Brisbane has been tipped by the leaders of the competition to reach the final Saturday in September for the fourth consecutive year as they begin their three-peat journey.
That was derived from the 18 AFL captains.
The league's skippers were asked an array of questions ahead of the 2026 season such as: Brownlow Medallist, Coleman Medallist, Rising Star winner, Mark and Goal of the Year, grand final entertainment.
The Lions had 11 captains believe they will return to the final dance, with Geelong and Sydney receiving two votes. Adelaide, Gold Coast and Hawthorn got one.
Nick Daicos was the overwhelming favourite to finally win the Brownlow Medal after three closes finishes. Marcus Bontempelli wasn't far behind.
Charlie Curnow narrowly pipped Ben King for the Coleman Medal, according to the captains, while Jeremy Cameron, Ben King, Harry McKay and Sam Darcy all received some love.
Jagga Smith was the outright favourite for the Rising Star, with Sam Lalor the only other prospect with multiple votes.
Melbourne excitement machine Kysaiah Pickett was tipped to win the Mark and Goal of the Year.
The QClash was the most anticipated game of 2026, while Luke Combs, Oasis and Robbie Williams led the charge for the grand final entertainment.
See below the full votes...
Which club aside from your own is most likely to reach the Toyota AFL Grand Final?
(In 2025, nine captains correctly predicted eventual premiers the Brisbane Lions to reach the Toyota AFL Grand Final)
11 – Brisbane Lions
2 – Geelong Cats, Sydney Swans
1 – Adelaide Crows, Gold Coast SUNS, Hawthorn
Who will win the Brownlow Medal?
(In 2025, no captains predicted eventual Brownlow Medallist Matt Rowell)
8 – Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
5 – Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs)
1 – Zak Butters (Port Adelaide), Errol Gulden (Sydney Swans), Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans), Dylan Moore (Hawthorn), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (St Kilda)
Who will win the Coleman Medal?
(In 2025, five captains correctly predicted eventual Coleman Medallist Jeremy Cameron)
4 – Charlie Curnow (Sydney Swans)
3 – Ben King (Gold Coast SUNS)
2 – Jeremy Cameron (Geelong Cats), Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs), Ben King (Gold Coast SUNS), Harry McKay (Carlton)
1 – Mitch Georgiades (Port Adelaide), Jesse Hogan (GWS GIANTS), Josh Treacy (Fremantle), Jake Waterman (West Coast Eagles), Nick Watson (Hawthorn)
Who will win the Telstra AFL Rising Star?
(In 2025, no captains predicted eventual Telstra AFL Rising Star Murphy Reid)
10 – Jagga Smith (Carlton)
2 – Sam Lalor* (Richmond)
1 – Cooper Duff-Tytler (West Coast Eagles), Lachy Dovaston (North Melbourne), Willem Duursma (West Coast Eagles), Jacob Farrow (Essendon), Taj Hotton (Richmond), Cameron Nairn (Hawthorn)
Who is most likely to take the Virgin Australia AFL Mark of the Year?
3 – Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne), Liam Ryan (St Kilda)
1 – Charlie Cameron (Brisbane Lions), Nate Caddy (Essendon), Mabior Chol (Hawthorn), Joe Fonti (GWS GIANTS), Mitch Georgiades (Port Adelaide), Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans), Jeremy Howe (Collingwood), Ben King (Gold Coast SUNS), Finnbar Maley (Adelaide Crows), Aaron Naughton (Western Bulldogs), Harley Reid (West Coast Eagles), Alix Tauru (St Kilda)
Who is most likely to kick the Coles AFL Goal of the Year?
5 – Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne), Izak Rankine (Adelaide Crows)
2 – Charlie Cameron (Brisbane Lions)
1 – Shai Bolton (Fremantle), Paul Curtis (North Melbourne), Nick Daicos (Collingwood), Toby Greene (GWS GIANTS), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (St Kilda), Nick Watson (Hawthorn)
Which clubs are you most looking forward to watching match up this year?
6 – Brisbane Lions vs Gold Coast SUNS (QClash)
3 – Carlton vs Sydney Swans
2 – Adelaide Crows vs Port Adelaide (The Showdown)
1 – Brisbane Lions vs Geelong (Grand Final Replay), Carlton vs Collingwood, Collingwood vs West Coast Eagles, Essendon vs Hawthorn, GWS GIANTS vs Sydney Swans, GWS GIANTS vs Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne vs West Coast Eagles
Who would you love to see perform at the Telstra Pre-Game Entertainment this year's Grand Final?
2 – Luke Combs, Oasis, Robbie Williams
1 – Angine de Poitrine, Bruce Springsteen, Creed, Dua Lipa, Eminem, Jet, Kings of Leon, Men at Work, Mumford & Sons, Pitbull, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Sub Focus
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