AFL fixture report card: Which clubs cashed in… and who got dudded in 2026 draw

admin-cdn4 hours ago

0 0 32 minutes read

AFL fixture report card: Which clubs cashed in… and who got dudded in 2026 draw

The release of the 2026 AFL fixture has revealed some big early winners.

But for some clubs — even the team that won just one game in 2025 — the draw isn’t as kind.

Foxfooty.com.au breaks down every AFL club’s 2026 fixture, with analysis of the pros, cons and a grade — with a higher grade meaning an easier draw.

MORE FIXTURE COVERAGE

WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.

WINNERS AND LOSERS: Every AFL team’s fixture ranked from easiest to hardest

MUST-WATCH GRUDGE GAMES: Fiery sequel to failed trade; ex-skippers face old clubs

Crows welcome back former Captain | 01:22

AFL FIXTURE 2026: CLUB-BY-CLUB DRAW AND ANALYSIS

ADELAIDE CROWS

Opening Round: BYE

Round 1: Collingwood v Adelaide at MCG (Saturday March 14, 7.35pm)

Round 2: Adelaide Crows v Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval (Friday March 20, 7.40pm)

Round 3: Geelong Cats v Adelaide Crows at GMHBA Stadium (Thursday March 26, 7.30pm)

Round 4: Adelaide Crows v Fremantle at Adelaide Oval (Friday April 3, 7.15pm)

Round 5: Adelaide Crows v Carlton at Adelaide Oval (Thursday April 9, 7.40pm)

Round 6: Adelaide Crows v St Kilda at Adelaide Oval (Saturday April 18, 7.35pm)

Round 7: Brisbane Lions v Adelaide Crows at The Gabba (Sunday April 26, 3.15pm)

Round 8: Adelaide Crows v Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval (Friday May 1, 8.10pm)

Round 9: Richmond v Adelaide Crows at MCG (Sunday May 10, 3.15pm)

Round 10: Adelaide Crows v North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval (Saturday May 16, 1.15pm)

Round 11: Hawthorn v Adelaide Crows, UTAS Stadium (Thursday May 21, 7.30pm)

Round 12: BYE

Round 13: Adelaide Crows v Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval (Thursday June 4, 7.30pm)

Round 14: Western Bulldogs v Adelaide Crows at Marvel Stadium (Thursday June 11, 7.30pm)

Round 15: Adelaide Crows v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval (Saturday June 20, 1.15pm)

Round 16: Port Adelaide v Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval

Round 17: West Coast Eagles v Adelaide Crows at Optus Stadium

Round 18: Adelaide Crows v Gold Coast Suns at Adelaide Oval

Round 19: Sydney Swans v Adelaide Crows at SCG

Round 20: Adelaide Crows v Collingwood at Adelaide Oval

Round 21: Essendon v Adelaide Crows at Marvel Stadium

Round 22: Adelaide Crows v Richmond at Adelaide Oval

Round 23: Fremantle v Adelaide Crows at Optus Stadium

Round 24: Adelaide Crows v GWS Giants at Adelaide Oval

Fixture difficulty (based on double-ups): 7th-hardest

Pros: Three straight home games at the Adelaide Oval from Rounds 3 to 5 are sure to be appreciated by the Crows, as well as the equal-most number of prime time fixtures (eight) in the first 16 weeks of football! Considering they’re the competition’s minor premiers, their double-up matches — while hard — could’ve been harder.

Cons: Their double-up matches are understandably on the tougher side, with Collingwood, Fremantle, Geelong and the Western Bulldogs among the list of clubs they’ll play twice. The front and back ends of their season are also tricky, kicking off their season against four genuine top four contenders. They’ll also play the Dockers and GWS as their final two matches, which could be a nuisance if they need to win their way into finals via the final fortnight of football.

Grade: A-

Lions down Dees to book home prelim | 01:04

BRISBANE LIONS

Opening Round: Brisbane Lions v Western Bulldogs at The Gabba (Saturday March 7, 7.35pm)

Round 1: Sydney Swans v Brisbane Lions at SCG (Saturday March 14, 7.10pm)

Round 2: BYE

Round 3: St Kilda v Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium (Saturday March 28, 1.15pm)

Round 4: Brisbane Lions v Collingwood at The Gabba (Thursday April 2, 7.30pm)

Round 5: North Melbourne v Brisbane Lions at Barossa Park (Saturday April 11, 12.35pm)

Round 6: Melbourne v Brisbane Lions at MCG (Sunday April 19, 3.15pm)

Round 7: Brisbane Lions v Adelaide Crows at The Gabba (Sunday April 26, 3.15pm)

Round 8: Essendon v Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium (Saturday May 2 1.15pm)

Round 9: Brisbane Lions v Carlton at The Gabba (Friday May 8, 7.20pm)

Round 10: Brisbane Lions v Geelong Cats at The Gabba (Thursday May 14, 7.30pm)

Round 11: GWS Giants v Brisbane Lions at ENGIE Stadium (Sunday May 24, 12.30pm)

Round 12: Brisbane Lions v Fremantle at The Gabba (Saturday May 30, 4.15pm)

Round 13: Gold Coast Suns v Brisbane Lions at People First Stadium (Saturday June 6, 1.15pm)

Round 14: Richmond v Brisbane Lions at Ninja Stadium (Sunday June 14, 1.10pm)

Round 15: BYE

Round 16: Brisbane Lions v Sydney Swans at The Gabba

Round 17: Geelong Cats v Brisbane Lions at GMHBA Stadium

Round 18: Brisbane Lions v Essendon at The Gabba

Round 19: West Coast Eagles v Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium

Round 20: Brisbane Lions v Port Adelaide at The Gabba

Round 21: Carlton v Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium

Round 22: Brisbane Lions v Hawthorn at The Gabba

Round 23: Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns at The Gabba

Round 24: Collingwood v Brisbane Lions at MCG

Fixture difficulty (based on double-ups): 8th-hardest

Pros: If you’re a club who has won back-to-back flags, you are absolutely taking the eighth-hardest fixture on offer heading into next season. Double-up matches against Carlton and Essendon look favourable, with the rest of the match-ups as expected given their recent dominance. And when you compare their fixture to last year — which history tells us was one of the hardest we’ve ever seen — it’s a huge, huge win.

