Game Information
Optus Stadium
Team Stats
-
Disposals
- WCE 319
- 392 ESS
-
Kicks
- WCE 203
- 241 ESS
-
Handballs
- WCE 116
- 151 ESS
-
Free Kicks
- WCE 33
- 17 ESS
-
Clearances
- WCE 32
- 40 ESS
-
Inside 50
- WCE 59
- 45 ESS
-
Tackles
- WCE 65
- 61 ESS
-
Hit-Outs
- WCE 49
- 30 ESS
Score Worm
Game Leaders
Goals
15
J. Cripps2 Goals
20
J. Stringer3 Goals
Disposals
3
A. Gaff32 Disposals
7
Z. Merrett30 Disposals
Contested Possessions
6
E. Yeo13 Contested Possessions
23
D. Myers12 Contested Possessions
Scoring Plays
| fourth Quarter | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 27:26 |  | K. Langford Goal | 52 - 80 |
| 25:40 |  | J. Cripps Goal | 52 - 74 |
| 23:48 | | N. Naitanui Behind | 46 - 74 |
| 18:00 | | L. Shuey Goal | 45 - 74 |
| 14:53 | | M. LeCras Goal | 39 - 74 |
| 12:07 | | J. Stringer Behind | 33 - 74 |
| 10:16 | | D. Smith Goal | 33 - 73 |
| 8:49 | | W. Rioli Goal | 33 - 67 |
| 7:25 | | Rushed | 27 - 67 |
| 6:09 | | M. LeCras Behind | 26 - 67 |
| 2:24 | | M. Guelfi Goal | 25 - 67 |
| 0:20 | | S. Lycett Behind | 25 - 61 |
| third Quarter | |||
| Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 27:25 | | Rushed | 24 - 61 |
| 25:02 | | Rushed | 23 - 61 |
| 23:51 | | J. Green Behind | 23 - 60 |
| 17:15 | | J. Cripps Goal | 23 - 59 |
| 16:18 | | J. Waterman Behind | 17 - 59 |
| 14:59 | | F. McInnes Behind | 16 - 59 |
| 14:37 | | Rushed | 15 - 59 |
| 10:13 | | M. Baguley Goal | 14 - 59 |
| 7:15 | | J. Nelson Behind | 14 - 53 |
| 5:06 | | Z. Merrett Behind | 13 - 53 |
| 1:45 | | J. Cripps Behind | 13 - 52 |
| second Quarter | |||
| Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 28:10 | | T. Bellchambers Behind | 12 - 52 |
| 20:57 | | E. Yeo Behind | 12 - 51 |
| 20:13 | | M. LeCras Behind | 11 - 51 |
| 19:43 | | J. Stringer Behind | 10 - 51 |
| 16:31 | | S. Lycett Behind | 10 - 50 |
| 15:35 | | F. McInnes Behind | 9 - 50 |
| 13:44 | | F. McInnes Behind | 8 - 50 |
| 11:27 | | N. Naitanui Goal | 7 - 50 |
| 8:37 | | A. McDonald-Tipungwuti Goal | 1 - 50 |
| 2:08 | | D. Smith Goal | 1 - 44 |
| first Quarter | |||
| Time | Team | Play | Score |
| 29:08 | | D. Smith Goal | 1 - 38 |
| 21:07 | | J. Stringer Goal | 1 - 32 |
| 16:58 | | J. Stringer Goal | 1 - 26 |
| 15:45 | | L. Ryan Behind | 1 - 20 |
| 10:14 | | T. Bellchambers Goal | 0 - 20 |
| 7:25 | | K. Langford Behind | 0 - 14 |
| 4:57 | | J. Stringer Goal | 0 - 13 |
| 2:35 | | M. Brown Goal | 0 - 7 |
| 0:43 | | Rushed | 0 - 1 |
AFL News
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Joly: Carlton showed the same 'issues' in Sydney loss
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Voss keen to move past Carlton's off-field woes
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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 |