AFL Teams 2026: Round 0 (Opening Round)

Quick Links

Game 1: Swans vs Blues |
Game 2: Suns vs Cats |
Game 3: Giants vs Hawks |
Game 4: Lions vs Dogs |
Game 5: Saints vs Pies

Thursday – Early news

Remaining round 0 teams have dropped! More debutant news, a handy one with Zakostelsky (Ruck/Def $230k) confirmed for Lions, and Phoenix Gothard (Fwd $230k) for GWS. Zakostelsky scored a great 81 (but that was with a lot of main ruck time) and Gothard got a handy 55.

Congratulations to Zane Zakostelsky, who will make his AFL debut this Saturday night at the Gabba against the Western Bulldogs! ???? pic.twitter.com/EV73K8N84A

— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) March 5, 2026

Phoenix is IN ????? pic.twitter.com/8Pkl0owWLU

— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) March 5, 2026

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.

Jagga Smith. Harry Dean.

Bring. On. Thursday.

DETAILS: https://t.co/yiJigQmGUT pic.twitter.com/NYeXWl8rIs

— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) March 2, 2026

The Opening Round Double Debut ??

Lachie Jaques and Michael Sellwood will make their AFL debuts against Brisbane on Saturday night.

Read more: https://t.co/mwbdOsseXF pic.twitter.com/kDQt47gWr5

— Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) March 4, 2026

Our first debutant of the 2026 season ??

Read more: https://t.co/Yq3TW2LTN8 pic.twitter.com/Buo6PIFRdF

— Gold Coast Suns (@GoldCoastSUNS) March 3, 2026

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 ☁🌙

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, 7:05pm local (8:05pm AEDT) People First Stadium Gold Coast 🌦🌙

Notes: ~26°C at bounce, humid night with chance of showers. Zeke Uwland is debuting, and Petracca plays his first official game for the suns. Worpel is worth another watch at cats. Bailey Smith is a big return after injury. I have eyes on Bruhn with Smith back in to see if he can score another big one like in the preseason.

GAME 3: GWS Giants vs Hawthorn

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

Notes: ~26°C afternoon, partly cloudy with low rain risk. Phoenix Gothard could be a handy fwd rookie if he can get another solid score. Oliver GWS debut is definitely on my watchlist, if he can get a big score in round 0 Ill definitely consider. Connor MacDonald is another midpricer Im keen to watch, as is Harry Rowston.

GAME 4: Brisbane Lions vs Western Bulldogs

Sat Mar 7, 6:35pm local (7:35pm AEDT) Gabba Brisbane 🌦🌙

Notes: ~26°C at bounce, humid evening, possible showers. Could Zane Zakostelsky be the ruck 3 saviour for us? Unfortunately with Fort named, he possibly loses some value, but as always round 0 is a watch. Jaques and Sellwood are another 2 rookies to add to your watchlist to see if you should hold or bust. Budarick at his new club for dogs, is another sneaky option if he scores well. I also have Freijah on my watchlist as a possible forward option, as he showed good form in the preseason.

GAME 5: St Kilda vs Collingwood

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

Notes: Make sure you check Sunday extended bench selections ~5pm Friday. Mild evening expected at the MCG, around 19°C at bounce with light winds and only a small chance of showers. Possible debuts here, but wait for selections. Silvagni and Liam Ryan at their new club saints will be interesting to see their roles. Most already have Flanders.

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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.