What stood out from the AAMI Community Series matches

The pre-season has come to a close, with the AFL Community Series wrapping up with a massive Port Adelaide win out west!

Players have put in the hard yards, with coaches preparing their squads to attack the 2026 season at full tilt.

Some teams have looked better than others, however as we all know, pre-season should only be taken with a grain of salt.

That said, the SEN.com.au team has collated a range of key talking points from each Community Series clash in the lead in to the AFL season opener between Sydney and Carlton next Thursday afternoon!

vs Fremantle

New No.1 big man?

Has Reilly O’Brien lost his starting spot at the Crows?

Lachlan McAndrew was the No.1 big man against Freo as O’Brien toiled away in a SANFL practice match.

It has been a talking point for much of the off-season, and this conclusion is based on presence - it seems as though McAndrew has landed the role (for now).

The former Swan wasn’t too bad either, winning 33 hit-outs, laying six tackles and gathering 10 disposals and three clearances, primarily against Mason Cox with a sprinkling of Luke Jackson.

Toby Murray was also picked ahead of O’Brien.

Youngster Charlie Edwards could debut in Round 1 after a strong 17-disposal and five-clearance outing, including 10 contested possessions. The 20-year-old looked at home through the midfield.

Andrew Slevison

vs Gold Coast

Star Lion will be paid very well

Everyone knows that Zac Bailey is set to be one of the most in-demand free agents this off-season, and going off his performance against the Suns, he could well be in the top handful of players in terms of earnings come season's end.

The livewire helped himself to 25 disposals and 2.3 in the Lions' 25-point win and was clearly one of his side's best.

The outing prompted Kane Cornes and David King to label him worth more than Carlton's Sam Walsh, who only last week inked an eight-year deal worth a reported $10 million.

If everything goes well for Bailey in 2026, we will see some insane offers come his way.

Lachlan Geleit

vs Geelong

Jagga Smith is very, very good

Talk about a statement!

The hype was as extreme as we've ever seen entering a pre-season, and Jagga Smith justified every comment within a mind-boggling four-quarter performance.

Dominant against the Cats, Smith accumulated a ridiculous 37 disposals, 15 contested possessions, five clearances, five score involvements and a goal in a confidence building Blues win at Ikon Park.

If this is a sign of things to come, look out!

Jaiden Sciberras

vs North Melbourne

The youth can play

The Pies have been picked to fall flat in 2026, entering the new season with the same ageing list that fell short last year.

That said, the kids have proven that they can compete at the level, with a number of talents ready to filter into the senior system.

Ed Allan has had quite the taste but looks prepared for a more significant role and Joel Cochran stood out in defence, while the likes of Charlie West, Wil Parker, Harry DeMattia and Harvey Harrison showed real capability against a near full strength North Melbourne side.

It might not click immediately for the youngsters, but don't underestimate the Pies' up and comers.

Jaiden Sciberras

vs St Kilda

Dons have found a ruckman

Lachie Blakiston was ultra impressive in Essendon’s loss to St Kilda.

After spending most of his 11 games last year as a defender, the mid-season draftee more than held his own as a ruckman on the weekend.

Blakiston battled manfully against Tom De Koning, who was occasionally helped by Rowan Marshall, and showed plenty to get excited about.

He had 21 hit-outs, 16 disposals, six tackles, five inside 50s, four score involvements and three clearances in a strong showing.

With Sam Draper now at Brisbane, Todd Goldstein retired and Nick Bryan on the way back from injury, there was a gaping ruck hole at the Dons which has momentarily been filed by Blakiston.

Top draftee Dyson Sharp was more than solid and should debt in Round 1, while last year’s success story Archie Roberts was excellent with 29 touches.

Andrew Slevison

vs Adelaide

Midfield Murphy is a problem

Last year's rising star, Murphy Reid shone in his debut season, flaunting a level of composure and maturity with the ball that very few teenagers share.

And now, it looks as though the young star is set to take his game to an entirely new level.

Featuring more prominently through the midfield, Reid accumulated an equal game-high 30 disposals, six score involvements and five inside 50s, proving dominant as the Dockers ran out victorious over Adelaide.

