AFL 2026, Round 15 Talking Points

If you thought the Knicks’ NBA title was ridiculous, get ready for the Carlton miracle - because these Blues can genuinely play finals.

Plus Collingwood’s dangerous trade call, the latest on Tasmania’s coach search and more, as the big issues from Round 15 are analysed in Foxfooty.com.au’s Talking Points!

Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

ROCK BOTTOM TO WILDCARD DREAM: BLUES’ ‘IRRESISTIBLE’ REVIVAL SPARKS FINALS ‘REALITY’

Five wins in a row, three scalps against genuine finals contenders … one Carlton wildcard dream.

The Blues on Saturday night continued their remarkable resurgence under interim coach Josh Fraser, pulling through for a statement victory over the Giants.

It extended the Blues’ unbeaten run to five games since Fraser took the reins after Michael Voss’ departure in early May.

What’s made the streak even more impressive is the calibre of opposition, with Carlton beating likely finalists Geelong and the Western Bulldogs, plus both a frisky Port Adelaide and now GWS interstate.

The Blues remain outside the top 10 by just one win — a scenario that seemed unthinkable last month.

Add to that the fact Saturday’s win was Carlton’s final game outside Melbourne for the home-and-away season, Blues fans are daring to dream.

“It’s a crazy thing to think of Carlton making finals or threatening a grand final,” Fox Footy’s Dwayne Russell said.

“But miracles have happened before. Ask Steven Bradbury, ask the New York Knicks.

“It was a hypothetical before today as to making the 10. But now it’s a reality.”

AFL ladder after Round 15 (finals relevant teams)

1. Fremantle (52 pts, 144.4%)*

2. Sydney (48 pts, 143.7%)*

3. Hawthorn (38 pts, 113.5%)*

4. Geelong (36 pts, 120.6%)

5. Adelaide (36 pts, 113.2%)*

6. Melbourne (36 pts, 104.2%)

7. Western Bulldogs (36 pts, 92.8%)

8. Brisbane (32 pts, 108.4%)*

9. Gold Coast (28 pts, 105.3%)*

10. North Melbourne (28 pts, 90.7%)*

---

11. Collingwood (26 pts, 101.5%)*

12. St Kilda (24 pts, 100.6%)

13. GWS Giants (24 pts, 100.3%)*

14. Carlton (24 pts, 91.1%)*

* = game in hand

Carlton’s remaining fixture

West Coast (H), Richmond (A), Hawthorn (H), Collingwood (A), Gold Coast (H), Brisbane (H), St Kilda (A), Western Bulldogs (A), Fremantle (H)

Australian Football Hall of Fame member Garry Lyon said Carlton’s transformation was difficult to comprehend given the state of the club earlier this year.

“What an impact that one decision has made on this football club,” Lyon told Fox Footy.

“I imagine Michael Voss would be having mixed emotions. When we go back and track the change in the way they played, the change was there towards the latter part of Voss’ reign. But it’s been turbocharged with Josh Fraser in charge.

“These scenes here you couldn’t imagine happening 10 or 12 weeks ago. They were ready to shut the gates at Ikon Park.

“Now here they are in contention again. All these faces you’re seeing now were downtrodden. Careers were being questioned, trades were being floated and all the speculation that comes with the circus of AFL footy.

“Now they’re on top of the world. They’ll think they can beat anyone in this frame of mind. This momentum is almost hard to stop — it’s irresistible.”

The Blues’ stunning turnaround continues to thrust Fraser into the coaching conversation.

Speaking with Fox Footy’s Alastair Lynch after the win, Fraser said he harboured ambitions to be a senior coach one day, but held his line that he’s instead focusing on the journey with the Blues’ playing group.

Asked whether Fraser should be considered a genuine contender for the senior role, Herald Sun chief football writer Jay Clark told Fox Footy: “He has to be. He started this race saying he was no chance, he has to be some chance

“It’s been a flawless start ... it’s unbelievable momentum.

