Poll : 2026 where do you see us?

[Grantysghost]

Some debate on woof about whether we are rising, sliding, holding next season.

It might be a little early pre draft but I think we can say it's unlikely a draftee will move the needle too much.

So, what say you Woofers ?

[Grantysghost]

I've gone 8-10.

I think closer to 10.

Think there will be a little step back before the new breed start to take the slack and the defence is still a massive problem.

Plus other teams (Saints) will improve.

[GVGjr]

Ideally I would have selected 6 to 10.
Cody coming back and Treloar being for could make a difference for us.

[Aidan7557]

Probably 9-12th range. Saints could jump us, Port and Swans will be around the mark as well. Not sure we get much better and I think numerous teams will get a lot better. Flat.

[Bulldog Joe]

What a load of pessimists.

There is no reason for us not to be aiming to win the thing.

We do need a better defensive system but I'm not sure that is in Bevo's playbook.

Where can/will we improve.

Treloar and Weightman probably contribute more - can't be less.

Darcy gets stronger.
Tim showed some real application and will to improve

Freijah - should be better and more consistent.
Davidson -ditto
Sanders - should also be better

JOD to continue his upward trajectory

Hynes, Dolan, Jaques ready to contribute. Maybe even Sellwood and Walker make some difference.

Budarick hopefully improves the back half.

[Sedat]

From 2024 to 2025 we won more games, had a much better percentage but finished slightly lower. We did that with a net loss in terms of actual senior talent on the list in 2025 compared to 2024. We also had a bad injury run at times (Weightman out all season hurt a lot in an area of weakness), as well as the JUH 43 goals from 2024 disappearing completely (not to mention causing all sorts of problems internally).

From 2025 to 2026, our net levels of talent are basically the same (Buderick gives us a better spread in areas of previous weakness) and we have an extra 12 months of crucial development into a lot of the young talent that weren't yet ready to consistently impact at senior level. We should absolutely be be aiming for 15-16 W/L season and making the lower half of the top 8 - clear injury run/improved output from our youth/more effective game style when we don't have the ball and we can finish top 4, terrible injury run/stalled development and no change in defensive game plan and we miss the 8.

[Pleather Sole]

7-8
I doubt two 18 year old draftees will move the needle this year, but I do think a couple of well chosen re-entries could.
I'd also wager two experienced DFA's will make it possible to shift the needle. Bews on a 2 year deal and Frost on a one year deal.
I'm assuming that even Bevo knows he has to adjust our game plan enough to be more realistic than just scoring more goals.
A greater defensive application from all positions is also needed, even 15% more will see a big uptick.

2026 could be more congested than 25 but Dolan, Jaques, Hynes, Sellwood and Croft on the rise maturing and being viable for full game time can elevate the half forward roles, Budarick and Sellwood limiting turnovers. Bews with the clinical mindset of Geelong's defensive mechanisms. Frost with a steady head and good ball use while Buss develops (or is moved on).

I'd rather be positive and hopeful than resigned to disappointment, negativity isn't an enjoyable headspace.
Plus, the VFL win will have an impact on the emerging players. Bringing that confidence in to preseason is a boon.

[Grantysghost]

What a load of pessimists.

There is no reason for us not to be aiming to win the thing.

We do need a better defensive system but I'm not sure that is in Bevo's playbook.

Where can/will we improve.

Treloar and Weightman probably contribute more - can't be less.

Darcy gets stronger.
Tim showed some real application and will to improve

Freijah - should be better and more consistent.
Davidson -ditto
Sanders - should also be better

JOD to continue his upward trajectory

Hynes, Dolan, Jaques ready to contribute. Maybe even Sellwood and Walker make some difference.

Budarick hopefully improves the back half.

Realists ! It's not black or white this world haha.

[Dogs 24/7]

I rate our playing list but I'm a little surprised we have 4 members so far saying it's a top 4 quality list.
It's more than capable but to say it's top 4 means you really think this list is very strong.
I hope you are right.

[G-Mo77]

I don't know where the big improvement comes from to push us any further? We basically have the same team with a few new draftees and a more than likely a DFA. 8 - 10 for me.

[Mofra]

8th perhaps?

I have little faith that Treloar's body holds up. Not sold on Weightman's return.

Budarick will be good for us and I think Dolan & Hynes will take a step forward.

I feel like we'll be in the same position as 2025. Perhaps a tiny bit more luck and less off field distraction.

[Grantysghost]

I rate our playing list but I'm a little surprised we have 4 members so far saying it's a top 4 quality list.
It's more than capable but to say it's top 4 means you really think this list is very strong.
I hope you are right.

And we haven't finished top 4 home and away since 2010?

I'm all for it though!

[Scraggers]

I would like to answer this again after the draft.

If we are able to snag a ready-made key defender from the draft, or alternatively a quick WAFL/VFL/SANFL defender with footy smarts from the pre-draft, then I think we can finish higher than the 8-10 I predicted.

Sam Power said yesterday in one of his many interviews that we were looking at alternative pathways to fill the voids. No idea what he meant by that, but thats what I'm reading into it

[NAUGHTY100]

I see us holding next year around 8-10 , we have a few players namely Darcy , JOD , Baker , Buku , Freijah , and Garcia all nearing the 50 game mark , which according to most coaches and list managers is the mark that a lot of players , the game falls into line for them , so with any luck a few of thoes players will reach their 50 game mark and then their improvment will start to take effect , but to my way of thinking its 2027 that will see us really challenge strongly , especially if we acquire Butters next year and more players reach that 50 game mark .
Bontempelli , Naughton , English , Richards , Mat Kennedy , Weightman , all still playing at their peak , Libba will be 35 by then but hopefully still going and Treloar at 34 who knows with his injury past , but Sanders should be close to that 50 game mark by then so hopefully starting to play good football each week , so with that group of experianced guys and the addition of Butters and the continual growth of guys like Darcy , Freijah , Hynes , Dolan , JOD , Busslinga , West and Williams , im see a brighter future then most .

[Grantysghost]

I would like to answer this again after the draft.

If we are able to snag a ready-made key defender from the draft, or alternatively a quick WAFL/VFL/SANFL defender with footy smarts from the pre-draft, then I think we can finish higher than the 8-10 I predicted.

Sam Power said yesterday in one of his many interviews that we were looking at alternative pathways to fill the voids. No idea what he meant by that, but thats what I'm reading into it

Was interesting to read we were into Keane from Crows.
We gave the KPD thing a fair shake.