Cons: What on earth is up with the Lions not being a feature of Gather Round? Their clash with the Western Bulldogs last year at Norwood Oval was one of the matches of the home-and-away season, yet they’ve somehow been banished out to the Barossa Valley next year against North Melbourne. Additionally, their lack of prime time fixtures is perplexing. Over half of their matches will be instead on a Saturday.

Grade: A

Austin kicks emotional tribute goal | 00:45

CARLTON

Opening Round: Sydney Swans v Carlton at SCG (Thursday March 5, 7.30pm)

Round 1: Carlton v Richmond at MCG (Thursday March 12, 7.30pm)

Round 2: BYE

Round 3: Carlton v Melbourne at MCG (Sunday March 29, 3.15pm)

Round 4: North Melbourne v Carlton at Marvel Stadium (Friday April 3, 3.15pm)

Round 5: Adelaide Crows v Carlton at Adelaide Oval (Thursday April 9, 7.40pm)

Round 6: Carlton v Collingwood at MCG (Thursday April 16, 7.30pm)

Round 7: Fremantle v Carlton at Optus Stadium (Saturday April 25, 8.15pm)

Round 8: Carlton v St Kilda at Marvel Stadium (Saturday May 2, 7.35pm)

Round 9: Brisbane Lions v Carlton at The Gabba (Friday May 8, 7.20pm)

Round 10: Carlton v Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium (Saturday May 16, 7.35pm)

Round 11: Port Adelaide v Carlton at Adelaide Oval (Saturday May 23, 7.35pm)

Round 12: Carlton v Geelong Cats at MCG (Friday May 29, 7.40pm)

Round 13: Essendon v Carlton at MCG (Sunday June 7, 7.20pm)

Round 14: BYE

Round 15: GWS Giants v Carlton at ENGIE Stadium (Saturday June 20, 4.15pm)

Round 16: Carlton v West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium

Round 17: Richmond v Carlton at MCG

Round 18: Carlton v Hawthorn at MCG

Round 19: Collingwood v Carlton at MCG

Round 20: Carlton v Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium

Round 21: Carlton v Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium

Round 22: St Kilda v Carlton at Marvel Stadium

Round 23: Western Bulldogs v Carlton at Marvel Stadium

Round 24: Carlton v Fremantle at Marvel Stadium

Fixture difficulty (based on double-ups): 9th-hardest

Pros: The Blues won’t have to leave Melbourne after Round 15! So, if they’re in with a chance to make a finals or wildcard round push, travel certainly won’t be a burden of any sort. Their first month of football before hitting Adelaide in Gather Round is also on the softer side, with particularly winnable fixtures against Richmond, Melbourne and North Melbourne after their Opening Round duel with Sydney.

Cons: Double-up matches against Brisbane, Collingwood, Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs hardly scream ‘easy’ for Michael Voss’ side. It’s hard to say definitively whether it’s a good or bad thing, but their seven prime time fixtures in the first half of the year could end up being a negative, given their poor performances on the big stage last year. If their form doesn’t turn swiftly, they could be the talk of Thursday and Friday night football for all the wrong reasons.

Grade: C

AFL confirms rule tweaks to 2026 season | 00:44

COLLINGWOOD

Opening Round: St Kilda v Collingwood at MCG (Sunday March 8, 7.20pm)

Round 1: Collingwood v Adelaide at MCG (Saturday March 14, 7.35pm)

Round 2: BYE

Round 3: Collingwood v GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium (March 27, 7.40pm)

Round 4: Brisbane Lions v Collingwood at The Gabba (Thursday April 2, 7.30pm)

Round 5: Collingwood v Fremantle at Adelaide Oval (Friday April 10, 7.40pm)

Round 6: Carlton v Collingwood at MCG (Thursday April 16, 7.30pm)

Round 7: Essendon v Collingwood at MCG (Saturday April 25, 3.15pm)

Round 8: Collingwood v Hawthorn at MCG (Thursday April 30, 7.30pm)

Round 9: Geelong Cats v Collingwood at MCG (Saturday May 9, 7.35pm)

Round 10: Sydney Swans v Collingwood at SCG (Friday May 15, 7.20pm)

Round 11: Collingwood v West Coast Eagles at MCG (Saturday May 23, 4.35pm)

Round 12: Western Bulldogs v Collingwood at Marvel Stadium (Saturday May 30, 7.35pm)

Round 13: Collingwood v Melbourne at MCG (Monday June 8, 3.15pm)

Round 14: BYE

Round 15: Collingwood v Port Adelaide at MCG (Saturday June 20, 7.35pm)

Round 16: Collingwood v Richmond at MCG

Round 17: Gold Coast Suns v Collingwood at People First Stadium

Round 18: Collingwood v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium

Round 19: Collingwood v Carlton at MCG

Round 20: Adelaide Crows v Collingwood at Adelaide Oval

Round 21: Collingwood v Geelong Cats at MCG
Round 22: West Coast Eagles v Collingwood at Optus Stadium
Round 23: Hawthorn v Collingwood at MCG

Round 24: Collingwood v Brisbane Lions at MCG

Fixture difficulty (based on double-ups): 3rd-hardest

Pros: The Pies will leave Melbourne just six times in 2026. It isn’t unexpected to say the least, but that’s not to say it isn’t still a positive! Their ‘refusal’ to take part in Opening Round interstate also has to be seen as a win, especially since it means they’re playing ‘away’ at the MCG to a Marvel team – like the Bulldogs in 2025 – even if it sounds a bit ‘woe is me’. A double-up clash with West Coast is also a big win, although arguably the only one given the other teams they’ll play twice.

Cons: As alluded to just above, it’s a tough run Craig McRae’s side has with teams they play twice. It leaves them with one of the hardest fixtures in the competition, although to be fair, that aligns with their output in 2025. Three games away from the MCG from Rounds 3-5 (Marvel Stadium, Gabba, Adelaide Oval) is a pretty rare patch for the Pies amid the opening part of their season.

