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...
Sydney
Does Charlie Curnow take a 10th-placed team to the top four?
On paper, the answer to this question should certainly be an emphatic yes.
Sydney would have been expected to play Finals in 2026, considering their late-season form last year and a 2026 fixture that consists of playing the lowly Kangaroos and just two 2025 finalists twice.
Now with the arrival of mega-star Charlie Curnow - a two-time Coleman medallist and Carlton's leading goalkicker for the past four seasons - Swans fans will be thinking top four or bust.
But does Curnow actually get them there? The soon-to-be 29-year-old's motor has come into question, as has his ability to replicate the 60-plus-goal campaigns that shored up the two Coleman Medals. Considering a fresh start in a place with less intense media focus was a significant part of his desire to be traded, the on-field production will need to back it up.
Furthermore, Sydney is banking on Curnow to effectively replace one of their more dynamic forward line threats. Will Hayward kicked 40 goals in the 2024 Grand Final season and then elevated his play when Tom Papley was sidelined in 2025, maintaining the Swans avenue of attack via his elite crumbing ability. Given Hayward's well-publicised role in the Curnow trade, the new Swan will need to prove the extra value he will bring in Hayward's place.
Ultimately, Curnow's arrival in the Harbour City will bring an intense focus on his performance, and how he responds to the backlash and expectation will likely define this season for the red and white.
