CHECK out what we saw in round one of the 2026 season.

Blues hold off Saints' charge in front of huge crowd for season-opener

MOMENTUM swings, fast footy, and a Tyanna Smith masterclass. The 2026 AFLW season-opener had it all.

Ultimately, it was Carlton which claimed the four points – 9.12 (66) to 6.4 (40) – under the Marvel Stadium roof in celebration of Spud's Game, in front of a huge crowd of 20,455 in a double-header with the AFL.

Withstanding a late comeback from the Saints, who kicked the first two goals of the final quarter, proved last year wasn't just a flash in the pan for the Blues, doing it all without dynamic forward Sophie McKay, stalwart midfielder Keeley Sherar, and inactive ruck Breann Harrington. - Gemma Bastiani

Dees flex muscles late to launch new era in style against Hawks

Melbourne has started its new era under Tom Wilson in style, with a 19-point victory over Hawthorn to begin their 2026 campaign.

The Dees proved too clinical in the fourth term for the Hawks, wrestling back momentum to kick three unanswered goals to run out 9.6 (60) to 6.5 (41) victors.

Captain Kate Hore (22 disposals, nine score involvements, five marks and 1.4) was a force to be reckoned with for Melbourne, while midfielder Liv Purcell was exceptional in her first game back from an ACL injury amassing a game-high 32 disposals. 

Key forwards Mia Austin (four goals) and Tayla Harris were also dangerous in the front half, while for the Hawks it was new recruit Jac Dupuy (16 disposals, nine marks), forward Aine McDonagh (three goals) and midfielder Eliza West (27 disposals, six tackles) who impressed the most. - Dylan Bolch

No.1 pick impresses as new-look Tigers too good for Pies

RICHMOND opened a new era under coach Jarrad Donders with a win, defeating Collingwood by 18 points on Saturday evening at Ikon Park.

After a goalless first quarter, the Tigers gained the ascendancy all over the ground for the rest of the match to run out 6.10 (46) to 4.4 (28) winners.

Although ultimately inaccurate, Richmond led inside-50s 43 to 24, and dominated clearances 25 to 17. New vice-captain Monique Conti led the way, finishing with 26 possessions, seven clearances, seven tackles, 527m gained and a goal. Emelia Yassir was dangerous inside forward 50 all evening, making seven tackles, four clearances and kicking a goal of her own.

Collingwood struggled to move the ball cleanly across the ground, but Tarni White led possessions for her side with 26, 523 metres gained and a goal. Veteran Brit Bonnici also provided great support, finishing with 23 disposals, eight tackles and three clearances.

Dogs prove too good for wayward young Suns in the wet

THE WESTERN Bulldogs have started 2026 on a winning, if wet, note, downing Gold Coast 6.4 (40) to 1.8 (14) on Saturday night.

Rain fell heavily throughout the second half at People First Stadium, making it tough for the young Suns line-up to close a four-goal deficit at half-time, with some wayward finishing not helping their cause.

Most of the damage was done in the first quarter as Gold Coast's 10 debutants got their first taste of football at the highest level, finding themselves trailing by 25 points at the first break.

But while they hadn't hit the scoreboard to that stage the Suns showed they were up for the fight as a scuffle broke out on the siren.

The rain started tumbling not long after play recommenced, seeing just three more goals kicked in any direction for the rest of the night.

Lions prove too good for Bombers as Davidson kicks four

BRISBANE did the damage against Essendon in the first half, kicking eight goals to one. 

Maddy Prespakis was assessed for knee soreness earlier in the week yet showed no signs of injury.

The former Bombers best and fairest worked hard all day and finished with a game-high 30 disposals, four tackles, and five clearances. 

Dakota Davidson looks set for another big season up forward, kicking three first-half goals before finishing with four.

Davidson was supported inside 50 by Cathy Svarc and Neasa Dooley, who each kicked two goals.

And the three debutants – Marlo Graham, Maggie Johnstone, and Nalu Brothwell – all looked comfortable at the top level, contributing well for their respective sides.

Swans produce fightback to overcome Crows in thriller

SYDNEY has opened a new era under coach Colin O'Riordan with a gritty come-from-behind win against Adelaide, Ally Morphett and Zippy Fish starring in an eight-point victory at Unley Oval on Sunday.

The Swans trailed by 12 points at three-quarter time, but with Laura Gardiner and Fish lifting, the visitors hit the front seven minutes into the tense final term when Holly Cooper added her second.

The visitors clung to a two-point lead as time ticked down when Cynthia Hamilton found Imogen Brown inside the last minute and the debutant iced the impressive 9.7 (61) to 7.11 (53) win.

The display showed O'Riordan that he has plenty to work with after taking over from Scott Gowans.

Port overpowers Dockers to make round one statement

PORT Adelaide has made an outstanding start to 2026, winning its first match under new coach Glenn Strachan and spoiling Fremantle's opening day at its new home ground with a 21-point win on Sunday.  

The Power made a statement at Cockburn ARC Oval as they look to return to finals this season, overpowering the Dockers in a defensive masterclass and extending their lead at every change to win 6.5 (41) to 2.8 (20). 

They were tougher in the contest, more efficient with their ball use, and went the distance against a Freo team that couldn't mount a meaningful charge under the Power's tackling pressure and defensive organisation. 

Defender Teagan Germech was outstanding, holding the Power backline together and then launching her team into defence with 19 disposals and a massive 16 intercept possessions in a best-on-ground performance. 

Giants deliver huge upset with stunning win over Eagles

GREATER Western Sydney has upset West Coast with a 12-point victory on Sunday evening to pick up its first ever AFLW win at Engie Stadium.

The Giants secured the 8.6 (54) to 6.6 (42) win as a new-look engine room anchored by recruit Tilly Lucas-Rodd won crucial ground-ball battles in the second half, limiting the direct impact of Eagles star Ella Roberts at clearances.

While West Coast held the edge in tall targets and aerial intercepts, the Giants' ability to execute fast, lowered-eyes ball movement out of defensive 50 created cleaner, more efficient one-on-one opportunities inside 50.

Debutants Yasmeen Janschek and Kiera Yerbury, and high-profile recruit Poppy Boltz held their composure down the stretch as the Eagles surged late in the fourth quarter – kicking the last three goals of the game to cut down the game-high 29-point lead.