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Full Noise by SN
Why Simon Black believes the northern states will dominate the AFL
Jaiden Sciberras • February 27th, 2026 9:11 am
Could the northern states rule the AFL over the coming seasons?
With help from the controversial northern Academies and a long stretch of consistent good decisions, Sydney, GWS, Brisbane and Gold Coast have built teams that could all compete for a Premiership in 2026 and beyond.
Entering the new season, Brisbane and Gold Coast stand as the betting favourites to win the flag, with Sydney in the top five and the Giants slightly behind following a horrid run of pre-season injuries.
Beyond the now, each of the four clubs flaunt some of the competition's best young talents. Between Will and Levi Ashcroft (BL), Finn Callaghan (GWS), Zeke Uwland, Dylan Patterson (GCS) and Errol Gulden (SYD), the northern clubs hold onto a range of the AFL's superstars of tomorrow, almost certain to keep their respective sides within the window for the foreseeable future.
With all of that in mind, Brisbane Lions and AFL legend Simon Black believes that the quartet could not just hold control of the competition, but dominate.
“The amount of talent in these four northern state teams, it’s a really interesting four or five years coming up,” Black told SEN’s Afternoons with Adam Peacock.
“I really wouldn’t be surprised if these two northern states win three or four (Premierships) over the next five years.
“You look at my Lions; they’ve won the last two and their age demographic – they are still really quite young. Their window is still there.
“That Gold Coast side, they’ve acquired some really good players in the off-season and they’ve added great experience – made the finals last year, you’d think they’re ready to go to push for a tilt at the flag.
“The two Sydney teams are never far off it. I’d really like to see the Giants find a little bit more improvement in them. They’ve got a really great list and if they can stay healthy, I’d love to see the Giants push for a Premiership.
“They’ve had a reasonable amount of time in the competition now, flirted with it, got to a Grand Final but have never taken that extra step. Hopefully they can do that in 2026.”
Black was infamously a key member of one of the great sides in the game’s history, winning three straight Premierships with the Brisbane Lions from 2001-2003 – one of just two sides to do so within the AFL era.
And in 2026, Black’s Lions have the chance to mimic the feat over 20 years later. Having claimed back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025, Brisbane enters the new season as the favourites to once again win the flag.
Knowing exactly what it takes to win a threepeat, the club legend believes the club is in great shape to win it all once more.
“They really are (well-shaped), absolutely,” he said.
“That Grand Final side from last year, there were eight players that are 22 and under, which is quite phenomenal.
“Those guys will only get better. They talk about the 23–28-year-old players in their prime – there’s a bunch of those types. Even their older guys are playing really good footy.
“If they can remain humble and hardworking, with a little bit of luck along the way with injury, they are going to give it another good nudge, the Lions.
“I’m really excited to see how they progress.”
