In a game it seemed nobody wanted to win, Carlton's relief was visible as they scrape home despite playing "scared" against a plucky but inaccurate Richmond. Corbin, Ben and Brett Deledio unpack what lead to Carlton's win and where Richmond ultimately fell short.

Looking ahead to the rest of the round, what kind of reception will Zach Merrett receive from the crowd, how spicy will the return match be between Collingwood and Adelaide and how will a severely depleted Lions go against the Swans.

ABC AFL commentators Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron are joined by a rolling squad of former AFL players and legends of the game to analyse matches, deep dive the stories dominating the footy landscape, recap game highlights and talk through the latest AFL ladder standings. Our squad of Aussie Rules legends runs deep with champion ex-players like Brett Deledio, Marc Murphy and Luke Ball, record-holding coach Mick Malthouse and many more. The team discuss everything from AFL games and fixtures, to the AFL draft and key players' performance, and of course our highlights of the year; AFL Grand Final and AFL State of Origin.

For more Australian Rules Football podcast content, catch every episode of ‘The ABC AFL Daily Podcast’, hosted by Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport 

Every Tuesday Corbin Middlemas and Bob Murphy save you time by watching all the AFL footy shows and serving up their take on the most talked about issues in the game.

This week - how Collingwood creativity can pay Nick Daicos more than anyone, why Zach Merrett wasn't suited to be captain anyway and do we know the whole story of the Docherty x Gorringe debacle. Plus how will Origin look in 2026 after club feedback and why isn't there a middle ground between tagging and zero attention.

ABC AFL commentators Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron are joined by a rolling squad of former AFL players and legends of the game to analyse matches, deep dive the stories dominating the footy landscape, recap game highlights and talk through the latest AFL ladder standings. Our squad of Aussie Rules legends runs deep with champion ex-players like Brett Deledio, Marc Murphy and Luke Ball, record-holding coach Mick Malthouse and many more. The team discuss everything from AFL games and fixtures, to the AFL draft and key players' performance, and of course our highlights of the year; AFL Grand Final and AFL State of Origin.

For more Australian Rules Football podcast content, catch every episode of ‘The ABC AFL Daily Podcast’, hosted by Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport 

Corbin and Ben evaluate whether this year's edition of opening round worked and how they would change it next year. The boys also look over the new rules, Collingwood's refreshed best-and-fairest voting system and Marc Murphy drops by with his former club Carlton under the pump including his say on Sam Docherty's comments.

ABC AFL commentators Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron are joined by a rolling squad of former AFL players and legends of the game to analyse matches, deep dive the stories dominating the footy landscape, recap game highlights and talk through the latest AFL ladder standings. Our squad of Aussie Rules legends runs deep with champion ex-players like Brett Deledio, Marc Murphy and Luke Ball, record-holding coach Mick Malthouse and many more. The team discuss everything from AFL games and fixtures, to the AFL draft and key players' performance, and of course our highlights of the year; AFL Grand Final and AFL State of Origin.

For more Australian Rules Football podcast content, catch every episode of ‘The ABC AFL Daily Podcast’, hosted by Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport 

Ben Cameron and Brett Deledio wrap up the Opening Round of season 2026 including Collingwood showing St Kilda up thanks to a Nasiah tag and a supreme Daicos display.

Deledio has concerns on the Saints two ruck strategy and their finals chances, Carlton's fade out and the Hawks midfield display. But the Bulldogs "steely resolve" was impressive and the Gold Coast Suns are primed for 2026 with the Petracca addition.

ABC AFL commentators Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron are joined by a rolling squad of former AFL players and legends of the game to analyse matches, deep dive the stories dominating the footy landscape, recap game highlights and talk through the latest AFL ladder standings. Our squad of Aussie Rules legends runs deep with champion ex-players like Brett Deledio, Marc Murphy and Luke Ball, record-holding coach Mick Malthouse and many more. The team discuss everything from AFL games and fixtures, to the AFL draft and key players' performance, and of course our highlights of the year; AFL Grand Final and AFL State of Origin.

For more Australian Rules Football podcast content, catch every episode of ‘The ABC AFL Daily Podcast’, hosted by Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport 

Corbin & Ben, joined by Gold Coast Suns CEO Mark Evans, and former AFL Umpire and now ABC Commentator Ray Chamberlain.

ABC AFL commentators Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron are joined by a rolling squad of former AFL players and legends of the game to analyse matches, deep dive the stories dominating the footy landscape, recap game highlights and talk through the latest AFL ladder standings. Our squad of Aussie Rules legends runs deep with champion ex-players like Brett Deledio, Marc Murphy and Luke Ball, record-holding coach Mick Malthouse and many more. The team discuss everything from AFL games and fixtures, to the AFL draft and key players' performance, and of course our highlights of the year; AFL Grand Final and AFL State of Origin.

