Need a hand with your AFL tips? Fox Footy experts, including teams from Saturday Stretch, Selection Night and the Fox Footy Podcast, are here to help with their winners for all nine games. Check out the leaderboard, all our expert tips and the final verdict below! Get the latest AFL odds and BET NOW with Sportsbet. Live stream the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on KAYO SPORTS. Every match of every round. Live & anytime on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14 day free trial > LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODE OF THE FOX FOOTY PODCAST BELOW, OR TAP HERE TO SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES DERMOTT BRERETON (Saturday Stretch) Richmond Collingwood Melbourne Adelaide Sydney Swans West Coast Eagles St Kilda GWS Giants North Melbourne NICK DAL SANTO (Fox Footy expert) Richmond Collingwood Melbourne Adelaide Sydney Swans West Coast Eagles St Kilda GWS Giants North Melbourne JULIAN DE STOOP (Selection Night) Richmond Collingwood Melbourne Adelaide Sydney Swans West Coast Eagles St Kilda GWS Giants North Melbourne BEN DIXON (Fox Footy expert) Richmond Collingwood Melbourne Adelaide Sydney Swans West Coast Eagles St Kilda GWS Giants Fremantle BRAD JOHNSON (Saturday Stretch) Richmond Geelong Melbourne Adelaide Sydney Swans West Coast Eagles St Kilda GWS Giants North Melbourne MAX LAUGHTON (Fox Footy Podcast) Richmond Collingwood Melbourne Adelaide Sydney Swans Brisbane Lions St Kilda GWS Giants North Melbourne KATH LOUGHNAN (Selection Night) Richmond Collingwood Melbourne Adelaide Sydney Swans West Coast Eagles St Kilda GWS Giants Fremantle LEIGH MONTAGNA (Selection Night) Richmond Collingwood Melbourne Adelaide Western Bulldogs West Coast Eagles St Kilda GWS Giants Fremantle CAMERON MOONEY (Fox Footy expert) Richmond Geelong Melbourne Adelaide Sydney Swans West Coast Eagles St Kilda GWS Giants Fremantle TOM MORRIS (Fox Footy Podcast) Richmond Collingwood Melbourne Adelaide Western Bulldogs West Coast Eagles St Kilda GWS Giants Fremantle SARAH OLLE (Saturday Stretch) Richmond Collingwood Melbourne Adelaide Sydney Swans West Coast Eagles St Kilda GWS Giants North Melbourne BEN WATERWORTH (Fox Footy Podcast) Richmond Collingwood Melbourne Adelaide Western Bulldogs West Coast Eagles St Kilda GWS Giants North Melbourne THE VERDICT Carlton 0 — Richmond 12 Collingwood 10 — Geelong 2 Melbourne 12 — Port Adelaide 0 Adelaide 12 — Hawthorn 0 Western Bulldogs 3 — Sydney Swans 10 Brisbane Lions 1 — West Coast Eagles 11 St Kilda 12 — Gold Coast Suns 0 GWS Giants 12 — Essendon 0 Fremantle 5 — North Melbourne 7 Get the ultimate AFL experience on your phone with the FOX FOOTY App. Download it NOW for FREE on iOS and Android!<doc-sep>It’s been 173 days since Dom Sheed etched himself into football folklore and secured the West Coast Eagles their fourth AFL premiership. Tonight, we start the whole song and dance once more. The first round of AFL action kicks off this evening and we’ve assembled a new-look expert panel of tipsters who’ll be looking to predict the future each week. I’ll be heading the panel for 2019, and I’m happy to be joined by new AFL expert Marnie Cohen, editor of the The Roar Daniel Jeffrey, as well as our pick of the crowd pundits; AdelaideDocker. As always, however, you’ll have an opportunity to have your say. We’ve got a form at the bottom of the piece where you can submit your tips, which doubles as our official AFL tipping competition for season 2019. We’ll also be tallying up who the majority picked for each game, and pitting your tips against the experts. Who knows? Maybe the crowd will come out on top. Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Reddit Email Share Stirling Coates Richmond, Collingwood, Melbourne, Hawthorn, Sydney, West Coast, St Kilda, GWS, North Melbourne Season 2019 begins with the typical season opener between Carlton and Richmond. While these clubs are big enough to ensure the game is always a spectacle, rarely have these been otherwise intriguing affairs and tonight should be no different. Advertisement Advertisement Even if they haven’t copped it in the media, the Tigers let the premiership slip through their fingers last year – far more so than Collingwood did – and will be hellbent on redeeming themselves this year. They should make light work of the Blues at the MCG. Collingwood and Geelong on the Friday is arguably the match of the round, with many still debating whether the Magpies are truly on the way up or whether the Cats are truly on the slide. Extremely bold headlines will be printed regardless of the result but, given the Pies have been able to play Geelong pretty