THERE are early signs to suggest which teams are ready to rise this season, and perhaps just as many that could fail to meet expectations.

Hawthorn and Sydney will get a better idea of where they sit in the pecking order when they open round two on Thursday night.  

FANTASY LATEST Tips, strategy, draft, podcasts, more

Adelaide and Western Bulldogs meet in what looms as the match of the round the following night, while Greater Western Sydney and St Kilda will both be out to stop their slide before it gathers pace on Saturday. 

Here is who and what to look out for across round two, as Brisbane, Carlton, Collingwood and Geelong have a bye.

Hawthorn v Sydney, MCG
Thursday, March 19, 7.30pm AEDT

Last time: Hawthorn 14.12 (96) d Sydney 11.10 (76), OR 2025

What it means

Hawthorn (1-1) bounced back from a listless start to the season to crush Essendon but still needs to show that it belongs among the leading contenders as it comes up against Sydney. The Hawks have clouds hanging over the depth of their midfield but with the Swans suddenly also undermanned in that department they can hope to make the most of having multiple weapons in attack.

Sydney (2-0) continued its electrifying start to the season as it piled on the first seven goals of the game against reigning premier Brisbane on the way to earning its early place on top of the ladder. The Swans are showing signs that they are back to their best form of recent years even as questions begin to resurface over their depth with fresh injuries to crucial cogs in their machine. 

Game shapers

Nick Watson burst onto the scene as an electrifying small forward and consistent goalkicker across his first two seasons but is now adding more strings to his bow. The 21-year-old has booted six majors in the Hawks' opening two matches while also adding a spark in the midfield as he gathered 17 disposals in both games and become more influential further away from goal.

Chad Warner is usually one part of a star-studded Swans midfield but will have to carry more of the load with Errol Gulden ruled out for the bulk of the season with a dislocated shoulder and Isaac Heeney under an injury cloud this week. The 24-year-old has made a steady rather than spectacular start to the season but will have a critical role to play in a suddenly undermanned onball brigade.

Early tip: Hawthorn by 11 points

Adelaide v Western Bulldogs, Adelaide Oval
Friday, March 20, 7.10pm ACDT

Last time: Adelaide 16.13 (109) d Western Bulldogs 15.8 (98), R18 2025

What it means

Adelaide (1-0) took a step toward proving that it will be no one-season wonder as it got a hint of revenge on a Collingwood side that spoiled its return to finals last year. The Crows won the onball battle against the Pies but can expect another tough challenge against the Dogs' in-form midfield as part of an entertaining tussle between a pair of high-scoring teams.

The Western Bulldogs (2-0) missed the finals last season when paying the price for a 2-9 win-loss record against the eventual top eight. The Dogs have taken steps to right those wrongs as they have started the season with back-to-back victories over a pair of last year's finalists and now have another opportunity to prove their top-four credentials with a clash against the reigning minor premiers.

Game shapers

Riley Thilthorpe was one of few Crows who could hold their head up after a horror return to finals last season as he booted five goals even as his side failed to win a quarter across a pair of defeats. The 23-year-old picked up where he left off after finishing the last campaign with a career-high 60 goals as he booted three majors and was a formidable presence in the forward half against the Pies.

Aaron Naughton has enjoyed a new lease on life in a forward line that includes Sam Darcy among other targets and he booted a career-high 60 goals last year which included 13 games with three majors or more. The former top-10 draft pick has kicked eight goals and combined with Darcy in a powerful one-two punch to be a key reason for the Dogs' blistering start to the season.

Early tip: Adelaide by four points

Richmond v Gold Coast, MCG
Saturday, March 21, 1.15pm AEDT

Last time: Gold Coast 16.11 (107) d Richmond 2.11 (23), R21 2025

What it means

Richmond (0-1) was gallant in defeat as it again rose to the occasion of its traditional season-opener against Carlton but will be left wondering what might have been after misfiring near goal. The Tigers can expect a stern challenge against the Suns but will need no reminder that an upset is never far away after handing the same side its first defeat of the season in a shock result last year.

Gold Coast (2-0) could hardly have been more impressive in its two wins to start this season as it added a comfortable win over West Coast to the thumping of Geelong a week earlier. The Suns will not want to take their foot off the accelerator as they face a Tigers outfit widely expected to finish in the bottom four this year but more than capable of causing a huge upset on their day. 

