The Opening Round in the AFL concludes with a Sunday night clash between St Kilda and Collingwood at the MCG.
Meanwhile, the fallout continues from Brisbane’s loss to Western Bulldogs, with three Lions suspended, including co-captain Harris Andrews, out for three weeks for striking Arty Jones.
The Saints have added firepower in the off-season, with the arrivals of Tom De Koning, Sam Flanders, Liam Ryan and Jack Silvagni.
Collingwood has let go of a series of experienced players, but will have new arrival Jack Buller (ex-Sydney) debuting for the club at key forward.
While the teams finished 12th and 10th respectively last season, the Magpies are still a force led by the Daicos brothers, Nick and Josh.
And with $2 million man Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, the Saints are being tipped by many to make a big run toward the finals under coach Ross Lyon.
Follow the live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre and tune in to our live radio coverage.
Key Events
17m ago17 minutes agoSun 8 Mar 2026 at 7:31am
39m agoSun 8 Mar 2026 at 7:10am
St Kilda vs Collingwood live scoreboard
6m agoSun 8 Mar 2026 at 7:42am
McCluggage to miss against Sydney with minor calf strain
Well, there is the answer we were looking for, and it’s mixed news for Lions fans.
Brisbane has revealed that Hugh McCluggage has a low-grade strain of his left calf that forced him out of last night’s match at the Gabba.
“McCluggage underwent scans on Sunday after he left the field during the first quarter and played no further part in the match,” the Lions said in a statement late this afternoon.
“The midfielder is only expected to be sidelined for next week’s match against Sydney, with the Lions then having the bye.”
The Lions say they have not decided whether or not to appeal the bans against Harris Andrews, Zac Bailey and Darcy Gardiner.
17m agoSun 8 Mar 2026 at 7:31am
Three strikes and they’re out — Andrews, Bailey, Gardiner suspended for Lions
Before we get to tonight’s festivities, there has been some serious fallout for Brisbane after last night’s loss to Western Bulldogs — and it may not be over yet.
The Match Review has been completed and three Lions are set to miss at least next week’s game against Sydney at the SCG.
Key defender Harris Andrews is facing three weeks out, after his swinging elbow behind him caught the Bulldogs’ Arty Jones and gave the small forward concussion.
A second striking case — and a one-game suspension — has been found against Zac Bailey, for his elbow on Michael Sellwood after being tackled over the boundary.
And Darcy Gardiner also misses a week for striking the Bulldogs’ Aaron Naughton in the final quarter at the Gabba.
There are no early pleas allowed, so it’s either appeal or cop the ban.
The other issue for Brisbane is the calf injury to Hugh McCluggage, who came off in the first half. The club are waiting for scans to identify whether the star midfielder will have to miss time as well.
34m agoSun 8 Mar 2026 at 7:15am
Welcome!
Good evening and welcome to ABC Sport’s live coverage of the AFL’s Opening Round!
We’ve got four matches already in the bag with one to go. I was going to end this sentence by saying “before the real stuff begins”, because I am officially an Opening Round hater, but let’s be nice.
So far there’s been two smackings and two upsets. What will this one serve up as St Kilda faces Collingwood at the MCG, which isn’t in the northern states so kind of defeats the purpose of ‘Opening Round’, right? Sorry, I’ll stop being a hater.
The Saints went big game hunting and landed some big fish, with the headline act being Tom De Koning.
Collingwood is more or less the same as last year, and will be hoping continuity works in its favour.
The first bounce is set for 7:20pm AEDT, so strap yourselves in as we bring you all the live action as it happens.