“For me, what’s significant is he’s taken the tension and heaviness right out of this football club. I think that’s infiltrated through the playing group. They’re playing with more freedom and flair.

“Good on him. They have to have the conversation with him at season’s end.”

But dual premiership Kangaroo David King urged caution, pointing to Carlton’s recent coaching history.

“I think he’s really unlucky that it’s this football club — because they had this situation with David Teague,” King said.

“If it was somewhere else, I think it would be a different conversation. Maybe he would have the Paul Roos-type discussion happening right now.

“I think they’d be reluctant to jump to: ‘Yep, this is our guy.’

“You’ve got to look in the rear-view mirror, don’t you? They’ve made error after error with their coaching. So they’d have to assess how and why they reached those decisions.

“There’s no need to panic right now or jump. He’s mounting a good case.

“Even his own language — ‘I’m not ready’. It’d be very hard to push someone who says they’re not ready into a frontline job at Carlton.”

The Teague hire looming over Fraser’s fate isn’t the only awkward situation for the Blues, who need high draft picks to match a bid for Cody Walker at the top of this year’s draft.

As it stands, with their first-round pick and Sydney’s, they’ll have just enough points to not go into draft deficit or trade up the order - but if they do push for the finals, they’ll have to make some hard calls.

Lyon believes the catalyst behind Carlton’s resurgence has been a midfield group rediscovering its best football.

No.1 pick Jagga Smith continues to emerge as a future star, while Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh, George Hewett and Blake Acres have all lifted dramatically during the winning streak.

And according to Lyon, no player deserves more credit than captain Cripps.

“He’s led magnificently,” Lyon said.

“He’s been doorstopped more times than Pauline Hanson in the first half of this year.

“Asked questions about the club and coach, then his future gets thrown into it. The suggestion is he might be past his best and heading back to Perth and all that sort of stuff.

“Now he’s probably got nine Brownlow votes from the last four or five games.”

With momentum building and a favourable run home ahead, the Blues are daring to dream about September in the space of five extraordinary weeks.

WHY PIES’ NEALE PLAY IS ‘DANGEROUS’... AND DARK HORSE LURKING IN SIX-CLUB RACE

Lachie Neale’s potential move to Collingwood is shaping as one of the biggest list management decisions of 2026 — and one that could ultimately define the Magpies’ next premiership push.

On paper, the fit is obvious.

The Magpies have spent much of the past two seasons leaning heavily on Nick Daicos to drive their midfield engine room, with opposition clubs increasingly directing attention towards the superstar ball-winner.

So, it goes without saying that adding a dual Brownlow Medallist in Neale would immediately ease that burden; providing the Craig McRae’s side with another elite clearance and contested-ball specialist.

It’s why two-time North Melbourne premiership player David King can see the appeal.

“You throw Lachie Neale in there, and there’s your clearance game catered for. You can keep (Jordan) de Goey forward, you can put Nick forward more regularly,” King told Fox Footy’s Super Saturday Live.

But, as is regularly the case with all recruiting decisions, the equation isn’t quite that simple.

Neale will next season turn 34, and is reportedly seeking a lucrative multi-year deal set to touch seven figures a season. To accommodate both the salary and list spot required, Collingwood may need to make difficult calls on several ageing veterans who have been central to the club’s long-term success.

And that’s where King’s concerns begin.

“You’re asking guys that are 32 or 33 years old to move on, to make way for a 33-year-old on a million dollars a year,” he said.

“It’s a dangerous play.”

It’s very well-documented that the Magpies have built their recent success heavily on experienced stars. Bringing in Neale obviously strengthens their short-term premiership credentials, but it could also further compress a list profile that is already among the oldest in the competition.

The key question for McRae and list boss Justin Leppitsch is whether Neale meaningfully shifts their premiership ceiling.

If the answer is yes, the risk may be worth taking.

