The AFL’s home-and-away season is about a third of the way through, which is a good sample size to form opinions on where clubs are heading and which players are in career-best form or struggling.
There are teams dreaming of premiership glory after a strong start, whereas others never had serious aspirations of that and some have been cruelled by injury. We look at how each club is travelling to this stage of the season.
Adelaide
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Wayne Milera
Breakout players: Brayden Cook and Lachie McAndrew
Best debutant: Charlie Edwards
Best recruit: Finnbar Maley
Need more from: Izak Rankine
What’s happened: Star captain Jordan Dawson has missed two games with injury and personal tragedy, while young guns Darcy Fogarty and Dan Curtin have played a combined four matches. Jake Soligo also underwent surgery for an irregular heartbeat in the pre-season. A 52-point loss to Brisbane last week was a reality check, but big-improver Cook added to his impressive season with a match-winning goal in the dying seconds to secure a one-point Showdown triumph on Friday night. Milera, Sam Berry and Josh Rachele have gone to a new level.
Record entering round 8: 3-4 (13th)
Are they meeting expectations? Nope. The Crows won the minor premiership last year before a disappointing finals series, and have been inconsistent this season, including within matches. That said, Adelaide have a 2-3 record in games decided by single digits, so they would be in the top six if that was flipped. There should be better days ahead, given they played interstate three times in seven games to start the year.
Grade: C-
Brisbane Lions
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Lachie Neale
Breakout player: Bruce Reville
Best debutant: Zane Zakostelsky
Best recruit: Oscar Allen
Need more from: Hugh McCluggage
What’s happened: The Lions suffered surprise defeats to the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne, and copped a 44-point loss to Sydney, but made a statement with a dominant win over Adelaide. Of greater concern are long-term injuries to Allen (foot) and Daniel Annable (shoulder), on top of two concussions in short order to Noah Answerth. Eric Hipwood (ACL) is due back mid-season, while Harris Andrews (suspension), McCluggage (calf), Jarrod Berry (calf) and Darcy Gardiner (shoulder) have also had interruptions.
Record entering round 8: 4-3 (fifth)
Are they meeting expectations? The Lions are easing their way into the season after winning the past two premierships, but would be frustrated with their string of injuries. They should be fairly pleased with where they sit. Neale’s stellar form has been heartening – and important – after a rocky off-season for personal reasons.
Grade: B
Carlton
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Sam Walsh
Breakout player: Cooper Lord
Best debutant: Jagga Smith
Best recruit: Ben Ainsworth
Need more from: Harry McKay
What’s happened: The story of the Blues’ season to date is the leads they have repeatedly coughed up that have them in the AFL cellar and coach Michael Voss under even more pressure. Carlton’s sole win was over struggling Richmond – by only four points – but they had 12-plus-point three-quarter-time advantages over Melbourne, North Melbourne and Collingwood. Elijah Hollands’ mental health episode was challenging for everyone involved.
Record entering round 8: 1-6 (16th)
Are they meeting expectations? Not even close. It is only a matter of time until Carlton moves on from Voss, who may not see out the season. The Blues are better than their record suggests, and the likes of Walsh, Patrick Cripps and Smith are playing well, while Mitch McGovern has surprised as a forward and Lord has taken another step, albeit in limited games. The recruits, particularly Ainsworth and Ollie Florent, have looked OK, and Smith’s fellow draftees Harry Dean and Talor Byrne have shown promise.
Grade: D-
Collingwood
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Nick Daicos
Breakout player: Roan Steele
Best debutant: Oscar Steene
Best recruit: Angus Anderson
Need more from: Jack Buller
What’s happened: Scott Pendlebury turned back the clock to accumulate 43 disposals and win a record fourth Anzac Day Medal in a 77-point romp over Essendon as he edges closer to breaking Brent Harvey’s VFL/AFL games mark. Injury has kept Darcy Moore to only two matches, and Harry Perryman is set for a stint out after a hamstring setback. Steene is one of the big winners of the new ruck rules, while Nick Daicos is in Brownlow Medal contention again and Dan Houston’s second season at the club has been excellent.
