SEN’s 2026 AFL predictions: Premiers, Brownlow, Coleman, breakout player & more

All the big names across the SEN network as well as the SEN.com.au digital team have forecast the year ahead, naming their premiers, Brownlow and Coleman winners, unexpected storylines and more.

PREMIERSHIP: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: Western BulldogsBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Josh Treacy (FRE)RISING STAR: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: 16 teams still a chance to make top 10 going into last roundBREAKOUT PLAYER: Arthur Jones (WB)

PREMIERSHIP: Gold CoastRUNNER-UP: BrisbaneBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Murphy Reid (FRE)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Sam Darcy (WB)RISING STAR: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: Western BulldogsBIGGEST SLIDER: CollingwoodUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: The AFL reverse its decision on the centre bounce as international fans turf off the game in drovesBREAKOUT PLAYER: Mattaes Phillipou (STK)

PREMIERSHIP: FremantleRUNNER-UP: BrisbaneBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Jai Newcombe (HAW)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Ben King (GCS)RISING STAR: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: FremantleBIGGEST SLIDER: CollingwoodUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Greg Swann scraps the ruck rule after only eight rounds... and four PCLsBREAKOUT PLAYER: Max 'Maximum Damage' Hall (STK)

PREMIERSHIP: Western BulldogsBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Noah Anderson (GCS)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Sam Darcy (WB)RISING STAR: Jagga Smith (CAR)BIGGEST RISER: FremantleBIGGEST SLIDER: Collingwood

PREMIERSHIP: SydneyRUNNER-UP: BrisbaneBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Charlie Curnow (SYD)RISING STAR: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: GWSUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Umpiring will improve significantlyBREAKOUT PLAYER: Murphy Reid (FRE)

PREMIERSHIP: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: FremantleBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Sam Walsh (CAR)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Ben King (GCS)RISING STAR: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: CollingwoodUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Very little moaning about umpiringBREAKOUT PLAYER: Angus Sheldrick (SYD)

PREMIERSHIP: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: HawthornBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Noah Anderson (GCS)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Charlie Curnow (SYD)RISING STAR: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: St KildaBIGGEST SLIDER: GWSUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Michael Voss signs five-year contract extensionBREAKOUT PLAYER: Mitch Lewis (HAW)

PREMIERSHIP: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: SydneyBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Zak Butters (PA)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Riley Thilthorpe (ADE)RISING STAR: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: 10th beats 7th in Wildcard FinalBREAKOUT PLAYER: Jordan Croft (WB)

PREMIERSHIP: FremantleRUNNER-UP: SydneyBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Charlie Curnow (SYD)RISING STAR: Taj Hotton (RIC - tipped before Hotton injury)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: CollingwoodUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Brad Scott sacked by Round 7BREAKOUT PLAYER: Pat Voss (FRE)

PREMIERSHIP: SydneyRUNNER-UP: Gold CoastBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Caleb Serong (FRE)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Charlie Curnow (SYD)RISING STAR: Alix Tauru (STK)WOODEN SPOON: Port AdelaideBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: Port AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: TDK silences the critics, earns his first All-Australian blazer with a dominant ruck displayBREAKOUT PLAYER: Cam Mackenzie (HAW)

PREMIERSHIP: FremantleRUNNER-UP: BrisbaneBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Ben King (GCS)RISING STAR: Willem Duursma (WCE)WOODEN SPOON: North MelbourneBIGGEST RISER: FremantleBIGGEST SLIDER: CarltonUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Twilight Grand FinalBREAKOUT PLAYER: Sam Darcy (WB)

PREMIERSHIP: FremantleRUNNER-UP: Western BulldogsBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Hugh McCluggage (BRI)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Josh Treacy (FRE)RISING STAR: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Eagles win two games in a rowBREAKOUT PLAYER: Murphy Reid (FRE)

PREMIERSHIP: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: SydneyBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Ben King (GCS)RISING STAR: Alix Tauru (STK)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: CollingwoodUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: More serious discussions on concussionBREAKOUT PLAYER: Lawson Humphries (GEE)

PREMIERSHIP: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: FremantleBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Ben King (GCS)RISING STAR: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: Collingwood.UNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Clarkson out at North MelbourneBREAKOUT PLAYER: Harley Reid (WCE)

PREMIERSHIP: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: Western BulldogsBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Marcus Bontempelli (WB)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Charlie Curnow (SYD)RISING STAR: Zeke Uwland (GCS)WOODEN SPOON: MelbourneBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: CollingwoodUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Bombers to win a finalBREAKOUT PLAYER: Jordan Croft (WB)

PREMIERSHIP: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: Gold CoastBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Marcus Bontempelli (WB)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Charlie Curnow (SYD)RISING STAR: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: North MelbourneBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: CollingwoodUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Todd Marshall and Jack Lukosius to swap defence and forward mid-yearBREAKOUT PLAYER: Aidan Schubert (HAW)

