With coaching changes, star trade moves, controversial calls and ongoing alterations at AFL House, 2025 was a year of headlines.
The next 12 months promise some sizeable stories too, with uncertainty surrounding more AFL coaches, the game's biggest names rising further, year-long trade speculation on stars, and some facing the heat in the aftermath of this year's twists and turns.
So, as we reach the turn of the new year, let's take a look at nine names set to shape the AFL and as certain headline makers for 2026.
3Greg Swann
The new football performance boss has already significant changes since coming into the role in late July.
Swann has already seen the bounce and the sub scrapped, while a last-disposal rule has been introduced for the boundary line between the 50m arcs.
Overlooking the Match Review Officer, umpiring, game analysis, player movement, laws of the game, innovation and increased engagement to clubs, coaches and players, Swann's sweeping changes are likely to continue in 2026.
The MRO and the game's officiating continue to face external criticism, and look to be the two major products for Swann to assess.
