The AFL season is just around the corner, and fans are starting to believe that their team can compete for a premiership in 2026.

There are 11 teams with a legitimate chance to overcome the barriers in their way to lift the trophy come September, but only one side can do the honours. So, what may cause these premiership fancies to fall short of the AFL's pinnacle?

Here's one reason your favourite club will win the 2026 AFL premiership, and one reason why they won't...

St Kilda

WHY - The off-season additions

St Kilda is the latest "destination club", attracting several star players in the off-season, including ex-Blues Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni and emerging Suns midfielder Sam Flanders.

These additions bolster many areas of need on the Saints playing list, but with so much change comes an unknown belief.

Are these additions enough to launch a rise up the ladder? Saints fans will certainly be thinking, 'why not us?'

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 21: Max Hall (left) and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera of the Saints celebrate during the 2025 AFL Round 15 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium on June 21, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 21: Max Hall (left) and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera of the Saints celebrate during the 2025 AFL Round 15 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the St Kilda Saints at Marvel Stadium on June 21, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

WHY NOT - They aren't ready yet

Even with the new fancy additions, are the Saints going to be ready to contend straight away? Yes, it should be expected for them to improve, but can they improve to the point that they are going to win a flag?

Not many of their players have played in a finals series, and that can play a major factor in their success, or lack thereof, which was seen with Adelaide last year.

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