AFL Teams 2026: Round 1

Quick Links

Game 1: Blues vs Tigers |
Game 2: Bombers vs Hawks |
Game 3: Bulldogs vs Giants |
Game 4: Cats vs Dockers |
Game 5: Swans vs Lions |
Game 6: Pies vs Crows |
Game 7: Roos vs Power |
Game 8: Dees vs Saints |
Game 9: Suns vs Eagles

Wednesday – Early news

Sam Grlj (DEF/MID, $322,000) will debut for Richmond in the Thursday night opener against Carlton. In Friday’s clash, Essendon will debut Max Kondogiannis (DEF, $230,000), Dyson Sharp (MID, $302,000) and Hussien El Achkar (FWD, $230,000) against Hawthorn. In Saturday night’s MCG match, Adelaide will debut ruck Lachie McAndrew (RUC, $286,000) against Collingwood, with Toby Murray (FWD, $230,000) also in line to play his first AFL game. North Melbourne midfielder Tom Blamires (MID, $230,000) is also set to make his AFL debut as well as Lachy Dovaston (FWD, $290,000).

Weather notes updated at Wed 11 Mar, 4:43pm AEDT. Please check weather closer to game day.

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: Carlton vs Richmond

Thursday, March 12 – AEDT: 7:30pm MCG, Melbourne Melbourne ☁🌙

Notes: ~22°C at bounce, cool evening with some cloud around the ground.Sam Grlj (DEF/MID, $322k). The Blues lose potential R3 option Liam Reidy, their other inclusions are not particularly DT relevant. Cheap defensive option Josh Gibcus (DEF, $230k) has also been named for Richmond. Of note for fantasy coaches, popular mid-priced forward Sam Lalor has been named on the ball, while highly owned rookie Jagga Smith starts on the wing..

Light the Grlj ??

Sam Grlj will make his AFL debut under the MCG lights tomorrow night ???https://t.co/jTZSnnxm7L

— Richmond FC ?? (@Richmond_FC) March 10, 2026

GAME 2: Essendon vs Hawthorn

Friday, March 13 – AEDT: 7:40pm MCG, Melbourne Melbourne ☁🌙

Notes: ~21°C at bounce, mild night conditions with light winds. Max Kondogiannis (DEF, $230,000), Dyson Sharp (MID, $302,000) and Hussien El Achkar (FWD, $230,000).

Three big league dreams are becoming reality.

See you at the 'G, boys. pic.twitter.com/GBfXVoSXUN

— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) March 10, 2026

GAME 3: Western Bulldogs vs GWS Giants

Saturday, March 14 – AEDT: 1:15pm Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Melbourne 🏢

Notes: ~23°C outside. Indoor conditions at Marvel, with mild weather outside and no major concerns.

GAME 4: Geelong Cats vs Fremantle

Saturday, March 14 – AEDT: 4:15pm GMHBA Stadium, Geelong Geelong ☁

Notes: ~24°C at bounce, mild afternoon with light coastal breeze.

GAME 5: Sydney Swans vs Brisbane Lions

Saturday, March 14 – AEDT: 7:10pm SCG, Sydney Sydney ☁🌙

Notes: ~25°C at bounce, warm night with some humidity.

GAME 6: Collingwood vs Adelaide Crows

Saturday, March 14 – AEDT: 7:35pm MCG, Melbourne Melbourne ☁🌙

Notes: ~22°C at bounce, comfortable conditions with patchy cloud. Lachie McAndrew (RUC, $286,000) will make his AFL debut here, with Toby Murray (FWD, $230,000) also set to play his first game.

Go get 'em, Stretch ?? pic.twitter.com/w9Kq2M8j9o

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) March 11, 2026

Go well, Ibis ??

Full details on our round one debutants: https://t.co/Pq9OfxxdSp pic.twitter.com/rcBog0yNNa

— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) March 11, 2026

GAME 7: North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide

Sunday, March 15 – AEDT: 1:10pm Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Melbourne 🏢

Notes: ~23°C outside, indoor stadium so weather not a factor. Tom Blamires (MID, $230,000) and Lachy Dovaston (FWD, $290,000) are expected to make their AFL debuts in this match. Make sure you check Sunday extended selections at ~5pm on Friday.

Tom Blamires signed on just two weeks ago.

And this Sunday, he'll become Shinboner No.1076 ?? pic.twitter.com/HqPlzw898f

— North Melbourne FC (@NMFCOfficial) March 11, 2026

All love for the ???. pic.twitter.com/MOQ5PAtjjI

— North Melbourne FC (@NMFCOfficial) March 11, 2026

GAME 8: Melbourne vs St Kilda

Sunday, March 15 – AEDT: 3:15pm MCG, Melbourne Melbourne ☁

Notes:~23°C at bounce, mild afternoon with light winds. Make sure you check Sunday extended selections at ~5pm on Friday.

GAME 9: Gold Coast Suns vs West Coast Eagles

Sunday, March 15 – AEDT: 6:10pm People First Stadium, Gold Coast Gold Coast 🌦

Notes: ~27°C at bounce, humid evening with chance of showers. Make sure you check Sunday extended selections at ~5pm on Friday.

“`

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.