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Way-too-early predictions: Our picks for 2026 premier, best and fairest, and more
Roos to go back-to-back-to-back? Who wins the best and fairest? Which team will fall? While so much can happen over the offseason, ESPN's AFLW experts have nevertheless turned their attention to 2026 for their way-too-early predictions.
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TOP HEADLINES
AFLW GRAND FINAL
KANGAROOS GO BACK-TO-BACK
What we learned: The Lions asked a question but invincible Roos had every answer
The Roos might only be at the start of their dynasty, the Lions lacked polish, and Sheerin stole the show. Here's what we learned from the AFLW Grand Final.
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'We knew as soon as we got here': Roos back-to-back, but Birch has four
Not only did North Melbourne make history becomning the first AFLW side to seal back-to-back premierships, one of their stars, Libby Birch, became the first player to win four.
2026 DRAFT CLASS
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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2025 DRAFT IN REVIEW
Grading every club's selections at the AFL Draft
The 2025 AFL Draft has been run, but which team won? ESPN's draft expert Jasper Chellappah has cast his eye over every club and handed down a grade. Who takes out the lone A+?
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AFL DRAFT
AFL Draft 2025: Inside the bids, trades and chaos that made up the first round
The AFL Draft promised chaos and delivered in spades. With nine bids and a last-gasp live trade changing its complexion, this is the inside story of how the first round played out.
Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
AFL Draft as it happened: Every first-round pick and analysis
The AFL Draft offers hope to all 18 fanbases. Follow our live blog as we bring you all of the news, analysis, pick swaps, player quotes, and more from Marvel Stadium.
AFLW
'I've never had this much fun': Carlton's culture shift paying dividends
Footy's fixture dilemma: fairness or tradition? You can't have both
AFLW
AFLW's key stats are on the up - but it's still not perfect
The quality of AFLW is on the up, according to the league, but while the stats are overwhelmingly positive, it's still not perfect, writes Sarah Burt.
Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
ESPN AFL
AFL 2026 fixture: five must-watch games in the first month
Top Headlines
- New Cat Buckley still dreams of AFL coaching job
- Roos complete perfect year with GF triumph
- Essendon star Nic Martin ruled out for 2026
- Irish boom could prompt AFLW international game
- Fifth man charged after Brownlow betting scandal
- Merrett steps down as Bombers captain
- Roos star Ash Riddell wins AFLW best and fairest
- Dees join new coach hunt as Stinear steps down
- Curnow could be Swans' missing piece: Mills
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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.
- ESPN
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.
- ESPN
'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.
