The opening round of the 2026 Smithy’s VFL season had a bit of everything.
From close wins, statement-making results and a historic triumph for the competition’s newest side in front of a sold-out crowd
BOX HILL HAWKS 4.5 4.7 12.10 16.11 (107)
SYDNEY SWANS 1.3 3.6 4.7 10.11 (71)
An eight-goal third term propelled Box Hill to an opening-day victory at the Kennedy Community Centre, defeating the Sydney Swans by 36 points in the first game of the season.
The Hawks made a fast start, before the Swans kept the home side goalless in the second term to cut their deficit to seven points at the main break.
However, the Hawks powered past their opponents in the third quarter to put the result beyond doubt, taking a 53-point lead into the final change before easing to victory.
Will McCabe starred with four goals, nine marks and 20 disposals as he pushes his case for AFL selection in his third season on the Hawks list, while fellow father-son teammate Finn Maginness had a game-high 31 disposals and six clearances.
Peter Ladhams produced a good performance in the ruck for Sydney, having 24 disposals, six inside 50s and five score involvements. However, his afternoon was soured after receiving a rough conduct charge for an incident involving Calsher Dear in the fourth quarter.
Box Hill Hawks: Bodie Ryan, Will McCabe, Stu Horner, Jack Dalton, Cody Anderson, Finn Maginness
Sydney Swans: Tom Hanily, Peter Ladhams, Joel Hamling, Harry Cunningham, Noah Chamberlain, Jesse Dattoli
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GEELONG 7.2 12.8 17.13 24.19 (163)
ESSENDON 5.0 8.2 8.4 12.6 (78)
Geelong’s push for an improved 2026 campaign began in emphatic fashion, dominating Essendon to win by 85 points at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night.
After a high-scoring opening quarter, which saw both sides combine for 13 majors, it was the Cats who were able to maintain the rage throughout the remainder of the game, producing 43 scoring shots to record their biggest VFL triumph since Round 5, 2024.
The home side’s engine room controlled the match with George Stevens (34 disposals, eight clearances), Jed Bews (33 disposals, 14 marks) and Mitch Knevitt (33 disposals, eight clearances) all getting plenty of the footy.
Meanwhile, Ollie Henry was a major beneficiary up forward with five majors, while Oli Wiltshire and Jay Polkinghorne each added four goals (the latter also adding six behinds).
Last year’s No. 10 draft selection Jacob Farrow inched closer to an AFL debut for the Bombers, picking up 31 disposals in his debut performance in red and black.
BEST
Geelong: Jed Bews, George Stevens, Oliver Wiltshire, Kye Annand, Jay Polkinghorne, Mitchell Knevitt
Essendon: Jacob Farrow, Archer Day-Wicks, Kristian Ferronato, Xavier O’Neill, Jackson Hately, Sullivan Robey
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FRANKSTON 0.0 5.7 12.8 14.11 (95)
WILLIAMSTOWN 5.6 6.7 11.11 14.13 (97)
A thrilling finish at Kinetic Stadium saw Williamstown hold on for a two-point win over Frankston in front of a big Friday night crowd.
The Seagulls looked the goods early and raced to a 36-point lead at quarter time after keeping the home side scoreless throughout the opening term.
However, the Dolphins fought back to even up the contest with a five-goal to one second term before eventually hitting the front early in the third term.
The margin only reached double figures for four and a half minutes for the entirety of the second half, which came courtesy of a goal to Williamstown recruit Josh D’Intinosante, in his first game since crossing from Coburg.
His major gave the Seagulls a 10-point advantage at the 16-minute mark of the final term, with Frankston then having four of the final five scoring shots of the game but could only manage one major to go down in a nail-biter.
Hugo Hall-Kahan and Toby Triffett each had 31 disposals for the victors, while Braydon Preuss and David Cuningham both had an impact in their first games in blue and yellow.
Trent Mynott and Jackson Voss were instrumental in getting the Dolphins back in the game, while Corey Ellison booted five majors, with four of those coming in the second half.