Grade: B

Skipper Merrett return to Tullamarine | 00:34

ESSENDON

Opening Round: BYE

Round 1: Essendon v Hawthorn at MCG (Friday March 13, 7.40pm)

Round 2: Port Adelaide v Essendon at Adelaide Oval (Sunday March 22, 3.15pm)

Round 3: Essendon v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium (Saturday March 28, 7.35pm)

Round 4: Western Bulldogs v Essendon at Marvel Stadium (Sunday April 5, 7.20pm)

Round 5: Essendon v Melbourne at Adelaide Oval (Saturday April 11, 1.15pm)

Round 6: Gold Coast Suns v Essendon at People First Stadium (Saturday April 18, 1.15pm)

Round 7: Essendon v Collingwood at MCG (Saturday April 25, 3.15pm)

Round 8: Essendon v Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium (Saturday May 2, 1.15pm)

Round 9: GWS Giants v Essendon at ENGIE Stadium (Saturday May 9, 4.15pm)

Round 10: Essendon v Fremantle at MCG (Sunday May 17, 1.10pm)

Round 11: Richmond v Essendon at MCG (Friday May 22, 7.40pm)

Round 12: West Coast Eagles v Essendon at Optus Stadium (Sunday May 31, 7.20pm)

Round 13: Essendon v Carlton at MCG (Sunday June 7, 7.20pm)

Round 14: Melbourne v Essendon at MCG (Saturday June 13, 1.15pm)

Round 15: BYE

Round 16: North Melbourne v Essendon at Marvel Stadium

Round 17: Essendon v St Kilda at Marvel Stadium

Round 18: Brisbane Lions v Essendon at The Gabba

Round 19: Essendon v GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium

Round 20: Hawthorn v Essendon at MCG

Round 21: Essendon v Adelaide Crows at Marvel Stadium

Round 22: Geelong Cats v Essendon at GMHBA Stadium

Round 23: Essendon v Sydney Swans at MCG

Round 24: Essendon v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium

Fixture difficulty (based on double-ups): 7th-easiest

Pros: The Bombers won’t have to leave Melbourne between Round 13 and 17, with two games at the MCG before their mid-season bye and two at Marvel after it. Their first five or so rounds look to be on the easier side, with winnable matches against the likes of North Melbourne, Port Adelaide before their Gather Round clash with Melbourne. Double-up games against those clubs are a handy boost in their bid to climb the ladder. In addition, their last four games before their mid-season bye in Round 15 are extremely winnable. It’s also probably for the better, but their prime time fixtures has been pulled right back!

Cons: While the start of their season looks easy enough, it could be a very tough run home for Brad Scott’s side. Six, yes, SIX of their final seven games come against top four hopefuls — specifically Brisbane, GWS, Hawthorn, Adelaide, Geelong and Sydney before a Round 24 date with Port Adelaide. Based on vibes, it’s actually quite surprising to see their fixture is grade as the seventh-easiest!

Grade: C-

Tassie tables order to build new stadium | 00:26

FREMANTLE

Opening Round: BYE

Round 1: Geelong Cats v Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium (Saturday March 14, 4.15pm)

Round 2: Fremantle v Melbourne at Optus Stadium (Saturday March 21, 7.35pm)

Round 3: Fremantle v Richmond at Optus Stadium (Saturday March 28, 4.15pm)

Round 4: Adelaide Crows v Fremantle at Adelaide Oval (Friday April 3, 7.15pm)

Round 5: Collingwood v Fremantle at Adelaide Oval (Friday April 10, 7.40pm)

Round 6: West Coast Eagles v Fremantle at Optus Stadium (Sunday April 19, 5.10pm)

Round 7: Fremantle v Carlton at Optus Stadium (Saturday April 25, 8.15pm)

Round 8: Western Bulldogs v Fremantle at Marvel Stadium (Friday May 1, 7.20pm)

Round 9: Fremantle v Hawthorn at Optus Stadium (Thursday May 7, 7.30pm)

Round 10: Essendon v Fremantle at MCG (Sunday May 17, 1.10pm)

Round 11: Fremantle v St Kilda at Optus Stadium (Friday May 22, 8.30pm)

Round 12: Brisbane Lions v Fremantle at The Gabba (Saturday May 30, 4.15pm)

Round 13: North Melbourne v Fremantle at Hands Oval (Saturday June 6, 4.15pm)

Round 14: BYE

Round 15: Fremantle v Geelong Cats at Optus Stadium (Thursday June 18, 7.30pm)

Round 16: Fremantle v Gold Coast Suns at Optus Stadium

Round 17: GWS Giants v Fremantle at Corroboree Group Oval Manuka

Round 18: Fremantle v Sydney Swans at Optus Stadium

Round 19: Port Adelaide v Fremantle at Adelaide Oval

Round 20: Fremantle v West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium

Round 21: Fremantle v Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium

Round 22: Melbourne v Fremantle at MCG

Round 23: Fremantle v Adelaide Crows at Optus Stadium

Round 24: Carlton v Fremantle at Marvel Stadium

Fixture difficulty (based on double-ups): 4th-hardest

Pros: A niche one, but the Dockers have six home games in nine weeks after their mid-season bye, priming them for a finals tilt during the second half of their season. They get the free extra home game against North Melbourne, due to the Kangaroos selling a game to WA. A prime time Gather Round fixture against Collingwood is also a big win, as are their six matches in total on a Thursday or Friday night. Half of their double ups are hard, but their other half against Carlton, Melbourne and West Coast look favourable early doors!

Cons: Their fixture difficulty almost feels misleading. Sure, their two matches against Adelaide, Geelong and the Western Bulldogs will be tough, but beyond that, there aren’t too many major issues in their fixture. The Cats away at Kardinia Park will be a tough start to their season, but it won’t be anything they can’t get back against the Demons and Tigers the following fortnight.

