The 2026 AFL season soft launched last week with Opening Round, as 10 of the 18 clubs started their campaigns.

This week, they’re upping the dose back to full-strength, meaning everyone is in action for the official AFL Round 1.

With nine epic games on the cards, we’re going to need some seriously bold tips and predictions to back them up.

Luckily Josh Jenkins is back on the case, with his AFL Round 1 tips and predictions. For the latest analysis, news, odds, and betting tips for all this week’s action, check out JJ’s AFL Round 1 tips and predictions below, or follow him on the feed and see them there! 

Carlton vs Richmond Prediction

Thursday, March 12, 7:30pm AEDT – MCG

It’s always large. Tribal warfare with unbridled enthusiasm arriving en masse at The MCG.

Problem is, only The Tiger Army will arrive with that enthusiasm, as Carlton’s evaporated in half an hour of madness at The SCG last week.

Now, this one becomes excruciating for Blues followers. Lose this and the joint explodes - again. They call for the coach, and they call for anyone else in harm’s way.

To win the game, the Blues will need to keep the tempo under wraps. As soon as the game speeds up, either via speed of ball or fatigue in the players legs, the Blues get exposed.

I’m here for the drama… Go Tiges.

Head-to-head prediction: Tigers by 13 points.

Betting tip: Sam Banks 21+ disposals.

Essendon vs Hawthorn Prediction

Friday, March 13, 7:40pm AEDT – MCG

Another clash where an Opening Round side meets a side making its maiden 2026 appearance. That record is well in favour of those with a game under their belt.

On class, the Hawks look clearly superior, but I am going to be following Hawthorn’s strength and assessing whether it might also be a weakness.

Flexibility of roles is always a plus for teams. When someone is struggling you can move the magnet and help him get into the game.

Moore, Macdonald, Watson, Ginnivan, Butler, Ward and Weddle are all versatile. But who are you calling upon when the “you know what” is hitting the fan?

In the pre-season game, Weddle played ruck, tagged Bontempelli, played on ball, forward, back and wing. Is that a recipe for his on-going success? I’m not sold.

Essendon needs to show us a more attacking game style. I’ll give them a pass on injuries last season, but the methodical, often-sideways ball use was painful to watch.

The Hawks were really disappointing last week in western Sydney. They desperately need to solve their on-ball woes, and they’d love to see a turn in form for big Mitch Lewis up front.

Head-to-head prediction: Hawks by 28 points.

Betting tip: Nick Watson 2+ goals.

Western Bulldogs vs GWS Giants Prediction

Saturday, March 14, 1:15pm AEDT – Marvel Stadium

I’ll just remind you about this game last season. A Thursday night where the Giants were travelling off a short break and did not give a yelp.

Whilst the Dogs showed no mercy and hammered the men in orange. Here, a similar result might be on the cards.

GWS have genuine health queries already. Daniels and Taylor are still missing, and Tom Green is not returning this season.

No one can handle quality personnel going down - outside maybe Brisbane.

GWS were superb rolling the Hawks last week in humid conditions with Oliver starring and Jake ’The Package’ Stringer reminding us when he’s out of contract, he’s a different animal.

Head-to-head prediction: Bulldogs by 23 points.

Betting tip: Lachie Ash 26+ disposals.

Geelong Cats vs Fremantle Prediction

Saturday, March 14, 4:15pm AEDT – GMHBA Stadium

Geelong were embarrassed last week, whilst they did the embarrassing against Freo in the corresponding clash last season.

Freo were saved from the ultimate embarrassment by rookie Murphy Reid, who we now know is a serious prospect.

Geelong will be desperate to regain injured veterans whilst Rhys Stanley may again be needed to solve some ruck issues.

Freo have a nice recent record in Geelong, and they’ll be bullish again here. That also might allow Longmuir to have some fun.

Head-to-head prediction: Fremantle by 5 points.

Betting tip: Fremantle +12.5 points.

