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Way-too-early predictions: Our picks for 2026 premier, Brownlow, and more
Can the Lions make it a three-peat? Does Nick Daicos finally break through for Brownlow Medal? Can the Eagles get off the bottom of the ladder? It's time for ESPN's way-too-early predictions for the 2026 AFL season.
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GF - Geelong Cats vs Brisbane Lions
It's a dynasty: Lions join footy's all-time greats, and are only set to get better
It's now undeniable, Chris Fagan and the Brisbane Lions have built an enviable dynasty that isn't showing signs of slowing down any time soon, writes Jake Michaels.
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'We'll be back': Geelong hell-bent on casting aside rare shocker
It was a rare shocker from the Cats, who suffered their worst defeat for the year on the biggest day of the year. But they'll be back, with experience under the belt, writes Rohan Connolly.
Top Headlines
- I want to be GWS captain: Cadman's 'master plan'
- Injury-plagued Saints star to have more surgery
- 'Callous' rapist Silvagni jailed for six years
- List, draft concessions for AFLW Devils revealed
- Dons announce new captain as CEO calls it quits
- McRae re-signs with Pies for another two seasons
- Tigers snap up forward with top AFLW draft pick
- Butters unfazed by future as new Port era begins
- Magpies staffer quits after preseason incident
RIP BOUNCE
AFL journo vs. 'the bounce': is the art truly dead?
2:21
Centre bounce, sub gone in AFL rules shake-up
The AFL believes scrapping the centre-bounce "party trick" will attract more umpires to the game and make them better decision-makers in the process.
ESPN AFL
'It was a basket case': The book which blew the lid on footy's mismanagement
IZAK RANKINE SAGA
No winners: Dragged-out Rankine saga only did more damage
No winners emerged from the messy handling of Izak Rankine's anti-gay slur, writes Matt Walsh.
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AFL overreactions: Rankine shouldn't have left the country
Should Izak Rankine have left Australia following his suspension? Would the AFL hate a GWS-Gold Coast elimination final? It's time to react -- or overreact -- to the big talking points of the week.
LIFTING THE LID
'A complete facade': Inside the drama of being a caretaker coach
Facades, drama, and an infamous ruptured ACL, these are the tales of the men thrust into the hot seat -- the AFL caretaker coaches.
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PRIVATE OWNERSHIP IN FOOTY
40 years on: How a 'cowboy and a bulls--- artist' bought the Sydney Swans
Forty years ago, the VFL had a brief dalliance with private ownership when Geoffrey Edelsten purchased the Sydney Swans. What ensued was a 'circus', but one that helped shape Australian rules football for decades to come.
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Swans private ownership: the soaring highs but inevitable lows
After a brief period of growth and prosperity, private ownership of the Swans ultimately failed, but without it, would the club itself have survived a cut-throat era of Australian rules football?
Top Headlines
- I want to be GWS captain: Cadman's 'master plan'
- Injury-plagued Saints star to have more surgery
- 'Callous' rapist Silvagni jailed for six years
- List, draft concessions for AFLW Devils revealed
- Dons announce new captain as CEO calls it quits
- McRae re-signs with Pies for another two seasons
- Tigers snap up forward with top AFLW draft pick
- Butters unfazed by future as new Port era begins
- Magpies staffer quits after preseason incident
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Way-too-early AFL Draft Power Rankings: The top 10 for 2026
Twelve months out from the 2026 AFL Draft, this is ESPN's way-too-early top 10 prospects to track.
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Subscribe to the ESPN Australia Newsletter
Keep up to date with the latest news from across the sporting world. Be it at home or abroad, we've got it covered in our weekly newsletters.
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Listen to the ESPN Footy Podcast
Join ESPN's footy team for some of the best AFL and AFLW analysis and insight on the ESPN Footy Podcast.
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Every AFL club's best and fairest winner for season 2025
The 2025 AFL season might be done and dusted on the field, but now it's time to crown each club's best and fairest winner. So, who was your team's top performer of the year?
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Ranking every AFL after-the-siren winning goal since 2000
Since the turn of the millennium, there have been 32 after-the-siren goals kicked which have won the game. We've ranked them -- taking into account shot difficulty, context of the match, conditions, and more to determine which clutch kick rules them all.
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The AFL's best at everything: Picking the top players at 61 different skills
Best kick on the run? Most elusive player? Boundary line specialist? Best swingman? We named the AFL's standout in 61 specific skills.
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'Exactly what we need': How Aussie Rules helped make ESPN a live sport juggernaut
When ESPN was a fledgling station without any meaningful TV rights, it needed content. Enter Aussie Rules football and the VFL, and a partnership which left a lasting impact on both league and broadcaster, writes Shannon Gill.
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AFL player record holders, statistical leaders, and more
Who has played the most AFL games? Who has kicked the most AFL goals? Here are the league leaders in history for all the stats that matter.
