The 2023 AFL season begins and with it comes a round that should come close to breaking all-time crowd record.
After the Grand Final re-match opened last season, Richmond and Carlton is back as the traditional season-opener in what shapes as a fascinating contest.
Collingwood and Geelong meet once again after their qualifying final thriller last September, with close to 180,000 fans expected to roll through the gates across the first two nights of the season.
Saturday sees Melbourne and Western Bulldogs square off in yet another MCG blockbuster, but before that Port Adelaide and Brisbane do battle.
And on Sunday, Ross Lyon’s second coaching stint at St Kilda begins as he takes on his old side. While traditional rivals Hawthorn and Essendon face off at the ‘G in a big Sunday showdown.
All times AEDT
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Richmond vs Carlton
Thursday - 7.20pm - MCG
Richmond and Carlton are again set to meet in their traditional season-opening clash, but this time both sides are considered genuine contenders for the first time in recent memory.
While Carlton won the last Round 1 matchup between the teams, Richmond claimed seven in a row prior to that as they’ve dominated the clash across the last decade.
Fans of both sides will be eager to see new recruits line up in the colours for the first time and the Tigers in particular receive some crucial ins to combat the Blues’ strengths.
With a new inside midfield group that includes Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper, Richmond will be backing themselves to stem Carlton’s biggest strength at the stoppage and hope to stop deep and direct entries inside 50s towards Harry McKay and Charlie Curnow.
If they can control the game at the coal face, they should be too strong for the Blues around the ground.
Tip: Richmond by 14 points.
Lachlan Geleit
Geelong v Collingwood
Friday - 7.40pm - MCG
Geelong and Collingwood last faced off in last year’s Qualifying Final, a match that was arguably in the top handful of the 2022 season as the Cats held on for a six-point win.
But Friday night shapes as a different tale. Both sides head into Round 1 missing some big names, while there’s plenty of intrigue as to how multiple recruits fit into their sides.
The Magpies struggled to break even on ball last year but beat the Cats in clearances in that Qualifying Final off the back of manic pressure, a hallmark of both sides.
The recruitment of Tom Mitchell will only aid the Magpies at the coalface, while how a Joel Selwood-less Geelong fares is yet to be seen.
Tip: Geelong by three points.
Seb Mottram
North Melbourne v West Coast
Saturday - 1.45pm - Marvel Stadium
A new era at North Melbourne begins on Saturday afternoon as they host a West Coast looking to put their on-field struggles of 2022 behind them.
This is a wide open contest between two sides many are tipping to finish well outside the top eight this season. Despite it being just the opening round of the season, the stakes for this game remain high in a match both sides would be expecting to win.
There’s no escaping that North Melbourne defender Ben McKay’s injury blow on the eve of the season is a big talking point here, and despite the Eagles struggling in Victoria last year, it could tip the scales slighting in the favour of West Coast. Expect this to be a tense and tight contest.
Tip: West Coast by eight points.
Laurence Rosen
Port Adelaide v Brisbane
Saturday - 4.35pm - Adelaide Oval
Port Adelaide will play host to the Brisbane Lions on Saturday afternoon in a match that is proving bloody hard to tip.
Tipping against Port at home is always fraught with danger given their incredible record at Adelaide Oval and the fact that they’ve practically got a full list to pick from for Round 1.
On the other hand, the Lions have had a dream off-season, adding Josh Dunkley, Jack Gunston, Conor McKenna and number 1 draft pick Will Ashcroft to a list that competed in last years preliminary final.
Taking a look at their recent clashes, the Lions have the wood over Port, winning the last three clashes by an average of 32 points albeit all of those games being played at the Gabba.
For games played at the Adelaide Oval, the Power hold a 3-0 record.
Expecting this clash to go down to the wire but am finding it hard to tip against Port at home.
Tip: Port Adelaide by 14 points.
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Melbourne v Western Bulldogs
Saturday - 7.25pm - MCG
The Demons versus the Bulldogs at the ‘G on Saturday night promises plenty.
Simon Goodwin’s Dees have been hit by injuries in the lead-up with Jack Viney, Bayley Fritsch and Christian Salem all ruled out. Add to that fellow premiership player Steven May who is in doubt with a calf issue.
