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...
Gold Coast
Does the acquisition of Christian Petracca turn the Suns into premiership fancies?
A dance on the final weekend of September should be the expectation for the Suns in 2026, given how well their stars perform under the brightest lights.
Noah Anderson and Matt Rowell levelled up in their post-season debuts, recording a combined 66 disposals and 21 score involvements in the thriller elimination final.
While the eventual premiers got the better of the pair the following week, the superstars were easily best on for the Suns, combining for 49 disposals and 14 score involvements.
Now add into the equation Christian Petracca, a known finals riser who has a Norm Smith medal to his name and an average of 15.3 contested possessions in September, it would be wrong to suggest they couldn't go at least another week further in 2026.
Additionally, the Suns ranked in the top four for clearances won, scores from stoppages and scores originating from centre bounces in 2025. Considering Petracca won over 16.5 possessions in the attacking half per game last year - more than any other midfielder - that rate is likely to remain for Damien Hardwick's side.
