2026 Season Prediction

[neilfws]

I question Freo fourth

Just returning to say - looks like I got that one wrong! Although they may finish higher than fourth...

[UUaswan]

After Freo's come from behind win against the Hawks on Thursday night, there has been some consensus in the media, that they with Brisbane are the two most likely to play in the GF at this point. (Heard Dwayne Russell mention this yesterday on SEN).

That sits fine by me. Rather we go under the radar somewhat without all the hype thankyou.

Sure we have aspects on our game we need to work on, which Cox is aware of and confident we'll have them addressed come finals.

My main worry is should we make the GF, how the team wiil be mentally after the scarring of the 22 & 24 GFs?

I think Freo went well in the last qtr when Hawks failed to defend 3 tall fwds and then another in Jackson who pushed fwd.

Barrass out didnt help, but the point is, no team can defend 3 tall permanent fwds when the ball moves fast.

[KSAS]

After Freo's come from behind win against the Hawks on Thursday night, there has been some consensus in the media, that they with Brisbane are the two most likely to play in the GF at this point. (Heard Dwayne Russell mention this yesterday on SEN).

That sits fine by me. Rather we go under the radar somewhat without all the hype thankyou.

Sure we have aspects on our game we need to work on, which Cox is aware of and confident we'll have them addressed come finals.

My main worry is should we make the GF, how the team wiil be mentally after the scarring of the 22 & 24 GFs?

[KSAS]

2024 is what has me tempering my excitement but it is good that we are using more than what we did back then.

Same here. Even if we go for the remainder of the H&A season undefeated. In fact, i'm so nervous about making the GF such is the scarring from 22 & 24. Imagine the players!

if we did break through, it would feel similar in some way to 05. But i dare not to dream that far!

[UUaswan]

I mentioned in the R9 Team Selection thread the possibility of resting Grundy for Ladhams when we play Geelong away in R11, as they have no decent rucks.

The following week in R12 we play Richmond at home, with Nankervis being a touch and go in returning from injury by then.
This might be an opportunity to give Ladhams a couple of games and Grundy a decent rest before our R15 bye.

Depending on how we're travelling, we may even experiment playing both against St Kilda at home in R13 who have TDK and Marshall.

I would like to see this tried out at some stage.

In 2024 we were 3 games clear on top at one stage and looking back i don't think we rook advantage of this, by resting key players and experimenting with positional changes.

I'd like to see them used as a combo, I think its a must with 25 players, especially if Melbourne are doing it with Gawn.

2024 is what has me tempering my excitement but it is good that we are using more than what we did back then.

As I said above, we arent that deep, not many teams are, we need to sort our ruck situation and keep swapping those last couple in the team.

[KSAS]

Outside of that, Ladhams has been out for ages and would need a block of games given the role he would have to play.

I mentioned in the R9 Team Selection thread the possibility of resting Grundy for Ladhams when we play Geelong away in R11, as they have no decent rucks.

The following week in R12 we play Richmond at home, with Nankervis being a touch and go in returning from injury by then.
This might be an opportunity to give Ladhams a couple of games and Grundy a decent rest before our R15 bye.

Depending on how we're travelling, we may even experiment playing both against St Kilda at home in R13 who have TDK and Marshall.

I would like to see this tried out at some stage.

In 2024 we were 3 games clear on top at one stage and looking back i don't think we rook advantage of this, by resting key players and experimenting with positional changes.

[BRS328]

Yes, as long as we have a decent run with injuries, I think we can go very deep into the season. I'm certainly feeling a bit more confident after the Suns match, where our tackling and contested ball work was very good: which is an area that has broken down in recent grand finals.

And I did reply to your post in the "Why Do I Support the Swans?" thread, but due to a site quirk, that reply might be awaiting approval for days. Essentially what I said, was that I wouldn't mind a bit of extra input in the academy thread.

Don’t mind your squad with one exception. No way can you play both McLean and Curnow on the same forward line. Replace McLean with Armartey and the team is fine

[UUaswan]

My first thought is selecting injured players!

2024s problem was not changing a winning side even when guys were having a rough patch.

Then when injuries inevitably came toward the end of the year, we weren't deep enough a squad to rely on those 18-25 list of players.

Looking at the 2s now, Hamling isnt first choice but more than comfortable he can play a role if required, similar with Mclean and Harry. This is where Lloyd should be.

Outside of that, Ladhams has been out for ages and would need a block of games given the role he would have to play.

I think Warner and Cleary can be capable if their roles are modified in the Snrs.

Its not deep, need to be changing 2 of the bottom 6 regularly to build a squad.

[KSAS]

I don't often listen to David Hoyne from Champion Data, as i think he waffles on too much with stats. But tonight on First Crack he grabbed my attention when he said if Charlie Curnow kicking for goal was on par with the AFL average he'd be leading the goal kicking!

He predicts Curnow is going to explode as he addresses his accuracy. I think most of Charlie's inaccuracy stat came from the GC game at Gather Round when kicked 0.7 IIRC?

Nevertheless. with Charlie yet to explode, McCartin & Gulden to return from injury, Chad having not quite hit his straps and the emergence of Rosas....there is still plenty of upside to come in the 2nd half of the season.

On AS tonight, it was revealed Cox has already has a plan in place should we make the GF as he believes we made mistakes in the lead up to the 22 & 24 GFs.

My first thought is selecting injured players!