well in recent years, I’m going with the home side. The other mouth-watering clash this weekend comes in the form of GWS versus Essendon on Sunday afternoon. As far as hostile returns home go, Dylan Shiel gets off pretty lightly here. While I think the Bombers will finish three or four places above the Giants this season, I like the men in orange in this one. A lot of eyes are on Melbourne to take the next step after their impressive 2018 season. The weight of expectation can be great, but they should really be able to account for a depleted Port Adelaide side facing external pressures of a different kind. Adelaide probably start as the most heavily-favoured non-finals team ever playing a top four side from the previous season when they clash with the Hawks. I reckon predictions of a Hawthorn demise are coming just as much from pundits hearts as they are from their heads, and I’m picking Alastair Clarkson’s side to cause an almighty boilover in the Saturday twilight clash. Brisbane get talked up against West Coast a lot I’ve noticed. Given they’ve lost their last eight matches against the Eagles by an average of 50 points, I’m not on the same bandwagon. The Swans will hopefully punish the Bulldogs for bringing those insipid Thor jumpers onto a football field in Saturday night’s other clash. Advertisement Advertisement Sunday’s other matches should see St Kilda disappoint their supporters with a four-goal win over the Suns, while North Melbourne will edge themselves past an injury-riddled Dockers side. Given previous AFL expert tips lead Josh Elliott had his ‘Lock of the Week’, we took a leaf out his book and continued that tradition in the form of the other Simpsons football analyst and his ‘Shoe-In of the Week’. While the temptation is there to simply pick whoever’s playing Gold Coast, St Kilda don’t instil that level of confidence in me. Instead, I declare Richmond my Shoe-in of the Week. Richmond, Geelong, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, West Coast, St Kilda, GWS, North Melbourne Tipping in Round 1 is very much the blind leading the blind because really, anything can happen. I’ve done my best to tip the winners and majority of these tips involve me being sucked in by the pre-season hype. Almost all of them. Possibly the biggest surprise is tipping Geelong over Collingwood. I know it’s hard to predict a team’s season based on the JLT series, but I loved the look of the Cats. They had a ferocious attack on the ball, complemented by immense tackling pressure on the opposition. Advertisement Advertisement This was particularly notable in their game against Essendon, when Geelong players swarmed the opposition each time they had their hands on the ball. The Giants are my teams to watch this season and, while I expect the Dylan Shiel cup to be close, I also expect GWS to start their season off with a win. Same for Adelaide and the Dees. On Sunday I had Fremantle over North in Perth, but with Jesse Hogan out of the side and with the current weather forecast in WA predicting mid-20’s, I’m changing it up and going with the Roos. Richmond, Collingwood, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, West Coast, St Kilda, GWS, North Melbourne Richmond will start the season with a big win over Carlton for the sole reason it’s Carlton. Well, that and the Tigers are looming as the most dangerous side this season. I’ll take Collingwood in a tight one over the Cats, while Melbourne should deal with Port Adelaide quite comfortably at the ‘G. The Crows had a stinker of a year in 2018 and, like most other pundits, I’m tipping them to surge right back into premiership contention this season. A win at home over the Hawks looks likely. Advertisement Advertisement Both of Saturday night’s games look relatively straightforward. Those horrid guernseys aren’t going to turn the Bulldogs into a team of superheroes, and Sydney should be far too strong for them, Lance Franklin or not. Brisbane are shaping as a big improver this year, but topping the defending premiers will be too much of an ask. Gold Coast at home was always going to be a soft start to the year for St Kilda, and a couple of injuries for the Suns makes it even more of a sure-fire win for the Saints. GWS versus Essendon is far harder to pick. Both sides should be firmly in finals contention, but I’ll err towards the home side and their scary good midfield. The popcorn shall be at the ready for Dylan Shiel’s Round 1 return to his old club. Fremantle and North Melbourne are evenly matched. Had Jesse Hogan been available, it would have been hard to go past the home side, but with him on the sidelines, it’s the Kangaroos who