North Melbourne v Geelong at Marvel Stadium, 1pm AEST
NORTH Melbourne begins its premiership defence on Saturday, hosting Geelong in the first game of an AFLW-AFL double-header at Marvel Stadium.
The Kangaroos have become one of the greatest teams we’ve ever seen on the football field, winning 27 games straight as the two-time reigning premiers.
KANGAROOS v CATS Full match coverage and stats
The Cats were the last team to take points off the Roos, after a draw in the 2024 season.
The Cats have plenty of potential but have struggled to deliver in recent seasons, finishing 13th last season and missing the finals for the second straight year.
Coach Dan Lowther has since moved on and the Cats managed to land premiership coach Mick Stinear from Melbourne.
Stinear has been one of the most successful coaches in AFLW history and Geelong will be hoping to surge up the ladder once more with the ex-Dee at the helm.
Powerful forward Chloe Scheer will play her first AFLW game in two years after back-to-back toe and knee issues kept the Cats star on the sidelines for the last two seasons. But she will be unleashed against North Melbourne alongside experienced recruit Nicola Stevens and debutants Evie Cowcher, Priya Bowering, and Emma Murray.
Richmond v Collingwood at Ikon Park, 5.05pm AEST
RICHMOND is another team entering a new era when it takes on Collingwood in the second AFLW game on Saturday.
The Tigers are one of several clubs to have a new coach in charge in 2026, with former Eastern Ranges mentor Jarrad Donders taking over from Ryan Ferguson.
TIGERS v MAGPIES Full match coverage and stats
Collingwood had plenty of change over the off-season, with about a dozen fresh faces set to make their mark in the black and white.
Like the Tigers, 2025 was a season to forget for the Collingwood faithful, winning just three matches for the season. It was a tough year on the injury front last year and coach Sam Wright will be without a handful of key players for the Magpies' round one clash against the Tigers yet again.
The Tigers are hoping to play with more speed and confidence this season, improving on their two-win season in 2025.
No.1 draft pick Olivia Wolmarans and late selection Baia Pugh will feature for Richmond against Collingwood, while Collingwood will also unveil 10 new additions – six for their AFLW debut including pick No.8 Imogen Trengove, and four club debuts, including late replacement signing Dom Carbone.
Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs at People First Stadium, 7.15pm AEST
WHILE Gold Coast only managed to win two games last season, the Suns are starting to build something special under Rhyce Shaw.
They’ve now got AFLW trailblazer Erin Phillips involved as well as general manager of women’s football, while also cashing in on their incredible Academy program once more, adding a host of talented youngsters to their list including Sunny Lappin, Ava Usher and Georja Davies.
Alongside the likes of Charlie Rowbottom and Havana Harris, all of a sudden the Suns have a plethora of young talent. Don’t forget former Crow Anne Hatchard has joined the fray as well.
The inclusions have pushed out experienced players Katie Lynch, Jamie Stanton, and Meara Girvan, who weren't picked.
The Bulldogs made some big strides last year under coach Tam Hyett, narrowly missing out on a finals berth.
Mikala Cann arrives at the Kennel from Collingwood and will add some grunt to the on-ball mix, while Mizuki Brothwell has impressed over pre-season, too.
The Dogs are on the upwards trajectory, which means finals should be the goal in 2026.
Alice Edmonds has made it through a shoulder issue to line up for the Western Bulldogs, but experienced duo Ellie Gavalas and Lauren Ahrens have been left out of the side to travel north.