For more Australian Rules Football podcast content, catch every episode of ‘The ABC AFL Daily Podcast’, hosted by Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport 

AFL Saturday, with Corbin Middlemas, Mick Malthouse and Luke Ball, discussing the big issues making news in the AFL this Opening Round. 

AFL GM of Footy Greg Swann tell us the one rule he was strong on changing and how he’s seen them umpired after two games. Plus Sydney coach Dean Cox talks their emphatic win over the Blues and how he handled the tricky trade period with Will Hayward and Ollie Florent leaving the club.

For more Australian Rules Football podcast content, catch every episode of ‘The ABC AFL Daily Podcast’, hosted by Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport 

For the first time in 2026 Corbin and Ben are joined by Brett Deledio and they're awestruck by the Swans and fearful for Carlton after last night's opener.

The boys declare that slow teams won't go anywhere in modern footy, a first look at the new rules and discuss if there was any intention in Ollie Florent's knee to Isaac Heeney's head.

The rest of the Opening Round awaits with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan not picked, Geelong missing some stars, Brisbane looking primed for back-to-back-to-back and the Giants and Hawks both hard to read. Plus with Collingwood playing St Kilda on Sunday evening, the boys ponder who you would take with you first pick - Nick or Nas?

ABC AFL commentators Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron are joined by a rolling squad of former AFL players and legends of the game to analyse matches, deep dive the stories dominating the footy landscape, recap game highlights and talk through the latest AFL ladder standings. Our squad of Aussie Rules legends runs deep with champion ex-players like Brett Deledio, Marc Murphy and Luke Ball, record-holding coach Mick Malthouse and many more. The team discuss everything from AFL games and fixtures, to the AFL draft and key players' performance, and of course our highlights of the year; AFL Grand Final and AFL State of Origin.

For more Australian Rules Football podcast content, catch every episode of ‘The ABC AFL Daily Podcast’, hosted by Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport 

The AFL season kicks off this week and there’s plenty to unpack, preseason form under the microscope and stand-out performers identified. Will Hawthorn’s appeal of Jai Newcombe’s one‑match suspension be successful? Plus, we flip the ladder on its head and predict who’s headed for the bottom eight.

ABC AFL commentators Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron are joined by a rolling squad of former AFL players and legends of the game to analyse matches, deep dive the stories dominating the footy landscape, recap game highlights and talk through the latest AFL ladder standings. Our squad of Aussie Rules legends runs deep with champion ex-players like Brett Deledio, Marc Murphy and Luke Ball, record-holding coach Mick Malthouse and many more. The team discuss everything from AFL games and fixtures, to the AFL draft and key players' performance, and of course our highlights of the year; AFL Grand Final and AFL State of Origin.

For more Australian Rules Football podcast content, catch every episode of ‘The ABC AFL Daily Podcast’, hosted by Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport 

The pointy end of Corbin and Ben's season previews is here and the boys ponder whether the top four from 2025 will remain at the apex of the AFL pyramid.

Brisbane's list is still ultra young and they've recruited brilliantly so do they remain the hunted, will Chris Scott guide the Cats to yet another September push, can the Pies mounting injuries and ageing list prove everyone wrong and will the Hawks entertain the masses with their multitude of prime time slots?

ABC AFL commentators Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron are joined by a rolling squad of former AFL players and legends of the game to analyse matches, deep dive the stories dominating the footy landscape, recap game highlights and talk through the latest AFL ladder standings. Our squad of Aussie Rules legends runs deep with champion ex-players like Brett Deledio, Marc Murphy and Luke Ball, record-holding coach Mick Malthouse and many more. The team discuss everything from AFL games and fixtures, to the AFL draft and key players' performance, and of course our highlights of the year; AFL Grand Final and AFL State of Origin.

For more Australian Rules Football podcast content, catch every episode of ‘The ABC AFL Daily Podcast’, hosted by Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport 

Nine teams down, nine to go and Corbin and Ben pull out the magnifying glass to work out who's finals disappointment will spur them on and who could slide further.

Can the Western Bulldogs shore up their defence to complement a start studded midfield, will an already packed injury list be too much for the GWS Giants this year, can Fremantle hit the accelerator more consistently, might the Crows fall back to the pack after their 18 win season and will more history be made for the Gold Coast Suns with the addition of Petracca and Jamarra?

ABC AFL commentators Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron are joined by a rolling squad of former AFL players and legends of the game to analyse matches, deep dive the stories dominating the footy landscape, recap game highlights and talk through the latest AFL ladder standings. Our squad of Aussie Rules legends runs deep with champion ex-players like Brett Deledio, Marc Murphy and Luke Ball, record-holding coach Mick Malthouse and many more. The team discuss everything from AFL games and fixtures, to the AFL draft and key players' performance, and of course our highlights of the year; AFL Grand Final and AFL State of Origin.

For more Australian Rules Football podcast content, catch every episode of ‘The ABC AFL Daily Podcast’, hosted by Corbin Middlemas and Ben Cameron on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts, and get in touch with them on social media via @abc_sport