BEST
Frankston: Trent Mynott, Jackson Voss, Darby Hipwell, Corey Ellison, Lachlan Sharp, Tarkyn O’Leary
Williamstown: Hugo Hall-Kahan, Ben Kennedy, Braydon Preuss, Toby Triffett, David Cuningham, Luke Parks
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RICHMOND 4.2 8.6 12.14 14.16 (100)
SOUTHPORT 3.6 4.8 6.14 7.18 (60)
The first game of a Super Saturday saw Richmond produce one of the shocks of the opening round, defeating 2025 beaten grand finallist Southport by 40 points at Kinetic Stadium.
The Tigers booted four majors in each of the first three terms against a Sharks side that grew frustrated with inaccuracy and eventually finished with 18 behinds from 25 scoring shots.
Leading by two points at quarter time, Richmond did the majority of its damage across the second and third quarters and took a commanding 36-point advantage into the last change.
Young gun Jasper Alger was a star up forward for the Tigers and booted a game-high five goals, as well as registering six inside 50s.
Liam Fawcett (two goals, four contested marks, seven score involvements) and Oli Horton (27 disposals, seven clearances) also stood out for the Tigers.
The ever-reliable duo of Jacob Dawson (37 disposals) and Zac Foot (30 disposals) still found plenty of the footy in defeat for Southport, while club debutant Ryan Burton finished with 32 touches.
BEST
Richmond: Jasper Alger, Liam Fawcett, Nick Collier, Austin Johnson, Campbell Gray, Sam Toner
Southport: Jacob Dawson, Jesse Joyce, Max Pescud
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GWS GIANTS 3.6 7.10 11.12 17.16 (118)
ST KILDA 1.5 4.8 5.12 10.14 (74)
The GWS Giants proved party-spoiler in St Kilda’s first VFL match in 26 years, proving too strong for the new standalone Saints outfit in a 44-point result at Tom Wills Oval.
The Giants led the match from start to finish but only held a 14-point advantage at half time before kicking 10 goals to six in an elongated second half, which was extended due to a lightning delay during the third term.
The hosts were dominant in the middle of the ground, finishing +135 in disposals, +18 in inside 50s and +28 in hitouts whilst also winning the clearances.
They had five players finish with 30 or greater disposals, led by recruit James Bell who had 36 touches, as well as a game-high 10 inside 50s, while Oliver Hannaford pushed his case for AFL selection with three goals from 33 disposals.
A highlight for St Kilda was skipper Billy McGee Galimberti who had a team-high 28 disposals, 10 intercepts and nine rebound 50s against his former side.
BEST
GWS Giants: James Bell, Jack Ough, Ollie Hannaford, Louie Montgomery, Harvey Hooper, Riley Hamilton
St Kilda: Billy McGee Galimberti, Christian Algeri, Kye Fincher, Dougal Howard, Josh Clarke, Alex Dodson
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TASMANIA 4.3 8.4 11.8 14.12 (96)
COBURG 3.4 7.9 8.11 11.13 (79)
A historic day at North Hobart Oval saw Tasmania record a win in its first game in its new iteration in the VFL win in front of a sellout crowd.
In front of 10,634 fans, the Devils led at every change to record a famous 17-point win over Coburg.
Tasmania hit the lead late in the opening term and burst out to a 23-point advantage during the second quarter before the Lions came to life with three straight majors to keep the game close.
With only one point separating the sides at the main break it was the third term that proved decisive as Tasmania kept the visitors to just one goal to open a 15-point lead at three quarter time.
The Devils proceeded to kick three goals in a four-minute span at the beginning of the final term to all but seal a maiden victor, despite Coburg finishing with the final three majors.
Hugh Dixon and Jed Hagan each kicked four majors for the hosts, the latter also outstanding around the ground finishing with 18 disposals and 10 tackles. Sam Siggins was important and will go down in history as the club’s first goal kicker.
Jack Bytel was the leading ball-winner for Coburg with 36 disposals, with Seb Murphy the shining light for the Lions on debut with 21 disposals and a goal.
