days and we just struggle. Both kept us in the game on sat. Didn’t have much support.

 

[No SPIN]

I love your optimistic call but I'm not as bullish next year. All teams that lose a PF need to improve to take the next step. In 2009 I was bullish, because THomas, pendles, sidey, etc were still young and improvement came thought them and Jolly and Ball.

When we lost in 22 we seriously added talent to our list but additionally players like Daicos, Q, Mcreery improved.

I can't see where that improvement is going to come from. Checkers, Elliot, Howe, Pendles, Crisp, cox, Sidey can't keep improving. Actually they could go backwards and thats a pretty group.

I hate to be negative, but I fear that it is time for at least a mini rebuild. We'll start losing the younger players if we don't play them consistently. Or we just won't see their potential growth. Anyway bring on 2026 and hopefully I'm proven wrong.

I think dropping the Sub offers substantial opportunity to blend youth game time and experience of veterans. I actually think it will be a strategic lever that suits teams with our age profile.

 

[No SPIN]

Are you serious? They cost us valuable drafts which represents the future of the club, but by all means, keep sticking your head in the sand.

when the draft lottery offers the success rate of drafting established players then you'll be right.

 

[LuckyLee]

Next year we need to better optimise our available cattle. We've got to get the most out of every playing piece on the board. I don't think we did that successfully this year.

In particular, all the old guys (except Crisp) need to be phased out of our midfield. Pendles to a defensive organiser role - Luke Hodge-style. Sidey to play permanently as a crumbing forward - especially if Hill leaves. Mitchell delisted.

Our midfield rotation in 2026 needs to comprise Nick, Perryman, Josh, McCreery, Crisp, DeGoey, Long and maybe IQ, Harrison and/or Allan. There's plenty of talent in that set.

I don't want to see Josh in our backline next year - let Houston exclusively play the role that he was recruited for. We badly confused things by shifting our All Australian wingman back into defence and at times pushing a dual All Australian half-back onto a wing. Why? Here's a radical idea - why not play both in the positions for which they were selected as AA?

 

[No SPIN]

It's going to be a fascinating 24 months for our club and I'm looking forward to it.

We have highly astute people running the club that have brought us prelims and a flag since our 17th finish in 2021.

I'd be surprised if we contend again next year and there may need to be a couple of steps backward in order to climb to the top again but that's footy.

Floreat Pica!

In one MSD where Leppa and Obree find Steele and Howes, the former a best 23 lock already, and the other showing huge promise, such astute scouting/drafting could see us maintain our competitiveness as the veterans retire.
And that's without considering emerging youth such as Parker, Reef, HH

 

[J Albert]

That loss to the lions changes 2026 approach surely. Can't rely on older guys. We absolutely need to trade out a few and bring in young talent and mini-rebuild. Daicos will be peaking in 2028 so think that's what we should be aiming for.

 

[manicpie]

Too early to be even thinking about next year

 

[Seedsfan]

We recruited Hill, McStay, Mitchell and Billy who all helped us get the 2023 flag. In that off-season no one saw it coming when we landed Schultz. Last off-season no one saw it coming when we landed Houston. We can’t draft for shit but this year we’ll get some no-brainer kids who look good. We won’t be sitting still and as long as we have Nick Daicos we’re a chance.

And Huston and Schultz have offered little. Schultz at least busts his arse every week so you can respect and admire that. Huston could learn from his example

 

[No SPIN]

Next year we need to better optimise our available cattle. We've got to get the most out of every playing piece on the board. I don't think we did that successfully this year.

In particular, all the old guys (except Crisp) need to be phased out of the centre square. Pendles to a defensive organiser role - Luke Hodge-style. Sidey to play permanently as a crumbing forward - especially if Hill leaves. Mitchell delisted.

Our midfield rotation in 2026 needs to comprise Nick, Perryman, Josh, McCreery, Crisp, DeGoey, Long and maybe IQ, Harrison and/or Allan. There's plenty of talent in that set.

I don't want to see Josh in our backline next year - let Houston exclusively play the role that he was recruited for. We badly confused things by shifting our All Australian wingman back into defence and at times pushing a dual All Australian half-back onto a wing. Why? Here's a radical idea - why not play both in the positions for which they were selected as AA?

I think Houston's kicking is such a weapon that it was logical to move him to the wing and I would persist with it. BUT he needs to do more when we don't have the ball. Some of his laconic chasing on Sat was infuriating.

