The AFL Wildcard Round and finals series are officially upon us for 2026, with the eight teams missing out now turning their attention to free agency, contracts, the draft and selection calls ahead of next year.
Their home and away responsibilities have come to an end, but the disappointed decision-makers at the eight clubs condemned to watching September from the sidelines are about to earn their keep.
Whether priority 1A is transitioning to a new coach, deciding how best to spend Pick 1 at the upcoming National Draft (or both, if you're Essendon), or attempting to land a big free agency fish, months of planning for the upcoming free agency, trade and drafting periods are about to bear fruit.
So just what is on the agenda for your club?
North Melbourne
Whichever way you spin it, North improved this year.
Nine wins is the most they've managed in a single season in the 2020's, as some semblance of a footballing identity begins to take hold at Arden St.
However, two more positives can be gleaned from another bottom-third finish.
- Their fixture for next year will again be reasonably weak, priming the Roos to bound up the ladder with a few savvy moves in the player movement space.
- Another top-five draft pick will join the club, joining the likes of Harry Sheezel, George Wardlaw, Colby McKercher, Zane Duursma and the like on a list burgeoning with elite prospects.
The club have been heavily linked to Blue Ollie Hollands, who has struggled for senior opportunity under Josh Fraser, but was impressive last time out, against Fremantle. He has met with the Kangaroos, and shapes as a low-risk, moneyball signing, and the perfect kind of player Alastair Clarkson has a history of getting the best out of.