[dejavoodoo44]

I think that the Swans are the most likely side to be able to challenge Brisbane this year. The Dogs defensive set up leaves a lot to be desired (both in personnel and system) and Gold Coast are just too raw a group (I think they could get hot at the right time but more likely think 2027 is when it opens up for them).

If Sydney can get the following side on the park for the back end of the year, it's got a great combination of hardness and class:

FF: H.McLean - C.Curnow - M.Rosas Jnr
HF: T.Papley - L.McDonald - I.Heeney
C: E.Gulden - Ch.Warner - J.McInerney
R: C.Mills - B.Grundy - A.Sheldrick
HB: N.Blakey - T.McCartin - M.Roberts
FB: J.Jordon - L.Melican - D.Rampe
I/C: J.Rowbottom - B.Campbell - J.Serong - J.Dattoli - R.Bice

And that's with youngsters I feel are very talented waiting in the wings (Phillipou, Hetherton, Kyle, King, Chamerlain and Green are all kids who I think can make the grade).

It's a very good squad.

Yes, as long as we have a decent run with injuries, I think we can go very deep into the season. I'm certainly feeling a bit more confident after the Suns match, where our tackling and contested ball work was very good: which is an area that has broken down in recent grand finals.

And I did reply to your post in the "Why Do I Support the Swans?" thread, but due to a site quirk, that reply might be awaiting approval for days. Essentially what I said, was that I wouldn't mind a bit of extra input in the academy thread.

[Tommy_Wolfe7]

I think that the Swans are the most likely side to be able to challenge Brisbane this year. The Dogs defensive set up leaves a lot to be desired (both in personnel and system) and Gold Coast are just too raw a group (I think they could get hot at the right time but more likely think 2027 is when it opens up for them).

If Sydney can get the following side on the park for the back end of the year, it's got a great combination of hardness and class:

FF: H.McLean - C.Curnow - M.Rosas Jnr
HF: T.Papley - L.McDonald - I.Heeney
C: E.Gulden - Ch.Warner - J.McInerney
R: C.Mills - B.Grundy - A.Sheldrick
HB: N.Blakey - T.McCartin - M.Roberts
FB: J.Jordon - L.Melican - D.Rampe
I/C: J.Rowbottom - B.Campbell - J.Serong - J.Dattoli - R.Bice

And that's with youngsters I feel are very talented waiting in the wings (Phillipou, Hetherton, Kyle, King, Chamerlain and Green are all kids who I think can make the grade).

It's a very good squad.

[SwanSand]

My Predictions
Ladder
Brisbane
Western Bulldogs
Swans
Gold Coast
Fremantle or Geelong based on percentage at 5/6
Hawthorn or St Kilda or GWS Giaints (any of the 2 in the eight)

Prelims
Top 4 teams in the Prelims

Premiership -
I think Brisbane but Bulldogs have a chance and so do we. I think Gold Coast gets eliminated in the Prelim
Brisbane are too strong - They had a couple of players that could have walked into any team that did not get a chance last year and then they have recruited well and added good players. Hard to beat that. Unfortunately their downfall will take time unless the new recruits and the recent off season issues are a distraction.

Most disppointing season would be Adelaide Crows

Brownlow - one of the three - Daicos / Bont / Gulden (smokey - Noah Anderson)

I think there will be number of blow outs this season with the fast paced game and a lot of teams having no chance.

[mcs]

Fremantle are also well liked on the AFL site. I haven't really given them much thought, but they do have a quality midfield and some young key forwards who might be ready to dominate. That being said, it also wouldn't surprise me if they just ambled along in 9th or 10th.

Expert predictions: Damo's huge flag call, clear favourite for Rising Star - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1471518

Pretty well everyone thinks that Brisbane will win, but I'm thinking, that they're well overdue to have their season ruined by a high injury toll.

While they are probably due, they've also had a lot of injuries through their Premiership years. They've just got enormous depth - helped by bargain basement prices for absolute superstar youngsters. Easy to have good depth when you have 18 years old coming in and playing from day dot like they've already played 100 games at the top.

Freo are so hard to judge, but a bit like us (at least in my opinion) - the cattle is probably there, but is the mentality there for the pointy end of it all. Only time will tell.

[imuninformedtwo]

Fremantle are also well liked on the AFL site. I haven't really given them much thought, but they do have a quality midfield and some young key forwards who might be ready to dominate. That being said, it also wouldn't surprise me if they just ambled along in 9th or 10th.

Expert predictions: Damo's huge flag call, clear favourite for Rising Star - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1471518

Pretty well everyone thinks that Brisbane will win, but I'm thinking, that they're well overdue to have their season ruined by a high injury toll.

They had a lot of injuries the last two years, so it'd need to be a pretty horrendous run to sidetrack them.

[dejavoodoo44]

For what it's worth, Jonathan Horn has the Swans 2nd on his ladder this season.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/mar/03/afl-ladder-predictor-2026-predictions-brisbane-lions

He's generally worth reading but I question Freo fourth, and he seems to have forgotten about injuries to key Swans players when summarising their 2025 season.

Fremantle are also well liked on the AFL site. I haven't really given them much thought, but they do have a quality midfield and some young key forwards who might be ready to dominate. That being said, it also wouldn't surprise me if they just ambled along in 9th or 10th.

Expert predictions: Damo's huge flag call, clear favourite for Rising Star - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1471518

Pretty well everyone thinks that Brisbane will win, but I'm thinking, that they're well overdue to have their season ruined by a high injury toll.