Grade: B+

Tanner Bruhn rape case withdrawn | 00:33

GEELONG

Opening Round: Gold Coast Suns v Geelong Cats, People First Stadium (Friday March 6, 8.05pm)

Round 1: Geelong Cats v Fremantle, GMHBA Stadium (Saturday March 14, 4.15pm)

Round 2: BYE

Round 3: Geelong Cats v Adelaide Crows at GMHBA Stadium (Thursday March 26, 7.30pm)

Round 4: Hawthorn v Geelong Cats at MCG (Monday April 6, 3.15pm)

Round 5: Geelong Cats v West Coast Eagles at Norwood Oval (Sunday April 12, 12.30pm)

Round 6: Geelong Cats v Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium (Friday April 17, 7.20pm)

Round 7: Port Adelaide v Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval (Saturday April 25, 6.35pm)

Round 8: Geelong Cats v North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium (Saturday May 2, 4.35pm)

Round 9: Geelong Cats v Collingwood at MCG (Saturday May 9, 7.35pm)

Round 10: Brisbane Lions v Geelong Cats at The Gabba (Thursday May 14, 7.30pm)

Round 11: Geelong Cats v Sydney Swans at GMHBA Stadium (Saturday May 23, 4.15pm)

Round 12: Carlton v Geelong Cats at MCG (Friday May 29, 7.40pm)

Round 13: Adelaide Crows v Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval (Thursday June 4, 7.30pm)

Round 14: Geelong Cats v Gold Coast Suns at GMHBA Stadium (Friday June 12, 7.40pm)

Round 15: Fremantle v Geelong Cats at Optus Stadium (Thursday June 18, 7.30pm)

Round 16: BYE

Round 17: Geelong Cats v Brisbane Lions at GMHBA Stadium

Round 18: GWS Giants v Geelong Cats at ENGIE Stadium

Round 19: Geelong Cats v St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium

Round 20: Melbourne v Geelong Cats at MCG

Round 21: Collingwood v Geelong Cats at MCG

Round 22: Geelong Cats v Essendon at GMHBA Stadium

Round 23: North Melbourne v Geelong Cats at Marvel Stadium

Round 24: Geelong Cats v Richmond at GMHBA Stadium

Fixture difficulty (based on double-ups): Hardest

Pros: Alongside the Hawks and Crows, the Cats are the kings of Broadway next year with eight Thursday or Friday night games in the first 15 weeks of the season. Chris Scott’s side also gets to play North Melbourne twice in 2026, who they’ve defeated in their past 14 encounters. The Cats only play one game outside of Victoria in the final nine weeks of the season, a trip to ENGIE Stadium to take on the Giants, while their GMHBA Stadium home games are a bit more spread out than some other years when they’ve been heavily back-loaded.

Cons: They’ve got a brutal draw when it comes to double-ups, copping four top-six teams in Adelaide, Brisbane, Collingwood and Gold Coast, plus Fremantle, who are expected to rise in 2026. The Cats have finished in the top four in six of their last seven seasons but if Chris Scott can lead them there once more he’ll have done it the hard way. You’d expect Essendon, North Melbourne and Richmond to be in the bottom half of the ladder in 2026, so if they’re getting another easy run into September, that’ll be questioned – though it didn’t hurt them (until Grand Final day) in 2025.

Grade: D-

Petracca heaps praise on new coach | 01:47

GOLD COAST SUNS

Opening Round: Gold Coast Suns v Geelong Cats at People First Stadium (Friday March 6, 8.05pm)

Round 1: Gold Coast Suns v West Coast Eagles at People First Stadium (Sunday March 15, 6.10pm)

Round 2: Richmond v Gold Coast Suns at MCG (Saturday March 21, 1.15pm)

Round 3: BYE

Round 4: Melbourne v Gold Coast Suns at MCG (Sunday April 5, 3.15pm)

Round 5: Sydney Swans v Gold Coast Suns at Norwood Oval (Saturday April 11, 4.15pm)

Round 6: Gold Coast Suns v Essendon at People First Stadium (Saturday April 18, 1.15pm)

Round 7: Hawthorn v Gold Coast Suns at UTAS Stadium (Saturday April 25, 12.15pm)

Round 8: Gold Coast Suns v GWS Giants at People First Stadium (Sunday May 3, 7.20pm)

Round 9: Gold Coast Suns v St Kilda at TIO Stadium (Saturday May 9, 7.10pm)

Round 10: Gold Coast Suns v Port Adelaide at TIO Stadium (Friday May 15, 8.10pm)

Round 11: North Melbourne v Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium (Saturday May 23, 1.15pm)

Round 12: BYE

Round 13: Gold Coast Suns v Brisbane Lions at People First Stadium (Saturday June 6, 1.15pm)

Round 14: Geelong Cats v Gold Coast Suns at GMHBA Stadium (Friday June 12, 7.40pm)

Round 15: Gold Coast Suns v Hawthorn at People First Stadium (Friday June 19, 7.40pm)

Round 16: Fremantle v Gold Coast Suns at Optus Stadium

Round 17: Gold Coast Suns v Collingwood at People First Stadium

Round 18: Adelaide Crows v Gold Coast Suns at Adelaide Oval

Round 19: Gold Coast Suns v Western Bulldogs at People First Stadium

Round 20: Carlton v Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium

Round 21: Gold Coast Suns v Melbourne at People First Stadium

Round 22: GWS Giants v Gold Coast Suns at Corroboree Group Oval Manuka

Round 23: Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns at The Gabba

Round 24: St Kilda v Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium

Fixture difficulty (based on double-ups): 2nd-hardest

Pros: Expect the Suns to get off to a flyer in season 2026 with only one finalist from last year an opponent (Geelong) during the first six rounds. Three straight home games – including two at TIO Stadium – just before their round 12 bye is also juicy. In fact, outside of a trip to Tasmania to take on the Hawks in round seven and their Opening Round clash against Geelong, it’s a pretty friendly draw to start. There’s a real chance Damien Hardwick’s side has only lost one game and is 10-1 after round 12.

