THIS weekend saw the first fixtures of the new Toyota AFL 2026 Premiership Season.
There were many surprising results with a number of last season’s play-off teams suffering defeats.
The AFL, also known as Aussie rules football, has started with a bang. The lowest scoring fixture being an all Melbourne affair, St Kilda 66-78 Collingwood.
Only 10/18 teams played over the course of the weekend including the two finalists from last year, Geelong Cats and Brisbane Lions.
Both of the finalists lost out though with Geelong losing to last seasons surprise package Gold Coast SUNS 125-69 at the People’s first stadium.
Brisbane on the other hand lost on their own soil in a dramatic 106-111 loss against Western Bulldogs with Marcus Bontempelli yet again proving why he is regarded as one of the best in the league.
Collingwood’s victory against St Kilda is a step in the right direction as last season’s Preliminary finalists (semi-final) looking to go one better this year.
Last season’s player of the season Nick Daicos will hope to carry on his performances into the new season, making 7 marks and 41 disposals against St Kilda.
More Carlton misery came on the opening night as a landslide Sydney Swans victory saw last season’s disappointments. start this season in similar fashion.
Swans won by a massive 63 points at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Last year’s favourites Carlton came a disappointing 11th, failing to qualify for the playoffs.
The final game saw the other Sydney team victorious as well. GWS Giants beat the other Preliminary finalists Hawthorn 122-95.
Jake Stringer scored an impressive five goals and four behinds to help the Giants defeat Hawthorn.
This weekend will see match-ups such as Essendon vs GWS Giants, Sydney Swans vs Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast SUNS vs West Coast Eagles, last seasons wooden spooners.
