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...
GWS
How will the midfield injury crisis be mitigated?
On the eve of the season, the Giants have been handed a brutal blow in the injury department, losing superstar Tom Green to a potentially season-ending ACL injury, and defensive midfield gun Toby Bedford for a month.
That places a lot of pressure on Clayton Oliver to return to his superstar ball-winning abilities of old, while a group of emerging players will need to quickly find their footing at AFL level to mask the void Green inevitably has left.
Jack Ough is one to keep an eye on, as is Harry Rowston, with the pair already set to take on greater roles for the 2026 season before the untimely injury.
With the star-studded midfield of Sydney and a unique cohort in Collingwood's engine room on the agenda, an insight into how senior coach Adam Kingsley will prepare his troops for the season ahead must be seen this month, if there is to be belief for a return to September action in 2026.
