The 2026 AFL season is gearing up to be a pivotal year for a number of key figures across the league. From seasoned coaches and star players to league executives, the stakes are incredibly high for many, with careers and club fortunes hanging in the balance. For some, it’s about proving their worth against significant financial investment, while for others, it’s a chance to rectify past disappointments and lead their teams to glory.
Here’s a look at 10 AFL figures facing immense pressure and expectation in 2026:
10. Tom De Koning (St Kilda Ruckman)
Tom De Koning is stepping into the role of the league’s highest-paid ruckman, having inked a lucrative deal with the St Kilda Saints worth close to $14 million in free agency. While the financial incentive to leave Carlton was undeniable, this significant investment brings with it a mountain of pressure to perform. The Saints already boast a formidable ruck presence in Rowan Marshall, who will likely need to shift forward to accommodate De Koning.
The new ruck rules, which favour aerial prowess, are theoretically well-suited to De Koning’s strengths. However, after several seasons of strong but inconsistent form, the expectation is that he now elevates his game to an All-Australian standard. His performances will be closely scrutinised as he aims to justify his hefty price tag and become the undisputed number one ruckman.
9. Josh Carr (Port Adelaide Coach)
Typically, a first-year senior coach is afforded a degree of leniency, but Josh Carr’s transition into the role at Port Adelaide has been anything but conventional. The club’s decision to implement a 12-month succession plan from Ken Hinkley to Carr, which coincided with a dramatic slide from the top four to outside the finals race, has undoubtedly cast a shadow. The impact of this early announcement on the team’s morale and performance remains a subject of debate, but it clearly disrupted their momentum.
Adding to the immediate pressure, club chairman David Koch has publicly stated his expectation for the Power to contend for finals in 2026. Carr also faces the significant challenge of convincing star free agent Zak Butters to commit to a long-term deal. This is far from a typical introductory season for a senior coach, demanding immediate results and strategic leadership.
8. Izak Rankine (Adelaide Star)
Izak Rankine is entering 2026 with a clear debt to the Adelaide Crows. The team was in blistering form at the close of the 2025 season, achieving impressive victories against strong opposition and positioning themselves as minor premiers and genuine premiership contenders.
However, Rankine’s season was dramatically derailed by a four-game suspension for a homophobic slur directed at a Collingwood player. This ban ruled him out of the crucial finals series, and Adelaide’s formidable momentum evaporated, with his absence becoming a significant distraction. The Crows subsequently lost eight consecutive quarters and were eliminated in straight sets. The onus is now squarely on Rankine to spearhead Adelaide’s charge back to that same elite level in 2026, demonstrating his value and leadership when it matters most.
7. Ross Lyon (St Kilda Coach)
For the past few seasons, Ross Lyon and the St Kilda Saints have often pointed to the youth of their squad as a reason for inconsistent results. However, that excuse is no longer viable in 2026. The club has made significant financial commitments, investing over $5 million in retaining key talent like Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Marcus Windhager, as well as acquiring high-profile recruits during the trade period.
As previously mentioned, the Saints have secured Tom De Koning as the league’s highest-paid ruckman and also made substantial investments in players like Jack Silvagni and Sam Flanders, who are yet to fully establish themselves at the highest level. The pressure is now squarely on Lyon to unify these talented individuals, implement a winning game plan, and guide the Saints back into the top eight.
6. Justin Longmuir (Fremantle Coach)
Fremantle undoubtedly possesses one of the most talented lists in the AFL, and 2026 is shaping up as the year this potential must translate into sustained success. Many had tipped the Dockers to be the breakout top-four team of the previous season, but Adelaide ultimately claimed that mantle, leaving Fremantle in the next tier.
Their season concluded with a disappointing home final loss to the Gold Coast Suns, extinguishing their premiership aspirations. A subpar performance in 2026 would place Justin Longmuir firmly in the hot seat. With a rolling contract and a squad that is expected to be in premiership contention, any significant missteps could lead to a difficult situation for the club. If the Dockers fail to secure a top-eight finish, the repercussions at Fremantle could be severe.
5. Charlie Curnow (Sydney Star)
For Sydney, Charlie Curnow is seen as the crucial missing piece in their premiership puzzle. Anything less than a dominant impact from the dual Brownlow Medallist will be considered a failure to meet expectations. After a 2025 season once again hampered by knee issues, Curnow is reportedly fit and ready to make a significant contribution in the red and white.
The Swans have reached the pinnacle of the competition twice in recent years, only to fall short in both Grand Final appearances. Their pursuit of Curnow involved a substantial investment, trading away three first-round draft picks and severing ties with two experienced veterans. He now carries the immense responsibility of repaying that faith and being the catalyst for a long-awaited premiership.
4. Andrew Dillon (AFL CEO)
Andrew Dillon’s first full season at the helm of the AFL in 2025 was undeniably tumultuous, and all eyes will be on how he navigates his second year. It’s difficult to recall a period where the league office felt so fractured. Issues such as the Lachie Schultz concussion saga and the subsequent blaming of umpires, the suspensions of Willie Rioli and Izak Rankine, and the absence of Saturday free-to-air football marked a frustrating year for many fans.
Dillon has since bolstered his executive team by bringing in Greg Swann and Tom Harley, both highly respected figures from successful club environments. This move has been widely lauded. His pet project, the State of Origin, also proved to be a resounding success, validating the risk involved. However, ultimately, all attention remains focused on the league’s chief executive. Dillon requires a period of stability and smooth operation in 2026 to solidify his leadership.
3. Michael Voss (Carlton Coach)
Entering a season without a contract beyond the current year inherently places immense pressure on a senior coach. This is particularly true when coaching Carlton, a club that has experienced an 18-month period of declining performance. The off-season has seen significant changes at the Blues, with new coaching staff, a revamped football operations team, and substantial personnel shifts.
Despite facing considerable scrutiny on multiple occasions, the Carlton hierarchy has consistently backed Michael Voss. While external expectations might not be at their peak, the internal pressure to reverse the downward trend and steer the club back towards success will be palpable throughout 2026.
2. Greg Swann (AFL Head of Football)
In his inaugural off-season in charge of football operations, Greg Swann has been instrumental in implementing several rule changes that have significantly altered the fundamental nature of the game. He has abolished the bounce to restart play, introduced a ‘last touch out of bounds’ rule between the arcs, removed the substitute player, tightened the ‘stand rule,’ and is making substantial adjustments to the Match Review Officer (MRO) and draft regulations.
It’s evident that the game will present a different spectacle in 2026. The scrutiny on Swann will be immense if the on-field product becomes clunky or if the new rules do not achieve their intended outcomes. He has been empowered to reshape the game and has seized that opportunity with both hands. The ramifications of these decisions will now be observed with keen interest.
1. Alastair Clarkson (North Melbourne Coach)
Alastair Clarkson enters his fourth season at the helm of North Melbourne with a challenging record of 11 wins and 57 losses. The club has been mired in a deep rebuild since the early 2020s, and despite the presence of a four-time premiership-winning coach, tangible progress has been slow.
The pressure on Clarkson to revitalise the Kangaroos and lift them off the bottom of the ladder in 2026 is enormous. Another season spent languishing in the bottom four could compel the North Melbourne hierarchy to initiate yet another fresh start. Clarkson is undeniably one of the most accomplished coaches of the 21st century, and a significant turnaround is imperative for both his club and his personal legacy, especially when considering the rapid resurgence of Hawthorn following his departure.
