AFL Round 16 2026

Matty and Spida are back for Round 16 of In The Pocket, and with the AFL season hitting the halfway mark, the finals picture is starting to come into sharper focus. Fremantle continue to set the benchmark after another strong win, while Sydney remains firmly in the premiership conversation as the competition's top contenders begin to separate themselves from the pack. Meanwhile, the race for the remaining finals spots is as tight as ever, with several clubs fighting to build momentum at exactly the right time.The boys break down all the biggest talking points from Round 15, including Hawthorn's impressive victory over Gold Coast, Adelaide's statement win against Melbourne, and Carlton's resurgence as they continue their climb up the ladder with a fifth straight win. There's also plenty to discuss around the clubs sitting on the edge of finals contention, where every result is becoming increasingly important as the pressure builds.As always, Spida gives his unfiltered take on the teams and players making headlines, identifying who's genuinely building towards September and who's simply papering over the cracks. With Fremantle leading the way, Sydney looking dangerous, and a logjam of sides battling for position behind them, there are plenty of questions still to be answered over the second half of the season.Looking ahead to Round 16, Matty and Spida preview the key matchups that could have a significant impact on the ladder. With contenders looking to cement their place, and several clubs running out of opportunities to turn their season around, every game is carrying extra weight. To wrap things up, the boys lock in their tips for the weekend and reveal how they see Round 16 unfolding. If you're following the AFL season closely and want the key storylines, biggest talking points, and plenty of strong opinions along the way, In The Pocket has you covered heading into another massive round of footy.