Opening & Round 1 Review

Opening Round

Sydney (20.12.132) defeated Carlton (10.9.69)

1. Justin McInerney (142). Started up in the opening game, finishing the night as the leading scorer thanks to 31 touches, 3 goals and 461 metres gained.
2. Sam Walsh (114). A popular pick and with good reason after this performance, finding 32 touches (13 contested) plus 6 clearances and 696 metres gained.
3. Errol Gulden (113). Another highly owned underpriced midfielder is Gulden, who turned it on in the second half, finishing up with 27 touches, 549 metres gained and 11 tackles.
4. Brodie Grundy/Matt Roberts (112). Grundy did what Grundy does, finishing with 16 touches, 46 hitouts and 1 goal, while Roberts  was clean, not having clanger in his 18 touches while adding 2 goals.
5. Marc Pittonet (108). The best of the Blues to be honest. 18 touches with 17 hitouts, 8 clearances and 3 goals.

Other 100+ scores: Zilch

Disappointment: Opposing captains in Cripps (60) and Mills (66) were pretty grim to start the year, both have some POD potential leading into 2026.

Rookies: Brodie Kemp (68) actually led the Blues rookies scores, he’s at 205K just under the #1 pick. Jagga Smith (65) found plenty of it and will be better for the run while Dean (59) was solid on debut too. Highly owned DPP rookie Reidy (31) was quiet. Serong (77) will see his ownership rise now after a solid outing, leading Rosas (68) and McDonald (52).

Injuries: Early season injury worries for Adam Saad (hamstring) who was iced up in Q4.

 

Gold Coast (19.11.125) defeated Geelong (10.9.69)

1. Christian Petracca (170). Career game for Petracca, just dominating the whole game. 34 touches (15 contested) with 6 clearances, 3 goals and 678 metres gained.
2. Touk Miller (120). No Rowell so Miller had more midfield time, capitalising on it with 30 touches, 6 tackles and 1 goal.   
3. John Noble/Bailey Humphrey (116). Noble led the charge off half-back, having 570 metres gained, 28 touches and 2 goals, while Humphrey was everywhere early, finishing with 15 touches and 4 majors.
4. Ollie Dempsey (109). Shining light for the Cats, finding 20 touches but the 4 majors really boosted his score.
5. Tom Stewart (104). Rounds out the top 5 does Stewart, his defensive measures were 24 touches and 596 metres gained.

Other 100+ scores: Max Holmes (103), Noah Anderson (100)

Disappointment: Smith (67) not involved, plus the Cats got smashed.

Rookies: Lombard (69) is highly owned up forward and showed why with a solid outing, leading Adams (53) and Zeke Uwland (37). Just former first round pick Jhye Clark (34) for the Cats.

Injuries: Nothing on the injury report from this opening round contest.

 

GWS (19.8.122) defeated Hawthorn (14.11.95)

1. Jake Stringer (131). Prime Stringer was on display here, as he topped scored thanks to 14 disposals, 5 marks and 5 goals.
2. James Sicily (128). It was Sicily of old here, as the Hawks skipper showed up with 23 touches, 5 marks and 7 inside 50’s to lead the Hawks scoring.
3. Stephen Coniglio (122). An interesting POD with others around his price much more highly owned, Cogs had a stellar game of 22 touches, 6 marks and 2 goals.
4. Clayton Oliver (121). Awesome in his first game as a Giant, finding 26 touches plus 4 tackles, 10 clearances and 1 goal.
5. Joe Fonti (119). Rounds out the top five thanks to 22 touches, 9 marks and 4 rebounds from 50, career high score.

Other 100+ scores: Jake Riccardi (111), Lachie Whitfield (103)

Disappointment: One of the ultra consistent defenders in 2025 in Lachie Ash got off to a stinker here, scoring just 69.

Rookies: Giants rookie priced players included Gruzewski (54) who lead the debutant Gothard (47) and Delana (43). Sam Butler (54) falls just below rookie priced and was the only notable Hawk.

