Game Information
Optus Stadium
Team Stats
-
Disposals
- WCE 353
- 355 MELB
-
Kicks
- WCE 227
- 198 MELB
-
Handballs
- WCE 126
- 157 MELB
-
Free Kicks
- WCE 21
- 22 MELB
-
Clearances
- WCE 34
- 38 MELB
-
Inside 50
- WCE 47
- 62 MELB
-
Tackles
- WCE 75
- 63 MELB
-
Hit-Outs
- WCE 20
- 59 MELB
Score Worm
Game Leaders
Goals
17
J. J. Kennedy4 Goals
36
J. Garlett3 Goals
Disposals
4
D. Sheed33 Disposals
22
J. Harmes30 Disposals
Contested Possessions
6
E. Yeo18 Contested Possessions
22
J. Harmes14 Contested Possessions
Scoring Plays
| fourth Quarter | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 30:54 |  | A. Brayshaw Behind | 85 - 69 |
| 26:41 |  | J. Darling Goal | 85 - 68 |
| 24:18 | | B. Stretch Behind | 79 - 68 |
| 23:14 | | J. Cripps Goal | 79 - 67 |
| 18:38 | | L. Ryan Goal | 73 - 67 |
| 11:07 | | J. Hunt Goal | 67 - 67 |
| 8:48 | | D. Sheed Goal | 67 - 61 |
| 6:43 | | J. Cripps Goal | 61 - 61 |
| 5:27 | | J. Cripps Behind | 55 - 61 |
| 2:43 | | J. Harmes Behind | 54 - 61 |
| 1:35 | | L. Shuey Goal | 54 - 60 |
| third Quarter | |||
| Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 28:14 | | D. Sheed Behind | 48 - 60 |
| 26:24 | | Josh J. Kennedy Goal | 47 - 60 |
| 24:05 | | J. Garlett Goal | 41 - 60 |
| 23:00 | | C. Petracca Behind | 41 - 54 |
| 16:32 | | C. Petracca Goal | 41 - 53 |
| 14:58 | | D. Sheed Behind | 41 - 47 |
| 13:38 | | J. Garlett Behind | 40 - 47 |
| 10:43 | | Josh J. Kennedy Goal | 40 - 46 |
| 8:23 | | Rushed | 34 - 46 |
| 4:48 | | J. Garlett Goal | 34 - 45 |
| 1:22 | | T. McDonald Behind | 34 - 39 |
| second Quarter | |||
| Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 32:29 | | O. Baker Behind | 34 - 38 |
| 27:58 | | Rushed | 34 - 37 |
| 26:29 | | Rushed | 33 - 37 |
| 24:17 | | L. Shuey Goal | 33 - 36 |
| 16:48 | | Rushed | 27 - 36 |
| 16:12 | | W. Rioli Behind | 27 - 35 |
| 10:55 | | T. Smith Goal | 26 - 35 |
| 8:14 | | W. Rioli Goal | 26 - 29 |
| 6:34 | | Rushed | 20 - 29 |
| 2:14 | | J. Garlett Goal | 20 - 28 |
| first Quarter | |||
| Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 26:09 | | Rushed | 20 - 22 |
| 22:44 | | J. Hunt Goal | 19 - 22 |
| 21:29 | | J. Petruccelle Behind | 19 - 16 |
| 19:55 | | T. McDonald Behind | 18 - 16 |
| 15:14 | | C. Petracca Goal | 18 - 15 |
| 13:33 | | Josh J. Kennedy Goal | 18 - 9 |
| 11:31 | | W. Rioli Goal | 12 - 9 |
| 9:54 | | Josh J. Kennedy Goal | 6 - 9 |
| 7:35 | | J. Garlett Behind | 0 - 9 |
| 6:34 | | Rushed | 0 - 8 |
| 4:50 | | C. Petracca Behind | 0 - 7 |
| 2:19 | | N. Jones Goal | 0 - 6 |
AFL News
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Joly: Carlton showed the same 'issues' in Sydney loss
Champion Data's Christian Joly says Carlton's issues from last year remain, with the Blues unable to stem the bleeding in their 53-point loss to Sydney.
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Voss keen to move past Carlton's off-field woes
Carlton coach Michael Voss has declared the leaking of former captain Sam Docherty's expletive-laden criticism an example of the club continuing to "culturally defeat" itself after a poor start to the AFL season.
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Judging the biggest AFL overreactions: Reaction to Docherty and Gorringe has been over the top
Is the reaction to Sam Docherty's rant been over the top? Is this the beginning of the end for Geelong? In the AFL overreactions this week, we judge the biggest takeways as legitimate or irrational.
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An 'authentic' new era: McGrath ready to embrace Dons captaincy challenge
His opportunity to lead the Bombers may have come about through unusual circumstances, but Andrew McGrath says he 'lives and breathes red and black' and is ready to usher in a new era.
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Expert tips, best tips for Round 1 of the AFL
Who should you be tipping in Round 1 of the 2026 AFL season? Our footy experts have put their heads together to help you out. So open your ESPN Footytips app, take notes, and get ahead of the game!
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AFL Round 1: Team news, fixtures, games, tips, odds -- everything you need to know
Round 1 of the 2026 AFL season gets underway Thursday night with a traditional rivalry clash between Carlton and Richmond. On Friday, Essendon will get its season underway against Hawthorn.
2026 AFL Standings
| POS | Team | Pts. | % | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 SYD
|
4 | 191.3 | W |
| 2 |
 SUNS
|
4 | 181.2 | W |
| 3 |
 GWS
|
4 | 128.4 | W |
| 4 |
 COLL
|
4 | 118.2 | W |
| 5 |
 WB
|
4 | 104.7 | W |
| 6 |
 BL
|
0 | 95.5 | L |
| 7 |
 STK
|
0 | 84.6 | L |
| 8 |
 HAW
|
0 | 77.9 | L |
| 9 |
 GEEL
|
0 | 55.2 | L |
| 10 |
 CARL
|
0 | 52.3 | L |
| 11 |
 FRE
|
0 | 0.0 | |
| 12 |
 MELB
|
0 | 0.0 | |
| 13 |
 WCE
|
0 | 0.0 | |
| 14 |
 NMFC
|
0 | 0.0 | |
| 15 |
 PORT
|
0 | 0.0 | |
| 16 |
 RICH
|
0 | 0.0 | |
| 17 |
 ADEL
|
0 | 0.0 | |
| 18 |
 ESS
|
0 | 0.0 |