As another year of footy approaches, every club's fanbase enters the season with a sense of cautious optimism.
However, some have more reason to be hopeful than most, as their side looks to embed itself into AFL folklore.
Could we see a three-peat in 2026, or will a new club be crowned as kings of the competition?
Here are the five teams most likely to win the 2026 AFL premiership...
1Brisbane Lions
"To beat the champs, you've got to knock them out."
Those were the famous words uttered by announcer Joe Davis as the Los Angeles Dodgers broke the hearts of all Toronto Blue Jays fans worldwide in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series.
The same motto applies perfectly to these fierce Lions.
In both premiership campaigns, the Lions have looked dead in the water. Whether that was when they trailed by 44 points against GWS at ENGIE Stadium in the 2024 semi-final, or after Geelong brutally shut down Brisbane's midfield in the qualifying final in 2025, there was good reason to suggest Chris Fagan's side would fall short of the ultimate prize.
But, as we all know far too well, those instances hardly mattered. The Lions roared back to save themselves from elimination against the Giants in one of the all-time great finals, and were ruthless against Geelong when they met again in last year's decider.
So, it doesn't matter where Brisbane finish on the ladder in 2026. If this club, led by the stoic Harris Andrews, charged by the electric midfield unit of Hugh McCluggage, Will Ashcroft and Josh Dunkley and spearheaded by emerging star Logan Morris, finish inside the top 10, you simply cannot pick any other side to win the flag until the maroon, blue and gold have been sent packing.
