Sitting winless after two rounds, Collingwood faces a tough test against St Kilda to get its first win on the board — and the Magpies coach has a message for the club's fans.
The first full round of the 2024 AFL season delivered in spades, with some clubs already facing serious questions and others celebrating brilliant starts to their campaigns. Here are the biggest talking points from round one.
Fremantle make a statement with a 23-point win over Brisbane, but it comes at a heavy injury cost, while Melbourne and Port Adelaide celebrate big round one victories.
Geelong coach Chris Scott is wary of heaping too much praise on emerging star Ollie Dempsey, but he finds it hard to contain his excitement after the 21-year-old helps the Cats get on top of the Saints.
Geelong leaves it late to clinch a win over St Kilda at a completed Kardinia Park, while the Suns withstand a late surge by the Crows, following earlier wins for the Giants and Bombers.
The Magpies are yet to get on the board in the 2024 season, but coach Craig McRae dismisses the suggestion his side has not moved on from last year's premiership success.
The Sydney Swans spoil the premiership flag party for Collingwood at the MCG with a solid win — but the defending premiers are left with issues after starting the season 0-2.
Clearance king Matt Rowell's astonishing game for the Suns drew headlines against Richmond, although it came up short of the great Paul Salmon — but as Cody Atkinson and Sean Lawson write, the truth of who holds the record may be a matter of definition and measurement.
Carlton claimed a thrilling five-point victory against injury-ravaged Richmond in front of 83,881 supporters at the MCG, as Tigers defender Josh Gibcus became the third player in five games so far this 2024 AFL season to suffer an ACL injury.
The AFL has made it clear that Tasmania needs a new stadium for its own team. With an election looming, Labor remains opposed – but its leader says that could change in the future, writes Adam Holmes.
Collingwood offers its take on the contact between its star ruckman and GWS assistant Shane Mumford, with Mason Cox acknowledging he should not have bumped Mumford.
The travelling circus of the AFL's Opening Round sees a Pie poke the Giants, the Blues turn their fortunes around, and a new Swan shine. These are the five quick hits.
Collingwood premiership player Mason Cox will have to explain himself to the AFL after shoving GWS ruck coach Shane Mumford before Saturday night's match in Sydney.
Both the Blues and Lions are counting the cost of Friday night's thrilling match at the Gabba, with Sam Docherty and Keidean Coleman both suffering ACL injuries.