Brisbane Lions
Star recruit Sam Draper faces a delayed start to the season because of a stress fracture, which is a big blow for a Lions team that knows it must evolve to stay ahead of the pack. Oscar Allen is returning from injury and Draper’s setback follows his long lay-off from an Achilles tear. The Lions will be without ACL recoverees Eric Hipwood and Jack Payne as the season starts, but those who had post-season surgery – Jarrod Berry (shoulder), Josh Dunkley (shoulder) and Jaspa Fletcher (shoulder) – are on track for opening round.
Keidean Coleman will slot into defence and Lincoln McCarthy adds depth as they, too, return from knee reconstructions. The midfield is still strong and relatively young, and the new personnel, including highly rated youngster Daniel Annable, means change will happen organically.
One to watch: How will the off-field drama affect Lachie Neale’s form in 2026?
Carlton
The Blues had their traditional pre-season ACL, with Jesse Motlop the unlucky recipient in 2026. And Blake Acres hurt his shoulder again. Although he avoided surgery, it will keep him away from contact training until February. That’s the bad news.
Jagga Smith making an impression at Carlton training.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
The good news is Jagga Smith is lighting it up after missing his debut season with an ACL, and the addition of father-son Harry Dean, who is a natural competitor. Nic Newman has been pulled back slightly in recent sessions, but he is in good shape after missing 2025 with a patella injury. Zac Williams may return to half-back where he made his name at the Giants as a player who could break lines. The two Sydney additions, Will Hayward and Ollie Florent (who was in concussion protocols last week) will make Carlton more predictable. The conundrum for the Blues is how do they reduce their over-reliance on skipper Patrick Cripps at centre bounces while exploiting his great strength inside the contest.
One to watch: Reality needs to accompany the expectations on Jagga Smith. But watching his evolution alongside Sam Walsh and Cripps will thrill Blues’ fans.
Collingwood
You could almost hear the old men’s muscles popping when Jeremy Howe, Darcy Moore and Dan McStay suffered soft tissue injuries in the first week back from the Christmas break. Moore is touch and go for round one and, although Howe is closer to full training, one calf injury can lead to two and all sorts of issues if the Magpies aren’t careful. Reef McInnes and Harvey Harrison are both on track to make strong returns from ACL injuries, which will add depth.
Crafty forward Bobby Hill’s future at Collingwood is unclear.Credit: AFL Photos
No one is banking on Bobby Hill’s return. That once again places huge pressure on Jamie Elliott to score, particularly with Brody Mihocek now a Demon. Hopes are high, however, for Jack Buller, who has impressed as a bullocking forward, and Charlie West who played one game last season. Nick Daicos has recovered from the PCL injury he carried late last season and remains the key to this team. He needs support, so moving Josh Daicos into the middle seems a no-brainer. The pressure is on Dan Houston, who is still at least a week away from returning to full training after undergoing a minor hip procedure before Christmas, to perform in defence after an underwhelming first season. If he can, Isaac Quaynor, who remains in and out of the rehab group, as does Beau McCreery, should spend more time in the midfield. Brayden Maynard’s quad injury appears minor, while, of the draftees, Sam Swadling has impressed.
One to watch: Will Craig McRae have the courage to provide opportunities to younger talent?
Essendon
New fitness boss Mathew Inness has everyone at the Bombers hoping – praying – they can address the injury plague that decimated their list in 2025. Nic Martin is out for most of the season with an ACL injury, but ruckman Nick Bryan could be back around Gather Round. Meanwhile, Lachie Blakiston is staking a claim to play ruck. Darcy Parish, a huge asset if his calf and back issues subside, is having a solid pre-season, while Harrison Jones has repaired the shocking ankle injury he suffered in round eight. Nik Cox is a wait-and-see proposition as he attempts a comeback from concussion issues.
Essendon’s Dyson Sharp has shown good signs after being a first round pick at the national draft. Credit: The Age
Kyle Langford is optimistic last season’s hamstring issues have been addressed after travelling to Aspetar, a private facility in Doha, in the off-season. Jordan Ridley is a constant worry, the talented defender suffering another hamstring injury in November. Zach Reid, who showed his capability early last season before being injured again, has shown up in early match simulations. Shining light from 2025 Archie Roberts might be seen in the midfield occasionally, while Nate Caddy is a genuine talent. A back issue will delay the start for Sullivan Robey, pick 9 in last year’s national draft.
