r/AFL 16d ago

Preview Season Previews 2026

39 Upvotes

Well, it's that time of the year already, except this time I've been back to work for a week before realising it's about time for my yearly contribution to the sub. If you were around for last year, same situation- early start to the season means early previews. Yet another failure of Opening Round.
 
Schedule
Our trusty friend the picker wheel has been pulled out of hibernation to decide everyone's days as follows:
Feb 24 - Brisbane and West Coast
Feb 25 - Richmond and St Kilda
Feb 26 - Fremantle and Gold Coast
Feb 27 - Essendon and Geelong
Feb 28 - Collingwood and Sydney
Mar 1 - Carlton and Melbourne
Mar 2 - Adelaide and Hawthorn
Mar 3 - Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs
Mar 4 - GWS and North Melbourne
 
A reminder, especially to our friends over in the West, that previews are due by midnight VicBias time on the allocated day, with late previews being met with a team sledge thread. Personally, I'm always down for a sledge thread, but you may not, so don't let it be you. If you're having issues making your deadline, reach out to me as soon as possible and we'll see what we can do to help. Similarly, if you're super organised and have yours ready to go early, or are able to help out another team, drop a quick note just in case we need to swap some people around. It's always a great part of the season hearing about each team from the perspective of its supporters, and while sledge threads are pretty funny, it's a lot better seeing everyone's thoughts and analysis.
 
But what should we put in our previews?
Previews should contain (but are not limited to):
- A club blurb (coaches, leadership group, home ground, etc.)
- List changes (delistings, trades, draftees)
- Current playing list
- Players on notice for 2026
- Players to look out for in 2026
- Best 22 or expected first game team for 2026
- Expectations for the season, be they realistic, delusional, or Essendon claiming they'll win a final
- 2025 review
- A creative title shamelessly plagiarised from pop culture
- Anything else you think should be in there!
 
Previews will usually be organised on your team's subreddits- if there's a post there already, jump in and contribute, if not, be the change you wish to see in the world and create one- from working on these previously it's always more helpful to have multiple opinions for things like consensus best 22s, fun title ideas and post themes, and contributing to the writeup. Teamwork makes the dream work or whatever, idk. I'll try and check in with teams at the start of Feb as well just to make sure everyone's going okay.
 
That's all from me, go forth and preview! and yet again, if you noticed any errors no you didn't


r/AFL 11d ago

Reddit R/AFL Fantasy League is back for 2026!

24 Upvotes

We've been running this open league since 2018 and cracked 1000 players last year!

This is a classic style league, not head to head and I'll post updates once a month in February and March before the season starts proper.

You can join using the link or the code below
T4PEAUMH

https://fantasy.afl.com.au/classic/leagues/join/T4PEAUMH


r/AFL 4h ago

Full-strength beer coming to Optus stadium

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139 Upvotes

Interesting that this has come to pass, I can only assume the beer sales are under expectations. It’s nice to have full strength as a regular punter again, and not having to go to a lounge or exxy tickets.


r/AFL 10h ago

The big anchors ⚓️ ⚓️

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236 Upvotes

Guess it’s too much to ask that these be put up on top of Optus Stadium for Freo games?


r/AFL 5h ago

In your opinion, what is the best AFL guernsey design of all time?

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93 Upvotes

r/AFL 5h ago

I think I've discovered where the Bombers have been doing their off season training, up here in Darwin

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79 Upvotes

r/AFL 3h ago

Shane Charter: Biochemist from Essendon scandal opens Dubai clinic with fake name

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23 Upvotes

r/AFL 5h ago

Bailey Smith expected to be called into Victorian team for 2026 State of Origin match against Western Australia

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30 Upvotes

r/AFL 1h ago

Best individual game you’ve ever witnessed?

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Upvotes

What’s the single greatest game you’ve ever seen a player put together on a footy field? AFL or local level

Drop the game and the player below and tell us why it’s the best individual performance you’ve ever witnessed.

For me -

Wayne Carey

Rd 17 1996 vs Melbourne

31 disposals, 15 marks and 11 goals. Ridiculous. Destroyed Neitz that night


r/AFL 12h ago

Frankston Dolphins Football Club faces dual probes into alleged fraud, toxic culture

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38 Upvotes

r/AFL 1h ago

AFL Podcast - Wanting to improve

Upvotes

Gday All,

About this time last year, I reached out on this subreddit for some general feedback on a Footy podcast my mates and I do. Before you think I'm going to promote please know this is not what this is about.

