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...
Geelong
The ruck plan
At the moment, the Cats' main ruckman is a 35-year-old Rhys Stanley, and there's no telling if he will be good enough to be a premiership ruck again at his age.
Developing youngsters Mitchell Edwards and Toby Conway haven't shown enough to be relied on consistently, with the latter facing constant injury woes the last two years to hold him out of consistent competitive play.
Their next options would be to play a mixture of Mark Blicavs, Sam De Koning and Shannon Neale, a combination which worked well in two of their three Finals, but struggled in the rematch with Brisbane in the decider.
Obviously, this is something that can chop and change throughout the year, thanks to the incredible versatility that Blicavs' skillset provides, but it will be an intriguing watch how Geelong utilises their talls against Hawthorn and Carlton this pre-season.