Game shapers

Tom Lynch has had his fair share of memorable days since making the switch from the Suns to the Tigers ahead of the 2019 season and going on to be part of two premiership sides. But the 32-year-old had a night to forget against the Blues as his wayward 2.7 cost the Tigers dearly in a narrow defeat before they face a tougher test against his former club. 

Daniel Rioli has been critical to the Suns' rise since leaving the Tigers to reunite with his triple-premiership winning coach ahead of last season and settling into the attacking half-back role that serves him so well. The 28-year-old brings class and composure to the rapidly emerging side and was a shining light as the Suns tuned up with a commanding win over the Eagles.

Early tip: Gold Coast by 63 points

Greater Western Sydney v St Kilda, Engie Stadium
Saturday, March 21, 4.15pm AEDT

Last time: Greater Western Sydney 15.14 (104) d St Kilda 14.9 (93), R24 2025

What it means

GWS (1-1) came crashing back to earth after its rousing win over Hawthorn as it suffered yet another humiliating defeat to the Western Bulldogs. The Giants' old rivals have become a thorn in their side as they have suffered five consecutive losses, but they now need to show they can shake off an injury crisis for more than one game as they face a Saints outfit with their backs to the wall.   

St Kilda (0-2) is yet to live up to the hype after an off-season spending spree as it has fallen short against a pair of teams widely expected to be off the pace of the top-four contenders. The Saints are still searching for their preferred mode after a slow and steady approach failed against the Pies and they lost a shootout against the Demons, but they can expect to get their chances against the run and gun Giants.

Game shapers

Lachie Ash was one of few Giants to impress as his side was dismantled by the Bulldogs and cracks were exposed in their undermanned midfield. The half-back was selected in the All-Australian squad last year but reminded the Giants of the impact he can have further up the ground as he was thrown on the ball and gathered 31 disposals with 704m gained.

Callum Wilkie has been an ever-present since breaking through at the Saints at the age of 23 and this week will equal the second-longest streak of consecutive games from debut in his 158th match. The key defender is now shouldering extra responsibility as co-captain and while he stood up against the Demons will need to lead the way again this week with the pressure rising on the winless side.

Early tip: GWS by 17 points

Fremantle v Melbourne, Optus Stadium
Saturday, March 21, 4.35pm AWST

Last time: Melbourne 16.11 (107) d Fremantle 14.13 (97), R6 2025

What it means

Fremantle (0-1) burst out of the blocks with eight goals in the first quarter before losing much of its run and dare as Geelong gradually mowed it down. The Dockers reached 100 points after only hitting the mark six times last season but might be more concerned with conceding their highest score since the same round and against the same side last year as they aim to balance attack and defence.

Melbourne (1-0) began the Steven King era in the best possible way as it won a shootout with St Kilda to get a hint of redemption for the horror loss to the same side late last year. The new-look Demons showed all the hallmarks of a team in transition, but it was their urgency to move the ball at speed that should give hope for a more rapid bounce than had been widely expected this year. 

Game shapers

Judd McVee had become an unsung hero of the Demons backline as he played 65 matches in three seasons for the club that gave him a shot at the elite level through the 2022 rookie draft. The 22-year-old will now add dash to the Dockers' defence after making the move back to his home state at the end of last year and gave a hint of what is to come in a promising club debut against the Cats. 

Jacob Van Rooyen has shown exciting glimpses of his potential since being handed a debut early in 2023 before dropping away and spending time out of the Melbourne side last year. The 22-year-old looks set to benefit from the Demons' faster ball movement and to grasp his place as their focal point after booting a career-high six goals in the season opener against the Saints. 

Early tip: Fremantle by 21 points

Port Adelaide v Essendon, Adelaide Oval
Sunday, March 22, 2.45pm ACDT

Last time: Essendon 9.18 (72) d Port Adelaide 8.12 (60), R3 2025

What it means

Port Adelaide (0-1) got the Josh Carr era off to a dismal start as it was smashed in the onball battle and put to the sword in open spaces by the rebuilding North Melbourne. The Power have a relatively kind fixture to begin their season but will need more from their much-vaunted midfield to ensure their season does not quickly spiral out of control.

