Round 1 of the 2026 AFL season gets underway Thursday night with a traditional rivalry clash between Carlton and Richmond. On Friday, Essendon will get its season underway against Hawthorn.
Keep up to date with all of the fixtures, games, team news, tips, odds, results, reaction, and video as they come to hand.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12
Team news: The Blues have made three changes after last week’s loss, with Adam Saad (hamstring), Ashton Moir and Liam Reidy (both omitted) all making way for Lachie Cowan, Matt Carroll, and Hudson O’Keefe. Meanwhile, the Tigers will be without veteran defender Nick Vlastuin, but youngster Sam Grlj is set to debut and Noah Balta has been named after overcoming a hamstring issue.
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ESPN tip: Blues by 34 points
Pointsbet odds: Blues $1.38, Tigers $3.00
FRIDAY, MARCH 13
Team news: Essendon draftees Dyson Sharp, Max Kondogiannis and Hussien El Achkar will all make their debut on Friday night, while former Sun Brayden Fiorini will also wear the red and black for the first time. Unfortunately, injury-riddled Jordan Ridley (calf) remains sidelined. Hawthorn’s midfield will get some reprieve this week after Cam Mackenzie (concussion) was forced to sit out of Opening Round. Ned Reeves has also been named, with Harry Morrison and Finn Maginness both omitted.
ESPN tip: Hawks by 25 points
Pointsbet odds: Bombers $3.90, Hawks $1.24
READ: McGrath ready to embrace Dons captaincy challenge
SATURDAY, MARCH 14
Team news: The Western Bulldogs have made two changes, recalling midfielder Ryley Sanders and debutant Will Lewis in place of injured pair Jordan Croft and Arthur Jones. GWS will still be without a host of stars, Finn Callaghan was also under an injury cloud following last week’s win, but they’ll go in unchanged.
ESPN tip: Dogs by 11 points
Pointsbet odds: Dogs $1.32, Giants $3.30
Team news: Geelong have recalled star duo Patrick Dangerfield (calf) and Jeremy Cameron (quad) this week after the pair missed the Opening Round loss to Gold Coast, while ruckman Mitch Edwards has also been named. James Worpel will miss with a finger infection, with Ollie Henry and Mitch Knevitt both omitted. For the Dockers, Judd McVee will play his first game for the club, but experienced defender Luke Ryan has been overlooked. Hayden Young has also been deemed fit after a lower leg complaint last week.
ESPN tip: Dockers by 12 points
Pointsbet odds: Cats $1.57, Dockers $2.35
READ: The Dockers that have surprised new recruit Mason Cox
Team news: Brisbane have been dealt five separate blows for this week’s massive clash with the Swans; Harris Andrews, Zac Bailey, and Darcy Gardiner have all received suspensions, Hugh McCluggage suffered a calf injury in the loss to the Dogs, and Logan Morris will sit out at least this week due to a hand injury. Prized draft pick Dan Annable will make his debut to help fill the gaps, while Lincoln McCarthy will also return after two years on the sidelines enduring multiple knee reconstructions. The Swans will go in unchanged.
ESPN tip: Swans by 8 points
Pointsbet odds: Swans $1.50, Lions $2.55
Team news: The Magpies won’t regain captain Darcy Moore for this weekend’s clash against Adelaide after he failed a fitness test at training on Thursday. For the Crows, Izak Rankine will serve the final game of a suspension, with Dan Curtin (knee) and Mark Keane (leg) also sidelined. But Jake Soligo will take his place in the side after recently undergoing a procedure to address an irregular heartbeat. Young tall Toby Murray will debut, and star recruit Callum Ah Chee, and ruck Lachlan McAndrew, will also wear Crows colours for the first time.
ESPN tip: Magpies by 9 points
Pointsbet odds: Cats $1.75, Dockers $2.05
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SUNDAY, MARCH 15
Team news: Port Adelaide will unveil tough midfielder Jack Watkins this week after selecting the 26-year-old in last year’s rookie draft, with Jacob Wehr and Corey Durdin also named for the Power. North Melbourne will also have two new faces, with Tom Blamires locked in after joining the club just two weeks ago, and small forward Lachy Dovaston to join him after being drafted with pick 16 in the 2025 national draft.
ESPN tip: Power by 5 points
Pointsbet odds: Roos $2.25, Power $1.63
Team news: Steven King has named five new players in Melbourne’s extended squad; Brody Mihocek, Max Heath, Latrelle Pickett, Jack Steele, and Changkuoth Jiath. Liam Stocker is among the potential ins for St Kilda, with Rowan Marshall to miss through concussion.
ESPN tip: Saints by 17 points
Pointsbet odds: Demons $2.40, Saints $1.55
People First Stadium, 6:10pm [AEDT]
Team news: West Coast is set to debut SSP signing Milan Murdock against Gold Coast this week, just weeks after joining the club. Fellow newcomers Josh Lindsay, Cooper Duff-Tytler, and Willem Duursma will also play their first games. They’ll be joined by offseason acquisitions Tylar Young and Deven Robertson. The struggling club will be severely undermanned, though, with Elijah Hewett, Brandon Starcevich, and key defender Harry Edwards out through injury, and Liam Baker and former Crow Harry Schoenberg both suspended. For the Suns, Jed Walter, Caleb Graham, and Ned Moyle have all been added to the extended squad.
ESPN tip: Suns by 60 points
Pointsbet odds: Suns $1.02, Eagles $13.00