Sydney Swans vs Brisbane Lions Prediction

Saturday, March 14, 7:10pm AEDT – SCG

The Lions lose a few pride members for this one via injury and MRO results.

They were excellent for the most part last week, but the Dogs were too good in the dying stages.

Charlie Cameron’s last three games have been superb, four in the Grand Final, three in Origin and four last week.

Sydney looked a dour outfit for a half then exploded to produce what might be the most powerful 30 minutes of the season.

Heeney, Warner and Gulden bursting from contest is a terrifying proposition for opponents.

Ryan Lester will likely cop the job on Curnow with Andrews and Gardiner suspended. Unless the Lions have a masterful lawyer to free big Harris.

With key bodies down, Sydney look to get revenge for last season, where the Lions arrived in Sydney and stole the points.

Head-to-head prediction: Swans by 11 points.

Betting tip: Will Ashcroft 26+ disposals and Callum Mills 18+ disposals.

Collingwood vs Adelaide Crows Prediction

Saturday, March 14, 7:35pm AEDT – MCG

A monster clash here with the Pies returning to The MCG for a clash with the team they rolled in last year’s qualifying final.

Adelaide have played Collingwood close the last few seasons and will arrive here with business to attend to.

It’s big forward, Thilthorpe, Fogarty and Walker, all get a nice look at an undersized defensive group.

Izak Rankine’s absence will hurt but Josh Rachele is fit and should spend more time around the ball.

A 2-0 start will have the doubters doubting themselves, but these Crows will be a handful.

Head-to-head prediction: Crows by 4 points.

Betting tip: Josh Rachele 18+ disposals and 1+ goal.

North Melbourne vs Port Adelaide Prediction

Sunday, March 15, 1:10pm AEDT – Marvel Stadium

Jason Horne-Francis has faced his old side three times for three wins, averaging 22 disposals and a goal in those games.

Those games were in Tassie and Adelaide, so this will be the first time The Shinboners will be able to warmly welcome him back.

For the Roos, this truly is a massive game. It really is. They played a disappointing half against an undermanned Pies squad in Ballarat before launching the second half and pinching a win.

Port are not expected to be world-beaters, but they have stars in Butters, Rozee, Georgieades and JHF himself.

Given some supply, Nick Larkey looks capable of breaking the game open in his maiden match as captain.

Head-to-head prediction: North Melbourne by 8 points.

Betting tip: Nick Larkey 3+ goals.

Melbourne vs St Kilda Prediction

Sunday, March 15, 3:15pm AEDT – MCG

I was one willing to give the Saints some time to gel as a group.

Whenever you integrate four key pillars to a team, you’d expect some growing pains and there were some last week. Enormous forward entry numbers for little results speaks to that.

Despite needing to be shown some patience, 0-2 would be far from ideal for the new-look Sainters.

The Dees were one of the more impressive pre-season teams, but we know that can often translate to nothing in-season.

I like the core of Langford, Windsor and Pickett around the ball with big Max feeding them at stoppage.

The forward line remains a mystery with too much reliance upon Melksham and Fritsch as medium types. A big season awaits for Jacob Van Rooyen, with Brody Mihocek there to relieve some pressure.

This might be a really speedy game on the wide expanses of The ‘G. Something no one would have said about these two teams in previous seasons.

Head-to-head prediction: St Kilda by 13 points.

Betting tip: Caleb Windsor 18+ disposals.

Gold Coast Suns vs West Coast Eagles Prediction

Sunday, March 15, 6:10pm AEDT – People First Stadium

Complacency or bloodbath?

They seem the only two options here as the Eagles take the long trip east for a clash with the almighty Suns.

Gold Coast were electric when pulverising Geelong last Friday whilst what we saw of West Coast in the pre-season was more than concerning.

Ben King, Bailey Humphrey, big Ethan Read and basically anyone who plays forward of centre will be eyeing off goals.

This could be an ugly 50-point win OR a triple-figure smashing

Head-to-head prediction: Suns by 83 points.

Betting tip: Suns -60.5 points.