Essendon (0-1) was handed an early-season reality check as it failed to challenge the undermanned Hawthorn between a spirited opening and a late flurry of consolation goals. The Bombers would be concerned by their inability to contain the Hawks' midfield or to reduce the number of opposition marks near goal but should get a better idea of where they sit against a Power outfit coming off a similarly disappointing defeat. 

Game shapers

Zak Butters battled hard as the Kangaroos gradually overwhelmed the Power midfield and gathered 23 disposals and nine clearances without quite having his usual influence on the game. The 25-year-old will need to shake off speculation over his future at the club as well as his weekly shadow of opposition taggers to ensure Port doesn't take a significant step backward in coach Josh Carr's first year in charge.

Sam Durham was one of few Bombers onballers to support former skipper Zach Merrett as he gathered 23 disposals and booted two goals even as the Hawks blew away their traditional rivals before half-time. The 24-year-old has joined the new-look leadership group for the first time and will hope to lead the way again as the Bombers face what on paper looks like a more winnable game. 

Early tip: Port Adelaide by nine points

West Coast v North Melbourne, Optus Stadium
Sunday, March 22, 3.10pm AWST

Last time: North Melbourne 9.8 (62) d West Coast 6.16 (52), R13 2025

What it means

West Coast (0-1) was handed an ominous task as it began its season facing a red-hot Gold Coast on the road before a clash with the club it has more likely competed with for wooden spoons in recent years. The Eagles will be desperate to improve on their one-win season in 2025 and will get few better opportunities to taste victory than against a Roos outfit suffering from a similarly slow rebuild.  

North Melbourne (1-0) showed strong signs that a new dawn might finally be within sight as it thumped Port Adelaide and can now eye off a stretch of winnable games. The Kangaroos moved the ball with renewed confidence and set up a team defence better than they have for several years but need to double down against the Eagles if only to reaffirm that progress is being made. 

Game shapers

Milan Murdock had a debut to remember for the Eagles that included booting a first goal after trapping the Suns' Mac Andrew holding the ball and being helped by a 50m penalty when on the receiving end of a shove that ignited a melee. The 25-year-old ball-winner gathered 22 disposals and slotted a second goal as he showed enough to suggest that he can grasp the opportunity that only came his way in recent weeks.

Charlie Comben has become a key weapon in the Kangaroos under-fire defence now that he is shaking off an injury-ravaged start to his career. The 24-year-old will finally reach 50 games for the club that drafted him in 2019 while in strong form after earning 10 coaches' votes for his performance against the Power and with more responsibility as part of the leadership group for the first time.

Early tip: North Melbourne by 19 points

AN INSPIRED West Coast has won its first game in 10 months and snapped a 14-game losing streak, coming from 30 points behind at Optus Stadium to stun North Melbourne and win by 17. 

The Eagles' young talent was on show in a 10-goal turnaround as they broke the game open in an eight-goal third quarter, playing with dare and a bit of menace to build a 30-point lead of their own. 

EAGLES v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

The question was whether they would have the composure to finish the job, and North made them sweat, cutting the margin to 11 before the Eagles steadied to win 17.9 (111) to 15.4 (94) in just the second win of Andrew McQualter's tenure. 

On a day that saw the club's youngest stars shine bright, pre-season selection Milan Murdock added a fairytale touch by snapping the sealer from 35 metres, sparking massive celebrations from the rebuilding team. 

It was the Eagles' first win since the round 10 triumph against St Kilda last season, and the nature of their performance suggests there will be more to follow through 2026 as the talented young core develops.

For North Melbourne, which let a game-high 30-point lead in the second quarter slip, the loss undoes much of the positivity built in an impressive 46-point win against Port Adelaide last week, missing the chance to win back-to-back matches for the first time since the opening two rounds of 2023.

West Coast's performance was driven by midfield sidekicks Harley Reid (30 disposals) and Elliot Yeo (19 and two goals) but included a deep list of contributors, with hard nuts Deven Robertson and Jack Graham both important.  