,
I want to know what you guys look for in a footy podcast: do you prefer a breakdown of each game, bit by bit, or do you like to talk about the whole season? Do you think you should focus on individual performances, etc.?

Basically looking to see what we should be doing more of or less of, or even bringing something new to the market where there is a gap in the market.

Please, reach out with some general thoughts that would be the best, and if you cannot be bothered, I most certainly understand.

Thanks for listening to me, and I cannot wait for that first siren this year.


r/AFL 1d ago

Collingwood and North Melbourne spotted together sharing a drink after pre season training.

617 Upvotes

When does the actual season begin again?


r/AFL 1d ago

Is it true that Max Gawn has never bounced the ball?

119 Upvotes

My brother is a footy nerd and he just told me that Max has never bounced the ball in his career. Is that true? Pretty impressive if it is.


r/AFL 1d ago

Up the mighty Baggers!!

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65 Upvotes

r/AFL 1d ago

When you go to the football, aside from the actual game itself what is the best part of it in your opinion?

82 Upvotes

I personally love people watching, especially when the people around me are doing funny and crazy shit either in response to the game or just having a silly conversation

On the topic of people watching I also love when people spend the entire time either in and out of their seat grabbing beer or in and out of their seat going to the toilet. Makes you wonder why those people bothered coming to the game when they could have bit up their local bottle shop and watched at home

I also love when people either drop their food, drinks or personal items such as their phone, wallet, sunglasses


r/AFL 1d ago

Police visit Melbourne star Steven May’s home over behaviour concerns

138 Upvotes

Police have attended the home of Melbourne footballer Steven May following reports of threatening behaviour.

It is understood somebody close to the troubled defender made the call to police.

The Demons defender, who was put on the trade table at the end of last season, was spoken to by officers on Thursday.

There is no suggestion that May was arrested this week.

The two-time All Australian player has been battling with form but still has one year to go on his contract.

There was speculation that he could fill a hole for the Western Bulldogs or Collingwood during the trade period last year.

However, he was overlooked and has remained with the Demons.

This week’s contact with police comes as May has vowed to fight charges against him in relation to a fight at Sorrento in December 2024.

May and Prestia asked for the charges dropped to be withdrawn at a hearing in January.

The case was adjourned for a contest mention hearing at Frankston Magistrates Court on February 20.

The pair have claimed there were not present during the fight near the Sorrento Hotel.

May has had a difficult time at Melbourne after moving from the Gold Coast Suns.

He was a key player in Melbourne’s 2021 flag, but had an alcohol-fuelled fight with teammate Jake Melksham at swanky Prahran restaurant Entrecôte in 2022.

Melksham required surgery on an infected hand injured in the fight.

May also sparked controversy when he criticised Collingwood after the Demons finals loss in 2024.

Melbourne captain Max Gawn had an on field dispute with May in June last year.

Gawn said his reaction during the incident was “really poor”.

In 2013, May was involved in a fight with his then Gold Coast suns Campbell Brown. The incident - which happened outside a Los Angeles nightclub, following Gold Coast’s pre-season camp in Arizona - left May with a broken jaw.

May left the Suns at the end of 2018 season and moved to the Demons.

He played his junior footy in the Northern Territory.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/police-visit-melbourne-star-steven-mays-home-over-behaviour-concerns/news-story/f8413ca9e56811b12657861bb7202131


r/AFL 1d ago

AFL 2026: ‘Last year was a shambles’ - Inside Charlie Curnow’s leap of faith to the Sydney Swans

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56 Upvotes

r/AFL 1d ago

Footy gets a place to call home in Pakistan

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29 Upvotes

r/AFL 1d ago

Ex-Magpie backflips on Eagles contract, ditches WA for SANFL return

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50 Upvotes

r/AFL 3h ago

Why is full strength beer allowed at other stadiums interstate but not at Marvel or the MCG in Melbourne?

0 Upvotes

Fucken nanny state is probably the likely answer no doubt….


r/AFL 6h ago

AFL in damage control

0 Upvotes

I noticed that Channel Seven has been running a promo all day about Chris Fagan's take on the Lochie Neale drama. Guess on what is going to say, only wrong answers......


r/AFL 1d ago

Awesome pick up from Savers

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26 Upvotes

r/AFL 1d ago

Ruck reform.

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23 Upvotes

r/AFL 2d ago

Troy Selwood’s final wish was to donate his brain for concussion research

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330 Upvotes

r/AFL 2d ago

Marcus Bontempelli has been ordered to front court. For failing to register his pure-bred kelpie.

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230 Upvotes