“If I was a movie director”: The ultimate footy fairy tale of 2026

What would the ultimate footy fairy tale be in 2026?

In recent history we’ve seen clubs such as the Western Bulldogs, Richmond and Melbourne break lengthy premiership droughts - all romantic footy stories in their own right.

But let’s say there is a fairy tale this year… who would it be?

Kane Cornes threw out St Kilda as a strong candidate given the unfortunate history of the club doubled with the off-season recruitment frenzy.

Cornes asked SEN Breakfast co-host Sam Edmund: “What would be the ultimate fairy tale this year?

“Take your allegiances out of it, if you could script the best fairy tale…

“It would be the Saints, wouldn’t it? If I was a movie director and I had a blank script and you could design what you wanted as the best storyline for the year it would be the Saints winning it.

“After their spending spree in the off-season, Ross Lyon standing up there holding the premiership would be the best story.

“Essendon just feels unrealistic. At least you could see it happening with the Saints.”

Edmund: “There’s a contender who hasn’t won a premiership - Fremantle.”

Cornes: “I don’t know if that would be as good as the Saints, would it?

“It would be for some people but it’s still reasonably early days (for that club).”

Edmund: “There are some long-suffering - and that’s an understatement - St Kilda supporters out there who have never seen a premiership in their lifetime.

“And that’s a long lifetime of following St Kilda with all their history of tragedy.”

Cornes: “Imagine if you were on Channel 7 and you were doing the promos in Grand Final week in the lead-up.

“You’d have the heartbreak of the draw, you’d have Lenny Hayes, the bounce (with Stephen Milne), Nick Riewoldt disappointed, the smother. You’d have all of that and you then go way back.

“For me that would be it.”

Edmund: “And Nasiah (Wanganeen-Milera) kicks the winning goal with a second left or Max King back from injury takes a mark 55 metres out and kicks a set shot after the siren.

“Tom De Koning jumps on top of him, Jack Silvagni with the old man… ohhh, footy romance.

“Dougal Howard takes six bounces out of defensive 50 streaming down the members’ wing…”

Cornes: “Liam Ryan takes a hanger in the goal square, ‘The Flying Viking’ (Alix Tauru) emerges and there would be viking hats everywhere.

“I think that’s it, what a story!”

The Saints won their sole flag way back in 1966 and have endured plenty of heartbreak over the years.