If the key defender does happen to miss, it could swing the game in favour of Luke Beveridge’s Doggies who go in with a tall forward line of Aaron Naughton, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Rory Lobb and Sam Darcy (of course, it is no given that all four play in the same forward line at the same time).
Both sides have some key new faces with the Dees welcoming Brodie Grundy from Collingwood and Lachie Hunter from the Dogs, while Oskar Baker went the other way from the Demons to the Dogs along with former Fremantle forward/ruck Lobb and ex-Carlton defender Liam Jones.
The possible personnel issues for the 2021 premiers makes this a tricky one to tip but the way they played in their two practices matches suggests the Demons are humming.
It won’t be easy as the Dogs are a pretty decent side, but Melbourne’s quality should carry them to a season-opening win.
Tip: Melbourne by seven points.
Andrew Slevison
Gold Coast v Sydney Swans
Saturday - 8.00pm - Heritage Bank Stadium
Sydney’s road to redemption begins on Saturday night, seeking to bounce back from the 81-point drubbing they faced in last year’s Grand Final.
History doesn’t bode well for the Swans, with only with only one team winning their opening clash after losing the Grand Final the previous season since 2016.
However, with another year of experience in the books for their young stars, Sydney look poised to go against history and start the season off strong.
Taking on the Swans on their own turf, Gold Coast are looking to build on a competitive 2022, setting their sights on finals.
While the Suns hold an unflattering 1-5 record against Sydney at home, a squad bolstered by the return of Ben King will have them believing they can pull off the upset.
The Swans have the edge in this matchup, however it will certainly be no pushover to take down this talented Suns outfit.
Tip: Sydney by 18 points.
Jack Makeham
GWS v Adelaide
Sunday - 1.10pm - GIANTS Stadium
GWS coach Adam Kingsley is set to take charge of his first game when the Giants host Adelaide on Sunday afternoon.
Taking charge of a new-look side, the Giants have a clean slate and are set to be armed with a new fast gameplan as they hope to rebuild into a finals contender once more.
Up against GWS, the Crows appear like they’ve taken a step forward across the pre-season as Matthew Nicks’ group again looks like one of the toughest teams to crack in the competition.
While both sides have genuine queries surrounding where they’ll end up come season’s end, you feel like Adelaide are more of a proven commodity and may have too much firepower up forward for the Giants to combat.
Tip: Adelaide by 11 points.
Lachlan Geleit
Hawthorn v Essendon
Sunday - 3.20pm - MCG
These are two teams that are not being forecast to do much in 2023, but that won’t stop them having a crack in Round 1.
There has been a fierce rivalry between Hawthorn and Essendon across the years which is not about to slow down, but there is a fresh look to it in 2023.
The Bombers have a new coach in Brad Scott and new captain in Zach Merrett, while the Hawks have James Sicily as skipper for the first time with second-year coach Sam Mitchell at the helm.
Karl Amon will be among several Hawks debutants which could also include Lloyd Meek, Cooper Stephens, Cam Mackenzie and Fergus Greene whereas the Dons could have Alwyn Davey Jnr, Will Setterfield and perhaps Sam Weideman in the sash for the first time.
It’s another tricky fixture to assess on a very tough opening weekend, however, the Bombers are expected to be more forward in their progress than a youthful Hawthorn side which will at times look capable but might experience some lapses throughout.
Tip: Essendon by eight points.
Andrew Slevison
St Kilda v Fremantle
Sunday - 4.40pm - Marvel Stadium
Ross Lyon’s return to St Kilda has not been smooth sailing. No Max King, no Tim Membrey, no Jack Billings, no Seb Ross, no Zak Jones, no Nick Coffield, no Dan McKenzie and no Jack Hayes.
This leaves an incredibly depleted forward line, likely headlined by the likes of Zaine Cordy and pre-season pick-up Anthony Caminiti.
Many are writing Fremantle’s season off because of their forward line, but with Matt Taberner, Sam Switkowski, Nathan Fyfe and Lachie Schultz up and flying, they have a clear skill advantage forward of the ball.
Andrew Brayshaw tore the Saints apart across two games last season picking up 76 disposals, 18 tackles and 16 marks across two games.
Given St Kilda’s injuries and the fact that it will likely take Lyon a few months to get his style ingrained at the Saints, it’s hard to imagine Justin Longmuir’s well-oiled Fremantle machine losing this one.
Tip: Fremantle by 29 points
Nic Negrepontis