IN THIS week's Things We Learned, we discover the Saint who will become a star of the competition, the issue Geelong needs to fix plus much, much more.

Check out what we learned from round one of the 2026 season.

1) Melbourne's new recruit will be a great addition

Mia Austin certainly wasn't the biggest name to move clubs during the trade period, but she might end up being one of the biggest value signings. Having shown glimpses of brilliance during her 30 games with Carlton at AFLW level, the Dees landed Austin in exchange for a future second and third round selection during last year's off-season. Austin has wasted no time making an impact in the red and blue, kicking a career-high four goals against Hawthorn in round one. The 22-year-old looks ready to properly break out to become a regular contributor at the top level, and the Blues might come to regret letting her go. - Dylan Bolch

2) Tyanna Smith is one of the best in the game

This year, St Kilda midfielder Tyanna Smith will push her way into the 10 best players in the AFLW - that's if she hasn't already. A clear best on ground in her side's loss to Carlton last weekend, Smith's pace and capacity to break lines was eye catching. It was just unfortunate that it took a half of footy for the rest of her teammates to catch up. In an evolving competition in which attacking clearances are worth their weight in gold, Smith's value is on the rise in a big way. – Gemma Bastiani

3) Geelong needs to fix its forward 50 entries

The Cats won't be the first team to be blown away by North Melbourne this season – they lost by 73 points on Saturday – and they matched the two-time reigning premier in the contest at Marvel Stadium. But the biggest issue for Mick Stinear's new team was its disposal into attack, recording just six fewer inside 50s (43 to 37) despite the lopsided nature of the scoreboard. The forward line dynamic of Aishling Moloney and Chloe Scheer will be a work in progress, considering the two have never played together. But the Cats will have to sharpen up their mid-forward connection if they're any hope of returning to finals in 2026. – Sarah Black

4) Germech's intercept game will take some stopping

Port Adelaide defender Teagan Germech averaged 5.8 intercepts last season in a strong campaign that earned her a top five finish in the Power best and fairest. She has clearly elevated that part of her game this season, however, and will be a star if she continues to pick off opposition inside 50s the way she did against Fremantle on Sunday. Of Germech's 19 disposals at Cockburn ARC Oval, 16 of those were won through intercepts, with the tough defender then able to kick-start the Power's offensive game. Powerful and super competitive, new coach Glenn Strachan said he didn't realise initially how smart the 23-year-old was with her positioning. He has clearly learned quickly how to get the best out of the former GWS defender, who was the lynchpin in a new and improved team defence for the Power. - Nathan Schmook 

5) New-look Giants signal 2026 resurgence

Greater Western Sydney is playing with renewed confidence in 2026. With a hard-fought 12-point victory over 2025 finalist West Coast, the Giants snapped a losing streak stretching back to round six of last season. The breakthrough result also capped off a landmark return to Engie Stadium, securing the club's first ever AFLW win at the venue. GWS hunted aggressively in packs, displayed dynamic transition play into its forward line, and worked tirelessly off the ball. If this high-octane, season-opening effort is any indication, the Giants look primed to climb the ladder this season. - Emily Patterson

6) Richmond's dynamic new forward line passed its first test

New coach Jarrad Donders has moved the magnets, with three talls up forward in co-captain Gabby Seymour, who has moved from the backline, stalwart Caitlin Greiser and No.1 draft pick Olivia Wolmarans. On Saturday night against Collingwood, it worked – although they'll need to clean up their goalkicking after they finished with 6.10. After three years playing senior footy as an underage player, Wolmarans looked ready and while Greiser ended the evening with 0.4, her body work and ability to stretch Collingwood's defence was important (four marks, six score involvements). Small forward Emelia Yassir also had room to use her speed and agility (five score involvements, one goal), making the Tigers a forward line to watch. - Danielle Croci

7) Gold Coast is going for a full reset

The Suns made a massive call at selection for Saturday's match, naming 10 debutants (plus former Crow Anne Hatchard) and making it clear they are going to reconstruct the side differently to the one that finished 18th in 2025 and 17th the year before. Most of the first-gamers were quiet in the tough conditions against the Western Bulldogs, but Ava Usher and Sunny Lappin showed they’ve got plenty to contribute already and the rest will be better for the run. Combined with a strong showing from last year’s draftee Havana Harris, the future is bright at Gold Coast but the present may be painful. - Howard Kimber

8) Positivity abounds as new eras start

Sydney got the dream start in Colin O'Riordan’s first game in charge, but there was plenty to like about the start of Adelaide's new era under Ryan Davis. O'Riordan hailed the grit and fight shown by his charges to overcome a 15-point deficit to win at Unley Oval where the Crows are traditionally near-unstoppable. An extensive remodeling over the off-season saw nine list changes made at Adelaide, but Davis' team was all over the Swans in the first half before succumbing to the visitors' superior pressure. The Crows look to have found a future star with No.5 draft pick Chloe Bown, who flashed glimpses of brilliance in her impressive debut. - Jason Phelan

9) Hartill gets first crack at replacing departed forward

Brisbane was left with a Taylor Smith-sized hole in its forward line coming into the 2026 season after the two-time premiership player was traded to Sydney. Eleanor Hartill was given the first opportunity to spend more time up forward, joining Dakota Davidson inside 50 for most of the clash against Essendon while Tahlia Hickie shouldered the majority of the ruck responsibilities. Lions coach Craig Starcevich was impressed with how Hartill fitted in with what Davidson, Marlo Graham, and Cathy Svarc brought to the table from a forward perspective. Only time will tell if Hickie gets the role on a permanent basis, with Starcevich also flagging Neasa Dooley and Rania Crozier as alternative targets up forward. - Lincoln Tracy