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Who will be better in 2026? Geelong or Hawthorn.
- Thread starter LeBronco
- Start date
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Seattle Mariners
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This is actually a really tough question. Looking at both sides..
Geelong
They have been a quality side for as long as I can remember and don't seem to have thr decency to just spend some time down the bottom of the ladder like everyone else. Every time I've tipped them to drop off, they manage to bounce back up the ladder. They have some real stars and a bunch of promising young players as well. Having said all that, they are facing some issues next year.
Geelong have one of the oldest lists in the competition. Dangerfield turns 36 in April, and although he showed this year that he's still perfectly capable of carrying the team on his back with some incredible performances, he has to slow down at some point. This could be the year.
Their ruck stocks are extremely thin. A 35 year-old Stanley with Toby Conway as backup would not fill anyone with confidence. They tried to bring in Rowan Marshell to address this clear weak point in the list, but failed.
Finally, Geelong have the hardest draw out of anyone in the 2026 fixture. With double-ups against Adelaide, Brisbane, Collingwood, Fremantle and Gold Coast. That is just... scary. If they're off their game at all, they're going to struggle.
Hawthorn
They have a really good young list, with quality across every line. My Giants have had some really exciting and hard-fought games against them in the last couple of years. They have probably one of the best defensive units in the league (along with us). They also have a good age bracket across their list, so you'd expect a number of their players to improve next year just through natural progression.
Their issues... well their midfield is a bit thin. If Day continues to have issues with injury they could get exposed through the middle of the ground (again, like the Giants this season).
The rule changes will be interesting as well. The new rule about shrugging/ducking into tackles means the Hawks are going to have to find a new way to get goals. However the bench being extended to 5 players probably helps them more than any other team, giving them increased flexibility to use their talls like Sicily and Weddle who can swap between attack and defence.
My tip: Hawthorn by 2 - 3 ladder positions.
Geelong
They have been a quality side for as long as I can remember and don't seem to have thr decency to just spend some time down the bottom of the ladder like everyone else. Every time I've tipped them to drop off, they manage to bounce back up the ladder. They have some real stars and a bunch of promising young players as well. Having said all that, they are facing some issues next year.
Geelong have one of the oldest lists in the competition. Dangerfield turns 36 in April, and although he showed this year that he's still perfectly capable of carrying the team on his back with some incredible performances, he has to slow down at some point. This could be the year.
Their ruck stocks are extremely thin. A 35 year-old Stanley with Toby Conway as backup would not fill anyone with confidence. They tried to bring in Rowan Marshell to address this clear weak point in the list, but failed.
Finally, Geelong have the hardest draw out of anyone in the 2026 fixture. With double-ups against Adelaide, Brisbane, Collingwood, Fremantle and Gold Coast. That is just... scary. If they're off their game at all, they're going to struggle.
Hawthorn
They have a really good young list, with quality across every line. My Giants have had some really exciting and hard-fought games against them in the last couple of years. They have probably one of the best defensive units in the league (along with us). They also have a good age bracket across their list, so you'd expect a number of their players to improve next year just through natural progression.
Their issues... well their midfield is a bit thin. If Day continues to have issues with injury they could get exposed through the middle of the ground (again, like the Giants this season).
The rule changes will be interesting as well. The new rule about shrugging/ducking into tackles means the Hawks are going to have to find a new way to get goals. However the bench being extended to 5 players probably helps them more than any other team, giving them increased flexibility to use their talls like Sicily and Weddle who can swap between attack and defence.
My tip: Hawthorn by 2 - 3 ladder positions.
Sttew
Brownlow Medallist
I don't know who will be better. It will come down to injuries. Draw doesn't faze me.
I like what I see with some of the Cats youngsters like Holmes, O'Sullivan, Dempsey, Neal and even Jye Clark. I expect Ollie Henry to rebound and I would like to see Sam de Koning recapture 2022 form.
I like what I see with some of the Cats youngsters like Holmes, O'Sullivan, Dempsey, Neal and even Jye Clark. I expect Ollie Henry to rebound and I would like to see Sam de Koning recapture 2022 form.
