The highly anticipated 2026 AFLW season is finally upon us with Round 1 getting underway this Sunday. The opening round of action features a split weekend, kicking off with a standalone season opener between St Kilda and Carlton at Marvel Stadium, before the remaining eight matches take place the following weekend.
We bring you our best bets for all nine AFLW Round 1 matches below and if you’re keen to follow our tips, then consider joining Dabble!
2026 AFLW Round 1 Betting Tips
St Kilda vs Carlton
Sunday 4:35pm AEST, Marvel Stadium
A compelling clash kicks off the 2026 season as St Kilda hosts Carlton. Adding to the occasion, this match forms the first half of a massive 'Spud's Game' double-header, taking place directly before the men's Round 22 fixture. While both teams will be desperate to launch their campaigns on a winning note, the Blues hold a slight edge with the bookmakers as they look to build upon a highly successful 2025.
The Saints can certainly draw some confidence from their previous meeting in October last year, where they earned a hard-fought 13-point victory over the Blues. However, with a new season comes a fresh slate. Carlton are coming off an impressive campaign where they reached a Preliminary Final, and they will be hungry to take that next step forward this year. Although the Blues are managing a few injuries heading into the contest, they still maintain a clear class advantage across the park. That edge in quality should see them overcome a spirited St Kilda outfit and cover the small line in a great season opener.
Carlton -4.5
$1.88 (1 Unit)
Hawthorn vs Melbourne
Thursday 7:15pm AEST, IKON Park
Thursday night football returns to IKON Park to kick off the remainder of Round 1, bringing us a blockbuster matchup between two of last season's top four. Both Hawthorn and Melbourne enjoyed highly successful 2025 campaigns and will be looking to make an immediate statement against a fellow premiership threat.
The Demons enter this clash as betting favourites, a nod to their extensive finals experience and sustained success. Their 2025 run ultimately ended in a hard-fought preliminary final loss to the eventual premiers, North Melbourne. Meanwhile, the Hawks proved they belong in the upper echelon during the home and away season, and they will be desperate to bounce back following a bitter straight-sets exit in the finals. For what it is worth, Hawthorn did secure a six-point victory over Melbourne when the two sides last crossed paths late in 2024.
Heading into this season opener, the Demons are managing a few injuries and interrupted pre-seasons across their squad, which could test their depth early. Getting a double-digit head start with a consistent top-four side like Hawthorn is excellent value under these conditions.
Hawthorn +10.5
$1.88 (1 Unit)
North Melbourne vs Geelong
Saturday 1:00pm AEST, Marvel Stadium
The Kangaroos embark on their quest for a historic three-peat this Saturday afternoon, hosting the Cats under the roof at Marvel Stadium. North Melbourne cemented themselves as a modern AFLW dynasty by securing back-to-back titles across 2024 and 2025, capped off by a ruthless 40-point Grand Final demolition of Brisbane. With an incredibly deep list that has tasted ultimate success, they remain the undisputed benchmark of the competition heading into the new season.
Geelong face a daunting task attempting to knock off the reigning premiers first up. When these two sides clashed in the opening round of last season, the Kangaroos comfortably secured a 30-point victory, easily navigating tricky, slippery conditions. With Marvel Stadium providing a fast, dry track, North Melbourne's immense firepower will be tough to contain. Given the lack of value in the head-to-head markets, backing the Kangaroos by 1-39 is the play.
North Melbourne 1-39
$1.60 (1.5 Units)
Richmond vs Collingwood
Saturday 5:05pm AEST, IKON Park
Saturday evening football brings us a traditional rivalry clash as Richmond and Collingwood lock horns at IKON Park. Both clubs are desperate to rebound from bitterly disappointing 2025 campaigns that saw them firmly entrenched in the bottom four, with the Magpies finishing 15th and the Tigers right behind them in 16th. Despite last year's struggles, the Magpies showed promising signs of improvement and possess an exciting core of young talent ready to take the next step this season.
The injury toll is a major talking point heading into this opening round fixture. Richmond have been dealt a massive blow with newly appointed co-captain and their best kick in Ellie McKenzie ruled out for four to five weeks. The Tigers are also missing several other players, and while Collingwood have their own injury concerns, including a foot issue for Bri Davey and calf injuries to Jordyn Allen and Lauren Butler, their squad depth appears better equipped to cope. Backing the Magpies as slight underdogs at $2.20 provides solid value for our first minor upset of the year.
Collingwood to Win
$2.20 (1 Unit)
Gold Coast SUNS vs Western Bulldogs
Saturday 7:15pm AEST, People First Stadium
Saturday night football takes us up to Queensland as the Gold Coast Suns host the Western Bulldogs at People First Stadium. The Suns are desperate to turn over a new leaf after a disastrous 2025 campaign that saw them claim the wooden spoon with just one win. They have been incredibly active during the off-season to rectify those struggles, landing a massive coup by bringing in four-time All-Australian Anne Hatchard from the Adelaide Crows to bolster their midfield.
