AFL Teams 2026: Round 0 (Opening Round)

Wednesday – Early news

Teams for the opening game Swans vs Blues has dropped. Scores from Opening Round do NOT count towards your AFL Fantasy team score. However, they DO count towards player price calculations. After Round 1, price changes use a rolling average, so the R0 score effectively counts twice in the early price cycle. Teams that play in Opening Round will also have an early bye in coming games, but this can be managed because Fantasy only counts your top 18 scores during bye rounds. The main things to watch in R0 are rookie performances and any underpriced premiums or mid-pricers. A strong score may make them very appealing before price rises begin, while a poor score could see them drop in price quickly, and not be a valuable pick for round 1.

Other early news: Jagga Smith (MID $230k) and Harry Dean (DEF $342k) have been confirmed to debut for the Blues. Jagga is already in many teams after a monster 118 in the preseason. Dean looks a little pricey compared to other rookie options, but could still be a POD rookie with solid job security.
For the Bulldogs, Lachie Jaques (DEF $230k) and Michael Sellwood (DEF $230k) will also debut. Jaques scored 63 in the preseason and is already a popular rookie pick, while Sellwood posted a respectable 55.
The Swans have one rookie debutant: Jai Serong (DEF $274k), who impressed with 62 in the preseason. No surprises with Zeke Uwland(Def/Mid $346k) debutting for the suns. He had a 33 in what was a fairly lucklustre showing preseason by the suns, and many would want a bigger output, definitely a round 0 watch.

Important times to remember

Thursday game teamsheets ~6:20pm AEDT Wednesday

Friday/Sat/Sun game teamsheets ~6:20pm AEDT Thursday

Sunday extended bench selection ~5:00pm AEDT Friday

GAME 1: Sydney Swans vs Carlton

Thu Mar 5, 7:30pm AEDT SCG, Sydney Sydney ☁🌙

Notes: ~24°C at bounce, partly cloudy evening. Debuts for Jai Serong, Jagga Smith and Harry Dean. Liam Reidy could be a useful option if he performs well, particularly for coaches running a McAndrew R2 / R3 support strategy. Charlie Curnow could be a sneaky forward option if he scores well. Gulden had some injury concerns but has been cleared to play. Keep an eye on Angus Sheldrick as a mid-price option if he produces a big score.

GAME 2: Gold Coast Suns vs Geelong Cats

Fri Mar 6 – AEDT: 8:05pm People First Stadium, Gold Coast Gold Coast 🌦🌙

Notes: ~26°C at bounce, humid night with chance of showers.

GAME 3: GWS Giants vs Hawthorn

Sat Mar 7 – AEDT: 4:15pm ENGIE Stadium, Sydney West Sydney ☁

Notes: ~26°C afternoon, partly cloudy with low rain risk.

GAME 4: Brisbane Lions vs Western Bulldogs

Sat Mar 7 – AEDT: 7:35pm Gabba, Brisbane Brisbane 🌦🌙

Notes: ~26°C at bounce, humid evening, possible showers.

GAME 5: St Kilda vs Collingwood

Sun Mar 8 – AEDT: 7:20pm MCG, Melbourne Melbourne ☁🌙

Notes: ~21°C at bounce, mild cloudy evening, low rain risk.

Shags

A windy cold day in 2015, I was bored, sick with the flu, and decided to start a blog about Teamsheets. I was immediately recruited by Warnie and somehow am now a DTTALK author. NOTE; Im Back in 2022! woooo Twitter @shagbags2023 ~REMEMBER: Friends don't let friends DT TEAMS become ghost ships.