Record entering round 8: 4-3 (eighth)
Are they meeting expectations? Kind of. Collingwood won the games they were favoured in – and pinched one over St Kilda as underdogs – and were plucky against Fremantle and almost upset Hawthorn on Thursday night. They must continue to get games into their young players, such as Steele, Steene, Anderson, Ed Allan, Will Hayes and Wil Parker, while draftee Sam Swadling is getting leather poisoning in the VFL. The flip side is this is an ageing list, so there is an element of urgency.
Grade: C+
Essendon
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Archie Roberts
Breakout players: Zak Johnson and Archie May
Best debutant: Jacob Farrow
Best recruit: Jacob Farrow
Need more from: Archie Perkins
What’s happened: After the off-season upheaval of Zach Merrett wanting out, the Bombers have leaned even more into youth. They had a shock win over in-form Melbourne in round five, ran North Melbourne close and were gallant against Gold Coast, but suffered 10-goal-plus defeats to Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions. Injuries have not helped. Peter Wright has assumed ruck duties and performed solidly, but third-year defender Roberts is the shining light and could end Merrett’s three-year best-and-fairest monopoly.
Record entering round 8: 1-6 (17th)
Are they meeting expectations? Outside of pumping games into their kids, there was never any serious expectation on Essendon this year. That said, they started the season poorly and were embarrassed on Anzac Day, prompting club legend James Hird to question their defensive strategy. Farrow has performed the best of last year’s first-round picks, but Sullivan Robey and Dyson Sharp have shown glimpses, while Johnson and May also look like they have a future.
Grade: D
Fremantle
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Luke Jackson
Breakout player: Isaiah Dudley
Best debutant: Chris Scerri
Best recruit: Judd McVee
Need more from: Sean Darcy
What’s happened: The Dockers appear to finally be realising their potential, from greater week-to-week consistency and dominant individual performers across the ground. Josh Treacy and Jye Amiss are starring in attack, ex-Tiger Shai Bolton is much improved in his second season at the club, their Caleb Serong-led midfield is on song, and Alex Pearce and Jordan Clark are thriving down back. Unicorn ruckman Jackson, who might be out-performing everyone, is thriving under the new centre-bounce rules.
Record entering round 8: 6-1 (third)
Are they meeting expectations? So far, so good. Fremantle look primed to be flag contenders this season after years of failing to match the hype about them. The Dockers’ draw gets tougher from here, but they are playing well enough to believe they can match it with most, if not all, opposition, whether on the road or in Perth. It will help their cause if depth players such as Matt Johnson, Dudley, Neil Erasmus and Corey Wagner can maintain their form supporting their higher-profile teammates.
Grade: B+
Geelong
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Bailey Smith
Breakout player: Ollie Wiltshire
Best debutant: Mitch Edwards
Best recruit: James Worpel
Need more from: Patrick Dangerfield
What’s happened: It is hard to know where the Cats sit, given their uneven results. A lopsided opening-round loss to Gold Coast and disappointing defeat to Port Adelaide standout, but the victory over in-form Fremantle and their Easter Monday classic with Hawthorn suggest they are still thereabouts. Midfielders Smith and Max Holmes are setting the pace, while the ever-versatile Mark Blicavs has spent increased time in the ruck and been typically impactful. Jeremy Cameron kicked half of his 20 goals at the Bulldogs’ expense in round six.
Record entering round 8: 4-3 (ninth)
Are they meeting expectations? Geelong are arguably performing just below expectations, but that owes more to their sustained excellence than any concerns about their prospects. There is still plenty of reason to be optimistic that they will be in top-four contention by season’s end. Tanner Bruhn has been a wonderful midfield foil after a year out, while Shannon Neale is proving a handful for defenders alongside Cameron. It will be interesting to see if Dangerfield can get his body right.
Grade: B-
Gold Coast
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Ben King
Breakout player/s: Leo Lombard
Best debutant: Zeke Uwland
Best recruit: Christian Petracca
Need more from: Matt Rowell
What’s happened: A surprise loss to Melbourne at the MCG at least temporarily changed the trajectory of the Suns’ season after a stampeding 3-0 start. Sydney and Hawthorn have also easily swept aside Gold Coast since, either side of the Suns barely surviving against second-from-bottom Essendon at home. A finger injury delayed Rowell’s season start, then Petracca’s own injury absence, has played a role in Gold Coast’s revamped on-ball brigade not being the strength so far that most assumed it would be. But Coleman Medal leader King is in torrid form, and Petracca looks to be back to his best.
