Opening Round kicks off on Thursday and the pre-season has provided plenty of answers, but certain questions can't be answered until the real stuff starts.
Zero Hanger has outlined a topic likely to garner plenty of discussion at each club in the first month of the season.
14Essendon Bombers
Who kicks the goals?
Dynamic third-year forward Nate Caddy has had a big pre-season and will carry an enormous responsibility in 2026. Notwithstanding the promise that Isaac Kako showed last season, the Bombers lack proven quality ground-level forwards - though whether Jade Gresham or Matt Guelfi rise to a new level in a contract year will be interesting to track. The Bombers would ideally love to ease the burden on Kyle Langford after an injury interrupted campaign so he can be freed up to play a higher forward role. Peter Wright has been a great servant for the last few years but if the club is to be in the finals mix, one senses they need to move past him, while Archie May and Liam McMahon remain inexperienced.
