Autopsy AFL 2026 Opening Round - Saints v Pies Sun March 8th 7:20pm AEDT (MCG)

[Wosh]

AFL 2026 PREMIERSHIP SEASON OPENING ROUND
ST KILDA V COLLINGWOOD
SUNDAY MARCH 8TH 7:20PM AEDT (M.C.G.)

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Teams:
SAINTS
B: J.Silvagni, C.Wilkie, A.Caminiti
HB: A.Tauru, B.Hill, N.Wanganeen-Milera
C: M.Windhager, M.Hall, D.Wilson
HF: M.Phillipou, H.Boxshall, M.Owens
F: R.Marshall, C.Sharman, J.Higgins
FOLL: T.De Koning, S.Flanders, J.Sinclair (c)

I/C: J.Macrae, J.Carroll, L.Ryan, M.Wood, H.Garcia
EMG: L.Stocker, I.Keeler, C.Banfield

MAGPIES
B: B.Frampton, I.Quaynor, B.Maynard
HB: D.Houston, J.Daicos, H.Perryman
C: W.Parker, N.Daicos (c), R.Steele
HF: L.Schultz, S.Sidebottom, B.McCreery
F: T.Membrey, J.Elliott, D.McStay
FOLL: D.Cameron, J.Crisp, J.De Goey

I/C: P.Lipinski, S.Pendlebury, E.Allan, N.Long, J.Buller
EMG: O.Steene, J.Cochran, L.Sullivan



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BYE: ADELAIDE ️ NORTH MELBOURNE ️ PORT ADELAIDE ️ ESSENDON ️ FREMANTLE ️ RICHMOND ️ MELBOURNE ️ WEST COAST EAGLES
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Talk football, live the excitement

 

[g_TRAIN]

A few people under estimating the pies this season Imo.

They were still one game away from a GF last year and we've not proven anything yet.

Expecting an excellent match.

From our team looking forward to Pou, NAZ and Flyin Ryan getting to work.

 

[timokane]

Pies by 18 points

 

[Zevon]

Fascinating game this one. A few people predicting the Saints to be big improvers this year (I’m one of them) but it’s easy to forget the Pies made a prelim last year as g_TRAIN said earlier.

Will tip St Kilda to make an early statement and get off to a flier for 2026.

 

[Mr.X]

Saints by 58 points

 

[Count_Zero]

The Pies had a slow start last year when they played GWS first up in OR then turned it around quick. Would be happy for that to happen again.

 

[bungalow_bill]

Pies the stronger team and will be keen to atone for the PF loss. Pies by 20+.

 

[JackFlash]

The Pies to beat the one man team by 4 goals!

 

[Atomboy]

Pies have got the runs on the board and are still a quality side so would have to start favourites.

Will be a good learning experience for the Saints in any case. Particularly on how to fill the coffers with an MCG blockbuster.

 

[timokane]

Weather looking good fine weather dry deck for this one.
Light south cooling breezes.
Milder conditions.
Short sleeves and light pants.
Nice dry and comfortable type weather.

 

[Billy ray]

What the frig is this scheduled for in opening round?

 

[beerbandit]

What the frig is this scheduled for in opening round?

Because everyone wants to play Collingwood. Saints pitched the game to AFL and AFL ticked it off, it makes a mockery of the northern states OR jargon but it will draw 85k which will most likely be a H&A record for Saints.

Expect Saints to be up and about, almost like a final for them. Saints by 20.

 

[Billy ray]

Because everyone wants to play Collingwood. Saints pitched the game to AFL and AFL ticked it off, it makes a mockery of the northern states OR jargon but it will draw 85k which will most likely be a H&A record for Saints.

Expect Saints to be up and about, almost like a final for them. Saints by 20.

Put this game and the other 4 games/ 8 teams on the following weekend.
Ie split opening round

 

[beerbandit]

Put this game and the other 4 games/ 8 teams on the following weekend.
Ie split opening round

Just scrap OR and give Bris, GC, Syd & GWS all home games against a team of there request in Rd 1

 

[GeTrain]

Just scrap OR and give Bris, GC, Syd & GWS all home games against a team of there request in Rd 1

Have the two WA and SA clubs also hosting a home game and with the 1 game in Victoria have it be a North/Dogs/Saints home game. That way Footy is spread all around the country and even the smaller Vic clubs get a spotlight

 

[Mat Mann]

Because everyone wants to play Collingwood. Saints pitched the game to AFL and AFL ticked it off, it makes a mockery of the northern states OR jargon but it will draw 85k which will most likely be a H&A record for Saints.

Expect Saints to be up and about, almost like a final for them. Saints by 20.

The only club without any form of marquee game, Pies entertained Melbourne for a decade-plus with the Queen's birthday game, plus OR is stupid. So if we are going to continue with a stupid concept, let's at least make it a success by having a Vic game where people give a shit. It's going to be a huge success.

as for the game, think Ross will let Nas run wild. Good luck trying to tag him; it hasn't worked yet.

Pies still be a quality side, maybe vulnerable because of injuries and fitness. The midfield battle will be interesting.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Pies have got the runs on the board and are still a quality side so would have to start favourites.

Will be a good learning experience for the Saints in any case. Particularly on how to fill the coffers with an MCG blockbuster.

As of a week or so ago they were about $1.85 to our $2.10 or so, but we’re now into $1.91, to their $1.93.

The Pies have lost their two opening round games (by 32 and 52) and they’ve taken a very interesting approach to this one, with most of their main guys only having had the one lead-in game.

Including Nicky D, who hasn’t played since the SOO game.

Whereas we effectively fielded our best available team for pretty much all of our two lead-in games.

So I think they’re playing the long game, while we’ve set ourselves to burst out of the blocks.

With that being the case, and the Pies missing Moore and Howe down back, it will be disappointing if we don’t win this.

They are much more used to this sort of occasion, size crowd and the ground, though, so hopefully we can handle all that.

Could be a cracker.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Seems they’re now saying Moore is a serious chance to play. That changes things if he gets up. They’ll be almost full strength.

Should be a hum-dinger.

 

[010203]

Just scrap OR and give Bris, GC, Syd & GWS all home games against a team of there request in Rd 1

Are you cool with Collingwood playing in Sydney every year?

 

[010203]

Collingwood by about 20.

 

[Xtreme]

Collingwood by 36

Ross Lyon football is bad

 

[Count_Zero]

Because everyone wants to play Collingwood. Saints pitched the game to AFL and AFL ticked it off, it makes a mockery of the northern states OR jargon but it will draw 85k which will most likely be a H&A record for Saints.

Expect Saints to be up and about, almost like a final for them. Saints by 20.

And a record for the round.

 

[Cam Payne]

This game makes a mockery of opening round. Saints by 15 points.

 

[Jirik13]

This is important game for both clubs. I am leaning towards Saints.

 

[DaicosDisciple35]

Pies in a blow out, Saints are adding LOT of players and will need time to Gel. They also aren't used to a huge game at the MCG like this. Nick Daicos to make NAS look 2nd rate.