Record entering round 8: 4-3 (eighth)
Are they meeting expectations? No. Petracca’s off-season arrival and dominant victories over Geelong and lowly West Coast and Richmond to start the year propelled Damien Hardwick’s men into flag favouritism. Those results even sparked fears of how the AFL had created a titanic problem with the talent surplus at the Suns. But they have lost three of their four matches since to come back to earth. Now, there are suggestions Gold Coast have too many stars and not enough foot soldiers willing to do the dirty work.
Grade: C+
GWS
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Clayton Oliver
Breakout player: Harvey Thomas
Best debutant: Phoenix Gothard
Best recruit: Clayton Oliver
Need more from: Jesse Hogan
What’s happened: Injuries cruelled the Giants’ season before it even began, with gun midfielder Tom Green sustaining an ACL rupture, on top of Josh Kelly’s continued hip issue. Sam Taylor’s absence has also been felt in defence, while Brent Daniels and Aaron Cadman have played only twice each. GWS kicked off the season with an impressive win over Hawthorn – they are still the only team to beat the Hawks – but followed that with losses to the Bulldogs, St Kilda and Collingwood. The Giants also fell well short of Sydney, but victories over Richmond and North Melbourne steadied the ship.
Record entering round 8: 3-4 (14th)
Are they meeting expectations? There are in-built excuses because of GWS’ injuries, particularly the quality of player sidelined, but they have still been slightly disappointing. Oliver’s recruitment is proving a home-run addition and an excellent complement to Finn Callaghan, while ex-Bombers defender Jayden Laverde has also been valuable. Gothard, Thomas and Joe Fonti are adding to the club’s draft success stories.
Grade: C+
Hawthorn
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Jai Newcombe
Breakout player: Nick Watson
Best debutant: Jack Dalton
Best recruit: Jack Dalton
Need more from: Lloyd Meek
What’s happened: The Hawks suffered a first-up defeat to the Giants, but have not lost since, including an after-the-siren Dylan Moore goal securing them a draw against Collingwood in a game they dominated in the key metrics. The round two victory over high-flying Sydney, as well as the way they toughed out an Easter Monday win over Geelong, were the best signs that Hawthorn are top-tier flag contenders. Watson long ago broke out as a player, but he is having a ridiculous season and might be on his way to All-Australian honours.
Record entering round 8: 6-1 (third)
Are they meeting expectations? They sure are. This question will best be answered in September because the Hawks have reached that step in their development, but Sam Mitchell has them humming with an ascending group of young stars and savvy veterans who are meshing wonderfully. Jack Gunston continues to defy age, while Ned Reeves will send the AFL a Christmas card for the new ruck rules that revived his fledgling career. Co-captain Jai Newcombe could win the Brownlow Medal this year.
Grade: A
Melbourne
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Kysaiah Pickett
Breakout player: Koltyn Tholstrup
Best debutant: Latrelle Pickett
Best recruit: Jack Steele
Need more from: Trent Rivers
What’s happened: The Demons have sneaked up on everyone in Steven King’s first year in charge. They dug deep to upset St Kilda, ran down Carlton and upset flag fancies Gold Coast and Brisbane, with a surprise loss to Essendon in between during Gather Round. Fremantle inflicted Melbourne’s other defeat. Kysaiah Pickett has elevated into elite company and might be one of the best 10 players in the league, and Gawn is still a ruck leviathan, while recruits Steele and Brody Mihocek and a band of young players have offset the departures of Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver.
Record entering round 8: 5-2 (fourth)
Are they meeting expectations? King’s men have exceeded external prognostications, although the new coach was bullish at his introductory press conference that he wanted to play finals. That looks a serious possibility at this stage. The Dees are playing a more exciting and attacking brand in season 2026, while the likes of resident tagger Tholstrup, Tom Sparrow, Kade Chandler, Caleb Windsor, Harry Sharp and Blake Howes are playing career-best football as vital pillars in the club’s surprise start.