The clutch goalkicking of young players Willem Duursma, Cooper Duff-Tytler, Archer Reid, and Jobe Shanahan, who all kicked two goals, was crucial through the middle stages as the Eagles capitalised on their momentum.

Veteran Jamie Cripps booted a team-high three goals, while co-captain Liam Baker returned from suspension to play his first game of the season and add toughness and dash across half-back. 

The former Richmond gun left the ground late with an ankle concern, however, while defender Harry Edwards was sidelined with concussion for the second time in three weeks. 

Challenged to be business-like and consistent after its impressive 46-point win against Port Adelaide, North took control of the opening quarter and built a 25-point lead by applying relentless pressure and converting the Eagles' frequent turnovers into scores. 

The Roos were cleaner with the ball after a scrambly start and booted five goals from West Coast errors as Larkey capitalised with three of his own in the first quarter.  

When Cam Zurhaar slotted his second goal to start the second term, the margin was 30 points and alarm bells would have been going off in the Eagles' coaches' box. 

The home team adjusted, however, and turned the game on its head, eliminating the fumbles, hunting their opponents, and sharing the ball cleanly to go on a four-goal run and cut the margin to one point. 

Murdock brought great energy to the contest as the Eagles went inside 50 17 times to eight, Cripps kicked back-to-back goals, while Archer Reid and Shanahan combined well in the front half. 

Larkey, however, booted his fourth after former Eagle Jack Darling kicked cleverly to his advantage, extending the half-time margin to seven points. 

The Eagles made their big move in the third, surging with energy and converting their chances in an eight-goal quarter that saw them lead by 30 at the final change. 

Larkey threatened to steal the game back for North with back-to-back goals in the final quarter, but the Eagles steadied through a clutch long-range set shot from Jake Waterman and Murdock's final touch of class. 

As well as Larkey, who finished with six goals, the Kangaroos were best served by midfielder Harry Sheezel (40 disposals and eight clearances) and Luke Davies-Uniacke (32 and six), while ruck Tristan Xerri finished with 44 hitouts and seven clearances in a big performance.   

Prized draftees kick classy first goals 
It took only until the first quarter of their second games for exciting duo Willem Duursma and Cooper Duff-Tytler to open their goalkicking accounts, with the draftees slotting classy goals 30 minutes apart. Duursma opened the match with a 50m set shot one minute in, effortlessly launching the ball after a scrambly start. It was Duff-Tytler's turn at the end of the quarter, gathering a groundball in the forward pocket under pressure from opponent Toby Pink before turning his man inside out and snapping a terrific first goal. It was a window into the exciting attributes of both players, with Duursma's skill and Duff-Tytler's agility for a big man big reasons they were picks No.1 and No.4 at the most recent Telstra AFL Draft. 

Concussion concern for Eagles defender 
Harry Edwards has entered concussion protocols for the second time in three weeks after a head knock in the first quarter ended his first game for the season. Edwards copped a head knock from teammate Matt Flynn in a marking contest and went down immediately, attempting to brush off medical staff before again ending up on his haunches as play was eventually stopped. The 25-year-old was forced to walk from the field slowly and will now miss the Eagles' clash against Port Adelaide next Sunday at Adelaide Oval. His absence on Sunday forced a shuffle in defence, with Reuben Ginbey playing as a key tall on danger man Nick Larkey. Sandy Brock is sidelined with an ankle injury but could press for selection against the Power.

WEST COAST                      3.1     7.6     15.7     17.9 (111)
NORTH MELBOURNE          7.1     9.1     11.1      15.4 (94)

GOALS
West Coast: Cripps 3, Yeo 2, Shanahan 2, A.Reid 2, Murdock 2, Duursma 2, Duff-Tytler 2, Waterman, Flynn
North Melbourne: Larkey 6, Zurhaar 2, Curtis 2, Powell, O'Sullivan, McDonald, Konstanty, Dovaston

BEST
West Coast: H.Reid, Yeo, Shanahan, Robertson, Duursma, A.Reid, Graham, Duff-Tytler 
North Melbourne: Larkey, Davies-Uniacke, Sheezel, Xerri, Powell

INJURIES
West Coast: Edwards (concussion) 
North Melbourne: Logue (thigh)

Crowd: 47,083 at Optus Stadium