There were 13 lead changes but Sydney struggled without Gulden and Heeney and the Hawks powered away in the final quarter to make it two in a row. Brett Deledio joins Corbin and Ben in the the commentary box post-match to unpack Gunston's incredible form and why McCartin and Curnow were shown up.

Plus have the Western Bulldogs gained most from the rule changes, who is to blame for the scrutiny of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and should we consider price tags when assessing the stars of the competition. The boys also preview every game across the weekend and lament a seven match round with byes already halting momentum.

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.

Is an angry Alastair Clarkson the best thing for North, should Essendon be kicked out of the 'big 4' club, was Justin Longmuir's complaint fair play or poor timing and is the matchwinner pressure on Nasiah bubbling over just two rounds in? Plus you can cross out the ~100 goal season chat~ on your bingo list for 2026, but is it realistic or idealistic.

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 

St Kilda splashed the cash across the off season but couldn't find the four points against Melbourne leaving Corbin, Ben and former Carlton captain Marc Murphy to admire the work of Dees veteran Max Gawn. Who should be crowned the heavyweight champion player of the AFL? And listeners have the floor - what's making you mad on a Monday?

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 Daniel Harford wrap up round one with every team in action and so many early storylines, led by St Kilda's second loss. Former Saints captain Jack Steele told ABC he was still hurting after his trade to Melbourne, Nasiah wasn't on the ground when they needed him and Port were destroyed by North.

Elsewhere, the Crows were the big winners of the round at the MCG, did Marcus Bontempelli confirm his status as the best in the game and what do the team make of Justin Longmuir's comments around Fremantle playing an Opening Round team and losing.

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 Daniel Harford, discussing the big issues making news in the AFL in Round 1. 

Today, AFL CEO Andrew Dillon joins the team in the commentary box, discussing the future of Opening Round, equalisation, the latest amendments to the illicit drugs policy, and the impact this season's rule changes are having on the game.

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 

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