Injuries: More clean cards, no injuries here.

 

Brisbane (15.16.106) defeated by Western Bulldogs (16.15.111)

1. Ed Richards (144). Was super in a tense final term which saw his ownership really jump. Ended up with 30 disposals, 8 marks, 2 goals, 10 inside 50s and importantly two late goal assists.
2. Dayne Zorko (131). Age hasn’t slowed him down yet and showed no signs here. 31 touches with 11 marks plus 1 goal to be one of Brisbanes best.
3. Lachie Neale (126). Still a complete gun. 39 touches plus 8 marks, 7 inside 50s and 8 clearances.
4. Tim English (114). A very popular ruck selection and stepped up late, finishing with 16 touches, 2 goals and 37 hitouts.
5. Marcus Bontempelli (112). The captain was stationed mainly forward but still dominated, rounding out the top five with 19 touches, 5 tackles and 3 majors.

Other 100+ scores: Connor Budarick (101)

Disappointment: Couple of options in the forward line couldn’t get rolling here, with Darcy (60) and Freijah (50) disappointing in opening round.

Rookies: Jacques (84) did everything right and should be entrenched in many defences to start the year. Sellwood was also great for 70 on debut, while the other rookies for the Dogs were Hynes (38) and Jones (21). Zane Zakostelsky (56) made his debut here with the rare DEF/RUC tag, while Gallop (51) was the only other Lion.

Injuries: The Lions lost prime mover McCluggage to a calf injury early, while Jones (concussion) was the casualty for the Dogs.

 

St Kilda (9.12.66) defeated by Collingwood (11.12.78)

1. Jack Sinclair (143). So clean and just accumulated across half-back, finishing with 35 touches and 6 marks. This score saw his ownership really jump.
2. Josh Daicos (134). Was at half-back most of the game, finding 36 touches with 13 marks and 9 rebounds from 50.
3. Brayden Maynard (128). Similar to the guy above, was a beneficiary of the Pies kick mark style, having 27 touches and 13 marks.
4. Nick Daicos (117). Found a game high 41 disposals while adding 7 marks and 5 inside 50s.
5. Scott Pendlebury (112). Still just super silky with the ball and rounded out the top five with 26 touches and 5 goal assists.

Other 100+ scores: Jack Crisp (109), Lachie Schultz (108), Darcy Cameron (107), Callum Wilkie (104), Marcus Windhager (102)

Disappointment: has to go to Wanganeen-Milera (63) who got sat on all game by Perryman.

Rookies: Pretty settled lineup for the Pies with just Steele (53) and Parker (49) their rookie priced players. Phillipou (66) led the Saints ahead of the semi-popular Carroll (54).

Injuries: Marshall listed here with concussion for the Saints.

 

ROUND 1

Carlton (10.15.75) defeated Richmond (9.17.71)

1. Jayden Short (134). Absolutely instrumental in the Tigers near comeback win, Short finished with a game best 753 metres gained from his 29 touches and 10 marks, also slotting 1 major.
2. George Hewett (117). Unheralded as usual, Hewett put together a solid statline of 23 disposals (12 contested) plus 5 clearances, 1 goal and no clangers.
3. Patrick Cripps (114). The Carlton skipper was the equal leading ball winner on the ground, finding 32 disposals (19 contested) plus 9 clearances.
4. Jagga Smith (113). Game two and the first at the MCG for the highest owned SC player was super, as he found 32 touches (11 contested) while also laying 5 tackles.
5. Marc Pittonet (110). Rounds out the top five with another super performance of 13 touches (11 contested) plus 25 hitouts and 1 goal.

Other 100+ scores: Tim Taranto (107), Mitch McGovern (106), Zac Williams/Toby Nankervis (103), Jack Ross (102)

Disappointment: A couple of disproves didn’t really take off here to back the selection in, so it’ll go to Lalor (75) and Elijah Hollands (68), although both had their moments.