 

[Ugene41]

Brisbane and hawks will be going up a notch with their additions through returning from injury/trade. Hawks midfield potentially adding day and Merrett. Geel is a wait and see. Adel adding rankine and potentially petracca. Some very good teams again next season. We can improve with the addition of hill and a rejig of our forward mix. Hopefully a full pre season for degoey and HH pushing as best 23 might allow Mccreery more midfield minutes.
Praying Elliot stays. He’s absolutely key to any further success we have. We aren’t a serious contender without him. Have to get support for both him and nick, we are far to reliant on the both of them atm. Either of them have quiet days and we just struggle. Both kept us in the game on sat. Didn’t have much support.

I think there's definite room for improvement for our list without any big name recruits this year.

Our defense was the key this year and our strongest line. The only time it looked weak was when Howe and Frampton were out and Moore had to stand up by himeself. Adding someone cheap but with clear elite traits like May will strengthen that and give us additional flexibliity for 2-3 years. We should also see improvement from Houston settling in and becoming a difference maker again.

Midfield is where we need to focus on improving by adding another matchwinner to take reliance away from Nick. If JDG can be fully fit next year that could be one avenue. We also want to see Josh take the next step to become a matchwinning midfielder like McCluggage. They actually have very similar trajectories as wingman becoming full time midfielders with Josh being one year younger, so no reason he can't do it. If we can have Nick, JDG and Josh all potentially able to win a game off their own boot, it suddenly makes our midfield a lot more dynamic and difficult for opposition players to lock down. Then the focus should be making a godfather offer to Zak Butters next year or targeting another tradeable young elite mid.

Our forward line became stale and lacked creativity once Hill went AWOL and became too reliant on Jamie. If Hill is back next year that's an immediate improvement. The forwardline I'm actually least concerned about as it's one area that can completely re-invent itself quickly. We went from a pedestrian Jesse White/Blair/Goldsack/Mayne type forwardline in 2017 to a dynamic mosquito fleet with Mihocek, Stephenson, Thomas, WHE, JDG in 2018. Similarly, it was looking stale in 2020/21 with Varcoe, Thomas, C Brown, Stephenson as small forwards before we quickly introduced McCreery, Ginnivan, Hill who were all acquired for late picks. If we give opportunites to Buller, West, HH, Hayes/Saxena next season, there's no reason we can't rapidly regenerate our forward line again.

 

[timokane]

2024 2025 wasted years.
Forgot the future to serve the present.
2026 need to embark on the next generation.
Could have done this in 2024 instead we insist on having to cycle players up which in turn ended up been better at thier first club.
Fast forward to now.
No development made.
We now need to develop.
Glad 2025 is now over and we can put behind this too old too slow mantra once and for all.
2026 the mantra young and quick.
Kind of out with the old in the young.
Time is now Fly.
Picks now.
Like see what cats and lions did after their flags all of a sudden they are plotting their next flag no so Pies.
Teams like these win flag then plot their next one and it happen quicky soon after like in the next year or 2.
Thats why we never ever win that follow up Flag.
Always that long wait time between our next one.
Top teams always do this not us sadly.
Win one then win another.
2023 was great but if you want to look back 1990 was nothing but content for 10 years.
Please dont make the same mistake Pies.
Time for a whole new beginning.

 

[gouki88]

2024 2025 wasted years.
Forgot the future to serve the present.
2026 need to embark on the next generation.
Could have done this in 2024 instead we insist on having to cycle players up which in turn ended up been better at thier first club.
Fast forward to now.
No development made.
We now need to develop.
Glad 2025 is now over and we can put behind this too old too slow mantra once and for all.
2026 the mantra young and quick.
Kind of out with the old in the young.
Time is now Fly.
Picks now.
Like see what cats and lions did after their flags all of a sudden they are plotting their next flag no so Pies.
Teams like these win flag then plot their next one and it happen quicky soon after like in the next year or 2.
Thats why we never ever win that follow up Flag.
Always that long wait time between our next one.
Top teams always do this not us sadly.
Win one then win another.
2023 was great but if you want to look back 1990 was nothing but content for 10 years.
Please dont make the same mistake Pies.
Time for a whole new beginning.

Really laugh out loud at finishing 3rd a "wasted year". What is the point of playing?