A cut-throat league like the AFL demands excellence, and as a result, there's one winner and 17 losers.
But the reality is, not all clubs are expected to be pressing for a premiership, or even finals.
The introduction of the top 10 and the wildcard round has altered the forecasting of many teams.
And for that exact reason, each team's pass mark should vary based on a variety of factors.
Below, we have determined what each club should be striving for and what their fan base should be expecting in 2026...
Sydney
Pass mark: Top 4
Curnow in, top-four fancy.
That's what most are expecting of Sydney, and rightly so.
The Bloods rarely missed finals, so the fact they didn't feature in September felt unique.
But with a healthy list and revitalised playing group headed by the inclusions of Curnow, along with Jai Serong and Malcolm Rosas, Dean Cox shouldn't fear reaching for the double chance.
The back half of 2025, coincidentally as Errol Gulden returned, saw the Swans of 2024 reincarnate, albeit it was too late for a finals berth.
That momentum could see Sydney return to the finals with a bang, and potentially push for that elusive premiership.