Part of that calculation could also centre around De Goey’s resurgence.

The 30-year-old has arguably produced the most consistent football of his career over the past two months, showing he can be a reliable midfield contributor rather than an occasional burst player.

“De Goey is a fascinating chat, because we are seeing him really for the first time in his career put it together consistently,” Chief Herald Sun Football reporter Jay Clark said on Fox Footy.

“I would say over the last four weeks, he’s making a major statement.”

Clark believes the combination of De Goey, Daicos and Neale could elevate the Magpies back into genuine premiership contention.

“Is Collingwood a one-man band? That’s where the cue’s been: Nick Daicos or bust,” he said.

“If he (De Goey’s) playing like that with Neale ... potentially while Nick Daicos is here, they could contend for the cup.”

That, in essence, is the temptation confronting the Magpies. Neale may not be the long-term answer, and may even be a risky investment given his age and price tag.

But, premiership windows don’t stay open forever. And Collingwood has four months to decide whether adding one of the competition’s greatest midfielders for the final years of his career is the acquisition that maximises the Daicos era, or just simply kicks the can down the road.

While they’re the frontrunners at this stage for the two-time Brisbane premiership hero, it’s far from a one-club race. Adelaide and West Coast — plus to a lesser extent Essendon — have been linked to Neale, but there’s a dark horse lingering in the shadows for his services.

“They certainly are (the front-runners Collingwood), but they face a fight from St Kilda — they’re the big one to watch. Essendon has an interest, as well as Adelaide, but I think St Kilda could come in late,” Clark reported on Saturday night.

“They’ll weigh up making a very serious play. We know he has very close ties with Ross Lyon from their time in the west, and St Kilda, they want to be a top four team next year.

“We talk about Neale coming in to help out Nick Daicos. What about him coming in to help Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera; who’s one of the most attacked players in the competition.

“I think the money’s a discussion ... he’s going to be sitting there over the next two or three months saying: ‘Where can I have some team success? What’s the best chance?’

“It has to be a big card. You’ve seen Nick Daicos use the recruiting card for Zak Butters — ‘come play with me’. That’ll be a factor no doubt ... it’s a big club, you can make extra money here with corporate deals and that sort of thing.”

CAN’T HAVE ‘EM ALL: KING’S PRICE TAG COMPLICATES HAWKS’ STAR HUNT

Hawthorn is again “on the front foot” in another aggressive recruiting drive for multiple rival stars.

But while the Hawks have salary cap space to go shopping, there’s only so many big names they’ll be able to obtain, given the limited trade assets.

Gold Coast trio Ben King, Jed Walter and Bailey Humphrey are all in Hawthorn’s sights.

Originally thought to be on the verge of re-signing with the Suns, a King-to-Hawks move is starting to build momentum in the restricted free agent’s bid to return to Victoria.

That might make it more likely Walter stays at the Suns, with multiple clubs circling the young key forward.

Meanwhile, Hawthorn was among the Victorian clubs trying to lure Humphrey, contracted until 2028, back home last year, before the young gun ultimately stayed put.

And of course, Sam Mitchell and company will again be looking to pry Zach Merrett out of Essendon 12 months on from the failed trade.

However, given all the aforementioned names will come at a significant cost, there’s only so many stars Hawthorn can fit in.

“Hawthorn is absolutely on the front foot,” Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph said on Fox Footy.

“I think if Ben King was an unrestricted free agent, he’d probably be at Hawthorn next year.

“But he is restricted, so Gold Coast would immediately match that bid and (Hawthorn) would have to give up multiple first-round picks to get him.

“So, that totally complicates the bid to try and bolster their midfield.

“Hawthorn has been chasing Bailey Humphrey for the best part of a year, it’s again committed to Zach Merrett.

“Hawthorn has the cap space and the inclination to add at least two, and maybe three, A-graders. But it doesn’t necessarily have the trade collateral — its got its own first-round, future picks and three second-rounders.

