Kane Cornes Unveils Seven Bold Predictions for the 2026 AFL Season
Channel 7 commentator Kane Cornes has revealed his seven most audacious forecasts for the 2026 AFL season, predicting significant shifts in team fortunes and major league changes. Among his standout calls, Cornes tips big-spending St Kilda to ascend the ladder while Collingwood faces a challenging year, marking a potential reversal of their recent standings.
Twilight Grand Final Tipped as Inevitable Move
Cornes expressed strong confidence that the AFL will finally transition the grand final to a permanent twilight timeslot. "I think it's time," he stated during an appearance on Sunrise. "And I think we'll look back and go, why have we not done this the whole time? The atmosphere will be better. It'll be better for TV. I think everyone's ready for it as much as some fans are still pushing back on it." He believes this change will be widely accepted once implemented, enhancing both the spectator experience and broadcast quality.
St Kilda to Surpass Collingwood in Ladder Position
In a notable prediction, Cornes expects St Kilda, under coach Ross Lyon, to finish above Collingwood despite the Saints trailing by eight places last season. "Very confident that it's going to be a rough year for Collingwood. Very confident," he emphasized. "Bobby Hill, we don't know about their best pressure forward. There's injuries everywhere. They are old and slow, and the Saints are coming so sorry to the Collingwood fans, I think it's going to be a rough year." This forecast suggests a significant turnaround, with St Kilda potentially outperforming their former grand final rivals for the first time in nearly a decade.
John Longmire Pegged for Tasmania Coaching Role
Cornes also weighed in on coaching movements, predicting that Sydney Swans coach John Longmire will lead Tasmania's new AFL team, despite widespread speculation linking Nathan Buckley to the position. "(Buckley) going back to Geelong is a good move for him," Cornes commented. "But John Longmire is absolutely perfect to run an outstanding football program. I think the break that he has had, probably unexpected for some, sets him up perfectly to go down there and he would be my choice." He views Longmire's recent hiatus as an ideal preparation for launching the expansion team.
Additional Bold Predictions for 2026
Cornes outlined several other forecasts that could shape the upcoming season:
- The Darcy Dozen: Sam Darcy is tipped to kick a historic 12 goals in a single game, surpassing Jeremy Cameron's 11-goal haul from round 21 last year.
- Arden Street Shake-up: North Melbourne will undergo major football department restructuring to accelerate their rebuild by Round 24.
- The Wizard's Double: Nick Watson is predicted to achieve a rare feat by winning both Goal of the Year and Mark of the Year.
- Stand Scrapped: The AFL will abandon the 'Stand' rule mid-season, deeming it a failed experiment that hampers gameplay.
The 2026 AFL season is set to commence live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport on Thursday, March 6, with Sydney hosting Carlton at the SCG. Cornes' predictions add an extra layer of anticipation as fans and analysts alike await how these bold calls will unfold.
