Essendon v Brisbane at Windy Hill, 12.35pm AEST

BRISBANE is out to put last year's Grand Final heartbreak behind it, starting a new season against Essendon on Sunday.

After finishing in the top eight in 2024, the Bombers struggled last year, accumulating just four wins.

BOMBERS v LIONS Full match coverage and stats

In terms of off-season moves, the Bombers won the race for ex-Crow Zoe Prowse during the trade period, while draftee duo Maggie Johnstone and Nalu Brothwell have also received the call-up for round one.

Dons fans should be optimistic heading into a new season.

The Lions once more loom as the biggest threat to North Melbourne’s dominance this year, but key off-season departures mean there will be opportunities for some of Craig Starcevich’s youngsters to make their mark this year, with draftee Marlo Graham given the nod for the Lions' match against Essendon. 

They'll be without former AFLW best and fairest Ally Anderson however, who will miss just her first AFLW game since debuting in round one, 2017, after straining a hamstring at Brisbane’s training session on Thursday night.

Adelaide v Sydney at Unley Oval, 12.05pm ACST

BOTH Adelaide and Sydney will under new leadership when the two sides face off on Saturday, with the Swans now helmed by Colin O'Riordan and the Crows under the guidance of Ryan Davis.

There’s been plenty of change at the Crows over the off-season, headlined by the departure of premiership coach Matthew Clarke while club legend Anne Hatchard made the move to the Suns.

CROWS v SWANS Full match coverage and stats

Veterans Chelsea Randall and Stevie-Lee Thompson called time on their decorated careers. Brooke Boileau and Zoe Prowse were also traded, which means a new era really is about to commence for the Crows.

Draftee Chloe Bown looks ready to make an immediate impact, while former Tiger Grace Egan is another who is set to play a vital role in the engine room.

The Swans narrowly missed out on a finals campaign last year, but their list profile is still really solid, which means they’re primed for another rise up the ladder in 2026.

Former coach Scott Gowans has departed, while the Swans managed to land key forward Taylor Smith over the off-season as a boom recruit. A forward line featuring Smith and former captain Chloe Molloy will keep more than a few opposition coaches up at night this year.

Fremantle v Port Adelaide at Cockburn ARC Oval, 12.35pm AWST

PORT Adelaide is yet another side with a new coach in 2026, with Glenn Strachan taking over the role following the departure of inaugural coach Lauren Arnell. 

A change of leadership will see the Power play a different game style in 2026, with Strachan's first test coming up against the Dockers on Saturday afternoon.

DOCKERS v POWER Full match coverage and stats

The Dockers finished on the fringes of the top four in 2024, but couldn’t back it up in 2026 with just six wins.

There’s been a fair bit of change at the Dockers since then, headlined by the inclusion of key forward Eden Zanker.

The ex-Dee has had a disrupted pre-season due to a foot issue is right to go against the Power and will add plenty of firepower to Fremantle’s front half.

Port Adelaide made a barnstorming run to a preliminary final in 2024, but couldn’t reach those same heights last campaign, finishing in 10th on the ladder despite winning its final three matches.

They'll no doubt have plenty to prove in 2026, and have opted to leave out key forward Julia Teakle, choosing to go with the three-pronged attack of Gemma Houghton, Indy Tahau and Lauren Young in the first game of the season, while Piper Window will miss with a foot injury.

Greater Western Sydney v West Coast at Engie Stadium, 4.45pm AEST

GREATER Western Sydney host West Coast in an AFL-AFLW double-header on Sunday afternoon, with the women to take to the field after the conclusion of the men's game.

The Giants hardly fired a shot in 2025, but have had a busy off-season as they look to turbocharge their rebuild. Tilly Lucas-Rodd is a great addition from Hawthorn, while ex-Lion Poppy Boltz will also fill a key position role.

GIANTS v EAGLES Full match coverage and stats

The Giants will blood talented youngster Kiera Yerbury, while draftee Yasmeen Janschek will play in the ruck on debut.

Taylah Levy and Eleanor Brown have been overlooked for the Giants' squad.

The Eagles have been one of the most enjoyable teams to watch under Daisy Pearce and all signs point towards more improvement this year.

Former Roo Ella Slocombe and ex-Blue Keeley Skepper have arrived at the club in search of more senior opportunities, but it’ll be natural progression with some of their young stars where the Eagles can really improve in 2026.

West Coast will have two debutants – Mia Russo and Jovie Skewes-Clinton – while Skepper, Slocombe and Isabella Shannon will play their first game for the club. Key back Beth Shilling and ruck Sarah Lakay have been named emergencies.