Join Gemma Bastiani and Joe Pignataro for State of Play, the official VFL and VFLW Podcast.

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The 2026 Smithy's VFL season is upon us, with the opening round of the campaign to get us under way this weekend.

The action commences with the Box Hill Hawks hosting the Sydney Swans at the Kennedy Community Centre on Friday afternoon in the first of three matches on the first day of the season, before attention turns to Tasmania Football Club's inaugural game on Saturday when the Devils host Coburg at North Hobart Oval.

As part of this week's episode Gemma and Joe discuss:

- 12 new coaches in the VFL
- The VFL players who found their way onto AFL lists over the summer
- Pre-season predictions
- A landmark broadcast deal for the VFL
- The games you can't afford to miss in Round 1

Don't miss a minute! Subscribe to State of Play wherever you get your podcasts. A fresh episode is released in-season every Tuesday.