Ben King booted a career-high seven majors as Gold Coast continue to set the pace, as early ladder leaders, with a thumping 68-point demolition of Richmond.
The 25-year-old forward, the club’s leading goalkicker for the last five years, has been in deadly form in front of the big sticks, nailing 16 out of 17 scoring shots from just three matches, which sees him currently top of the Coleman Medal table.
It could have come at a cost, though, with star midfielder and big summer signing Christian Petracca forced to come off, in the third quarter, with hamstring tightness.
On a brighter note, for the Suns, was the return of defender Charlie Ballard (pictured below), considered one of the best interceptors in the sport, to the line-up after a 370-day absence on the sidelines with an ACL injury; he came through unscathed.
Four-goal Gunners steers Hawks to victory
Despite trailing at every change, a late surge from Hawthorn saw them manage to see off a spirited Sydney in a pulsating encounter, under the lights, at the MCG.
Although they had several more scoring shots, it looked like inaccuracy may well cost them before veteran forward Jack Gunston, who seems to be ageing like a fine wine, booted a couple (making it four for the night) to help his side get over the line.
The 34-year-old (pictured above), who racked up 73 goals last term, which led to him being a second All-Australian of his career, looks to have picked up his form from right where he left off.
A very courageous effort by the Swans, missing influential midfielders Isaac Heeney and Errol Gulden, that did a lot right but ultimately couldn’t see it out.
Doggies take another big scalp
Oskar Baker kicked the winner, with just over two minutes remaining, as the Western Bulldogs maintained their perfect start to the campaign with victory over Adelaide.
The result means that they are now three-zip, having already knocked over the Premiers and minor Premiers, on their home deck, as well as another flag contender.
It had looked like a fast-finishing Crows, that welcomed back star midfielder Izak Rankine from a five-week suspension, might run over the top of the Doggies with five goals in a row that drew the scores level heading into the final stages of the match.
There was then added drama when the countdown clock, inside the Oval, went down, but they held their nerve to get up by six points. After being criticised for their form against top eight sides last year, they have now more than answered their doubters.
Saints edge the Giants in a thriller
Big-spending St.Kilda had to survive some very nervous late moments before managing to see off and defeat Greater Western Sydney in an absolute thriller.
Following their high-profile off-season trade activity, the team came into this fixture with pressure already mounting, having lost their opening two fixtures.
Neither club were helped by a 50-minute delay to proceedings, due to lightning warnings in the region. However, the Saints appeared to handle the situation much better, coming out flying and then going on to lead for the rest of it.
The Giants made a bit of a late charge in the fourth, though, which resulted in a run of five snags, but Ross Lyon’s troops were able to hold on for a morale-boosting win.
Josh Carr enjoys first senior coach success
Josh Carr (pictured below) enjoyed his first success as Port Adelaide coach by watching his players sweep aside a very disappointing Essendon outfit in a horribly one-sided affair.
Nine consecutive goals, during the first half, meant that it was pretty much over as a contest, by the main break, and the Power went on to enjoy a very easy day.
Only downside was the hamstring injury suffered by captain Conor Rozee who told Channel 7 “Trying to be pretty optimistic, but it doesn’t feel too great to be honest.”
It was a dirty day for the Bombers and especially for their supporters who made the trip to SA – coach Brad Scott pulled no punches in his presser as he questioned his players’ “lack of desire to defend” as well as admitting “We are demoralised.”
fast starting Freo down the demons
Fremantle produced a devastating opening term, blowing Melbourne away and laying the foundation for a comfortable triumph.
They recorded their highest-ever scoring first quarter against the Demons and also generated 25 inside 50s – most ever recorded, in a single quarter, in club history.
Half forward Shai Bolton (pictured above) was immense for the hosts, with a best on ground effort, that included 32 disposals, nine score involvements, nine clearances and two goals.
Patrick Voss has been fined $ 1,500, which could be reduced to $ 1,000 with a guilty plea, for some rather unsavoury behaviour towards opposition player Harrison Petty.
During the contest, he continually taunted, patted the top of his head and made crying gestures – referencing an incident that took place a few years ago; Dockers coach Justin Longmuir conceded that his forward does “tread a fine line at times”.
West Coast end losing streak
West Coast recovered from a sluggish opening before going on to end a 14-game losing streak by getting the chocolates over North Melbourne in a fiery encounter.
Having finished as wooden spooners in 2025, the Eagles will be hoping this performance could be a sign of things to come in terms of improvement.
Cooper Duff-Tytler (pictured above, left) and Willem Duursma (pictured above, right), both draftees to the club over the summer, enjoyed their home debuts by getting in and amongst the goals with two each.
Tempers flared at the end of the third, after Kangas’ Charlie Comben collected Harley Reid, which led to a full-on melee that will attract the scrutiny of the MRO.
Big day for AFL in Tassie
It was built up as going to be a huge day, in the calendar, for the state of Tasmania, and it certainly didn’t disappoint as the Devils won their inaugural VFL game.
A crowd of 10,000+ at a sold out the North Hobart Oval saw them overcome the Coburg Lions – veteran Sam Siggins, recruited from Lauderdale, wrote himself in the history books by becoming the first ever goalscorer for this newly formed club.
They are set to join the AFL competition in 2028 as the 19th team, having secured a licence following a unanimous vote by fellow club presidents and state parliament approval for the construction of a brand-new $1.13 billion stadium.
Round 2 Results
Hawthorn 14.15 (99)
Sydney 13.4 (82)
Adelaide 13.10 (88)
Western Bulldogs 14.11 (94)
Richmond 9.6 (60)
Gold Coast 19.14 (128)
GWS 10.14 (74)
St.Kilda 11.12 (78)
Fremantle 17.16 (118)
Melbourne 10.10 (70)
Port Adelaide 20.13 (133)
Essendon 10.10 (70)
West Coast 17.9 (111)
North Melbourne 15.4 (94)
Bye: Brisbane, Carlton, Collingwood, Geelong
Previous articles
- AFL 2026 Opening Round: Swans thrash the Blues in curtain raiser
- AFL 2026 Season Preview
- AFL 2026: State of Origin – Polly Farmer Cup