Poll: Expectations for 2026

[Portmagpies36]

I won't be surprised if Whitlock next year provides more than Dixon did in his final year.

So he should he’s a kid, Dixon couldn’t move.

 

[Portmagpies36]

David King at the end of trading day - the last of 18 clubs reviewed - he had a crack at 17th reviewed North, basically said they are going nowhere based on trades having an impact on the club since Clarko got there, then said about Port;

"I just think this is about to fall off a cliff, this, this list ( Ralph - that's a big call), 3 top 30 picks in the last 5 years, I think, they got, came in. Done a lot of trading, got a whole hand full of nothing if you ask me. We all talk about Rozee, Butters and Horne-Francis. Outside of that, Georgiades obviously, what else is there? I think they're in for a lot of pain to come, they're about to plummet if you ask me."

Montagna - they don't want to re build, they've said that, but what are they doing with their list? yeah its gonna be the big question this season.

I suspect this is very much the opinion across the whole non SA media.

Since 2020 draft/trade period

Top 30 Picks
2020 Lachie Jones #16 using 2 picks in 30's ( traded out 2020 1st Rd in 2019 to get #16 that then became #18 and we drafted Georgiades)
2021 Josh Sinn #12
2024 Joe Berry #15
2024 Jack Whitlock #33 - started at #29 before Academy/F-S picks


Traded In - concentrate on 1st and 2nd Round picks ( delisted free agents picked up with no draft picks are ignored)
2020 Fantasia - for pick #29 + 2021 Rd3 pick ..... one good year, great 2021 QF, but a bust.
2020 Allir - for 2021 Rd2 pick ...... and All Oz player.

2021 Sinn draft night upgrade with WCE, from #12 - for #14 + 2022 Rd2 pick to WCE ... still to prove his trade picks.

2022 JHF and Willie Rioli - for Picks #8, 43, 53, 57, 2023 first-round pick, 2023 second-round pick, 2023 third-round pick and traded back in 2023 second-round pick (tied to Collingwood), 2023 future third-round pick (tied to Fremantle)

2023 trade out 2024 Rd1 pick for Freo's pick #23 and 2024 Rd 2 pick, and via other combined trades got us Ratugolea, Soldo and Sweet. Colingwood's Rd 2 pick in 2023 was #41, which was part of Soldo trade.

2023 trade out Duursma (2018 1st Rd pick) for Zerk-Thatcher + #73 + 2 x 4th round picks

2024 traded out Dan Houston and picks 39 (Port's 2024 Rd 2 pick) and 58 + 2025 1st Rd pick, traded in for Jack Lukosius, Joe Richards, Rory Atkins, picks 13, 29, 36 and 50

2025 trade out #29 for Durdin and Carlton's 2026 Rd2 pick to help with a Cochrane matching bid in 2026.

"A whole hand full of nothing" traded in? Not quite, but not a great hand full either.

Yes, I heard Kings comments about our list let’s have it right he is an absolute w***er and has a big issue with Port Adelaide. However should we lose Zak Butters in 12 months it’s more than possible we fall off a cliff we rely on 2 or 3 players each week and our depth is not good at all. Losing Houston and Rioli (probably our most skilled players on the list hasn’t helped either) How many on our list now are consistent reliable AFL players? I can think of 6 or 7 and that’s it.

 

[Anyonebutken]

Having an ordinary season next year only helps to enhance this imaginary legacy the vic media have about Kens coaching stint.
We need to be proven correct and we deserve to after the pain Donuts has made us endure. We must finish high up. I'm keeping faith the new coaching group can deliver

 

[240volt]

Now the draw has been announced and we have received the best draw that I can remember getting it’s time to upgrade my season 2026 prediction.
With the draw we have we should win around 12 games next year.
I’m expecting that would put us around 10th and get us a wildcard berth.
Anything less than that would be extremely disappointing.
With us still struggling with depth the injury count could have a major impact on where we finish.

 

[Rash]

top 8 i think

 

[Scholz Supremacy]

With that draw, hopefully a half-decent run with injuries and the breath of fresh air and dead cat bounce that typically comes in a new coach's first season, there's no reason why we can't have a Crows 2025 type season. Difference being that come September, we'll at least have some of that valuable finals experience under our belts.

 

[MrChow]

With a first year coach and new system, anything can happen. I genuinely think this group has found ways to win in the past, so I can see us making finals (3-6).

There isn’t a player on our list that has really hit their peak (and potential), with only Ollie, Allir and DBJ probs on the decline.

Our success will be based on how much player growth we can get.

 

[portly]

Minimum expectation is Top 3. Crazy? The team is improved since finishing top 4 in recent years.

Hoping for a GF experience, if not a win.

 

[Tibbs]

I have said we will make finals ... But with that draw, if we can stay healthy, we will make top-4 IMO

 

[No21sTightManPerm]

The lack of a game on the Gold Coast reduces the opportunity for t!ts and swimming, and therefore the chance of Jack Watts.

 

[MrChow]

The lack of a game on the Gold Coast reduces the opportunity for t!ts and swimming, and therefore the chance of Jack Watts.

We get to go to Sydney for Party Pete Ladhams though.