Cons: A maiden finals appearance for the Suns in 2025 means they’ve copped the second-hardest draw for 2026. The Suns take on three of last year’s preliminary finalists twice in Brisbane, Geelong and Hawthorn, while they also have to take on the Giants and Saints twice, who will both be hoping to rise this year. Just two games at the MCG and none after round four isn’t ideal.

Grade: D

Greene dismisses Oliver behaviour talk | 01:47

GWS GIANTS

Opening Round: GWS Giants v Hawthorn at ENGIE Stadium (Saturday March 7, 4.15pm)

Round 1: Western Bulldogs v GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium (Saturday March 14, 1.15pm)

Round 2: GWS Giants v St Kilda at ENGIE Stadium (Saturday March 21, 4.15pm)

Round 3: Collingwood v GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium (Friday March 27, 7.40pm)

Round 4: BYE

Round 5: GWS Giants v Richmond at Barossa Park (Sunday April 12, 3.15pm)

Round 6: Sydney Swans v GWS Giants at SCG (Friday April 17, 7.50pm)

Round 7: GWS Giants v North Melbourne at Corroboree Group Oval Manuka (Sunday April 26, 4.40pm)

Round 8: Gold Coast Suns v GWS Giants at People First Stadium (Sunday May 3, 7.20pm)

Round 9: GWS Giants v Essendon at ENGIE Stadium (Saturday May 9, 4.15pm)

Round 10: West Coast Eagles v GWS Giants at Optus Stadium (Sunday May 17, 6.15pm)

Round 11: GWS Giants v Brisbane Lions at ENGIE Stadium (Sunday May 24, 12.30pm)

Round 12: Melbourne v GWS Giants at TIO Traeger Park Oval (Sunday May 31, 3.15pm)

Round 13: BYE

Round 14: St Kilda v GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium (Sunday June 14, 3.15pm)

Round 15: GWS Giants v Carlton at ENGIE Stadium (Saturday June 20, 4.15pm)

Round 16: Hawthorn v GWS Giants at MCG

Round 17: GWS Giants v Fremantle at Corroboree Group Oval Manuka

Round 18: GWS Giants v Geelong Cats at ENGIE Stadium

Round 19: Essendon v GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium

Round 20: GWS Giants v Sydney Swans at ENGIE Stadium

Round 21: Port Adelaide v GWS Giants at Adelaide Oval

Round 22: GWS Giants v Gold Coast Suns at Corroboree Group Oval Manuka

Round 23: GWS Giants v West Coast Eagles at ENGIE Stadium

Round 24: Adelaide Crows v GWS Giants at Adelaide Oval

Fixture difficulty (based on double-ups): 4th-easiest

Pros: The Giants were arguably the biggest winners after the fixture release. Of last year’s top nine sides, eight have copped the toughest draws for 2026, but the Giants are the outlier with the fourth-easiest. When it comes to double-ups, the Giants face just two finalists from 2025 twice (Gold Coast and Hawthorn), which is less than last year’s wooden spoon side West Coast. Sure, the Saints and Swans are expected to have better seasons in 2026, but on pure numerical value right now the Giants have absolutely lucked out.

Cons: The Giants play just one game at the MCG next year, a round 16 encounter against Hawthorn. They’ve also only got two Friday night encounters during the first 15 rounds of the season and seven Sunday timeslots. They’ve got three trips to Adelaide next year, taking on both the Crows and Power away and the Tigers at Barossa Park during Gather Round. Still, the fact the team that finished fifth in the home and away season not having to play any of the top-four teams twice makes this whole thing a major win.

Grade: A+

Dunstall backs Hawks Merrett decision | 01:16

HAWTHORN

Opening Round: GWS Giants v Hawthorn at ENGIE Stadium (Saturday March 7, 4.15pm)

Round 1: Essendon v Hawthorn at MCG (Friday March 13, 7.40pm)

Round 2: Hawthorn v Sydney Swans at MCG (Thursday March 19, 7.30pm)

Round 3: BYE

Round 4: Hawthorn v Geelong Cats at MCG (Monday April 6, 3.15pm)

Round 5: Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval (Saturday April 11, 7.35pm)

Round 6: Hawthorn v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium (Saturday April 18, 4.15pm)

Round 7: Hawthorn v Gold Coast Suns at UTAS Stadium (Saturday April 25, 12.15pm)

Round 8: Collingwood v Hawthorn at MCG (Thursday April 30, 7.30pm)

Round 9: Fremantle v Hawthorn at Optus Stadium (Thursday May 7, 7.30pm)

Round 10: Melbourne v Hawthorn at MCG (Saturday May 16, 4.15pm)

Round 11: Hawthorn v Adelaide Crows at UTAS Stadium (Thursday May 21, 7.30pm)

Round 12: St Kilda v Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium (Thursday May 28, 7.30pm)

Round 13: Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs at MCG (Friday June 5, 7.40pm)

Round 14: BYE

Round 15: Gold Coast Suns v Hawthorn at People First Stadium (Friday June 19, 7.40pm)

Round 16: Hawthorn v GWS Giants at MCG

Round 17: Hawthorn v Melbourne at UTAS Stadium

Round 18: Carlton v Hawthorn at MCG

Round 19: Richmond v Hawthorn at MCG

Round 20: Hawthorn v Essendon at MCG

Round 21: Hawthorn v North Melbourne at UTAS Stadium

Round 22: Brisbane Lions v Hawthorn at The Gabba

Round 23: Hawthorn v Collingwood at MCG

Round 24: West Coast Eagles v Hawthorn at Optus Stadium

Fixture difficulty (based on double-ups): 5th-hardest

Pros: The Hawks are once again the AFL’s prime time sweethearts in 2026, with a whopping eight Thursday or Friday night fixtures over the first 15 rounds. Add in the fact that they’ve got a blockbuster against Geelong and a marquee Gather Round slot against the Dogs and all eyes will be on the Hawks again in 2026. All things considered, this is a pretty decent draw for the Hawks given they made it all the way to a preliminary final last year. While Collingwood and Geelong have to double-up against four top-six opponents from last year, Hawthorn only has two (Collingwood and Gold Coast). Sam Mitchell’s side only has six non-Victoria/Tasmania games throughout the year. Between round 16 and 21, the Hawks play all games either at UTAS Stadium or the MCG.

