Look, I get it. The cricket season might be winding down (or heating up, depending on your preference), but for those of us who live and breathe Australian sport, the footy season is just around the corner. And if you're anything like me, you've already started mentally mapping out which games you'll catch at the MCG, which players you're backing in your SuperCoach team, and whether your local club has what it takes to go all the way this year.

But here's the thing—a proper AFL season preview isn't just about picking a premiership favourite and calling it a day. It's about understanding the storylines, the changes, the rising stars, and the old heads who've still got one more run in them. Whether you're a die-hard fan, a grassroots coach, a parent trying to keep up with your kid's obsession, or someone who's just getting into the game, this checklist will help you prepare for the season ahead.

So grab a cold one, settle in, and let's walk through the steps to build your AFL season preview—the right way.

What You'll Get From This Article

By the time you finish this checklist, you'll have a clear, practical framework for previewing the AFL season. You'll know exactly what to look for, what questions to ask, and how to avoid the common traps that trip up even seasoned footy fans. No fluff, no hot takes—just a solid, repeatable process you can use year after year.

Prerequisites / What You Need

Before we dive in, make sure you've got the basics covered:

A calendar (digital or physical) to mark key dates
Access to team lists (AFL website, club sites, or your favourite footy app)
A notebook or notes app for jotting down observations
A healthy dose of optimism (because every team thinks they're a chance early in the season)
Patience (because the season is a marathon, not a sprint)

Now, let's get into it.

Step 1: Start With the Big Picture – The Season Structure

Before you even look at a single team, understand the season's framework. The AFL season typically runs over many months, with a series of home-and-away rounds, followed by finals. The pre-season competition gives you a glimpse of what's to come, but don't read too much into those results—teams are experimenting, resting stars, and trying new structures.

What to look for:

Key dates: Opening round, themed rounds, bye rounds, and finals dates
Venue allocations: Which grounds host big games? The MCG, SCG, and other iconic venues all play their part
Fixture difficulty: Some teams have easier runs; others face a brutal stretch of top-tier opponents

Pro tip: Mark the bye rounds on your calendar. Nothing kills a footy fan's momentum like forgetting your team has a week off and tuning in to a dead rubber.

Step 2: Get to Know the Teams – But Don't Overthink It

You don't need to memorise every player's height, weight, and preferred breakfast cereal. But you do need a solid handle on each team's strengths, weaknesses, and key storylines.

The categories to break it down:

Premiership contenders: The top teams who genuinely believe they can win it all
Finals hopefuls: Teams that could sneak into the eight with a bit of luck
Rebuilding sides: Young teams developing for the future
Wildcards: Teams that could surprise everyone or completely implode

What to assess for each team:

List changes: Who's come in via the draft, trade period, or free agency? Who's retired or moved on?
Coaching stability: A new coach brings new game plans, new structures, and usually a period of adjustment
Injury list: Key players missing pre-season or early rounds can change everything
Fixture: How many interstate trips? How many six-day breaks? How many games at their home ground?

Example: If your team has a tough draw and loses a star midfielder to a long-term injury in pre-season, adjust your expectations accordingly. If they've got a young, hungry list and a favourable run of games, they might be a sneaky chance.

Step 3: Dive Into the Key Player Storylines

This is where the season preview gets interesting. You're not just listing names—you're identifying the narratives that will shape the year.

Categories to cover:

The veterans on their last dance The ageing stars who've given everything to their clubs. Who's playing for one more flag? Who's fighting off retirement? These stories add emotional weight to the season.

The young guns ready to break out Every year, a handful of second- or third-year players explode onto the scene. Watch the pre-season games closely—these are the names you'll be hearing all season.

The comeback stories Players returning from serious injuries, personal challenges, or form slumps. These are the feel-good narratives that fans love to rally behind.

The new faces Draft picks, traded players, and rookies who've earned a spot. Some will make an immediate impact; others will take time to develop.

Pro tip: Don't just focus on your own team. The best footy fans know the opposition's key players too—it makes watching games more enjoyable and gives you better material for banter.

Step 4: Understand the Game Plan Trends

AFL is constantly evolving. What worked a few years ago might be outdated now. To write a proper season preview, you need to understand the tactical trends shaping the game.

Current trends to watch:

Pressure and chaos: Teams that can lock the ball in their forward half and force turnovers are thriving
Intercept defenders: The best defences are built around players who read the play and cut off opposition attacks
Midfield rotations: How teams manage their on-ball brigade through the game is crucial
Kick-in strategies: How teams set up from behinds has evolved in recent years

What to look for in pre-season:

Are teams playing a high-possession, controlled style or a fast, chaotic brand?
How are they setting up defensively? Man-on-man or zone?
Are they using the corridor or chipping it around the boundary?

Pro tip: Watch the first few rounds closely. Teams that come out with a clear, well-executed game plan often carry that momentum for weeks.

