Who will be better in 2026? Essendon or Melbourne.

[LeBronco]

Both sides have been evenly matched over the last couple of years so it'll be interesting to see who fares better in 2026 particularly after the changes that occurred over both clubs over the off season. I think Melbourne have a higher ceiling due to their star power of Gawn, Fritsch, Lever, May, Viney and Pickett if they all fire and King makes the right tweaks to the side in his first year they could definitely rise up the ladder and become a dangerous side but I'd be interested to hear the opinions of others.

 

[briztoon]

Both sides have been evenly matched over the last couple of years so it'll be interesting to see who fares better in 2026 particularly after the changes that occurred over both clubs over the off season. I think Melbourne have a higher ceiling due to their star power of Gawn, Fritsch, Lever, May, Viney and Pickett if they all fire and King makes the right tweaks to the side in his first year they could definitely rise up the ladder and become a dangerous side but I'd be interested to hear the opinions of others.

 

[briztoon]

Essendon.

 

[timokane]

Dees for me

 

[Seattle Mariners]

If Kozzie Pickett has a massive year, the Dees might just have the edge but they’re both going to have bloody mediocre years.

 

[schmuttt]

Essendon will make top 10 Imo. We will be bottom 4.

 

[brad]

Essendon

 

[Nuggs Bunny]

If Essendon win more games than Melbourne I think we're a good chance to finish higher but if we don't it's bloody hard to see how we'd get it done.

 

[Seattle Mariners]

If Essendon win more games than Melbourne I think we're a good chance to finish higher but if we don't it's bloody hard to see how we'd get it done.

Maybe you might finish higher than us with a better percentage but less wins??

 

[JayJ20]

Melbourne. They have a better defence. I think they'll jump back up the ladder to contend for a finals spot. Though we finished close on the ladder, the percentage tells a different story and is a better indicator. Melbourne 93% vs Essendon 69%.

A lot of their losses last year were close so they weren't that bad. You can argue Oliver leaving is a positive for Melbourne because he slows them down. Petracca is a loss but I'm pretty bullish about Langford in the middle. Plus Pickett is a star.

We on the other hand were actually bad. We're a bottom 6 side, likely a bottom 4 side. Second youngest list in the league.

 

[Wraptor]

Melbourne.
They look good under their new coach, and won't be as bad as people were predicting them to be prior to the start of the season.

 

[Yoda_]

Melbourne.
They look good under their new coach, and won't be as bad as people were predicting them to be prior to the start of the season.

with 10 premiership players, it was hardly a cliff some thought was going to happen.

 

[Yoda_]

why is there ANOTHER dick swinging thread about bashing a team pretending to compare against another similarly placed team?

Dont we have a dedicated forum for that Strapping Young Lad?

 

[briztoon]

why is there ANOTHER dick swinging thread about bashing a team pretending to compare against another similarly placed team?

Dont we have a dedicated forum for that Strapping Young Lad?

Yeah, but some of us only venture so far on BigFooty.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Not Essendon

 

[Bluelegs]

Essendon will make top 10 Imo. We will be bottom 4.

You idiot.

 

[schmuttt]

You idiot.

 

[PCORF]

Melbourne, much better.

A finals chance right now.

 

[RCAB]

I don't think Essendon could beat the Geelong VFL side right now.

 

[Simon_Says]

I don't think Essendon could beat the Geelong VFL side right now.

Essendon couldn't Beat a cold at the minute

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Dons should fancy themselves against their Gather Round bunnies next week