For 2026, the AFL is expanding the finals format to ten teams with a wildcard round and implementing rules aimed at faster, more consequential games.

Dillon defended the sport’s prominence, asserting that Australian Rules football remains the most attended, played, and watched sport in Australia amid public taunts from rugby league officials.

The 2026 season is framed by storylines such as Charlie Curnow’s return for Sydney against Carlton, potential record home-and-away crowds for St Kilda vs. Collingwood, and ongoing chatter about Brisbane’s premiership chances, a possible Gold Coast grand final, and Zak Butters’ future at Port Adelaide.

The tribunal system will be tightened with harsher penalties for gut punches as part of reforms to address long-standing on-field discipline concerns.

The AFL is pursuing ambitious growth for football across Australia, but faces leadership and governance challenges, including controversy around players Willie Rioli and Lachie Schultz and the drawn-out process to choose a new chairman.

It was a notably rocky year with high-profile player issues, leadership turnover, and resistance to Hobart’s Tasmanian stadium project, prompting calls for the league to get its own house in order.

These tribunal changes are part of broader reforms aimed at improving integrity and consistency across the league’s discipline processes.

Major structural and policy changes are underway, including the first finals expansion in 26 years with a wildcard round extending finals from eight to ten teams, along with attempts to shorten games and speed up play by removing the interchange bench substitute and moving away from the centre bounce.

Executive reshaping includes Greg Swann taking charge of the football department alongside Laura Kane, Tom Harley named Chief Operating Officer to improve club relations, and Craig Drummond set to become chairman to oversee the Tasmanian team’s 2028 integration.

The AFL is implementing significant leadership changes, with Swann and Kane sharing responsibilities, Harley improving operations, and Drummond slated to lead as chairman during the Tasmanian team’s entry in 2028.

Andrew Dillon, in his third year as AFL chief executive, is navigating a period of substantial change and scrutiny as the league aims to strengthen operations and public perception.

Dillon is steering an agenda to expand footy reach and improve the league’s profile amid ongoing organizational reforms.