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...
Geelong
Pass mark: Grand Final
The mastermind of Chris Scott has seen the perpetually contending Cats reach more finals this century than any other club, and shouldn't shy away from the pressure of returning to September in 2026.
A small but crucial acquisition of James Worpel will add much-needed grunt to midfield, which possesses one of the league's best defensive and forward groups.
Geelong returned to the final day in September with not so much as a sweat, but failed to bring the cup home. They should aim to reverse the result in nine months.