I’ll tip to get the job done. Richmond, Collingwood, Melbourne, Adelaide, Bulldogs, West Coast, St Kilda, GWS, Fremantle Rejoice, footy is back! For mine, there are three key games I’m wholeheartedly anticipating in this week’s suite of matches. Advertisement Advertisement Friday’s Collingwood versus Geelong clash at the MCG is one of those. There seems to be a trend of late where Collingwood perms well against the Cats, even when the Pies aren’t at their very best. While I predict it’ll be close, I’d argue that Collingwood should pull off a first-up win to begin what could be a very successful 2019. Geelong can’t be counted out though. The first of two Saturday clashes I’m looking forward too, Adelaide hosting Hawthorn, is also set to be an entertaining encounter. Adelaide’s 2018 was reasonably disappointing, but given their clean pre-season and arguably stronger side, I’d back them to defeat a Tom Mitchell-less Hawks outfit in South Australia. Also, switching focus to Queensland, Brisbane host the Eagles. My heart screams Brisbane yet my head screams West Coast. My tip is the premiers will salute victory in a close one. Expect a big crowd nevertheless, and I would not be surprised if the rapidly improving Lions push the Eagles to the very end. Outside those three games, there’s plenty of action to be had.<doc-sep>If you’ve been left puzzled by Port Adelaide, you’re not alone. Plus if the Bulldogs and Saints hit these certain low points, their coaches will be sweating. Every club’s burning question ahead of Round 1, plus tips and commentators for every Fox Footy game in our ultimate weekly preview: The Blowtorch. Get the latest AFL odds and BET NOW with Sportsbet. Live stream the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on KAYO SPORTS. Every match of every round. Live & anytime on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14 day free trial > ROUND 1 (all times AEDT) CARLTON v RICHMOND Thursday March 21, 7.20pm at MCG How to watch on Fox Footy: Channel 504 from 6.30pm, hosted by Eddie McGuire with Garry Lyon, Paul Roos, Jonathan Brown, Kelli Underwood, Dermott Brereton and Jon Ralph with the news. Carlton’s burning question: Is this the season where the Blues’ early draft picks explode? The early signs are promising. Last year’s Pick 1 Sam Walsh will debut first up and is as ready-made as they get, with expectations he’ll have an immediate impact. But Paddy Dow, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Harry McKay and Jacob Weitering — all top 10 picks from the past four drafts — have all had excellent and relatively uninterrupted pre-seasons. If all if the aforementioned click this season, the Blues will cause headaches for a few sides, perhaps starting with Richmond. Richmond’s burning question: Could the Tigers regret rushing Tom Lynch in for Round 1? Yes it’s Tom Lynch, but the Tigers’ decision to pick Lynch for the Carlton clash appears a tad risky. Lynch had a season-ending operation to repair a posterior cruciate ligament in July, then underwent a further procedure to remove scar tissue in November after arriving at Punt Road as a free agent. After spending most of the pre-season working on his recovery away from the main group, coach Damien Hardwick admitted there will be an element of the unknown about Lynch. Tigers fans will be hoping he hasn’t been rushed back too quickly. Fox Footy expert tipsters’ verdict: All 11 picked Richmond. COLLINGWOOD v GEELONG Friday March 22, 7.50pm at MCG How to watch on Fox Footy: Channel 504 from 7pm, hosted by Sarah Jones with Jason Dunstall, Nick Riewoldt, David King, Brad Johnson, Cameron Mooney and Jon Ralph with the news. Collingwood’s burning question: Is there such a thing as ‘too many gun midfielders’? Probably not — Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd sensationally dubbed the Magpies’ midfield group for 2019 is “arguably the deepest and best midfield the game has ever seen” — but there’ll be a few players spending ample time out of their natural habitat this season following Dayne Beams’ arrival. Even though he finished runner-up in last year’s Brownlow Medal, Steele Sidebottom will likely spend more time forward, while Taylor Adams, Tom Phillips and even Scott Pendlebury will split their time between the 50m arcs and the centre square. It’ll be a fascinating watch throughout 2019. Geelong’s burning question: Are pundits underestimating the Cats’ prospects for 2019? As one of the hardest teams to predict this season, the Cats could finish as low as 12th but as high as fourth. Most pundits believe it’ll be bottom-half of the eight or just outside. But if it clicks, Geelong could be a big