Preview of remaining AFL round one matches (all times AEDT):
FRIDAY, March 22
Collingwood v Geelong at MCG 7.50pm
Head to Head: Magpies 132, Cats 99, drawn 1
Last clash: Round 8, 2018 – Cats 9.12 (66) bt Magpies 5.15 (45) at MCG
Collingwood will be keen to move on from their grand final heartache last season, while Geelong’s ageing team can go some way to convincing they’re not done yet with victory over the Pies. The Cats definitely have a better history with season openers, winning 11 of their past 14 round one matches, while Collingwood have lost their past three.
Key: With defensive duo Zach Tuohy and Jed Bews out for the Cats, the Magpies small and medium-sized forwards are poised to create havoc.
Tip: Magpies by 15
SATURDAY, March 23
Melbourne v Port Adelaide at MCG 1.45pm
Head to Head: Demons 13, Power 20
Last clash: Round 14, 2018 – Power 11.9 (75) bt Demons 9.11 (65) at Adelaide Oval
The Demons will be eager to stamp their mark as premiership contenders against an inexperienced Port Adelaide. Melbourne have a strong record against the Power at the MCG, winning eight of 10 matches.
Key: Max Gawn. The Demons ruckman’s influence should only grow with the 6-6-6 rule for centre bounces.
Tip: Demons by 17
Adelaide v Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval 4.35pm
Head to head: Crows 19, Hawks 22
Last clash: Round 13, 2018 – Hawks 12.16 (88) bt Crows 4.8 (32) at MCG
Hawthorn head into their season opener down on troops with Tom Mitchell, star recruits Chad Wingard and Tom Scully and veteran Grant Birchall all injured. Adelaide, by contrast, has a full list to choose from and will be eager to get off to a winning start to erase memories of an underwhelming 2018.
Key: Jarryd Roughead. The Hawks forward kicked five goals in their pre-season clash with Richmond and will need a similar haul to match Adelaide’s star-studded forward line.
Tip: Crows by 24
Western Bulldogs v Sydney at Marvel Stadium 7.25pm
Head to head: Bulldogs 81, Swans 78, drawn 1
Last clash: Round 4, 2018 – Swans (13.8) 86 bt Bulldogs 11.13 (79) at Marvel Stadium
The 2016 AFL grand finalists go head-to-head in round one. The Bulldogs suffered demoralising defeats in their opening two matches last season and never recovered, while Sydney are out to prove they’re not a team on the wane. Sydney have only lost once in five matches with the Dogs at Marvel Stadium.
Key: Jack Macrae. The Bulldogs midfielder is a ball-magnet at stoppages and will be crucial in controlling the game.
Tip: Bulldogs by 18
Brisbane v West Coast at Gabba 8.20pm
Head to head: Lions 10, Eagles 22
Last clash: Round 23, 2018 – West Coast (14.14) 98 bt Lions 11.6 (72) at Gabba
Brisbane’s potential to climb the ladder in 2019 won’t be determined by a round-one clash against the defending premiers, but the Lions can certainly set a marker against the Eagles. West Coast have a fantastic record against the Lions and haven’t tasted defeat against Brisbane since 2012.
Key: Lachie Neale. The Lions big off-season recruit must fire if his younger teammates are to stand a chance against the premiers.
Tip: Eagles by 28
SUNDAY, March 24
St Kilda v Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium 1.10pm
Head to head: Saints 7, Suns 4
Last clash: Round 13, 2018 – Saints 11.14 (80) bt Suns 11.12 (78) at Metricon Stadium
It’s only round one but this is almost a must-win for the Saints. Their injury list is growing and hopes at Moorabbin aren’t high but Gold Coast are widely tipped to claim the wooden spoon, so a defeat to Stuart Dew’s men would be shocking.
Key: The start. St Kilda will be eager to ease the pressure by taking command of the match and ensuring the Suns don’t grow in belief.
Tip: Saints by 12
GWS v Essendon at Sydney Showground Stadium 1.10pm
Head to head: Giants 3, Bombers 5
Last clash: Round 10, 2018 – Bombers 14.11 (95) bt Giants 8.12 (60) at Sydney Showground Stadium
Expectations are high with the Bombers after a big off-season including the addition of ex-Giant Dylan Shiel. GWS will know a first-up win is important given their start to the season includes trips to West Coast and Geelong, either side of a home clash with Richmond.
Key: Shiel. The former GWS star’s pace and quality in midfield adds plenty for the Bombers and he’ll be pumped to face his old team.
Tip: GWS by 8
Fremantle v North Melbourne at Optus Stadium 6.20pm
Head to head: Dockers 12, Kangaroos 18
Last clash: Round 10, 2018 – Kangaroos 12.14 (86) bt Dockers 8.10 (58) at Optus Stadium
Recruit Jesse Hogan won’t play round one for the Dockers due to his off-field issues, a huge blow for Ross Lyon’s men. With Brennan Cox and Matt Taberner injured, a lot rests on Rory Lobb and Cam McCarthy in the hosts’ forward line. North Melbourne will be eager to repeat their 28-point win over the Dockers in Perth last year.
Key: Ben Brown. While the Dockers are scrambling for targets, North’s key forward is fit and could benefit if the Kangaroos’ midfield gets on top.
Tip: Kangaroos by 14