A busy AFL trade period, and the fall-out from some of these deals, means there is plenty for the AFL and its broadcasters to consider ahead of the release of the 2026 fixture.
Amid club requests for next season, here are eight match-ups which should receive prominence.
Could have been friends: Zach Merrett’s first game against Hawthorn will be one to watch next season.Credit: Getty Images
Essendon v Hawthorn
This one, dare we say, merits top billing, for it has more spice than a Thai green curry. Central to this mix is jilted Essendon superstar, Zach Merrett, who failed in his bold bid to be traded to the arch-rival Hawks. Merrett, no doubt, will be particularly keen to put in a best-on-ground performance to reinforce to the Hawks what they missed out on, while highlighting his commitment to the Bombers (at least for next season). Remember, he had met the Hawks late in the season – behind the Bombers’ back – but waited until late in the trade period (perhaps too late) to officially seek a shift. The Hawks were also too slow to get moving, and the two teams could not then agree on the contracted Merrett’s value. The Hawks-Bombers rivalry, authored through their storied grand finals of the 1980s, has endured to this day. This is the eyebrow-raising new chapter set to be a bestseller, and should be staged as early as round one. “[We] can get excited for round one, which is likely to be a home game against Hawthorn with 90,000 [fans likely],” Essendon coach Brad Scott said last month. “They might have a couple there as well, but it’ll be our home game.”
Making a point: The best way for Matt Rowell to respond to Craig McRae is with a dominant on-field performance.Credit: AFL Photos
Gold Coast Suns v Collingwood
There was already plenty to like here. The Suns are the emerging upstarts; the Magpies are clinging to elite status. Their round-18 game this year, the Suns holding at home, was a classic. But the fuse has now really been lit after Craig McRae’s dig at Suns’ star and Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell at, of all places, the Magpies’ best-and-fairest when he jokingly congratulated Nick Daicos for being runner-up in the Brownlow Medal by suggesting “a few more 16-disposal games might get you there next year”. That, of course, was a shot at Rowell, who claimed three Brownlow Medal votes for a 16-disposal game. This wasn’t one of McRae’s finest moments, and the Suns won’t forget.
Starting afresh: Carlton’s dual Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow is now a Sydney Swan.Credit: Eddie Jim
Sydney v Carlton
Star forward Charlie Curnow forced his way out of the Blues despite having four years remaining on his contract. Curnow, as far as we can tell, left on good terms with his teammates, but the Blues faithful were shattered by the decision of a man they had hoped would be central to their premiership plans. Expect Blues’ fans to vent their displeasure when these teams first meet.
St Kilda v Carlton
Curnow is not the only ex-partner the Blues will face – Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni are also on this list. De Koning was seduced by the $12 million on offer at Moorabbin (fair enough, we say), while Silvagni – considered Blues’ royalty because of his family history – was given a lucrative long-term deal the Blues were never really prepared to offer. While De Koning is a loss, watching Silvagni in red, white and black will particularly sting for Blues’ fans. Just how they react will be a close watch.
Melbourne v Gold Coast Suns
Premiership hero Christian Petracca was welcome to remain at Melbourne, but the 2021 Norm Smith medallist wanted out. Petracca gave great service to the Demons, and still has close friends at the club, but there will be an edge to this contest. The Demons appear likely to take a step back next season, but expect them to lift for this.
Greater Western Sydney v Melbourne
The Demons did not want Clayton Oliver, the four-time best and fairest told to look for a new club. Oliver’s displeasure with his former club was clear when he was approached while touring GWS’ facilities, and was asked about Collingwood’s interest – at that point – in him. “What do I like about them [Collingwood]? I like them better than Melbourne, that’s for sure,” Oliver said. Now, the Demons are still contributing about $700,000 of Oliver’s annual wage. Imagine if he has a 30-disposal night and torches the Demons? Bring the popcorn.
That way: Former West Coast skipper Oscar Allen has linked with Brisbane.Credit: AFL Photos
West Coast Eagles v Brisbane
The Eagles are likely to be a bottom-four team again next season, as they continue their list regeneration under coach Andrew McQualter. But their first meeting against former skipper Oscar Allen will be one to watch. Allen, of course, created headlines early last season when he was found to have met with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell. But it was with the Lions where the key forward found a new home. That a captain was considering leaving a club became the new norm this year. Will there be another next year?
Geelong v Brisbane
The Cats are still likely to be having nightmares after their post-halftime meltdown against the Lions in this year’s grand final. It was a dirty day for a handful of the Cats’ top talent, the memories of which they will be keen to begin to ease when these teams next meet. Nothing, of course, can replace a lost premiership.
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