Rookies: Smith had has his moment so that leaves Kemp (51) and Dean (38). Grlj (73) was super impressive in his debut while Gibcus (56) made a strong return. After that it was just Armstrong (29).

Injuries: Nothing on the match report for the start of the SuperCoach season.

 

Essendon (13.5.83) defeated by Hawthorn (21.19.145)

1. Zach Merrett (139). After all the off season drama this guy remains an out and out gun, clearly being the Bombers best with 32 touches, just 1 clanger, 599 metres gained and 1 goal.
2. Mason Redman (118). Drove plenty of Bombers forward drives thanks to 26 unwanted touches (100% DE) as well as 7 marks and 558 metres gained.
3. Nick Watson (112). The best of the Hawks thanks to his woe up forward, slotting 4 goals from 17 touches, 6 marks and plenty of pressure with 6 tackles.
4. James Sicily (106). Commanded the backline, finishing with 26 touches and 11 marks at very solid 84% DE.
5. Ned Reeves/Dylan Moore/Josh Ward/Jai Newcombe (104). The old 4 way tie. Reeves had 12 touches (100% DE), 2 majors and 17 hitouts, while Moore was busy as the linkman with 24 touches, 7 marks and 1 goal. Ward had 26 disposals and 5 clearances while his midfield buddy Newcombe had 22, 6 clearances and 1 goal.

Other 100+ scores: Connor MacDonald (103), Jack Gunston/Sam Durham (101)

Disappointment: A couple of the mid priced favourites on Blakiston (62) and Roberts (53) struggled to get involved once the Hawks got rolling.

Rookies: The Hawks have such a settled lineup but Butler (29) just falls into the rookie priced category. The Bimbers saw three debutants and the best score amongst them was Sharp (57) who was ahead of Kondogiannis (51) and Al Achkar (40). Nguyen (30) was the only other.

Injuries: Another game with clean injury cards.

 

Western Bulldogs (21.8.134) defeated GWS (7.11.53)

1. Marcus Bontempelli (160). The highest priced player in the game proved why on Saturday afternoon, looking a class above with 33 touches (14 contested), 6 marks, 6 clearances, 3 goals and a team best 678 metres gained.
2. Lachie Ash (136). Ash was super for the Giants, clearly being their best thanks to 31 touches, 13 marks, 93% DE and 697 metres gained.
3. Tim English (127). A somewhat popular VC option and a worthy score, finishing with 22 touches plus 5 clearances and 23 hitouts.
4. Tom Liberatore (126). Just did what he does to find 29 touches with 6 clearances, 6 tackles and 1 goal.
5. Aaron Naughton (124). The focal point up forward, slotting 6 goals from 15 touches and 11 marks.

Other 100+ scores: Finn Callaghan (120), Matthew Kennedy (115).

Disappointment: So many from the Giants, led by Whitfield (70), followed by Oliver (69), then the semi popular Greene (62) and Coniglio (60).

Rookies: Nothing special for the Giants with Gothard (46), Delana (40) and Gruzewski (35) all struggling in the heavy loss. Jaques (80) was super for the Bulldogs with 29 touches and probably deserved more, coming in ahead of Hynes (46), Sellwood (38) and the debutant Lewis (18).

Injuries: The Bulldogs have listed Lewis (head) on their injury report while Himmelberg (chin) added to the Giants pain.

 

Geelong (16.14.110) defeated Fremantle (14.16.100)

1. Caleb Serong (150). One of the Dockers best who kept going even with the Geelong comeback. 30 disposals (13 contested) plus 8 clearances, 616 metres gained and 1 major.
2. Luke Jackson (142). Much like Serong, kept the Dockers in it thanks to 27 disposals (18 contested) with 10 clearances, 8 tackles, 22 hitouts and 1 goal, insane game.
3. Max Holmes (141). Drove Geelong forward on many occasions, collecting 32 touches plus 7 marks, 8 tackles, 5 clearances and a near team best 657 metres gained.
4. Tom Stewart (133). Held his own down back and looks to be back to his best. 27 disposals and 10 marks @ 85% DE.
5. Bailey Smith (118). Rounds out the top five with a super game to be integral in the Cats victory. 31 touches with 7 marks, 1 goal and 673 metres gained.

