The best part about entering 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...
Fremantle
Is Justin Longmuir the Dockers' premiership coach?
A lot has been made of the talent at Justin Longmuir's disposal as senior coach of Fremantle, as well as his struggles to maximise that nucleus of stars consistently.
While the Dockers returned to September in style in 2025 after a two-season hiatus - achieving their first 16-win season since 2015 - they ultimately were making up the numbers, knocked out in week one by an emerging Gold Coast side.
Only a couple of small additions were made to Fremantle's well-built list in the 2025 trade period, securing WA-born half-back Judd McVee from Melbourne and premiership ruck Mason Cox, who will serve as a back-up option to Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson. It suggests there is belief the current group is the one to lift the cup for the purple haze, and simply put, it's up to Longmuir to ensure that happens.
Longmuir's men were elite individually last season, with Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw once again in Brownlow conversations while seven players kicked at least one goal per game - the most of any AFL club in 2025.
However, the Dockers ranked 9th for points for and 7th for points against, and therefore below the majority of their top eight counterparts. Is that a worrying indication that Longmuir is yet to maximise this group?
It should be put in perspective that Fremantle is a young side - 10th in terms of age and 13th in terms of senior experience - so it could be argued that their leaders are still developing. Yet, patience will be wearing thin if Longmuir cannot guide the club to a top four finish at a minimum in 2026.
There needs to be proof that progress is being made with this once-in-a-generation quality playing list. If Longmuir fails to demonstrate that in 2026, following a step in the right direction in 2025, serious heat will be under his seat.
