Nobody can say with certainty who will win the next AFL Grand Final, but Brisbane are widely seen as the team to beat, with some tipping a potential “three‑peat” of flags, while clubs like Gold Coast, Geelong and Sydney are also popular contenders in early predictions.

Quick Scoop

Can we actually know who will win?

You’re asking a prediction question, so any answer is speculation , not fact. Injuries, form slumps, coaching changes and finals upsets make the AFL notoriously hard to forecast even a few weeks ahead, let alone months. Think of it more like reading betting markets and expert previews than reading a fixed script.

Who are the main favourites?

From current expert season previews and “way too early” ladders, a few teams keep popping up as genuine premiership chances.

  • Brisbane Lions: Back‑to‑back premiers and aiming for a rare three‑in‑a‑row, described as the clear team “everyone has to chase”.
  • Gold Coast Suns: Tipped by some as a likely Grand Finalist if their young list keeps improving and Ben King stays fit.
  • Geelong Cats: Still viewed in some previews as capable of a deep finals run, even from outside the top four.
  • Sydney Swans / GWS / Western Bulldogs: Regularly mentioned as strong finals sides that could catch fire in September.

What are experts actually saying?

Pundit and betting‑style previews for the 2026 season lean slightly towards Brisbane as the most likely premiers, with odds and write‑ups reflecting their recent dominance and stable list. Some “way‑too‑early” columns go as far as calling Brisbane an “overwhelming premiership favourite,” even while acknowledging how volatile the AFL can be. Others float storylines like a first‑time flag for Gold Coast or a veteran Geelong side making one more big run.

Snapshot of early predictions

Here’s a simple look at how different public sources are leaning right now:

[1] [5] [2][6]
Source Tipped premier Notable contender / runner‑up
ESPN-style early ladder pieceBrisbane Lions (described as clear favourite) Gold Coast Suns regularly mentioned as Grand Final chance
Betting/preview site (2026 season tips)Brisbane Lions backed for consecutive premierships Other top-4 calibre teams like Sydney and GWS flagged as threats
Talkback & forum chatterMixed: lots of Brisbane, but also optimistic fans from several clubs Frequent outside‑chances mentioned include Gold Coast and Western Bulldogs

So, who will win?

If you forced a single speculative answer right now, Brisbane are the safest pick on paper for the next AFL Grand Final winner, thanks to their recent flags and list profile. But the league is close enough that a fit, in‑form challenger like Gold Coast, Geelong, Sydney or GWS could easily crash the party if they peak in September.

TL;DR: If you’re asking “who will win AFL Grand Final,” the consensus early tip is Brisbane Lions, but it’s far from guaranteed and still very much up for grabs.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.