Grade: B+
North Melbourne
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Harry Sheezel
Breakout players: Dylan Stephens and Cooper Trembath
Best debutant: Tom Blamires
Best recruit: Charlie Spargo
Need more from: George Wardlaw
What’s happened: The Kangaroos might finally be waking from their slumber. It still hasn’t been perfect, including a round two defeat to West Coast and barely edging out Essendon and Carlton, but there has been an obvious leap. The pieces look to be in place, even if they are still a bit weak in the key defensive posts. Trembath was a remarkable mid-season draft find, Luke Parker’s been a revelation down back, and they are getting star-level contributions out of Sheezel, Luke Davies-Uniacke and Nick Larkey.
Record entering round 8: 4-3 (sixth)
Are they meeting expectations? They are probably about where most people thought they should be with their generous draw to start the season – but the real test comes next. Sydney, Adelaide, Gold Coast and Fremantle await, and North need to leave that tough patch with some points. That means Colby McKercher, Stephens, Paul Curtis, Finn O’Sullivan, Zane Duursma and co. must maintain their improvement.
Grade: B-
Port Adelaide
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Zak Butters
Breakout player: Ewan Mackinlay
Best debutant: Jack Watkins
Best recruit: Corey Durdin
Need more from: Miles Bergman
What’s happened: A 46-point round one loss to North Melbourne seemed to back up why the Power were largely written off for 2026, but their biggest defeat since was by 14 points to St Kilda. They also banked wins over Essendon, Richmond and Geelong, leaving them still in contention for the wildcard round a third of the way through the season. Todd Marshall’s switch into defence has gone seamlessly, while Butters and Jason Horne-Francis are among the form players in the league. Mitch Georgiades and Joe Richards are other big positives.
Record entering round 8: 3-4 (11th)
Are they meeting expectations? There was doom and gloom forecast for the Power this year after a lowly finish last season and quiet trade period, followed by Connor Rozee’s serious hamstring injury and setbacks to other first-choice players. The constant chatter about Butters’ free agency plans were not expected to be a positive, either. However, Port have performed admirably – home defeat to West Coast aside – highlighted by a five-goal win over Geelong and almost upsetting Hawthorn. The Showdown defeat was a heartbreaker. A band of no-frill players, including Durdin, Jacob Wehr, Mackinlay, Watkins and Josh Lai, have contributed.
Grade: C+
Richmond
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Tim Taranto
Breakout player: Liam Fawcett
Best debutant: Sam Grlj
Best recruit: Patrick Retschko
Need more from: Noah Balta and Tom Lynch
What’s happened: Injury carnage has hit Punt Road. News of Josh Gibcus’ ACL rupture dropped on Friday, only a day after No.1 pick Sam Lalor’s diagnosis of a partial Achilles tear. Other prized picks sidelined include Josh Smillie, Taj Hotton, Harry Armstrong and Tom Sims, while captain Toby Nankervis, Sam Banks, Rhyan Mansell, Maurice Rioli and Hugo Ralphsmith are also unavailable. Richmond are the sole winless club in the competition. After a narrow round one defeat to Carlton, the Tigers’ average losing margin since was a tick below 10 goals.
Record entering round 8: 0-7 (18th)
Are they meeting expectations? It is difficult to judge Richmond’s progress, given they are incredibly young and are ravaged by injuries. Overreacting to where they are at would be foolhardy, but there would be some concerns among the Tiger faithful, who were buoyed by how they exceeded expectations last year. There are opportunities for a win across the next month, with dates against West Coast and Essendon. On a positive note, draftee Grlj – one of five debutants this year – has looked fantastic, while Lalor continues to illustrate he will be a serious player, as long as he can avoid the injury bug.
Grade: D-
St Kilda
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Callum Wilkie
Breakout players: Jack Carroll and Hugo Garcia
Best debutant: N/A
Best recruit: Sam Flanders
Need more from: Tom De Koning
What’s happened: It isn’t surprising that the Saints have taken time to get going after bringing in a big group of recruits, but they have been a tad disappointing. Narrow defeats to Collingwood, Melbourne and Adelaide have left St Kilda with a mediocre record, although they squeaked past the Giants and Port Adelaide, so it could be worse. Coach Ross Lyon was not fully satisfied with his team’s 101-point thrashing of West Coast, but of greater concern is getting the best out of his high-priced recruits, including De Koning, who has been underwhelming. Flanders, Liam Ryan and Jack Silvagni have been solid contributors.
