State of Play hosts Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani preview the big topics ahead of this weekend's VFL and VFLW action.

The ABC’s must-watch match
Carlton v Geelong at IKON Park on a Saturday afternoon. This top four battle has more than four points riding on it. The Cats are purring with a 7-1 scoreline at the top of the ladder. In a congested top six, Carlton can’t afford to drop a second consecutive match. Can the Blues negate the influence of Jack Bowes and James Worpel through the midfield? AFL team selection may prove to be the difference between winning and losing this one. The ladder-leading Cats will also be without two of their homegrown stars, with Kye Annand (Richmond) and Marcus Herbert (West Coast Eagles) selected in the Telstra AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft on Tuesday.

A flag unfurling not to be missed
North Melbourne Werribee is at home for the first time this year and a special moment pre-game is in store, with the unfurling of its second consecutive flag ahead of their clash with Darebin. Season 2026 is heading in the same direction as the past two for the Kangaroos. Despite slow starts in both of their opening two games, the reigning premiers have run away from Port Melbourne and Carlton to sit atop the VFLW table. The Falcons have had a changing of the guard through the midfield and will have their work cut out for them at Arden Street Reserve in Round 3.

Golden rivalry, renewed hostilities
Williamstown heads to Barry Plant Park keen to atone for a five-point loss to Box Hill last weekend. A season-defining 35-point win on Vicki Cleary Day was the latest success for Coburg, making it three in a row. Both sides will have to overcome significant losses in the AFL Mid-Season Draft throughout the back half of the year, after Seagulls midfielders Hugo Hall-Kahan (Adelaide) and Joel Fitzgerald (Melbourne) and Lions leading goal kicker Mitch Podhajski (Collingwood) made their way onto AFL lists. The next month will tell us exactly where the ‘Burgers are in season 2026. And could former Lion, Josh D’Intinosante hold the key to unlocking the Seagulls? He will renew hostilities with the side he played 61 games for. Expect a cracking math between these two sides who proudly fought out a trio of memorable Grand Finals in the 1980s.

Tassie’s historic double-header
After both having the bye last weekend, Tasmania will head to the mainland this weekend for a double header, it’s first away from home, against Port Melbourne at ETU Stadium. The VFLW side kicks off the day hoping to avenge its Round 1 to the Casey Demons, with an opportunity to get on the road and snatch the four points on offer. The VFL line up has been stewing over their loss to Southport for a fortnight. Tassie will need to find cover for Jaxon Artemis and Max Mapley who’ve found themselves on AFL lists through the Mid-Season Draft. A win against Port Melbourne goes a long way to entrenching themselves in the top six.

Filling the enormous hole left by Boyd
Boyd Woodcock, a champion of the VFL and Southport, had his season come to an end after a shattering ACL and MCL tear in last week’s win over Port Melbourne. Woodcock confirmed the news earlier in the week saying “It’s a pretty daunting chapter I’m facing. After tearing my ACL & MCL I’m looking at a long stint on the sidelines. I haven’t missed a game through injury in 10 years, so the reality of missing an entire season is hard to process.” Southport has won its past two games and will use the bye this weekend to contemplate how they cover the seismic hole left by his absence. With the side already missing Jesse Joyce, Michael Manteit and Jacob Heron through long-term injuries, this is another mountain Matt Primus’ side has to climb.

VFL dreams become AFL realities on Tuesday night
Many successful stories have sprouted in the Mid-Season Draft. Jai Newcombe was at the Box Hill Hawks when Hawthorn called his name out in 2021. Sam Durham was at Richmond when he was told he’d be moving to Essendon. Had it not been for the Mid-Season Draft, Massimo D’Ambrosio (now Hawthorn), Max Hall (St Kilda), Ned Long (Collingwood), Tom McCarthy (West Coast), Liam McMahon (Essendon), Zac Banch and Cooper Trembath (North Melbourne) may not have had their AFL dreams realised. Earlier this week another 11 VFL graduates became AFL listed players. The Mid-Season Draft has become an in-season lifeline for AFL clubs and long may it continue.

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