It's an unfortunate guarantee that some AFL clubs are going to struggle significantly more than others in any given season.
The disparity between the top half and bottom half of the league was particularly obvious in 2025, with the ninth-place Bulldogs winning five more games than the 11th-place Carlton Blues.
The gap was even larger the further down the ladder you go, with West Coast becoming the first club since GWS in 2013 to win just one game for an entire season.
But who will be in the mix for the least-desired award in 2026? There's a few familiar clubs you might recognise...
5North Melbourne Kangaroos
The Kangaroos are looking to break out of the AFL's cellar for the first time since the turn of the decade, and while the talent on the list is building strongly with each passing year, the lack of fire and heart in their on-field performances has been evident, losing six games by 50-plus points in 2025.
However, a lack of player movement in the off-season suggests the club believes they have the cattle to challenge the competition's best, and ultimately, some sort of improvement is bound to happen for the storied Arden Street-based club.
However, it's hard to back them in on that notion until consistent on-field results are seen. The Roos are certainly no longer a hot favourite to claim last place in the standings, but will remain as a fringe chance to disappoint greatly again in 2026 until proven otherwise.