Cons: The Hawks will have to make a couple of trips west in 2026, taking on both the Dockers and Eagles at Optus Stadium. Hawthorn fans could also probably consider buying a multi-day theme park pass given they’ll have two separate trips to Queensland next year. Double-ups against the Western Bulldogs and GWS Giants won’t be easy either, while there will no doubt be plenty of feeling in both clashes against Essendon.

Grade: B

Demons recruit eyeing defensive role | 00:59

MELBOURNE

Opening Round: BYE

Round 1: Melbourne v St Kilda at MCG (Sunday March 15, 3.15pm)

Round 2: Fremantle v Melbourne at Optus Stadium (Saturday March 21, 7.35pm)

Round 3: Carlton v Melbourne at MCG (Sunday March 29, 3.15pm)

Round 4: Melbourne v Gold Coast Suns at MCG (Sunday April 5, 3.15pm)

Round 5: Essendon v Melbourne at Adelaide Oval (Saturday April 11, 1.15pm)

Round 6: Melbourne v Brisbane Lions at MCG (Sunday April 19, 3.15pm)

Round 7: Richmond v Melbourne at MCG (Friday April 24, 7.40pm)

Round 8: Sydney Swans v Melbourne at SCG (Sunday May 3, 3.15pm)

Round 9: Melbourne v West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium (Sunday May 10, 1.10pm)

Round 10: Melbourne v Hawthorn at MCG (Saturday May 16, 4.15pm)

Round 11: Western Bulldogs v Melbourne at Marvel Stadium (Sunday May 24, 3.15pm)

Round 12: Melbourne v GWS Giants at TIO Traeger Park Oval (Sunday May 31, 3.15pm)

Round 13: Collingwood v Melbourne at MCG (Monday June 8, 3.15pm)

Round 14: Melbourne v Essendon at MCG (Saturday June 13, 1.15pm)

Round 15: Adelaide Crows v Melbourne at Adelaide Oval (Saturday June 20, 1.15pm)

Round 16: BYE

Round 17: Hawthorn v Melbourne at UTAS Stadium

Round 18: Melbourne v Richmond at MCG

Round 19: North Melbourne v Melbourne at Marvel Stadium

Round 20: Melbourne v Geelong Cats at MCG

Round 21: Gold Coast Suns v Melbourne at People First Stadium

Round 22: Melbourne v Fremantle at MCG

Round 23: Port Adelaide v Melbourne at Adelaide Oval

Round 24: Melbourne v Western Bulldogs at MCG

Fixture difficulty (based on double-ups): 9th-easiest

Pros: The Dees have one of the most balanced fixtures in the competition, which means we should get a pretty decent understanding of where the Dees are at as they begin a new era under Steven King. Double-ups against Richmond and Essendon are enticing and King’s troops play 15 matches in Melbourne next year. They will also play at Tasmania’s UTAS Stadium for the first time in club history.

Cons: Melbourne will spend a fair bit of time in Adelaide next year, with three trips to South Australia over the course of the season. After losing the likes of Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver during the trade period, the AFL has snubbed the Dees from prime time footy, with just one Friday night match during the first 15 rounds. In terms of double-ups, the Dees take on Hawthorn, Gold Coast, Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs twice and all sides could pose problems. Overall you probably would’ve expected an easier draw for a bottom-six team that should be taking a step backwards given its aggressive trade strategy.

Grade: D+

Tensions boil over as North face Hawks | 00:36

NORTH MELBOURNE

Opening Round: BYE

Round 1: North Melbourne v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium (Sunday March 15, 1.10pm)

Round 2: West Coast Eagles v North Melbourne at Optus Stadium (Sunday March 22, 6.10pm)

Round 3: Essendon v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium (Saturday March 28, 7.35pm)

Round 4: North Melbourne v Carlton at Marvel Stadium (Friday April 3, 3.15pm)

Round 5: North Melbourne v Brisbane Lions at Barossa Park (Saturday April 11, 12.35pm)

Round 6: North Melbourne v Richmond at Marvel Stadium (Sunday April 19, 1.10pm)

Round 7: GWS Giants v North Melbourne at Corroboree Group Oval Manuka (Sunday April 26, 4.40pm)

Round 8: Geelong Cats v North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium (Saturday May 2, 4.35pm)

Round 9: North Melbourne v Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium (Saturday May 9, 1.15pm)

Round 10: Adelaide Crows v North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval (Saturday May 16, 1.15pm)

Round 11: North Melbourne v Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium (Saturday May 23, 1.15pm)

Round 12: BYE

Round 13: North Melbourne v Fremantle at Hands Oval (Saturday June 6, 4.15pm)

Round 14: North Melbourne v West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium (Saturday June 13, 4.15pm)

Round 15: Richmond v North Melbourne at MCG (Sunday June 21, 1.10pm)

Round 16: North Melbourne v Essendon at Marvel Stadium

Round 17: Port Adelaide v North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval

Round 18: Collingwood v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium

Round 19: North Melbourne v Melbourne at Marvel Stadium

Round 20: North Melbourne v St Kilda at Marvel Stadium

Round 21: Hawthorn v North Melbourne at UTAS Stadium

Round 22: Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium

Round 23: North Melbourne v Geelong Cats at Marvel Stadium

Round 24: Sydney Swans v North Melbourne at SCG

Fixture difficulty (based on double-ups): Easiest

Pros: This is a golden draw for North Melbourne, who are in desperate need of a spike up the ladder after some very down years. In terms of double-ups (which factors in percentages), the Roos have their four easiest possible match-ups in 2026 including West Coast, Richmond, Essendon and Port Adelaide. Four of their first six matches (including Gather Round) are at Marvel Stadium which means they could certainly start the new year with a bang.