Despite the renewed optimism on the Gold Coast, the Western Bulldogs profile as a massive hurdle first up. When these two sides last met late in 2025, the Dogs absolutely dismantled the Suns in a ruthless 66-point thrashing. While the home side should put up a much sterner fight this time around, the Bulldogs still possess far too much firepower and structural class. Covering an 11.5-point line feels like a highly manageable task for a Bulldogs outfit that will be hungry to kick off their 2026 campaign with a commanding road victory.
Western Bulldogs -11.5
$1.91 (2 Units)
Essendon vs Brisbane Lions
Sunday 12:35pm AEST, Windy Hill
Sunday afternoon footy heads to Windy Hill as Essendon faces a massive first-up test against the formidable Brisbane Lions. The Lions enter the 2026 season as heavy favourites in this clash, boasting a star-studded squad fresh off a Grand Final appearance last year. There is no denying that Brisbane is clearly the better team on paper, and they will be eager to begin their redemption campaign with a ruthless road victory.
However, the Bombers are primed to show genuine improvement this season and will be highly motivated on their home deck. Their structure is immediately bolstered by the return of experienced defender Maddison Gay, who is back fully fit after a knee injury completely derailed her 2025 campaign. Furthermore, star midfielder Maddy Prespakis has put together a huge pre-season and looks ready to dominate, supported by a couple of exciting youngsters who are ready to level up. While an outright upset might be a bridge too far, getting a 28.5-point head start with a developing Essendon outfit offers strong value.
Essendon +28.5
$1.87 (1.5 Units)
Adelaide Crows vs Sydney Swans
Sunday 12:35pm AEST, Thomas Farms Oval
The betting market has certainly cooled on Adelaide heading into 2026, creating some rare head-to-head value for them on their home deck. The Crows are looking to bounce back from a down year by their lofty standards, a challenge made tougher by the off-season departures of superstar Anne Hatchard and a few other key players.
Sydney will be eager to test themselves against quality opposition, but their preparation has been far from ideal. Several of their most important players, including Laura Gardiner, Zippy Fish and Montana Ham, have endured interrupted pre-seasons due to various injury concerns. While that crucial trio remains a chance to take the field on Sunday, they are highly unlikely to be operating at full fitness. Taking on a well-drilled Adelaide unit with a compromised core is a massive disadvantage, making the Crows our outright selection.
Adelaide to Win
$2.00 (1.5 Units)
Fremantle vs Port Adelaide
Sunday 2:35pm AEST, Cockburn ARC Oval
A fascinating matchup awaits over in the west as Fremantle hosts Port Adelaide at Cockburn ARC Oval. There was practically nothing separating these two sides last year, with the Power finishing 10th and the Dockers right behind them in 11th. Both clubs will view this opening round clash as highly winnable and a crucial stepping stone if they are to push for finals action in 2026.
Port Adelaide enter the new campaign with a fresh perspective under new senior coach Glenn Strachan, and they will be desperate to start his tenure with a strong road victory. The Power should have a distinct advantage in the engine room. The newly introduced AFLW rules at centre ball-ups, which prevent rucks from crossing the centre circle line and engaging prior to contesting the football, suit superstar Matilda Scholz's game perfectly. Her elite leap will allow her to dominate hitouts and feed first possession to a hungry midfield group. While Fremantle will put up a fight on their home deck, that edge at the stoppages gives the visitors the slight advantage.
Port Adelaide to Win
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
GWS GIANTS vs West Coast Eagles
Sunday 4:45pm AEST, ENGIE Stadium
The opening round concludes on Sunday afternoon at ENGIE Stadium, with the GWS Giants taking on the West Coast Eagles in the second half of a massive club-wide double-header. The Eagles carry plenty of momentum into the new season after a breakthrough 2025 campaign that saw them reach their maiden finals series. Conversely, the Giants are desperate to bounce back and prove they are a much better side than the one that managed a dismal two wins last year.
While GWS have brought in fresh faces and renewed optimism to try and turn their fortunes around, the Eagles appear far too strong and settled across the park. West Coast completely outclassed the Giants in a commanding 42-point victory when they last crossed paths in late 2025. The visitors possess incredible firepower, spearheaded by Ella Roberts, who is arguably the best player in the competition and is coming off back-to-back club champion awards. Covering a 14.5-point line looks highly achievable for an Eagles outfit hungry to kick off their season with a dominant road win.
West Coast -14.5
$1.88 (2 Units)
