Six rounds into the 2026 AFL season and the picture at the top and bottom of the ladder is coming into sharp focus. Sydney and Hawthorn sit level on 20 points with five wins apiece, while Richmond are rooted to the foot of the table without a victory to their name.
Swans and Hawks Set the Pace
Sydney's 107-66 demolition of GWS in Round 6 was their fifth win from six starts and extended their percentage to a competition-best 173. The Swans have been the most complete side through the opening block, combining a ruthless forward line led by Tom Papley with a midfield that continues to dominate clearances. Their 163-35 hammering of West Coast in Round 4 remains the biggest winning margin of the season.
Hawthorn matched them step for step with an 89-86 win over Port Adelaide, a tighter contest that showcased the Hawks' ability to grind out results when conditions turn against them. They sit second on percentage at 118 and have a game style that travels well to away venues.
Fremantle round out the top three at 4-1 with a game in hand, having knocked off Collingwood by six points in Round 5 at Adelaide Oval. The Dockers' defence has been the story of their season so far, conceding the fewest points per game in the competition.
Richmond's Season of Pain
At the other end, Richmond's 0-5 start is their worst since 2016, the season before they began their dynasty run. A 131-75 loss to GWS in Round 5 was the low point, with the Tigers conceding 52 points in the first quarter alone. The rebuild is clearly still in its early stages, but the gap between Richmond and the next-worst sides is growing each week.
Carlton (1-5) and Essendon (1-5) round out the bottom three, though both have shown enough in patches to suggest wins are around the corner. Carlton pushed Collingwood all the way at the MCG in Round 6 before going down by five points in a match where Nick Daicos collected 39 disposals.
What This Means for Punters
The premiership market has tightened considerably at the top. Sydney and Hawthorn are now the clear co-favourites in most AFL futures markets, with Fremantle sitting in third. At the other end, Richmond are odds-on for the wooden spoon and their individual match odds are blowing out week by week. The full Round 6 results and updated ladder are available at AFL.com.au.
Round 7 kicks off next week with Geelong hosting the Western Bulldogs in what shapes as a critical match for both sides sitting on four wins. Punters looking for value might consider the mid-table sides where form is volatile and odds are still relatively generous.