Cons: Taking on Geelong twice is less than ideal given they haven’t beaten them since the beginning of 2015, losing 14 straight, while Sydney also figures to pose some problems despite ending last season in 10th. It probably doesn’t really matter given they’re highly unlikely to play finals anyway, but just one game at the MCG in 2026 for the Roos. They’ll also return to Hands Oval to take on Fremantle in round 13 and Optus Stadium to play the Eagles in round 14 as a part of their Western Australia agreement. Last year beating the Eagles meant that deal wasn’t a competitive disadvantage so we’ll see how it works out this time.

Grade: A+

Houghton ton makes AFLW history | 01:19

PORT ADELAIDE

Opening Round: BYE

Round 1: North Melbourne v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium (Sunday March 15, 1.10pm)

Round 2: Port Adelaide v Essendon at Adelaide Oval (Sunday March 22, 3.15pm)

Round 3: Port Adelaide v West Coast Eagles at Adelaide Oval (Sunday March 29, 12.30pm)

Round 4: Richmond v Port Adelaide at MCG (Saturday April 4, 4.15pm)

Round 5: Port Adelaide v St Kilda at Adelaide Oval (Sunday April 12, 7.15pm)

Round 6: Hawthorn v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium (Saturday April 18, 4.15pm)

Round 7: Port Adelaide v Geelong Cats at Adelaide Oval (Saturday April 25, 6.35pm)

Round 8: Adelaide Crows v Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval (Friday May 1, 8.10pm)

Round 9: Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval (Friday May 8, 8.10pm)

Round 10: Gold Coast Suns v Port Adelaide at TIO Stadium (Friday May 15, 8.10pm)

Round 11: Port Adelaide v Carlton at Adelaide Oval (Saturday May 23, 7.35pm)

Round 12: BYE

Round 13: West Coast Eagles v Port Adelaide at Optus Stadium (Saturday June 6, 7.35pm)

Round 14: Port Adelaide v Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval (Saturday June 13, 7.35pm)

Round 15: Collingwood v Port Adelaide at MCG (Saturday June 20, 7.35pm)

Round 16: Port Adelaide v Adelaide Crows at Adelaide Oval

Round 17: Port Adelaide v North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval

Round 18: St Kilda v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium

Round 19: Port Adelaide v Fremantle at Adelaide Oval

Round 20: Brisbane Lions v Port Adelaide at The Gabba

Round 21: Port Adelaide v GWS Giants at Adelaide Oval

Round 22: Sydney Swans v Port Adelaide at SCG

Round 23: Port Adelaide v Melbourne at Adelaide Oval

Round 24: Essendon v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium

Fixture difficulty (based on double-ups): 2nd-easiest

Pros: Wow, so many. The upside of finishing 13th on the ladder is being part of the bottom-six group for the next year’s fixture. And so a year after copping the game’s second-hardest draw, the Power will enjoy the second-easiest. The only 2025 finalist they play twice? Cross-town rivals Adelaide. Plus, they play fellow 2025 bottom-six finishers Essendon, North Melbourne and West Coast twice each. The cherry on top is their first four games: North Melbourne (away), Essendon (home), West Coast (home) and Richmond (away). It’s a huge opportunity to build momentum and positivity amongst the fanbase entering new coach Josh Carr’s first season.

Cons: The Power play three Friday night games in a row between Rounds 8 and 10 … but they’re their only prime time games scheduled so far. Also, just the two games at the MCG – albeit that’s better than the one they were handed in 2025.

Grade: A+

AFL wildcard finals round confirmed | 03:26

RICHMOND

Opening Round: BYE

Round 1: Carlton v Richmond at MCG (Thursday March 12, 7.30pm)

Round 2: Richmond v Gold Coast Suns at MCG (Saturday March 21, 1.15pm)

Round 3: Fremantle v Richmond at Optus Stadium (Saturday March 28, 4.15pm)

Round 4: Richmond v Port Adelaide at MCG (Saturday April 4, 4.15pm)

Round 5: GWS Giants v Richmond at Barossa Park (Sunday April 12, 3.15pm)

Round 6: North Melbourne v Richmond at Marvel Stadium (Sunday April 19, 1.10pm)

Round 7: Richmond v Melbourne at MCG (Friday April 24, 7.40pm)

Round 8: West Coast Eagles v Richmond at Optus Stadium (Saturday May 2, 4.15pm)

Round 9: Richmond v Adelaide Crows at MCG (Sunday May 10, 3.15pm)

Round 10: St Kilda v Richmond at Marvel Stadium (Sunday May 17, 3.15pm)

Round 11: Richmond v Essendon at MCG (Friday May 22, 7.40pm)

Round 12: Sydney Swans v Richmond at SCG (Saturday May 30, 1.15pm)

Round 13: BYE

Round 14: Richmond v Brisbane Lions at Ninja Stadium (Sunday June 14, 1.10pm)

Round 15: Richmond v North Melbourne at MCG (Sunday June 21, 1.10pm)

Round 16: Collingwood v Richmond at MCG

Round 17: Richmond v Carlton at MCG

Round 18: Melbourne v Richmond at MCG

Round 19: Richmond v Hawthorn at MCG

Round 20: Western Bulldogs v Richmond at Marvel Stadium

Round 21: Richmond v West Coast Eagles at MCG

Round 22: Adelaide Crows v Richmond at Adelaide Oval

Round 23: Richmond v St Kilda at MCG

Round 24: Geelong Cats v Richmond at GMHBA Stadium

Fixture difficulty (based on double-ups): 3rd-easiest

Pros: Overall, the Tigers have the third-easiest draw, with double-up matches against the likes of Melbourne, North Melbourne, St Kilda, West Coast Eagles. In the final 10 weeks of the season, the Tigers only have to travel interstate once. No home games at Marvel Stadium — a venue where they’ve won just one of their past 13 matches at because they’re now moving that fixture to Tassie.

