The 2026 AFL pre-season is here, offering the first real glimpses into how clubs will address 2025's shortcomings.
While there's no premiership points available, a strong showing can build momentum into the 2026 campaign, and demonstrate what is potentially possible once the home-and-away season gets underway.
So, here's what your favourite AFL club must show in their two pre-season fixtures this month...
Richmond
Control the contest
The Tigers were one of the surprises of the 2025 season, despite winning just five games for the year, but the consensus for 2026 is that Richmond will regress rather than advance a rapid rebuild following an off-season of minimal player movement, outside of their two first-round draft picks.
However, the Tigers have the opportunity to prove they are a step ahead of other clubs in a similar position this pre-season, with matches against Essendon and Melbourne to come before their annual Round 1 matchup with Carlton.
Yze's Tigers will be hoping to control possession and generate consistent inside 50 chances in these games, as these are the areas they were dominated in during 2025. In fact, they lost the disposal count by over 50 touches per game last year, and the inside 50 count by 11.5 on average.
The only other side to be dominated that much on a weekly basis? The West Coast Eagles, who won just one game all year. Richmond fans will be hoping the five-win campaign wasn't a fluke, and pre-season clashes against two clubs preparing to bottom out is one way to prove to them that it wasn't.
