A stunning twelve-goal third quarter saw Sydney make the perfect start as they tormented Carlton in the 2026 curtain raiser, before a packed SCG crowd (40,372).
In doing so, they became just the third side in AFL/VFL history to have both a goalless term and then score a dozen or more, in a quarter, within the same match.
As soon as the fixtures were released, all the talk was about dual Coleman Medallist Charlie Curnow (pictured above) after he decided to make the move from the Blues up to New South Wales, signing on the final day, in what was the biggest trade over the summer.
With Ollie Florent and Will Hayward going in opposite directions, as part of the deal, it added some extra spice, leading to a few melees during the evening.
It took until the third for the forward to get on the board, adding another two later on, as he showed glimpses of just why the Swans have invested so heavily in him.
Brodie Kemp, who missed the majority of last year with a ruptured Achilles tendon, will go down in the history books as booting the first goal of the brand new season; however, that is about as good as it got for the visitors that endured a dirty night.
suns torch the cats
Gold Coast flexed their muscles and demonstrated just why they are one of the favourites this year, as they put last season’s grand finalists, Geelong, to the sword.
Three-time Premiership winning coach Damien Hardwick (pictured below) (Richmond – 2017, 2019 & 2020), has been brought into the club to help lead them to a first-ever flag, in club history; he certainly has a really talented and stacked squad at his disposal.
They blitzed the opposition early and never looked back by going on to lead for the whole evening – their attacking midfield stoppage ball movement was exceptional.
Four-time All-Australian and Norm Smith medallist Christian Petracca (pictured below) showcased just why the Suns were so keen to bring him into the club with a best on ground performance that included 34 disposals, six clearances, three goals and an assist.
Whilst forward Bailey Humphrey, who revealed that he was looking at a move away from Queensland in the off-season in order to be closer to his family back in Moe (Victoria), looks to have put that firmly behind him and was dominant in the frontline.
A 56-point drubbing represents one of the heaviest for Cats coach Chris Scott, but he was quick to downplay it in his presser by insisting that “we won’t be panicking”.
Western Bulldogs win thriller at the Gabba
Tim English (pictured below) scored what proved to be the winner as the Western Bulldogs pulled off an outstanding comeback to get over the top of the reigning Premiers, Brisbane.
They looked to be up against it in the latter stages of the third, but, led by their captain Marcus Bontempelli, kicked accurately with a stunning seven-goal final term.
It was a fantastic advert for the sport and a high-scoring affair, which already has some of the pundits and media going early with the ‘Game of the Year’ tag.
A lot has been made of the Doggies’ form against the top sides in recent seasons, so a result like this will silence the critics as well as give them a real confidence boost.
The Lions will be kicking themselves that this one got away and are also counting the cost of some ill-discipline; co-captain Harris Andrews (three), Zac Bailey (one) and Darcy Gardiner (one) all handed suspensions by the Match Review Officer.
Craig McRae celebrates 100 games in charge
Craig McRae marked his 100th game in charge of Collingwood by watching his players get over the line and put a real dampener on St.Kilda’s big afternoon.
The 52-year-old (pictured below), nicknamed ‘Fly’, has an impressive 73%-win record during that time, four years at the helm, and led the club to a flag in 2023 as well as two Prelims.
It was all supposed to be about the Saints as they were celebrating the 60th anniversary of their only Premiership in the club’s 152-year history – this fixture attracting their biggest ever home-and-away crowd of 82,528 to the MCG.
A number of players that featured in this infamous victory were in attendance, including Ian Stewart, Ross Smith and Barry Breen – he kicked the winning point.
There are big expectations of Ross Lyon’s squad, this campaign, having invested heavily over the summer in recruiting the quartet of Tom De Koning, Jack Silvagni, Sam Flanders and Liam Ryan (pictured above); all of whom took their place in the starting line-up.
However, it was the Magpies, discarded by many as having an ageing squad, that gave everyone a very timely reminder that you write them off at your peril.
Giants prove too strong for the Hawks
A fast-starting Greater Western Sydney went a small way to avenging their Elimination Final exit in 2025 against the outfit that knocked them out in Hawthorn.
The result is even more impressive given the number of injuries picked up in the summer/pre-season with the likes of Tom Green, Josh Kelly, Toby Bedford, Brent Daniels, Sam Taylor, Aaron Cadman and Darcy Jones all out on the sidelines.
Jake Stringer was in fine form, with a game-high five majors, whilst their leading goalkicker Jesse Hogan (pictured below) got on the scoresheet to register his 400th career goal.
Having been taken at pick 12 in the 2023 AFL Draft, Phoenix Goddard has had to be very patient to finally earn a call-up to the senior side, 838 days to be exact, after impressing in the VFL; he enjoyed a good day out in front of his family and friends.
Amongst the 16,157 in attendance at Engie Stadium were Prime Minister Albert Albanese, a known Hawks supporter, as well as American actor Tom Hanks, who is currently in town filming ‘Greyhound 2’, which is due to come out later this year.
Opening Round 2026 Results
Sydney 20.12 (132)
Carlton 10.9 (69)
Gold Coast 19.11 (125)
Geelong 10.9 (69)
GWS 19.8 (122)
Hawthorn 14.11 (95)
Brisbane 15.16 (106)
Western Bulldogs 16.15 (111)
St.Kilda 9.12 (66)
Collingwood 11.12 (78)
Bye: Adelaide, Essendon, Fremantle, Melbourne, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Richmond, West Coast