PREMIERSHIP: Gold CoastRUNNER-UP: BrisbaneBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Noah Anderson (GCS)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Charlie Curnow (SYD)RISING STAR: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: CollingwoodUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: AFL will change the ruck ruleBREAKOUT PLAYER: Sam Flanders (STK)

PREMIERSHIP: Gold CoastRUNNER-UP: HawthornBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Sam Darcy (WB)RISING STAR: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: Port AdelaideBIGGEST RISER: RichmondBIGGEST SLIDER: GeelongUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Lions players join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day SaintsBREAKOUT PLAYER: Jed Walter (GCS)

PREMIERSHIP: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: Gold CoastBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Noah Anderson (GCS)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jeremy Cameron (GEE)RISING STAR: Jobe Shanahan (WCE)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: Gold CoastBIGGEST SLIDER: Western BulldogsUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Brownlow medal tieBREAKOUT PLAYER: Joe Berry (PA)

PREMIERSHIP: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: SydneyBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Errol Gulden (SYD)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Ben King (GCS)RISING STAR: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Fans actually enjoy Wildcard WeekendBREAKOUT PLAYER: Bailey Humphrey (GCS)

PREMIERSHIP: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: FremantleBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Will Ashcroft (BRI)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Riley Thilthorpe (ADE)RISING STAR: Dan Annable (BRI)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: RichmondBIGGEST SLIDER: GWSUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Only 3 can win the Cup - Freo, BL, GCSBREAKOUT PLAYER: Judd McVee (FRE)

PREMIERSHIP WINNER: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: Gold CoastBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Ben King (GCS)RISING STAR WINNER: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: Port AdelaideBIGGEST RISER: Gold CoastBIGGEST SLIDER: GWSUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Essendon makes the wildcard playoffBREAKOUT PLAYER: Jack Whitlock (PA)

PREMIERSHIP: FremantleRUNNER-UP: BrisbaneBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Ben King (GCS)RISING STAR WINNER: Daniel Annable (BRI)WOODEN SPOON: RichmondBIGGEST RISER: FremantleBIGGEST SLIDER: CollingwoodUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: High-profile AFL figure quits, citing burn-outBREAKOUT PLAYER: Tom McCarthy (WCE)

PREMIERSHIP WINNER: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: SydneyBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Marcus Bontempelli (WB) & Noah Anderson (GCS) tieCOLEMAN MEDALLIST: Charlie Curnow (SYD)RISING STAR WINNER: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: GWSUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Wildcard round creates absolute havoc - 10th or 9th goes on fairytale run (but doesn’t win flag)BREAKOUT PLAYER: Levi Ashcroft (BRI)

PREMIERSHIP: SydneyRUNNER-UP: BrisbaneBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jeremy Cameron (GEE)RISING STAR: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Pies still highest finishing Melbourne-based teamBREAKOUT PLAYER: Tom McCarthy (WCE)

PREMIERSHIP: FremantleRUNNER-UP: BrisbaneBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Ben King (GCS)RISING STAR: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)BIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: GWS GiantsUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Drawn Grand Final, Fremantle win first ever flag in extra timeBREAKOUT PLAYER: Murphy Reid (FRE)

PREMIERSHIP: SydneyRUNNER-UP: BrisbaneBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (STK)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jesse Hogan (GWS)RISING STAR WINNER: Willem Duursma (WCE)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: CollingwoodUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Max King (STK) to kick 35+ goals and play 15+ gamesBREAKOUT PLAYER: Harvey Langford (MEL)

PREMIERSHIP: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: GWSBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jeremy Cameron (GEE)RISING STAR: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Toby Greene in Brownlow contention mid-seasonBREAKOUT PLAYER: Tom McCarthy (WCE)

PREMIERSHIP: Gold CoastRUNNER-UP: BrisbaneBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Caleb Serong (FRE)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Jesse Hogan (GWS)RISING STAR WINNER: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: No Victorian side makes the preliminary finalsBREAKOUT PLAYER: Connor Macdonald (HAW)

PREMIERSHIP WINNER: SydneyRUNNER-UP: GeelongBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Marcus Bontempelli (WB)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Charlie Curnow (SYD)RISING STAR WINNER: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: AdelaideUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Bevo makes song with Kane and Kingy for FireballBREAKOUT PLAYER: Josh Ward (HAW)

PREMIERSHIP WINNER: BrisbaneRUNNER-UP: Gold CoastBROWNLOW MEDALLIST: Nick Daicos (COL)COLEMAN MEDALLIST: Ben King (GCS)RISING STAR WINNER: Jagga Smith (CAR)WOODEN SPOON: West CoastBIGGEST RISER: SydneyBIGGEST SLIDER: GWSUNEXPECTED STORYLINE: Last disposal out of bounds rule is a flopBREAKOUT PLAYER: Jai Serong (SYD)