A breakout of the highest order could be on the cards.

Jaiden Sciberras

vs Carlton

Welcome back, Tanner Bruhn

Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield told SEN.com.au just last week that Tanner Bruhn would “make an enormous difference to our team” in 2026.

The Cats were without Bruhn for the entirety of the 2025 season and ‘Danger’ admitted he is a player they’ve missed.

Judging by what Bruhn produced against the Blues, his skipper is spot on.

The 23-year-old was one of Geelong’s very best with 27 touches, nine marks and four clearances, adding depth to their midfield unit.

Bruhn will almost certainly play his first AFL game since the 2024 prelim when the Cats meet the Suns on Friday night, and it’s nice to see him back after a nightmare 2025.

Andrew Slevison

vs Brisbane

Miller will be fine in Suns midfield squeeze

With a glut of on-ballers at their disposal, Gold Coast star Touk Miller looks set to spend more time at half-forward in 2026.

While it's not his natural role, the two-time All-Australian can still be equally as impactful, as shown on Thursday night.

Playing primarily around the flanks, Miller kicked two goals to go with 17 disposals.

It's another weapon at Damien Hardwick's disposal with the Suns having perhaps the most versatile midfield group in the competition.

He is one of the best two-way runners in the game though, so Dimma can turn to him if he needs some strength and fitness through the guts.

Lachlan Geleit

vs Sydney

The Clarry deal could prove crucial

When Tom Green went down with a season-ending ACL injury, Clayton Oliver's job tripled in importance.

And having experienced his first hit out as a Giant, that importance reached the surface.

In just over 60 per cent game time, Oliver led his side with 12 contested possessions - tied with Toby Greene, who also looks poised for career-high midfield minutes due to the club's injury crisis.

Jaiden Sciberras

vs Western Bulldogs

Transition thwarted, ball use impeded

Hawthorn’s transition was game was thwarted by the Bulldogs for much of their 44-point defeat.

Midfield depth has been a talking point relating to the Hawks this off-season and it reared its head against the Doggies. The Hawks won clearances but were cut up on the outside.

Connor Macdonald grasped another midfield opportunity with both hands in a major positive, but was a little bit untidy with his disposal at times. Jai Newcombe did plenty in and around the contest and the Hawks will be hoping their appeal is successful after he copped a one-match ban for a sling tackle on Ed Richards.

Sam Mitchell's side struggled to move the ball as they would have liked and were not as crisp as usual with movement out of defence. Two things to work on before Saturday against the Giants.

Tom Barrass’ absence in defence was felt and they’ll need him back before too long in order to shore things up after shipping 18 goals to the Dogs.

Andrew Slevison

vs Richmond

Sizzling Demons

There was a bit to like about Melbourne’s speed on the ball in their weather-impacted win over Richmond.

Steven King has brought a bit of Geelong zing to the Demons’ ball movement and has implemented it very quickly.

The likes of Kozzie Pickett, Caleb Windsor and Trent Rivers had some sizzle on the pill going forward. Windsor in particular was electric in his free-running midfield role.

Jack Steele and Tom Sparrow did the bulk of the grunt work inside and the aforementioned trio, along with Xavier Lindsay, Harvey Langford, Latrelle Pickett up forward and even Changkuoth Jiath off half-back moved the ball with swiftness and purpose

There is a freshness about the Dees who have had serious issues with their midfield-forward connection in recent years.

King has addressed those problems and is looking to fix them quite quickly.

Andrew Slevison

vs Collingwood

A win is a win

Against a heavily, heavily undermanned Collingwood side, the Kangaroos JUST managed to steal a result...

With almost a full strength squad in Ballarat, North Melbourne faced a side stacked with VFL players and claimed a narrow one-point win at the death... but a win is a win, and in this age of Kangaroo struggles, a positive result can only have positive effects on the playing group.

SSP signing Tom Blamires looks every bit an AFL player, while rookie Lachy Dovaston remained lively up forward. Positive signs from the side's newcomers.

