The AFL returns with fresh hopes, new homes and big expectations

Opening Round of the AFL gets underway on Thursday night and fans of every club are all still hopeful that their team could make a run at the finals in season 2026. Will St Kilda’s expensive off-season pay dividends? Which of the players who moved clubs will have the biggest impact and which set of fans might want to temper their expectations? We preview the 2026 AFL Season. 

Featured: Corbin Middlemas, ABC SPORT. 

Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter