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...
Carlton
Pass mark: More wins than losses
The Blues have been taken off Broadway and aren't expected to make a major dent on the competition in 2026.
Charlie Curnow's departure has overshadowed the acquisitions in his place, but with Michael Voss barely making it through the summer months alive, Ikon Park will be a place of intrigue.
For Voss, he needs a finals appearance to keep his job. But a more realistic benchmark is produce a positive season in the win-loss column.
