There's something about AFL pre-season that feels different. The cricket season has finally ended, and you begin to look forward to another year of the big men flying. News stories become more frequent - scorching days with sweat-slicked players conditioning hard for the season, then the first few practice matches where the result only matters when your team wins.
In pre-season, all bets are both off and on the table. There's no ladder pressure. No percentage calculations. Just optimism, fresh guernseys, and the belief that this might finally be the year. As the 2026 campaign approaches under the banner of the Australian Football League, here's what fans should be watching – and planning around.
Opening Round – Hope Over Evidence
Round 1 is about emotion. It's too soon to make a call, but a win first up is always welcome.
New recruits want immediate impact. Coaches unveil adjusted game plans. Young players step into bigger roles. Expect sharper ball movement, higher-pressure acts, and at least one upset that resets everyone's predictions.
For watch-party planners, the Opening Round is about atmosphere. It's when belief runs strongest and group chats light up.
The Off-Season Moves That Matter
Much of the big pre-season chat is about the comings and goings and what it means for your club.
High-profile signings, draft picks, positional switches, and assistant coach changes fuel hope and flip expectations. It's a fun ride, but don't go too early. Experience tells us it takes time for chemistry to gel, and the early rounds are about getting the mix right.
But gee, isn't it great to have footy back? Early-season games featuring new combinations and big contests under lights at venues like the Melbourne Cricket Ground or Optus Stadium set the stage for the season to come.
There's a long way to go, but the early rounds tell us what might be possible.
Young Talent Rising
Every season produces a breakout. There's always someone. Who's the big tip at your club? Who's going to transition from good-ordinary or promising to a budding champ?
Pre-season reports hype emerging midfielders, explosive half-backs, or key forwards ready to take the leap. The opening month is when reputations are built quickly.
And when bold calls are made confidently at the BBQ.
Rivalry Games Hit Early
Traditional rivalries don't wait for September.
Derbies, Showdowns, QClash, and Victorian grudge matches carry tension from the first bounce. Even without finals implications, they split rooms and spark debate.
Circle them in your diary now.
Rule Tweaks and Game Style Shifts
It's standard now. Every season brings rule changes and adjusted interpretations, subtle or significant, along with warnings about different enforcement protocols.
Stand rules, protected zones, the ruck contest, and out-of-bounds interpretations – small tweaks can make a big difference in how we view the game. The first few rounds reveal how coaches adapt.
Watch for:
- Faster transitions
- Higher scoring bursts
- Defensive structures still settling
Where the Surprises Usually Come From
History suggests:
- One early ladder leader will cool
- One slow starter will surge mid-season
- A young side will outrun expectations
- An experienced contender may take time to click
March and April bring unpredictability.
May clarifies.
June stabilises.
Right now, though, pre-season is all possibility.
It's locking in Round 1 plans. It's arguing confidently before the evidence arrives. It's believing your midfield has finally matured. It's getting your tips in on time.
Hope is never stronger than before the first bounce.
As the AFL season starts to take shape, we're already planning for the last Saturday in September. Explore our Melbourne city guide to secure the best seats in footy's heartland, then check out our Perth guide to find top venues ready for a massive decider day.