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.
8Justin Longmuir
The ongoing employment agreement between Longmuir and the Dockers has only extended the speculation and uncertainty surrounding the Fremantle coach's future.
The decision, confirmed last February, was a curious one, but one that was made to show how strongly the two parties are invested in one another.
Heading into 2026, Longmuir will be one of just two coaches without a guaranteed future, with the aforementioned Voss being the other.
That situation will only compound the external attention on Longmuir's future, with Fremantle expected to be a serious contender this year in what will be the coach's seventh season in charge of the Western Australian club.
