Poll: Expectations for 2026

[No21sTightManPerm]

I haven’t been this optimistic heading into a season for a while, even though I expected us to do better in ‘21 to ‘24 than I do in ‘26.

If old mate Ken could get us to a prelim in ‘24, I expect Carr, with a good coaching team around him, likely softer draw, hopefully better run with injuries, and some good to very good playing talent across the ground with more games under their belt, will be able to get us playing finals, even in his first season.

That’s not to say I think it’ll be a failed year if we don’t make finals. I just want to see some improvement, intelligent football and the back of Ken, but I’m half expecting that we will.

 

[Visenfest]

There’s still another Hinkley at the club to sack.

 

[Scodges]

Lol@Jack Watts

 

[bomberclifford]

I think we can make finals.
I think this is what Carr is gunning for in his first season.
I think he's been using his succession time well.
At this point, I'm backing him in.

 

[backtozero]

Finals are a possibility if the list stays healthy.

We are still lacking depth. Really need to see what the team looks like post-draft and trade to make proper judgement.

Lower half of the 8 optimistically.

 

[afl2004]

Make the 8 if not major injuries but won't do much in finals until 2027

 

[It Just Is]

Finals, but more importantly building a structured game plan and culture of consistent effort

 

[Del80659]

Nigel Smart

Nigel Smart

Age

56

Ht

188cm

Wt

91kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.7

4star

K

8.1

3star

HB

5.6

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.8

4star

No current season stats available

D

19.2

5star

K

12.6

5star

HB

6.6

4star

M

3.2

4star

T

1.2

3star

 

[all seeing eye]

If we can keep our best on the park , we can make the eight, however any significant injuries will expose the lack of depth again. More important is an expectation that our week to week performances are more consistent and we bring a consistent level of competitiveness.

 

[RossFC]

About the same as last year, if we lost Butters, then tank for Dougie Cochrane.

 

[PortAdelFC1997]

Just take a page out of Collingwood's rise in 2022 and Hawthorn's rise in 2024. Anything is possible. I'm strangely optimistic at what Port what can and the upside the youngsters can achieve provided they are healthy, professional and have a desire to win.

 

[Anyonebutken]

I think we bounce back hard as long as we have a good run with injuries. Every club has depth issues to an extent except Brisbane
we will finish 4th to 6th range.

 

[Coobk001]

Would be surprised if we climbed into the 8, I'd expect we'll miss out. Too many have gone past us and are improving at a faster rate than we are. Plus IMO our injuries were overplayed this year. Worst case could be us on the verge of a serious long term collapse, or best case we maybe scrape in the 8.

 

[strath39]

• Season Outlook: 9–14 Range It really hinges on our injury run and the development of key players across the lines.

Backline:

• one of the he biggest gap remains a reliable small defender. Maybe Sinn can step into that role.
• Jones needs to narrow the gap between his best and worst performances.
• Evans returning would be a boost, and I’d prefer Jase to stay back.
• If Allir stays fit and Sav recaptures his six-week purple patch, that’s a strong tall trio,especially if Ramm can take BZT’s spot.
• Rozee stabilizes the backline more than he gets credit for,underrated in one-on-one contests and ground ball work.

Midefield:

• HF’s next step is all about fitness. If he gets that right, he’ll explode.
• Bergman should bulk up with a full preseason and improve his defensive work.
• Butters is Butters, elite and consistent.
• Hoping Morares can lock down a wing spot alongside Wehr.
• Wines, Drew, and Brodie are dependable soldiers, you know what you’re getting.
• The midfield balance needs work. It’s felt too tilted toward offense, lacking defensive structure.

Rucks:

• Sweet is solid, and Vis shows promise.
• Still missing a ruck-forward hybrid who can be the fifth sub. Soldo should help the Magpies fill that gap.

Foward:

• The glaring weakness. MG is really the only consistent goal-kicker.
• Richards and DBJ offer good pressure, but we need actual scoring threats.
• Can Berry, Cochrane, or Ewan step up and kick 20–30 goals? That’s the big question.
• Key forwards are a mystery. Lord hasn’t shown enough. Whitlock is raw. Lukosius has talent,but only if his body holds up.

Summary:

• With a clean injury run and some player development, we can push for a top 8 finish.Adding depth across the roster should help cover gaps and keep us competitive. Some big questions though.

​

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[Schulzenfest]

Next year, I expect 9 to 14. But, I expect us to display a Port Adelaide like attitude on and off the field, and I expect that to hold us in good stead when the list is good enough to contend again.

 

[Willsy10]

If everyone is invested, all working together with the common goal of winning above everything else we will make the 8.

The list is not that bad. There is absolutely enough talent to make the 8. And with a more invested club after the Ken Hinkley farewell tour charade, we should expect a spike.

Carr hungry, good assistant coaches brought in with a lot of success amongst all of them.

We need a bit of luck with injuries, and a full season out of JHF and an invested Butters despite not wanting to be here to have a chance to push for top 4.

I also expect Rozee to have a big year, he has had a few hiccups in the last two, he is due to have a full season where he lights it up. I reckon he’ll thrive under Carr.

 

[Dylan8]

No reason why we shouldn't win the flag undefeated. Jack Watts

 

[davesnothere]

I have absolutely no expectations.

I want to see a different game plan implemented.

I don’t expect that to be easy or instant.

Preseason you can plan whatever you like but as Mike Tyson put it “ no plan survives a punch in the face.” and that’s what’s coming early.

We haven’t brought in top end talent this year. We are relying on Whitlock to go up levels . Dante in the Ruck to go up levels and the list to stay sound.

A soft draw and a lot of luck I believe gets us finals but I want us playing a lot better at the end of the season than the start.

We are doing that it’s a pass for Josh and we move on from there.

 

[Chachi]

Gut feel is a rise into the 8.
We actually just need a decent draw and injury count to have a positive change.
On top of that there could well be a positive attitude change now that there’s accountability to the coach again.
I think the new coaching panel also gives us a spike.
Not a lot went right this year so it’s worth chucking a cheeky pineapple on us to make the 8.

 

[Scholz Supremacy]

A Grand Final realistically isn’t happening in Josh’s first season, but my gut feel is 2026 will be like our Collingwood 2022 season.

 

[SparklingAle69]

Im expecting no coke zero or pepsi max in the coaches box.

 

[EskimoPAFC]

My expectations are far more about standards, culture and game plan than they are about ladder position. These last 6 years, from the no captains, to the August deadline, to the "succession plan", have probably been the most pathetic period the club has seen in 155 years and there is a lot of damage to repair. I want to see that Port Adelaide is actually coming back. If we can show that development and a path to a flag that I can believe in, then I don't really care if we finish 12th doing it.

So in short, Jack Watts.

 

[TazD]

I voted Jack Watts because I have no idea how to judge this team anymore. I am more glass half full though.

 

[1954]

I expect Carr will implement a functioning game plan that aligns with the playing group available for selection on any given day with players in positions that suit their strengths and a back up for his plan `A' if it's not working.

If the players can become more consistent and accountable under Carr's coaching (specifically the mids and defenders) we should see an improvement of at least a goal per qtr for 2026 and a possible finals position of around the 6 to 8 mark, and with more maturity from the younger members of the current group (eg Berry and Whitlock) plus some quality additions from trading and drafting hopefully become a regular top 4 team by 2028.

 

[VineValerian]

New coach.
New game plan.
Will take a while to adjust and for things to gel properly.
I expect a slow first half of the season, but a spike in the back half.
The slow start will cost us, so a 9th/10th finish is my prediction.
The green shoots will be evident, and a top 5 finish in 2027 is the start of the revival.