AFL Round 1 Report Card: Swans Soar, Lions Grounded, and Early Season Trends
The Sydney Swans continue to set the pace in the early stages of the 2026 AFL season, topping the ladder after a dominant Round 1 performance. However, their win wasn’t without a potential cost, with injuries to key players Errol Gulden and Isaac Heeney. Meanwhile, the Brisbane Lions suffered a heavy defeat, highlighting the challenges of early-season travel and injury setbacks. Here’s a detailed gaze at how each team fared, and what the results suggest about the season ahead.
Adelaide Crows: Impressive Start, But Stoppage Work Needs Attention
The Crows secured a 14-point victory over Collingwood, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure. Wayne Milera’s impressive performance (34 disposals, 94.1% efficiency) was a standout. Although dominant in many areas, Adelaide needs to address their stoppage work, where they were beaten by seven clearances. Grade: A
Brisbane Lions: A Tough Night in Sydney
The Lions were comprehensively outplayed by the Swans, struggling to match Sydney’s intensity from the opening bounce. Despite a strong midfield performance (45 clearances to 23), Brisbane’s inefficiency with the ball and defensive vulnerabilities proved costly. Bruce Reville’s efforts (450m gained) were a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing performance. Grade: D-
Carlton: A Win is a Win, But Concerns Remain
Carlton secured a hard-fought victory over Richmond, but their second-half fadeout raised concerns. Jagga Smith’s impressive debut (32 disposals, 11 score involvements) was a positive, but the Blues need to find more consistency in their performance. Grade: C
Collingwood: Unable to Match the Crows’ Intensity
Despite a late surge, Collingwood couldn’t overcome Adelaide’s strong start. Nick Daicos (33 disposals) was a standout, but the Pies struggled to convert opportunities in front of goal. Their forward line needs to find more connection. Grade: C
Essendon: A Disappointing Performance
Essendon suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Hawthorn, highlighting their need for improvement. Zach Merrett (32 disposals) was a lone bright spot in a lackluster performance. Grade: F
Fremantle: First Quarter Blitz Not Enough
Fremantle’s impressive first quarter wasn’t enough to secure a win against Geelong. Caleb Serong (30 disposals) and Luke Jackson (22 disposals, 22 hit-outs, 10 clearances) led the way, but the Dockers struggled to maintain their intensity throughout the game. Grade: B
Geelong: Resilience Shines Through
Geelong overcame a sluggish start to defeat Fremantle, demonstrating their resilience and experience. Tanner Bruhn’s performance was a highlight, while Jeremy Cameron kicked three goals. Grade: B+
Gold Coast Suns: Early Flag Contenders?
The Gold Coast Suns are making a statement early in the season, securing a dominant win over West Coast. Christian Petracca and Ben King were instrumental in the victory, with King bagging nine goals. Grade: A+
GWS Giants: A Reality Check After Promising Start
The Giants were brought back down to earth with a loss to the Western Bulldogs. Finn Callaghan (27 disposals) was a standout, but GWS struggled defensively. Grade: F
Hawthorn: A Strong Response
Hawthorn bounced back from their Round 1 disappointment with a convincing win over Essendon. Jack Gunston (five goals) and Connor Macdonald (two goals) were key contributors. Grade: A+
Melbourne: A Promising Start to the Steven King Era
Melbourne secured a hard-fought win over St Kilda, showcasing their exciting new style of play. Max Gawn (22 disposals, 36 hit-outs) was dominant, while Jacob van Rooyen kicked five goals. Grade: A
North Melbourne: A Statement Win
North Melbourne delivered a stunning upset victory over Port Adelaide, signaling a potential turning point for the club. Dylan Stephens (29 disposals) and Harry Sheezel (31 disposals) were instrumental in the win. Grade: A+
Port Adelaide: A Disappointing Performance
Port Adelaide suffered a shock defeat to North Melbourne, struggling to match the Kangaroos’ intensity. Mitch Georgiades (three goals) was a rare bright spot. Grade: F
Richmond: Close But Not Quite
Richmond fell just short against Carlton, despite a strong performance from Tom Lynch (2.7). The Tigers need to improve their accuracy in front of goal. Grade: C-
St Kilda: A Close Contest, But Still Work to Do
St Kilda put up a strong fight against Melbourne, but ultimately fell short. Max Hall (26 disposals) was a standout, but the Saints need to find more consistency. Grade: C-
Sydney Swans: Setting the Standard
The Swans continue to impress, topping the ladder with a dominant win over Brisbane. Charlie Curnow’s performance opened up opportunities for Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald. Grade: A+
Western Bulldogs: Dominant Display
The Western Bulldogs delivered a dominant performance against GWS, showcasing their premiership credentials. Marcus Bontempelli (33 disposals) was outstanding, while Aaron Naughton kicked six goals. Grade: A+
West Coast Eagles: A Long Road Ahead
West Coast suffered a heavy defeat to Gold Coast, highlighting the challenges they face. Milan Murdock showed promise on debut. Grade: D-
Early Season Trends
Several key trends are emerging from the first round of the 2026 AFL season. The high-scoring nature of games suggests a greater emphasis on attacking football. Teams that can effectively utilize the ball in transition and convert opportunities in front of goal will likely be the most successful. The importance of midfield dominance remains crucial, with teams winning the clearance battle consistently performing well. Finally, the ability to withstand injuries and maintain team cohesion will be vital throughout the long season.
FAQ
Q: Which team is currently on top of the ladder?
A: The Sydney Swans are currently on top of the ladder.
Q: Which team suffered the biggest loss in Round 1?
A: Essendon suffered the biggest loss, going down to Hawthorn by 62 points.
Q: Who were some of the standout performers in Round 1?
A: Wayne Milera (Adelaide), Christian Petracca (Gold Coast), Marcus Bontempelli (Western Bulldogs), and Dylan Stephens (North Melbourne) were among the standout performers.
Q: What are the key trends emerging from Round 1?
A: High-scoring games, midfield dominance, and the ability to convert opportunities are key trends.
Did you know? The Gold Coast Suns’ percentage of 181.6 is the second highest in the league, just 1.3 behind the Swans.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on teams that can consistently win the clearance battle – it’s a strong indicator of success.
What did you think of Round 1? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
