AFL Teams 2026: Round 19

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

Thursday – Early news

Early News: We already have three debutants confirmed for Round 19, with Balwyn O’Brien set to make his AFL debut for Port Adelaide, Jye Artemis named on Essendon’s extended bench and in line for his first game if he survives the final Sunday squad cut, and Joe Polkinghorne to debut for Geelong tonight. There was also plenty of big injury news last week. Jason Horne-Francis will miss one match through suspension, while Rory Laird suffered a significant ankle injury. Geelong have been hit hard, losing both Jeremy Cameron (shoulder, at least four weeks) and Tanner Bruhn. Hawthorn will also be without Karl Amon and Will Day, but the biggest blow of all is to Zak Butters, who suffered a serious ankle injury and is set for an extended stint on the sidelines.

A moment to remember ??

Jay Polkinghorne is set to make his AFL debut tomorrow night! ??

?? https://t.co/ZuHilrFT73 pic.twitter.com/0fFVc2GiC0

— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) July 15, 2026

WA > Tassie VFL > AFL Debut in the Sash.

What a journey it has been for Jaxon ??https://t.co/p2sTKdOSz5

— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) July 16, 2026

The big time awaits ??

Defender Balyn O'Brien will debut in front of a home crowd on Saturday! pic.twitter.com/Ao1esiRgo7

— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) July 15, 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: Geelong Cats vs St Kilda

Thursday July 16 – AEST: 7:30pm GMHBA Stadium, Geelong ☁

Notes: Cloudy and cool conditions are forecast for tonight in Geelong. We already knew Jeremy Cameron and Tanner Bruhn were out injured. Gryan Miers could be a smoky as a straight swap forward premium, but it would be a brave move.

GAME 2: Sydney Swans vs Adelaide Crows

Friday July 17 – AEST: 7:40pm SCG, Sydney 🌧

Notes: Cloudy and cool conditions are forecast for tonight in Geelong. Joe Polkinghorne ($230k FWD) will make his AFL debut for the Cats. We already knew Jeremy Cameron and Tanner Bruhn were out injured. Gryan Miers could be a smoky as a straight swap forward premium, but it would be a brave move.

GAME 3: Port Adelaide vs Fremantle Dockers

Saturday July 18 – AEST: 1:15pm Adelaide Oval, Adelaide ☀

Notes: Sunny conditions are forecast in Adelaide, making for ideal football weather. Balwyn O’Brien ($230k DEF) will make his AFL debut for the Power. As expected, Jason Horne-Francis will miss through suspension after last week’s incident, while Zak Butters is sidelined with the serious injury he suffered in Round 18. For Fremantle, Hayden Young returns.

GAME 4: North Melbourne vs Melbourne

Saturday July 18 – AEST: 4:15pm Marvel Stadium, Melbourne ☀

Notes: Mostly sunny conditions are forecast with light winds. With the game also under the roof at Marvel Stadium, weather won’t be a factor. Josh Goater returns for North Melbourne, while some coaches may be disappointed to see rookies Tom Blamires and Zac Banch sidelined through injury. For Melbourne, Max Heath has been named as a second ruck, which is a slight watch for Max Gawn owners.

GAME 5: Collingwood vs Carlton

Saturday July 18 – AEST: 7:35pm MCG, Melbourne 🌙

Notes: Clear conditions are forecast for Saturday night, with excellent football weather expected. Jack Ison has been dropped by the Blues, which could provide coaches with a useful MID loophole option. Ruck rookie Flynn Riley also makes way for the returning Liam Reidy.

GAME 6: West Coast Eagles vs Brisbane Lions

Saturday July 18 – AEST: 8:10pm Optus Stadium, Perth 🌧🌬

Notes: Although showers are forecast earlier in the day, they should ease by the evening. Breezy conditions may persist, but weather is unlikely to have a major impact on the match. No relevant changes here.

GAME 7: Richmond vs Hawthorn

Sunday July 19 – AEST: 1:10pm MCG, Melbourne ☀

Notes: Make sure you check Sunday extended bench selections at approximately 5pm on Friday. Mostly sunny conditions with light winds are forecast, although weather is unlikely to play a significant role. Jayden Short and Sam Lalor return for the Tigers, while Jack Alger has been dropped. For Hawthorn, both Karl Amon and Will Day are sidelined through injury.

GAME 8: Gold Coast Suns vs Western Bulldogs

Sunday July 19 – AEST: 3:15pm People First Stadium, Gold Coast 🌧🌬

Notes: Make sure you check Sunday extended bench selections at approximately 5pm on Friday. Cloudy conditions with a very high chance of showers and strong southerly winds are forecast, so weather could play a significant role in this match. Ryley Sanders returns for the Bulldogs, who unfortunately lose Bailey Dale through injury. Tim English is also back to lead the Dogs’ ruck division. For the Suns, John Noble has been named despite suffering an injury scare during last week’s match.

GAME 9: Essendon vs GWS Giants

Sunday July 19 – AEST: 4:40pm Marvel Stadium, Melbourne 🌙

Notes: Make sure you check Sunday extended bench selections at approximately 5pm on Friday. Clear conditions are forecast, although with the game at Marvel Stadium weather is unlikely to play a significant role regardless. Jye Artemis will make his AFL debut after being named on the field, while Jordan Ridley returns. As expected, Lachie Whitfield is back after clearing concussion protocols. Unfortunately, after a monster game last week, Kieren Briggs is sidelined through injury, with Nick Madden set to lead the Giants’ ruck division.

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.