Cats and Dockers chase first wins of 2026. LIVE from 4.15pm AEDT

GEELONG hosts Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium in the second game of the afternoon.

The Cats entered the season under a cloud with Patrick Dangerfield and Jeremy Cameron sidelined, but their worst fears were quickly realised when they were blown away by Gold Coast inside a half.

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Geelong is as aware as any club that the season is a long haul but it will be out to avoid beginning their campaign with a 0-2 start for just the third time in more than two decades.

Fremantle is widely tipped to be on the rise after a slow and steady list build that now has it boasting top-tier talent across all lines, even while it is still to prove its credentials with only one finals win in the past decade.

Geelong v Fremantle at GMHBA Stadium, 4.15pm AEDT

NO LATE CHANGES

The Dockers could go a long way to silencing their critics against a perennial contender in the Cats and at a venue where they have a better record than most with two wins from their past three visits.

The Cats regain superstars Patrick Dangerfield and Jeremy Cameron and have Mitch Edwards on debut, with James Worpel out injured and Mitch Knevitt and Ollie Henry dropped.

The Dockers have named ruck Sean Darcy, gun Hayden Young and captain Alex Pearce.

Sydney will find out more about where it sits when it takes on reigning premier Brisbane on Saturday night at the SCG.

The Swans set the season alight as they shook off a sluggish start to pile on 12 goals during a devastating quarter of football against a shellshocked Carlton in Opening Round.

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They looked back to their breathtaking best as their star-studded midfield cut the Blues open with swift ball movement, but will likely face a stiffer test against the Lions who suddenly find themselves with their backs to the wall.

Brisbane launched its two-time premiership defence in style as it opened up a healthy lead over the Western Bulldogs and was on top in most important areas, but the Lions paid a huge price for their inaccuracy late in the game to lose a classic encounter.

The Lions now face an ominous test against the Swans without injured star Hugh McCluggage and suspended trio Zac Bailey, Harris Andrews and Darcy Gardiner.

While the Swans are unchanged, the Lions have been forced into five changes.

Harris Andrews, Hugh McCluggage, Zac Bailey, Logan Morris and Darcy Gardiner are out through injury or suspension, with Sam Draper, Lincoln McCarthy, James Tunstill, Noah Answerth and debutant Dan Annable named.

In the second of the Saturday night games, Collingwood faces Adelaide at the MCG.

The Magpies rose to the occasion of the first Opening Round match played in Victoria as it held off a spirited St Kilda, even while beginning its season with an undermanned defence.

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The Pies might get a clearer indication of where they sit at this point of the season when coming up against a Crows outfit which is out for redemption after a limp loss in their qualifying final clash last year.

Adelaide has had a summer to stew over becoming the first side in 42 years to finish as minor premiers and then be knocked out of the finals in straight sets.

The Crows had done much right before then as they returned to finals for the first time since 2017 but will need to attack this season with a chip on their shoulder to prove they can match the best sides when the stakes rise.

Collingwood is unchanged after its win over St Kilda, while Adelaide has named the likes of Riley Thilthorpe, Jake Soligo and Callum Ah Chee after recent injury scares.

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