Fans have their say: Four-horse premiership race on a knife edge

Fan vote shows there's no clear standout in the race for the 2026 premiership

OUR EXPERTS are split on who will win the 2026 premiership from here, and it seems the fans can't decide either.

Earlier this week, AFL.com.au's 10 experts gave their verdict on who will lift the premiership cup on Grand Final day, with Brisbane and Fremantle getting four votes each and Hawthorn getting two votes.

And of the 25,000 AFL.com.au users who voted in our poll, only a third could reach a consensus in the four-horse race.

A touch more than 33 per cent of respondents backed Brisbane to win a third premiership in a row, with Hawthorn and Fremantle both getting around 24 per cent of the vote.

And while Sydney got no love from our experts, 18 per cent of fans backed the Swans to get the job done.

The split opinions sum up what could be the most open premiership race in recent memory so late in the season.

The two qualifying final losers are considered favourites for the preliminary finals this weekend, despite both having to travel interstate to face opponents who should be refreshed after having a week off.

Brisbane - 33.58 per centHawthorn - 24.45 per centFremantle - 23.96 per centSydney - 18.01 per cent

Brisbane - 4 votes (40 per cent)Fremantle - 4 votes (40 per cent)Hawthorn - 2 votes (20 per cent)Sydney - 0 votes