top-four chance. The acquisitions of Luke Dahlhaus and Gary Rohan to play as genuine forward flanks and pockets shouldn’t be underestimated, while their youngsters — Tom Atkins, Charlie Constable, Gryan Miers and Jordan Clark — are hungry and ready to go. Keep an eye out. Fox Footy expert tipsters’ verdict: 9 of 11 picked Collingwood. LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODE OF THE FOX FOOTY PODCAST BELOW, OR TAP HERE TO SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES MELBOURNE v PORT ADELAIDE Saturday March 23, 1.45pm at MCG How to watch on Fox Footy: Channel 504 from 1.30pm, hosted by Sarah Jones with Eddie McGuire, Dwayne Russell, Garry Lyon, Paul Roos, Jonathan Brown and Cameron Mooney. Melbourne’s burning question: Why CAN’T the Dees win the flag? It’s a fair question, because there seems to be an array of reasons why the Demons can win this year’s premiership. After all, they seemingly have a perfect age demographic and the league’s best list, according to Champion Data. But premiership coach Mick Malthouse raised an interesting point writing for the Herald Sun recently, stating the Demons “release the pressure too soon and play like millionaires” when they are up in games, consequently leaving them vulnerable to be run over. And then there’s the burden of trying to break a 55-year premiership drought — no pressure, guys. Port Adelaide’s burning question: Are you confused by the Power’s mixed list messages? Many are. After the 2017 season, the Power loaded up on rival club talent, trading in the likes of Tom Rockliff, Jack Watts and Steven Motlop. Twelve months later, the same club trades aggressively back into the first round of the draft with three first-round picks, which will all debut this weekend. How can there be such a dramatic strategic swing within a year? Dual premiership Kangaroo David King this week told Fox Footy’s Facebook live show The Brekky Wrap that Ken Hinkley was the coach under the most pressure. Many would agree with him. Fox Footy expert tipsters’ verdict: All 11 picked Melbourne. ADELAIDE v HAWTHORN Saturday March 23, 4.35pm at Adelaide Oval How to watch on Fox Footy: Channel 504 from 4.30pm, with Anthony Hudson, Jason Dunstall, Nick Riewoldt and Nick Dal Santo. Adelaide’s burning question: How will the Crows cope with the hype surrounding them? Nothing went right for the Crows last year, from the infamous camp to an injury plague. But that made it easy to forget Adelaide was the best team of 2017 until the Grand Final. This is a side that has performed at an elite level very recently, and is the second oldest and fourth most experienced team in the AFL. Steady heads should help this team live up to the expectations of a return to September. Hawthorn’s burning question: Is a bottom-four finish still a realistic possibility for the Hawks? Hawks fans were up in arms when Brad Johnson and Nick Dal Santo, on the final episode of The Trade Lowdown last year, both predicted their club to plummet down the ladder in 2019. And that was before Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell suffered a likely season-ending injury. Yes, the Hawks made the top four last year, but as the oldest list in the AFL, father time could catch up to a number of their big names all at once. Plus the six other teams to go out in straight sets since 2000 all either finished on top the next year, or missed the eight entirely. Which seems more likely to you? Fox Footy expert tipsters’ verdict: All 11 picked Adelaide. Get the ultimate AFL experience on your phone with the FOX FOOTY App. Download it NOW for FREE on iOS and Android! WESTERN BULLDOGS v SYDNEY SWANS Saturday March 23, 7.25pm at Marvel Stadium How to watch on Fox Footy: Channel 504 from 7.20pm, with the Saturday Stretch team of Brad Johnson, Dermott Brereton and Sarah Olle. Western Bulldogs’ burning question: What would it take for Luke Beveridge’s job security to be questioned this season? If the Dogs are in the bottom four at season’s end and have several key players keen to explore their footy future options, some alarm bells might be ringing. Ultimately, the fairytale 2016 premiership Beveridge guided the Dogs to — and earnt him a contract extension until 2020 — is still reasonably fresh, while the club has had a horror run with injuries over the past two seasons. That’s why no questions have been asked yet. But club legend Brad Johnson told the Fox Footy Podcast this week Sydney’s burning question: Is this the year the Swans finally slide? Seemingly every pre-season, footy commentators predict a Swan dive down the AFL ladder. Every season, the Swans find a way and proved their doubters wrong. But many are confident they’ll miss finals for the first time in a decade.<doc-sep>
