AFL 2026 Predicted Ladder: Bottom Six Teams Analyzed
The 2026 AFL season promises significant changes with the introduction of a wildcard round and an expanded finals series, marking the biggest adjustments in years. Even with ten clubs advancing beyond the home-and-away season for the first time, some teams are expected to head in the wrong direction or lag behind. In this first part of a three-part series, we delve into the predicted bottom half of the ladder, from 18th to 13th place.
18th: Richmond Tigers
Wooden spoon predictions often lack optimism, but this is an intriguing time for Richmond supporters. The possibilities feel endless, pressure is minimal, and fan engagement remains high. A few young players show flashes of brilliance, while many rivals struggle. In 2025, the Tigers faced rotten luck with injuries, the Noah Balta assault case casting a shadow, and a midfield ill-suited for modern footy. A dismal loss to Adelaide and a forgettable clash with Essendon highlighted their woes.
However, positives emerged: the backline excelled, veterans stepped up, youngsters showed promise, and coach Adem Yze found his footing. A cherished win over Carlton and persistent effort offer a foundation. By playing bolder, riskier football and potentially unsettling rivals, Richmond could turn this into a successful rebuilding season.
17th: West Coast Eagles
Harley Reid summed it up last October: "I'm excited but, yeah, she'll be hard." The Eagles' single-win season in 2025 was no disaster, with signs of progress under good leadership. They led strong teams like Brisbane and Collingwood away and nearly toppled ladder-leading Adelaide. Narrow losses and a frustrating game in Bunbury showed missed opportunities.
Fitness was a key issue last year, but improved conditioning this season, along with prospects like Tom McCarthy and Reid's phenomenal shape, suggests a quicker turnaround than many anticipate. West Coast is on the right track, poised to climb faster than expected.
16th: Essendon Bombers
For Essendon, last October brought mixed emotions, but given their tumultuous year, it was a win. The Bombers were a cot case in 2025, with coach Brad Scott addressing the best and fairest with his arm in a sling—a fitting symbol for a season plagued by soft tissue injuries. At one point, 20 players were on the injury list, detailed in a PowerPoint presentation peppered with Red Cross symbols.
It can only improve from here. Scott has the makings of a good team, excels at coaching on the fly, and has drafted promising players after past misses. With an ounce of luck, realism, and patience—qualities long absent at Essendon—the Bombers could start their ascent.
15th: North Melbourne Kangaroos
North Melbourne is an infuriating team, capable of brilliant passages followed by costly errors. As Dermott Brereton noted during a Fox Footy broadcast, "My God they're frustrating, these lads." Without their dominant women's team, fans might be up in arms. The Kangaroos have the midfield and forwards to rise, but their ground defense is a shambles.
Winnable early games offer a chance, but if they falter, tough questions about coaching and defensive willingness will arise. They must improve quickly to satisfy their loyal supporter base.
14th: Port Adelaide Power
Port Adelaide endured a brutal 2025, with a tough draw and mounting injuries, including Todd Marshall's achilles tendon explosion. Forty players were used, and four losses were by 15 goals or more. It was the first season under departing coach Ken Hinkley with fewer than ten wins and a short breaking point.
At the draft, they were an un-club, making no picks or trades. Their top-end talent remains exceptional, and the core from late 2024's strong performances is intact. However, doubts about depth and young talent hinder their ability to spike in 2026.
13th: Collingwood Magpies
Collingwood's pride and fighting spirit were evident in the preliminary final, but Brisbane's depth and era prevailed. Coach Craig McRae's preternatural optimism permeates the club, and the Magpies excel at bucking public opinion and winning in hostile environments. With one of the league's best players and a proven system, they remain competitive.
Yet, time is a concern. The age profile is alarming, and it's not just the older players. Bobby Hill's ongoing unavailability disappoints, Dan Houston was tentative last year, and the younger crop lacks excitement. The McRae-era Pies played exhilarating football in 2022 and smart football in 2023, but they now stand on a cliff edge, facing a pivotal season.
Stay tuned for part two of the AFL 2026 predicted ladder, publishing tomorrow, with part three following on Wednesday.
