AFL Teams 2026: Round 6

Quick Links

Game 1: Carlton vs Collingwood |
Game 2: Geelong vs Western Bulldogs |
Game 3: Sydney vs GWS |
Game 4: Gold Coast vs Essendon |
Game 5: Hawthorn vs Port Adelaide |
Game 6: Adelaide vs St Kilda |
Game 7: North Melbourne vs Richmond |
Game 8: Melbourne vs Brisbane |
Game 9: West Coast vs Fremantle

Wednesday – Early news

It’s Round 6 and a bit of sad news to begin. There are doubts Jordan Dawson will play this week following the unfortunate passing of his brother. Sometimes we have to take a step back from DT – thoughts are with Dawson and his family. This week we have a new batch of dual position players, including the first ever triple position player with Oskar Baker gaining DEF/MID/FWD status. Not hugely DT relevant, but a nice bit of trivia. See all the new DPPs here: DPP Updates. There is plenty of relevant injury news unfortunately. Popular FWD cashcow Deven Robertson has been ruled out for the season. Dayne Zorko is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a calf injury, while Connor Budarick has been updated to 3-5 weeks with a hamstring issue. Noah Anderson is also out with appendix issues and is expected to miss 1-3 weeks. It has been reported that Milan Murdock is good to go for West Coast if you still have him on your bench. Sean Darcy is out due to HIA protocols, which is a big green flag for Luke Jackson owners. Rookie Xavier Tayler (Def $310k) will debut for the Dees as a new cashcow option to watch. Test for this week: Tim English, Tom Liberatore, Hayden Young. Also be aware of the unusual fixture this week with two Friday night games at the same time – don’t get caught out!

Weather notes updated at Wed 15 Apr, 2026. Please check weather closer to game day.

Important times to remember

Thursday game teamsheets ~6:20pm AEST Wednesday

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

Sunday extended bench selection ~5:00pm AEST Friday

GAME 1: Carlton vs Collingwood

Thursday April 16 – AEST: 7:30pm MCG, Melbourne 🌦☁🌙

Notes: Very high chance of showers, most likely in the late afternoon and evening. Cashcow Wade Derksen is out for the Blues, replaced by the less DT-relevant Harry Dean. Jordan De Goey and Steele Sidebottom are both out, which could open up better roles for some Collingwood players. Angus Anderson has been named on the ball as a follower, making him one to watch.

GAME 2: Geelong Cats vs Western Bulldogs

Friday April 17 – AEST: 7:20pm GMHBA Stadium, Geelong ☁🌦🌙

Notes: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Massive out here with Gryan Miers out injured. We knew Connor Budarick was out for the Dogs, who welcome back rookie Lachie Jaques as well as Tom Liberatore.

GAME 3: Sydney Swans vs GWS GIANTS

Friday April 17 – AEST: 7:50pm SCG, Sydney 🌦☁🌙

Notes: High chance of showers in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a thunderstorm in the late afternoon and evening. Sydney derby. Some might have had Stephen Coniglio as a POD, who is out injured. The Swans welcome back mid-pricer Angus Sheldrick.

GAME 4: Gold Coast SUNS vs Essendon

Saturday April 18 – AEST: 1:15pm People First Stadium, Gold Coast ☁

Notes: Partly cloudy. Noah Anderson is out, and a big in with Christian Petracca for the Suns. Those who jumped on Gulbin as a FWD rookie option will be disappointed with his omission.

GAME 5: Hawthorn vs Port Adelaide

Saturday April 18 – AEST: 4:15pm Marvel Stadium, Melbourne ☁

Notes: Cloudy (likely roof open at this time of day). New debut with William McCabe (Def $230k) for the Hawks. Dante Visentini is officially back in if you still have him stuck on your bench. Rookie J. Watkins has been omitted.

GAME 6: Adelaide Crows vs St Kilda

Saturday April 18 – AEST: 7:35pm (Adelaide: 7:05pm) Adelaide Oval, Adelaide ☀🌙

Notes: Clear conditions for a night game. Charlie Edwards (Def/Mid) will debut for the Crows. Jordan Dawson does miss for personal reasons (we wish him all the best). Jake Soligo is also out, opening up the Crows midfield significantly.

GAME 7: North Melbourne vs Richmond

Sunday April 19 – AEST: 1:10pm Marvel Stadium, Melbourne ☁

Notes: Make sure you check Sunday extended selections at ~5pm on Friday. Partly cloudy. Sunday game. Possible debuts as well as popular rookies on the extended bench for the Tigers here, so keep an eye on news and final bench selections. Other than that, nothing really DT relevant in the changes.

GAME 8: Melbourne vs Brisbane Lions

Sunday April 19 – AEST: 3:15pm MCG, Melbourne ☁

Notes: Make sure you check Sunday extended selections at ~5pm on Friday. Partly cloudy. Similar deal here with a few possible debuts for the Dees. For the Lions, Zane Zakostelsky is on the extended bench but is likely to be an emergency. We already knew Dayne Zorko is out with injury.

GAME 9: West Coast Eagles vs Fremantle

Sunday April 19 – AEST: 5:10pm (Perth: 3:10pm) Optus Stadium, Perth ☀

Notes: Make sure you check Sunday extended selections at ~5pm on Friday. Mostly sunny. WA Derby time! Sean Darcy is out with HIA protocols, which is great for Luke Jackson owners (although Mason Cox has been named on the extended bench – surely not). Hayden Young is back in for Freo. For the Eagles, Deven Robertson is out for the season, but as mentioned earlier rookie Milan Murdock is back in, bolstering our squads.

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.