The best part about entering a new footy season is that it's a fresh slate - every club starts from zero.
Optimism is high as fans relish in the prospect of their club making some form of improvement on last year, whether that's contending for a premiership, returning to September action, or seeing young players blossom into genuine superstars to push a rebuild forward.
However, there are also doubts. Lists have been reshaped, coaches have tweaked their systems, and with those changes comes an uncomfortable question that will refuse to subside until the 2026 season is underway.
So, what is the harsh question pressing at the front of your team's mind? Below is every club's burning question heading into 2026...
North Melbourne
Will Nick Larkey be able to inspire the Kangaroos to finally take the next step?
The hope for the Kangaroos is that they will finally take a leap toward the top half of the ladder in 2026 and recently named captain Nick Larkey could be the man to potentially spark that progress.
It's a big ask, considering how even the competition is, but the days of honourable losses and regular heavy defeats need to be over at Arden Street.
When the club appointed Alastair Clarkson as senior coach in 2022, it was believed that was the man to get the rebuild train moving quickly.
But the Kangaroos have promised improvement for some time now yet haven't seen tangible progress. A lack of player movement in the off-season suggests the club believes they have the cattle to challenge the competition, but they need something to spark life into a club becoming more and more desolate with hope.
An elite spearhead who embodies the Shinboner spirit could be the answer, but time will tell if the much-loved Larkey can guide this side with enormous promise back toward the top half of the standings after a decade out of the Finals picture.