Cons: A tough start to the season, with games against Gold Coast, Fremantle (away) and the Giants (Gather Round) across their first five rounds. They also travel to Perth twice in Rounds 3 and 8. They’ll get a nice financial boost for their home game at Ninja Stadium, but they’ll have to take on back-to-back premiers Brisbane. Three prime time games, but they’re all the traditional occasions: Round 1 against Carlton, Anzac Day Eve against Melbourne and Dreamtime against Essendon. And finishing the home and away season with away trips to Adelaide and Geelong will be mightily tough, not that they’re likely to be in contention at that stage.

Grade: B+

Should the AFLW season be moved? | 03:50

ST KILDA

Opening Round: St Kilda v Collingwood at MCG (Sunday March 8, 7.20pm)

Round 1: Melbourne v St Kilda at MCG (Sunday March 15, 3.15pm)

Round 2: GWS Giants v St Kilda at ENGIE Stadium (Saturday March 21, 4.15pm)

Round 3: St Kilda v Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium (Saturday March 28, 1.15pm)

Round 4: BYE

Round 5: Port Adelaide v St Kilda at Adelaide Oval (Sunday April 12, 7.15pm)

Round 6: Adelaide Crows v St Kilda at Adelaide Oval (Saturday April 18, 7.35pm)

Round 7: St Kilda v West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium (Sunday April 26, 1.10pm)

Round 8: Carlton v St Kilda at Marvel Stadium (Saturday May 2, 7.35pm)

Round 9: Gold Coast Suns v St Kilda at TIO Stadium (Saturday May 9, 7.10pm)

Round 10: St Kilda v Richmond at Marvel Stadium (Sunday May 17, 3.15pm)

Round 11: Fremantle v St Kilda at Optus Stadium (Friday May 22, 8.30pm)

Round 12: St Kilda v Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium (Thursday May 28, 7.30pm)

Round 13: Sydney Swans v St Kilda at SCG (Sunday June 7, 3.15pm)

Round 14: St Kilda v GWS Giants at Marvel Stadium (Sunday June 14, 3.15pm)

Round 15: St Kilda v Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium (Sunday June 2, 3.15pm)

Round 16: BYE

Round 17: Essendon v St Kilda at Marvel Stadium

Round 18: St Kilda v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium

Round 19: Geelong Cats v St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium

Round 20: North Melbourne v St Kilda at Marvel Stadium

Round 21: St Kilda v Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium

Round 22: St Kilda v Carlton at Marvel Stadium

Round 23: Richmond v St Kilda at MCG

Round 24: St Kilda v Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium

Fixture difficulty (based on double-ups): 6th-easiest

Pros: Have three matches at the MCG, which is up from the two games they had every year between 2021 and 2025. One of those games is the Labour Day Eve clash against Collingwood, which should attract an enormous Opening Round crowd and help set the platform for the Saints to own the timeslot. And while the Saints travel a lot early – including back-to-back games in Adelaide after a Round 4 bye, which should work well – they won’t leave Victoria for the final 11 home and away rounds.

Cons: A gruelling travel schedule after their Round 4 bye. Between Rounds 5 and 11, they’ll play two games in Adelaide, one in Darwin and one in Perth. In fact the clash against Fremantle at Optus Stadium will be off a five-day break. Cop that. They also have to play the Suns, Swans and Giants twice, which is a tricky group of double-ups. And while they have the Opening Round clash against Collingwood, the club might’ve hoped for more than two prime time matches across the first 15 rounds.

Grade: B+

Rampe and Lloyd to remain with Swans | 00:22

SYDNEY SWANS

Opening Round: Sydney Swans v Carlton at SCG (Thursday March 5, 7.30pm)

Round 1: Sydney Swans v Brisbane Lions at SCG (Saturday March 14, 7.10pm)

Round 2: Hawthorn v Sydney Swans at MCG (Thursday March 19, 7.30pm)

Round 3: BYE

Round 4: West Coast Eagles v Sydney Swans at Optus Stadium (Saturday April 4, 7.35pm)

Round 5: Sydney Swans v Gold Coast Suns at Norwood Oval (Saturday April 11, 4.15pm)

Round 6: Sydney Swans v GWS Giants at SCG (Friday April 17, 7.50pm)

Round 7: Western Bulldogs v Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium (Thursday April 23, 7.30pm)

Round 8: Sydney Swans v Melbourne at SCG (Sunday May 3, 3.15pm)

Round 9: North Melbourne v Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium (Saturday May 9, 1.15pm)

Round 10: Sydney Swans v Collingwood at SCG (Friday May 15, 7.20pm)

Round 11: Geelong Cats v Sydney Swans at GMHBA Stadium (Saturday May 23, 4.15pm)

Round 12: Sydney Swans v Richmond at SCG (Saturday May 30, 1.15pm)

Round 13: Sydney Swans v St Kilda at SCG (Sunday June 7, 3.15pm)

Round 14: Port Adelaide v Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval (Saturday June 13, 7.35pm)

Round 15: BYE

Round 16: Brisbane Lions v Sydney Swans at The Gabba

Round 17: Sydney Swans v Western Bulldogs at SCG

Round 18: Fremantle v Sydney Swans at Optus Stadium

Round 19: Sydney Swans v Adelaide Crows at SCG

Round 20: GWS Giants v Sydney Swans at ENGIE Stadium

Round 21: St Kilda v Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium

Round 22: Sydney Swans v Port Adelaide at SCG

Round 23: Essendon v Sydney Swans at MCG

Round 24: Sydney Swans v North Melbourne at SCG

Fixture difficulty (based on double-ups): 8th-easiest

Pros: For the second straight season, the Swans’ first two games of the season will both be at the SCG. Lots of prime time exposure across the first 15 rounds, with three Thursday night clashes and two Friday night encounters with the Giants then Collingwood. Don’t play a 2025 finalist in their final four home and away matches.

Cons: A somewhat tricky set of double-ups against the likes of the Lions, Giants and Bulldogs – three teams they’ll face across the first seven rounds of the season. It’s a tough start, but at least the footy world will get an early indication of whether the Swans are legitimate contenders in 2026. Only two games at the MCG – the same number as 2025, but one less than both 2024 and 2023.

Grade: C+

Tensions flare after ‘Dangerous’ act | 00:20

WEST COAST EAGLES