One to watch: Everyone will be watching Zach Merrett, but, Dyson Sharp, pick 13 in the 2025 national draft, is one of the new crop Essendon hope can build confidence in the club’s direction.
Fremantle
Hayden Young went to Aspetar, Doha, after a horrible run in 2025 when hamstring and groin injuries restricted him to just nine matches. His return is the boost the Dockers need to an excellent midfield that has Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw leading the charge. The front half of the ground is where they can improve with Sam Sturt sidelined with an ACL injury.
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Despite a few moments he would like again in the elimination final, Josh Treacy had an excellent season but he, Patrick Voss or Jye Amiss need to take the next step and become the first Docker since Matthew Pavlich in 2012 to kick more than 50 goals in a season. Ex-Demon Judd McVee’s role will be interesting, as he was keen to play more midfield minutes and shapes as a wingman. The addition of mature-aged small forwards Tobyn Murray and Leon Kickett indicates the Dockers need to bolster that area.
One to watch: How will Sean Darcy fare under the new ruck rules with plans for Luke Jackson to play a ruck-rover type role?
Geelong
Despite the outstanding performances by the dash brothers Max Holmes and Bailey Smith, the Cats showed at the business end they still rely on Patrick Dangerfield, Jeremy Cameron and Tom Stewart to get them over the line in big games. Cameron has recovered from the broken arm he suffered in the grand final, while Stewart is a slow build after a shoulder operation and missing the decider with concussion.
Jeremy Cameron played out last year’s grand final with a fractured arm.Credit: AFL Photos
The failed bid to recruit Rowan Marshall leaves a gap in the ruck division. Rhys Stanley was exceptional in holding the fort last season, but athletic ruckman Mitch Edwards is a big chance to get an early opportunity with Toby Conway’s foot surgery late last year leaving him a bit behind. Tanner Bruhn’s return and James Worpel’s addition bolsters the midfield’s depth while Ty Stengle has an enormous amount of work to do to catch up after an unsettled pre-Xmas period, but at least he is back on a modified program.
One to watch: Can Ollie Henry force his way back into the senior team after a below-par 2025?
Gold Coast
Expectations are high as the Gold Coast build on their first finals win with the addition of Norm Smith medallist Christian Petracca, the return of defender Charlie Ballard and four more top-20 selections in the national draft. The recruiting of wayward yet talented forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is a high-risk, high-reward strategy, but the season won’t rest on his success. One false move and he will be gone.
Bailey Humphrey will be in demand as Victorian clubs chase him in 2026. Credit: via Getty Images
No.2 selection Zeke Uwland suffered back stress issues. He could still feature early in the season even though the young Suns can be given time as the competition for spots is high. The Suns’ forward line alone could become an embarrassment of riches, with Ugle-Hagan, Ben King, Jed Walter and Ethan Read as talls, and gun midfielder Touk Miller reinventing himself as a forward. Elliott Himmelberg’s ACL will keep him out until the middle of the season, but apart from niggles the rest of the list is tracking well.
One to watch: The matchwinning Bailey Humphrey flirted with a trade but was never going to be released, so eyes will be on his performance.
GWS
Darcy Jones is a huge loss as he recovers from an ACL injury sustained in the elimination final, and the loss of Josh Kelly for hip surgery is a major blow. Kelly showed in the third quarter of the elimination final he is still capable of brilliant football, provided he can get back on the park in 2026, which remains uncertain. Brent Daniels played just six matches last year due to abdominal and adductor injuries, but his progress through pre-season has been solid.
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With Clayton Oliver, Jake Stringer, Jayden Laverde and Jesse Hogan on their list, it’s clear the Giants are not afraid to take a punt, but combining those mercurial talents in the one team will be a challenge for coach Adam Kingsley. The degree of difficulty has increased because Oliver (calf), Hogan (foot) and Stringer (calf) have each had slightly interrupted pre-seasons. Toby Greene is recovering from a glute issue and will be brought along conservatively. Kingsley is a good coach who is prepared to stick with their fast-moving game style, but doubts on their consistency remain alive.
One to watch: How will Oliver and Tom Greene manage their time at stoppage?
Tomorrow: Hawthorn, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Richmond, St Kilda, Sydney, West Coast, Western Bulldogs.
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