It’ll be a genuine fresh start for Port Adelaide this weekend, with coach Ken Hinkley revealing half of the side that played in Round 23 last year won’t face Melbourne on Saturday. Hinkley said six newcomers will debut for Port: Recruits Scott Lycett, Ryan Burton and third-year player Willem Drew, plus a trio of 2018 draftees Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma. Co-captain Ollie Wines (dislocated shoulder) will miss the season opener, but ruckman Paddy Ryder has been cleared to play despite a facial injury. Hinkley said he expected Ryder to wear a protective helmet. Get the latest AFL odds and BET NOW with Sportsbet Port’s opponents, Melbourne, have declared three of their most important players will be available for Saturday’s match at the MCG. Dees coach Simon Goodwin said co-captain Jack Viney would face Port, despite wearing heavy strapping on his left knee and undergoing a mini fitness test on Wednesday away from the main training group. Live stream the 2019 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on KAYO SPORTS. Every match of every round. Live & anytime on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14 day free trial > Fellow captain Nathan Jones, as well as forward Jake Melksham, will also take to the field. “They’ve had some really good hit-outs so they’re right to go,” Goodwin said. However the Dees will be without Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) and Joel Smith (groin). Meanwhile, Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has confirmed Jordan De Goey is “fit to go” against Geelong this weekend after his pre-season was interrupted by a mid-foot sprain. Buckley said De Goey will play mainly up forward but will run through the midfield at times. Earlier on Wednesday, Richmond confirmed star recruit Tom Lynch will play on Thursday night against Carlton, which will unleash six new players: Sam Walsh, Michael Gibbons, Will Setterfield, Mitch McGovern, Alex Fasolo and Nic Newman. See all the latest Round 1 team news and tips for every club below. LISTEN TO THE LATEST EPISODE OF THE FOX FOOTY PODCAST BELOW, OR TAP HERE TO SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES — Gold Coast’s top draft pick Jack Lukosius is likely to earn an AFL debut this Sunday as the Suns eye first blood against St Kilda. The teenager could be one of at least seven new faces to line up for the Suns against the Saints at Marvel Stadium. Midfielders Anthony Miles (Richmond) and George Horlin-Smith (Geelong) will add experience, while Jack Hombsch (Port Adelaide) will bolster a defence missing Rory Thompson (knee). Jordan Murdoch (Geelong) could be another to grab his chance after an off-season trade, while mature-age state league talents Sam Collins and Chris Burgess have both pressed their case. — As revealed on Fox Sports News’ AFL Tonight, first-round pick Jackson Hately is a strong chance to debut against Essendon this weekend. But fellow top selection Jye Caldwell won’t be available due to a groin injury. Geelong’s Jordan Clark is a chance to debut. Source: Getty Images — Geelong could be poised for a 45-year first when they take on Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night, with coach Chris Scott reportedly “seriously” considering debuting four fresh faces: Jordan Clark, Tom Atkins, Charlie Constable and Gryan Miers. And if you add the inclusions of Gary Rohan (Sydney) and Luke Dahlhaus (Western Bulldogs) it’s possible the Cats could have up to six changes to the team that was bundled out of the first week of finals last year. Get the ultimate AFL experience on your phone with the FOX FOOTY App. Download it NOW for FREE on iOS and Android! — Adelaide’s top-10 pick Chayce Jones looks set to come straight in for an opening round debut after impressing as a pressure forward during the JLT Community Series. — Hawthorn is missing a few due to injury, but that will open the door for James Cousins and Jack Scrimshaw to stake a claim in Alastair Clarkson’s side. Clarkson suggested Scrimshaw was on the cusp on selection, but he could make way for someone like Dylan Moore. — Western Bulldogs’ top 2018 draft pick Bailey Smith is a confirmed starter for his side’s clash against Sydney, which is set to reward new recruits Ryan Clarke and Jackson Thurlow for their positive starts. — Brisbane Lions defender Darcy Gardiner is firming for Round 1 selection against West Coast, who should have star forward Josh Kennedy available. Jack Petruccelle and Jamie Cripps could battle it out for the one spot, with Cripps still carrying a toe issue.