BEST
Tasmania: Jed Hagan, Joseph Chaplin, Max Mapley, Zach Adams, Max Roney, Nick Williams
Coburg: Seb Murphy, Michael Kiraly, Ingo Dammersmith, Ryan Sturgess, Cooper Keogh, Joe Furphy
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FOOTSCRAY 4.6 7.12 14.17 19.21 (135)
CASEY DEMONS 2.2 7.4 10.7 14.8 (92)
Footscray got its premiership defence off to the perfect start, having all the answers after half time to defeat Casey Demons by 43 points at Mission Whitten Oval.
After unfurling their 2025 flag in front of their home fans, the Bulldogs looked to be in for a battle against a young but impressive Demons outfit, taking just an eight-point lead into the main break.
A week after making his AFL debut, Will Lewis had a big say in turning the game in the home side’s favour. He produced a four-goal third term on his way to a six-goal haul, which pushed the Bulldogs’ lead out 34 points by the three quarter time siren.
The goals flowed for both sides in the last term but the damage had been done, with Footscray extending its winning streak to 15 games.
Adam Treloar (33 disposals) and Nick Coffield (31 disposals) ensured the Bulldogs had plenty of the supply into their forward half, while Lachlan McNeil put together a solid all-round performance which included 25 touches, two goals and a game-high 10 score involvements.
Max Heath starred for the Demons in his first game for the club, finishing with 17 disposals, 36 hitouts and five clearances.
BEST
Footscray: Will Lewis, Josh Dolan, Adam Treloar, Billy Crofts, Lachlan McNeil, Ryan Gardner
Casey Demons: Max Heath, Jed Adams, Riley Bonner, Toby Sinnema, Bailey Laurie, Luke Cheffers
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GOLD COAST SUNS 2.4 5.6 6.9 8.10 (58)
WERRIBEE 2.5 5.10 7.15 9.19 (73)
Werribee took home the four points on the road in Dan Lowther’s first game at the helm, overcome warm conditions and inaccuracy in front of goal to down the Gold Coast Suns.
The Tigers booted a wayward 9.19, but were able to do enough to pick up an impressive 15-point win in the clash at People First Stadium on Sunday afternoon
The victory ensured the Tigers maintained their ascendancy over the Suns following their heartbreaking Grand Final defeat in 2023.
A couple of club debutants in Charlie Lazzaro and Wil Elliott impressed in their Werribee debut, finishing with 29 disposals and three goals respectively, while 2024 J.J. Liston Trophy winner Dom Brew was his usual tough self with 26 touches and six tackles.
Nick Holman had the ball on a string for the Suns, racking up 38 touches as well as eight intercepts and seven tackles. Lachie Gulbin pushed his name up for AFL selection with 21 disposals and two goals.
BEST
Gold Coast Suns: Nick Holman, Lachlan Gulbin, Dylan Patterson, Koby Coulson, Ben Jepson, Caleb Graham
Werribee: Charlie Lazzaro, Dom Brew, Mace Cousins, Jack Riding, Will Elliott, Louis Pinnuck
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SANDRINGHAM 2.3 6.7 9.10 12.15 (87)
PORT MELBOURNE 4.5 7.9 11.14 14.17 (101)
Port Melbourne spoiled the start to Sandringham’s new standalone era with a 14-point triumph at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
The Borough kicked the opening goal of the game and held the lead throughout, however the Zebras were always in the mix right to the very end.
Ben Hobbs was arguably best afield in his Port Melbourne debut in a performance that included 29 disposals, eight inside 50s and four clearances, but faces a stint on the sidelines after being charged with striking.
Charlie Clarke also had a major impact for the Borough and kicked three goals to go along with 19 disposals and game-high 10 tackles.
Ethan Williams was the most prolific ball winner for the home with 22 touches, while teammate Jess Gedi had a great afternoon with 10 tackles, 15 disposals and a goal and Daniel Pinter and Brodie Atkins showed promising signs.
BEST
Sandringham: Daniel Pinter, Owen Bater, Brodie Atkins, Ben Stephenson, Darcy Chirgwin, Nathan Philactides
Port Melbourne: Ben Hobbs, Dominic Bedendo, Charlie Clarke, Tom Highmore, tOM Hird, Josh Tovey
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