AFL 2027: ESPN's way-too-early predictions - Our picks for premier, Brownlow, risers, sliders, and more

Well, that was a WILD end to the 2026 AFL season, with Brisbane storming home in the final five minutes to defeat Fremantle in one of the most drama-filled, thrilling, heartbreaking Grand Finals you'll see.

ESPN's AFL experts have nevertheless turned their attention to 2027 for their way-too-early predictions.

Below are their ladder predictions, expected grand finalists, biggest risers and biggest sliders, as well as Brownlow and Coleman Medal winners.

Jake Michaels

Fremantle
Hawthorn
Brisbane
Western Bulldogs
Sydney
Geelong
Gold Coast
Adelaide
Carlton
Melbourne
GWS
Collingwood
North Melbourne
St Kilda
Port Adelaide
West Coast
Richmond
Essendon

Premier: It will be an incredibly painful offseason for the Dockers, but I'm convinced this heartbreak will galvanise the group and they'll be better from it.

Runner up: The Hawks are coming ... and coming with a bullet. I'd be shocked if they weren't there on Grand Final day next year.

Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos. He's the best player in the game and it's not particularly close. Could easily win four or five of these throughout his career.

Coleman Medal: I wonder if Sam Darcy could have won it this year if he hadn't suffered a season-ending ACL injury ... I'll pick him again for 2027.

Biggest riser: The Suns went from flag favourites to a disastrous bottom six finish in five months. Losing Ben King will hurt but the softer draw should help them rebound back up the ladder and into the finals mix.

Biggest slider: Did the Demons overperform this year? Perhaps. I'm just not sure they back up their 15 win season.

Biggest storyline: The AFL confirms it will switch to a twilight Grand Final in 2028.

Rohan Connolly

Hawthorn
Fremantle
Brisbane
Melbourne
Sydney
GWS
Carlton
North Melbourne
Geelong
Adelaide
Gold Coast
Collingwood
Western Bulldogs
St Kilda
Port Adelaide
West Coast
Richmond
Essendon

Premier: Hawthorn. It's hard not to dwell on the Hawks' comeback from the brink in the last quarter of that epic preliminary final against Brisbane. They've got plenty of improvement left, and after the pain of that unlucky loss, they'll be hungry as anything.

Runner up: Fremantle. WA clubs always need a little more going for them to win a flag for geographic reasons. I think the Dockers have enough going for them to get there again, though.

Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos. He's broken the drought, he's young, he's a gun, he may have a couple left in him yet!

Coleman Medal: Logan Morris. This guy is just a natural footballer, nothing spectacular about him but consistently does the right things and gets to the right spots. He'll kick a bag in a good side again.

Biggest riser: North Melbourne. It's taken a while, but the Roos are coming, and I think once they get a sniff, the corner might be turned fairly quickly.

Biggest slider: Western Bulldogs. Been hanging around the lower end of the eight for too long, not sure, even with the addition of Zak Butters, they they're going to improve enough to defy the yearly underachievement and ageing process.

Biggest storyline: Conferences. Having buggered around with the integrity of the finals system over the last decade with the pre-finals bye and now wildcards, the AFL's obsession with things American will go to new heights with a radical reshaping of the season fixture as a whole.

Matt Walsh

Hawthorn
Sydney
Western Bulldogs
Fremantle
Brisbane
Adelaide
Carlton
North Melbourne
Geelong
Melbourne
St Kilda
West Coast
Collingwood
Gold Coast
GWS
Port Adelaide
Richmond
Essendon

Premier: Hawthorn. Only set to get stronger in the offseason. I'm a believer.

Runner up: Sydney. Finished the year really well and should, again, get better.

Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos. His breakthrough in 2025 could be the first of many. Get lots of footy, makes things happen. Is clearly his team's best player.

Coleman Medal: Ben King. With more supply at a top four team, he could have a massive year at the Hawks (if he gets there...)

Biggest riser: West Coast. I think the worst is well behind them, and they'll start making Optus Stadium a fortress again. Dogs also to finish top four under Bevo for the first time.

Biggest slider: The Giants may finish bottom four with an offseason exodus.

Biggest storyline: Andrew Dillon can't help himself, and keeps meddling with the game, introducing shorter quarters despite fierce opposition.

Jarryd Barca

Hawthorn
Western Bulldogs
Gold Coast
Fremantle
Sydney
Adelaide
Geelong
Brisbane
Carlton
Collingwood
St Kilda
North Melbourne
GWS
Melbourne
Essendon
West Coast
Port Adelaide
Richmond

Premier: No excuses for Hawthorn next season who should only improve with their rumoured acquisitions.

Runner up: Western Bulldogs, they won't go another offseason without filling that backline hole. Sam Darcy and Zak Butters two huge ins.

Brownlow Medal: Nick Daicos.

Coleman Medal: Logan Morris. He finished on 72 including finals whilst battling a stress fracture in his back. Playing in an attacking team helps.

Biggest riser: Gold Coast. They're just way too talented to not be playing finals footy. Losing Ben King hurts but gaining Scott Pendlebury will help in many ways. Will be aided by finding themselves in the 'bottom six' fixture bracket, too.

Biggest slider: Melbourne had a great season under Steven King but staying in the finals mix isn't automatic. There'll be too many competitive teams in 2027.

Biggest storyline: Essendon will be more competitive than most people expect and enjoy a first season under Mark McVeigh that even has them in the wildcard mix for much of the season.