Record entering round 8: 3-4 (12th)
Are they meeting expectations? Not yet, and the Saints need to improve quickly as they have interstate clashes with Gold Coast, Fremantle and Sydney, plus a Marvel Stadium showdown with Hawthorn, between now and round 13. Wilkie, who leads the AFL in marks, has been outstanding in defence, while Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Jack Sinclair and Marcus Windhager are all enjoying strong seasons as well. They will dearly love to regain Max King, so fingers crossed he can get his body right.
Grade: C
Sydney
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Brodie Grundy
Breakout players: Jai Serong
Best debutants: Billy Cootee and Will Edwards
Best recruit: Charlie Curnow
Need more from: Logan McDonald
What’s happened: Dean Cox’s second season could hardly contrast more with his first. The Swans have run roughshod, boasting an average winning margin across the first seven rounds of 62 points. A 17-point round two defeat to Hawthorn was Sydney’s sole blemish in that period. Isaac Heeney, Justin McInerney, Grundy – basically the only lone ruckman in the league – Chad Warner, Nick Blakey and Joel Amartey have been outstanding, while star recruit Curnow is warming to the task. But it’s not all good news: Errol Gulden is out for up to four months after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Record entering round 8: 6-1 (first)
Are they meeting expectations? There were big expectations, and pressure, on the Swans to perform after trading away some of their depth to secure Curnow, but it looks worth it so far. They seem top-four locks, and deserve to be among the premiership favourites. The three-headed monster in attack of Curnow, Amartey (who they would love to re-sign) and Logan McDonald is going to cause headaches for many a rival team, as will Sydney’s depth.
Grade: A
West Coast
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Harley Reid
Breakout player: Jobe Shanahan
Best debutant: Willem Duursma
Best recruits: Milan Murdock and Tylar Young
Need more from: Jamie Cripps
What’s happened: It’s been a mixed bag, with two triple-digit defeats to Sydney and St Kilda, but back-to-back wins in rounds two and three over North Melbourne then Port Adelaide (in Adelaide). The Eagles remain deep in a rebuild and are relying on young players, but there are green shoots. Reid has continued his ascension into stardom, Reuben Ginbey has shone as a defender, and mature-age recruit Milan Murdock has been a great find. Long-term injuries to Jack Graham, Brandon Starcevich and Deven Robertson have not helped, but they are getting heaps of games into the kids – and they have some quality ones.
Record entering round 8: 2-5 (15th)
Are they meeting expectations? Two early wins were a good result, but they need to reduce the gap between their best and worst as the season progresses because they have five defeats by 59 points or more. Coach Andrew McQualter conceded they had gone “backwards” after the thumping from the Saints. West Coast did not win more than five games in any of the past four seasons, but it would be nice to at least match that.
Grade: D+
Western Bulldogs
Best-and-fairest frontrunner: Marcus Bontempelli
Breakout player: Ryley Sanders
Best debutant: Michael Sellwood
Best recruit: Connor Budarick
Need more from: Rhylee West
What’s happened: Nothing matters more than Sam Darcy’s season-ending ACL rupture. His setback against Geelong coincided with the Bulldogs’ campaign going off the rails. They were one of the surprise packets to start the year with a 4-0 record before running into Hawthorn, who handed them the first of four straight losses. Darcy is not the only key injury, with Tim English, Tom Liberatore, Cody Weightman, Rory Lobb, Arthur Jones, James O’Donnell, Riley Garcia and Budarick all missing time and/or still out.
Record entering round 8: 4-3 (10th)
Are they meeting expectations? They were exceeding them until injuries began piling up, but now their season is in jeopardy. This might be one of Luke Beveridge’s biggest challenges to keep his side in the hunt. Top-liners Bontempelli, Aaron Naughton, Ed Richards and Bailey Dale are maintaining a high standard, while young gun Sanders is proving why he was a top-10 pick. Sellwood, Lachie Jaques and Louis Emmett have also made an impact after starting the year with zero AFL games to their name.
Grade: B-
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