Other 100+ scores: Tanner Bruhn (110), Gryan Miers (108), Jeremy Cameron (107), Shannon Neale (100)

Disappointment: Imagine having your POD midfielder being Andy Brayshaw (47). Personally, I’m feeling that pain.

Rookies: A debutant here for the Cats in Edwards (42) who saw time in the ruck, with the Cats also having Clark (37) play. Only rookie priced option for the Dockers is Walker (38) who is a 194k defender.

Injuries: Nothing going on here.

 

Sydney (15.14.104) defeated Brisbane (8.12.60)

1. Nick Blakey (127). Raced off half-back to lead this games scoring, totalling 25 touches with 6 marks, 1 major, 92% DE and 605 metres gained.
2. Riley Bice (114). Very similar to Blakey, was super with it with 85% DE from his 28 touches plus 574 metres gained off half-back.
3. Errol Gulden (112). One of the Swans best but a shoulder injury will see him depart many teams. Before he came off he had 20 touches, 8 tackles and 1 major.
4. Joel Amartey (111). Focal point up front, finishing with a handful of goals, 5 to be exact, from 13 touches and 8 marks.
5. Tom McCartin (110). Very busy down back, finding 27 touches @ 85% DE plus 8 marks and 533 metres gained.

Other 100+ scores: Dayne Zorko (102), Josh Dunkley/Logan McDonald (101), Callum Mills/Darcy Fort (100)

Disappointment: Grundy (89) didn’t live up to the price, neither did William Ashcroft (64) or Draper (26) or even Coleman (50) for that matter.

Rookies: Zakostelsky (62) led a host of Lions rookies, coming in ahead of Tunstill (53), McCarthy (46), the debutant Annable (40) and finally Gallop (26). Jai Serong (54) was ahead of Rosas (50) and were the only rookies here.

Injuries: Massive SuperCoach news with two Sydney premiums finishing the game on the bench. Heeney (hamstring) was iced up while Gulden (shoulder) looked in a bad way and is likely to miss time.

 

Collingwood (11.13.79) defeated by Adelaide (13.15.93)

1. Wayne Milera (142). Super in the Crows round 1 win, as he led this games scoring thanks to 34 touches with just 1 clanger, going @ 94% DE and a team best 673 metres gained.
2. Dan Houston (132). Looks back to his best down back and is clearly a focal point to the Pies ball movement. Had 32 touches, 11 marks and 702 metres gained.
3. Nick Daicos (126). Found plenty of the pill with 33 touches and 6 marks leading to a game best 790 metres gained plus 2 majors.
4. Josh Worrell (116). Keeps getting better and started the season with 27 touches, 8 marks, 536 metres gained and solid DE of 88%.
5. Sam Berry (99). Rounds out this games top five thanks to 19 touches (10 contested) plus 7 tackles in the midfield.

Other 100+ scores: Zilch

Disappointment: Mid price option De Goey (56) was much quieter this week as opposed to opening round.

Rookies: Steele (65) and Parker (29) the rookies for Collingwood, neither highly owned. Cook (92) was super for the Crows and presents as an option for some of the other injured rookies. McAndrew (88) is highly owned and clearly held his own in a big matchup, while the Crows were rounded out by Bond (50) and debutant Murray (12).

Injuries: Nothing to mention from this contest.

 

North Melbourne (17.11.113) defeated Port Adelaide (9.13.67)

1. Luke Parker (137). The Roos best score came from Parker who went @ 100% DE from his 24 touches and 8 marks, while also slotting 1 major.
2. Dylan Stephens (135). Another former Swan was elite here, as Stephens had 29 touches and 11 marks plus 1 major and a team best 536 metres gained.
3. Harry Sheezel (134). The games most popular forward showed why as he found 31 touches with 8 marks, 5 tackles and 447 metres gained on Sunday.
4. Tristan Xerri (128). Forget the new ruck rules, Xerri still did Xerri things as he tackled his way to this score. 10 of them to go along with 19 touches (16 contested) plus 5 clearances and 16 hitouts.
5. Charlie Comben (118). Rounds out and all Kangroos top five thanks to 18 touches (10 contested) plus 11 marks and 1 goal.