Step 5: Factor in the Off-Season Changes

The AFL landscape doesn't stay still. Between the trade period, the draft, rule changes, and club administration shifts, plenty happens between seasons.

Key areas to investigate:

Trade and free agency wins/losses: Who improved their list? Who lost key players?
Draft class impact: Some draftees are ready to play early; others need development time
Rule changes: The AFL sometimes tweaks rules. Understand how they'll affect the game
Club culture and leadership: Has the club appointed a new captain? Have there been off-field dramas? Culture matters more than most fans realise

Pro tip: Don't get too caught up in trade period hype. Some "wins" in the off-season turn into losses later, and vice versa.

Step 6: Look Beyond the AFL – The Grassroots and Pathways

This step is for the real footy heads. The AFL season preview isn't just about the top level—it's about the entire ecosystem.

What to track:

State leagues: The VFL, SANFL, WAFL, and others are where the next generation develops
Community clubs: Your local footy club's season matters too. How are they tracking? Any new coaches or facilities?
Academy and development programs: The best young talent is often identified years before they're drafted

Why this matters: The health of grassroots footy directly impacts the AFL. If participation numbers are up, the talent pool deepens. If clubs are struggling, the whole sport feels it.

Step 7: Build Your Predictions – But Keep Them Flexible

Every season preview needs predictions. But here's the secret: don't lock them in stone. The season is long, unpredictable, and full of injuries, form swings, and surprise results.

What to predict:

Premiership winner: Your bold call for who'll hold up the cup
Top teams: The sides you expect to feature in finals
Wooden spoon: The team you think will finish last (be kind—someone has to)
Rising Star: The young player who'll make the biggest impact
Leading goalkicker: Who's kicking bags this year?
Brownlow Medal: The best and fairest across the competition

Pro tip: Make your predictions public. It's more fun when you can look back and laugh at how wrong you were.

Step 8: Plan Your Season – Games to Watch, Trips to Take

This is where the preview becomes personal. Don't just watch the footy—experience it.

Things to plan:

Games at iconic venues: The MCG on a Saturday night, the SCG on a sunny afternoon—these are bucket-list experiences
Themed rounds: Many clubs host special events throughout the season
Local club games: Support your grassroots club. Go to the games, buy a membership, get involved
Finals tickets: Plan early. Finals sell out fast, especially at major venues

Pro tip: If you're a parent with kids playing footy, plan your weekends around their games and the AFL schedule. It's a beautiful chaos.

Step 9: Share Your Preview – Write It, Record It, Talk About It

The final step is sharing your work. Whether you're writing for a site, posting on social media, or just chatting with mates at the pub, your season preview is meant to be shared.

How to share:

Write an article or blog post: Structure it like this checklist—clear, practical, and conversational
Record a podcast or video: Talk through your predictions and analysis
Start a group chat: Get your mates involved. Debate, argue, and enjoy the build-up

Pro tip: Be humble. Nobody gets every prediction right. The best footy fans admit when they're wrong and learn from it.

Pro Tips / Common Mistakes

Do:

Watch pre-season games, but don't overreact to results
Read multiple sources for a balanced view
Factor in the fixture—some teams have it much harder than others
Enjoy the process. Season previews are supposed to be fun

Don't:

Base your entire preview on last year's form (teams change)
Ignore injuries (they can derail the best-laid plans)
Get too attached to your predictions (the footy gods love chaos)
Forget about the grassroots game (that's where the heart of footy lives)

Checklist Summary: Your AFL Season Preview in 9 Steps

Step 1: Understand the season structure (rounds, byes, finals, key dates)
Step 2: Assess each team (contenders, hopefuls, rebuilders, wildcards)
Step 3: Identify key player storylines (veterans, young guns, comeback stories, new faces)
Step 4: Understand game plan trends (pressure, intercept defence, midfield rotations)
Step 5: Factor in off-season changes (trades, draft, rule changes, club culture)
Step 6: Look at grassroots and pathways (state leagues, community clubs, development)
Step 7: Build flexible predictions (premiership, top teams, awards)
Step 8: Plan your season (games to watch, trips to take, local footy involvement)
Step 9: Share your preview (write, record, talk, debate)

The AFL season is a beautiful, chaotic, unpredictable beast. No preview gets it perfectly right—and that's the point. The joy is in the journey, the surprises, the heart-stopping finishes, and the stories that unfold week after week.

Whether you're watching from the stands at the MCG, following along on your phone at work, or coaching a group of kids at your local club, you're part of something bigger. The footy community is one of the best in the world, and a good season preview is your ticket into the conversation.

Now go on—get your notebook out, start your research, and build the best AFL season preview you can. And when your bold prediction comes off later in the season, you'll be glad you did.

See you at the footy.

For more footy history, fan traditions, and stories of legendary players, check out our other articles at /history-culture, /fan-traditions, and /legendary-players.

AFL Season Preview Tips: Your Complete Checklist for the Upcoming Season