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.
6Nick Daicos
The mercurial Magpie is never far from headlines, with his ascension to be the face of the game coming with its critics.
But there's no doubting Daicos' standing as arguably the game's most damaging asset at arguably the biggest club of them all, with 2026 being just his fifth season in black and white.
After polling 98 Brownlow votes in the past three seasons, there'll be no ruling the Collingwood ace from this year's race, but it'll be another premiership that sits in his sights.
Just how far can Daicos take his game in 2026? We're about to find out.