Other 100+ scores: Connor Rozee (105), Luke Davies-Uniacke (104)

Disappointment: Had to go the McKercher (60) who only saw 64% game time.

Rookies: The highly owned Blamires (70) performed well in his first senior game, while another debutant in Doveston (42) came in ahead of Zane Duursma (38). Port was led by Todd Marshall (90) who played well down back before succumbing to an ankle injury. Watkins (45) came in ahead of Whitlock (43).

Injuries: Nothing for North but big SuperCoach news in this one too with Marshall (ankle) finishing the game on the bench.

 

Melbourne (18.12.120) defeated St Kilda (15.17.107)

1. Max Hall (141). Absolutely super for the Saints connecting between the arcs. Had 26 touches, 480 metres gained, 6 clearances and 4 goals for the game.
2. Jack Sinclair (123). Skyrocketed in ownership after opening round and proved why as he found 31 touches with 7 marks and 539 metres gained for another super score.
3. Max Gawn (122). So important around the ground, especially late in the game, as the Melbourne captain finished with 22 touches (13 contested) with 5 clearances, 36 hitouts and 1 goal.
4. Callum Wilkie (114). The opposing captain was also great, running @ 85% DE from his 27 touches and 10 marks while also having 450 metres gained.
5. Jacob Van Rooyen (113). Did most of his damage in the first half where he kicked 5 of his eventual 6 majors. No clangers from his 14 touches and 7 marks either.

Other 100+ scores: Sam Flanders (104), Marcus Windhager (103)

Disappointment: Not the start that owners of Kysaiah Pickett (74) or Windsor (70) wanted.

Rookies: The best of the Dees was Sharp (76) who ran hard all day, coming in ahead of Tholstrup (55) and the exciting Latrelle Pickett (45). The Saints had Carroll (59) and Phillipou (27) who suffered an injury and only played a half.

Injuries: Big injury news here too with Phillipou spending the second half on the bench with a corked quad, while new recruit Ryan also is listed with a corked shoulder.

 

Gold Coast (20.11.131) defeated West Coast (10.12.72)

1. Christian Petracca (152). Another massive game from Petracca. 23 touches (12 contested) plus 6 clearances, 4 majors and 537 metres gained in the Suns big win.
2. Jarrod Witts (137). Witts just dominated the ruck contest with 51 hitouts to go along with 20 touches (16 contested) plus 7 clearances and 1 goal.
3. Noah Anderson (132). Super again from the Suns captain, as he collected 34 disposals (12 contested) plus 1 major to for his second ton.
4. Joel Jeffrey (113). 28 disposals for Jeffrey across the backline, having 442 metres gained to go along with it.
5. Milan Murdock (110). Super effort from the SSP signing. Only 17 days ago was he an electrician and on Sunday he was the Eagles best thanks to 22 touches (14 contested) with 4 clearances, 5 tackles and 2 goals.

Other 100+ scores: Devon Robertson (105), Touk Miller (103)

Disappointment: Couple of scores in the mid 80’s for semi popular selections McCarthy (86) and Harley Reid (80) to end the round here.

Rookies: Starting with the Eagles and their plethora of rookies besides Murdock, it was the highly owned Robertson (105) who was super with 17 touches and 12 tackles. After that, we had Duursma (78), Allan (71), Lindsay (61), Duff-Tytler (37) and finally Newton (36). Jake Rogers (96) was super for the Suns, taking out their rookie scores ahead of Lombard (55), Zeke Uwland (23) and Adams (21).

Injuries: No injuries to report in the final game of the round.