The club will hope to carry their winning momentum into the early stages of the year, with fixtures against Port Adelaide, West Coast and Essendon to open the season.

Jaiden Sciberras

vs West Coast

The stars have blown apart the bottom four benchmark

It’s hard to take much out of a pre-season clash against the wooden spooners, but Port Adelaide showed enough to bolster expectations ahead of this season.

Port Adelaide – who have been heavily mentioned in and around bottom four discussions – absolutely demolished the Eagles, and if West Coast are the benchmark for a low-end side, the Power surely have enough to separate themselves from those conversations.

Zak Butters and Connor Rozee look in superb touch, Mitch Georgiades is a force up forward and their structure on and around the ball looks sturdy under Josh Carr.

Yes, it is only a pre-season hit out, but the Power looked far from a bottom-end club.

Jaiden Sciberras

vs Melbourne

Seniors beckon for McAuliffe

Some sections of Tigers fans have been crying out for regular game time for Kane McAuliffe.

He’s been unable to break into Adem Yze’s midfield unit in his two seasons and 14 AFL games to date, but there could be a role for him on the wing.

McAuliffe was busy in the three-quarter match against the Demons, tallying 17 disposals, taking seven marks and providing four inside 50s.

He’s tough around the contest when needed, so can go into the fray, but can gain important ground with his run and carry and lengthy left shoe as evidenced by his game-high 461 metres gained.

There was some uncertainty around Richmond’s wingers in 2026. McAuliffe could be the connection piece between defence and attack.

With more certainty is the ability of Sam Lalor.

Despite managed midfield minutes he led the game for clearances with five (all from the centre) and contested possessions with nine.

We all know he’s good but with more continuity and more confidence he will be a serious weapon for the Tigers.

Andrew Slevison

vs Essendon

The recruits are just the beginning

The additions of Tom De Koning, Liam Ryan, Sam Flanders and Jack Silvagni are exciting, but the retention of their drafted talents could be the difference in 2026.

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is an obvious one, prepared to elevate his superstar status even further as he progresses up the ground and onto the ball.

Marcus Windhager appears to be following in the footsteps of his former captain Jack Steele, released from his role as tagger only to dominate with physicality and ball-winning ability in the midfield.

Alongside the pair, Mitch Owens is primed for a breakout season, Mattaes Phillipou could star if he remains healthy and Alix Tauru is only just getting started...

Look out.

Jaiden Sciberras

vs GWS

Angus Sheldrick is ready to shine

Full of promise, the former first round pick is ready to explode at AFL level.

Featuring 20 times in 2025, Angus Sheldrick did enough to secure a place within the senior setup, and ahead of 2026, the 22-year-old could become more than just a walk-up starter.

Given the conditions, his inaccuracy with disposal can be forgiven - his 30, five tackles and a goal were enough for the Swans to dominate the undermanned Giants.

One to watch.

Jaiden Sciberras

vs Port Adelaide

At least the rookies looked good…?

A difficult watch for Eagles fans.

The club’s defence was taken to the cleaners by Port Adelaide, conceding 22 goals from just 50 inside 50s – a tally that will need sharpening as soon as possible.

That said, there are positives that can be withdrawn from the contest.

Rookies Josh Lindsay and Willem Duursma showed plenty, recruit Deven Robertson was one of the side’s best on ground, and the likes of Tom McCarthy and Harley Reid appear ready to anchor the midfield.

Hopefully, the side can piece it together early to ensure a repeat of last season is off the cards.

Jaiden Sciberras

vs Hawthorn

Creative Arty

The Dogs have been keen for a creative small forward to spark them in attack during Cody Weightman’s ongoing absence.

Rhylee West did a good job as a hard-working small last year with 39 goals, having booted 25 in 2024. But he needs help at ground level with a player of a creative nature.

Arthur Jones appears to be that guy.

He was a constant threat in attack against the Hawks with three goals from 12 touches including seven score involvements.

Jones was good in the recent scratch match against the Swans with three majors and has done his chances of early senior selection no harm at all.

Buku Khamis was stellar in defence with 21 touches, eight marks (two contested) and 13 intercept possessions.

Andrew Slevison