“You give up multiple first-rounders for King, it makes it almost impossible to try and secure Bailey Humphrey, and certainly Merrett. Imagine going for Merrett for a second time in two years and leaving him on the vine.”

The position Hawthorn arguably needs to bolster most is its midfield to put more starpower next to the likes of Jai Newcombe and Will Day.

But Merrett, who turns 31 later this year, is the oldest of those trade targets and thus gives them the smallest window to capitalise.

Whereas, Hawthorn’s forward line is stacked with key forward depth as it is, with the likes of Calsher Dear and Will McCabe struggling for senior opportunities behind Jack Gunston, Mitch Lewis and Mabior Chol.

Though leading goalkicker Gunston, out of contract himself, turns 35 later this year and is in his twilight years.

“Hawthorn is having all the chats we are having right now, as well,” Ralph said.

“You bring in King, he’s the same player as Jack Gunston.

“You bring in Merrett, is he going to be good enough for three or four years down the track?

“You bring in Humphrey, he’s nine years younger (than Merrett), but is he the real deal after some challenges this season?”

While King, Humphrey and Merrett are the names Hawthorn has been most linked to, Hall of Fame legend Leigh Matthews believes Walter should be the club’s priority, given the 21-year old’s raw talent.

“I think he’s a really prodigious young talent,” Matthew said.

On the contrary, four-time premiership Hawk Jordan Lewis thinks they should target a midfielder.

“If you can keep Will Day fresh and Jai Newcombe stays there, that’s the continuity,” he said.

“But if you can’t, you need a third.”

TASSIE DIRECTOR’S DETAILS ON COACH SEARCH

Tasmania Devils board member Alastair Lynch, who is part of the selection panel searching for the 19th club’s inaugural coach, has opened up on what they’re looking for.

Sydney premiership coach John Longmire confirmed last week on Fox Footy he had held talks with the Devils in recent weeks while former Collingwood boss and now Geelong assistant Nathan Buckley, and ex-Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley, are also believed to be in the hunt.

The Devils opportunity is unique, with the chance to make history as the footy-mad state’s first AFL coach, though the team is unlikely to be immediately competitive, and they will likely not have a new stadium until 2031 or later.

Essendon and Carlton are also in the market for a new coach but, according to Fox Footy analyst Lynch, the Devils have been having “informal discussions” for the past 12 months.

“With possible candidates and industry experts about what it would take to select the right coach for our unique situation,” he explained on Fox Footy.

“The criteria, what it looks like, and we’re a state team, so that’s a bit unique as well. There’s a lot of travel to go around the state.

“You’d think predominantly half your squad is going to very young, 85 per cent of your squad is going to be relocating to Tasmania.

“So, it’s a unique composition of requirements for the coach.”

Lynch is hoping the Devils have a senior coach to announce by the end of the 2026 season.

“We’ve had informal discussions with a number of candidates,” Lynch said.

“Realistically, it’d be unfair to mention or do a running commentary on who we’ve met and when we’ve met them.

“But the process is continuing on. Hopefully we get to the end of the season and we’ve got our candidate to announce.

“I don’t think there’s a deadline. But if you put into context that, by November, six or eight of the best 17-year olds in the country are going to be landing at the club in Tasmania.

“So, you want someone that’s overseeing the whole program. We’ve got a football department and coach doing the VFL program.

“But as soon as you get your coach there overseeing his systems, I think the sooner the better. But it’s not a hard and fast date.”

Asked whether the Devils need a name that helps market the club, Lynch said: “Not so much market the club, because things are buzzing along very well with Tasmania.

“One thing is for sure, it’s going to be the number one highest profile job in the state. It’ll be above the premier.

“But you’ve got to get out of your office, you’ve got to get around the state, you’ve got engage the state, it’s a regional state. And engage a young, developing team.

“I think there’s some great candidates out there and we’re going along in the right direction to find the right one.”

Click here to read article