Saturday Fallout: Bulldogs flip the script in defining win

Bulldogs begin narrative change

From a list perspective, there is very little that the Western Bulldogs want for in terms of quality.

Boasting four players within Champion Data’s top six players in the competition for 2025, there have been few doubts over the side’s potential.

But despite the quality, the main criticism surrounding the Bulldogs last year had been their inability to compete with the competition’s best.

Despite having 14 wins, a percentage of 137 and the best attack within the competition, their record of 2-9 against top eight sides -- which saw only wins against GWS-- would have haunted Luke Beveridge’s side throughout the off-season as they finished ninth.

But in their first match of 2026, they’ve already gone a long way to dismissing that narrative.

To beat the reigning back-to-back premiers is already an impressive feat.

However, to do so after being down by 26 points towards the final minutes of the third quarter and away from home is a massive line in the sand moment for this club that has struggled to claim a big scalp.

With fixtures against GWS and Adelaide in the next two weeks, who are predicted by most to be within the top 10, the Bulldogs can put the flat-track bully claims to rest.

Nicholas Quinlan

The Package still delivers

With the Giants keen to atone for their elimination final loss against the Hawks, there was plenty of focus surrounding the club’s big name recruit in Clayton Oliver.

The former Demon was certainly impressive in his maiden gallop for the orange and charcoal, having amassed 26 disposals and 10 clearances.  

But it was the Giants’ big recruit from last year in Jake Stringer that left the biggest surprise at ENGIE Stadium...besides Tom Hanks’s fandom of the Big Big Sound.

From taking contested pack marks to kicking it off the ground, Stringer was finding goals as easily as a seagull finds a chip.

And whilst he scored five goals, it easily could have been more, having also scored four behinds for the match as GWS cruised to a 27-point win.

Having battled with plenty of injuries throughout his first season in the Harbour City, it’s easy to forget that before being cast away from the Bombers, the now 31-year-old scored 42 goals in his last season at Essendon.

Despite his health woes in 2025, he was still ranked as elite for goals scored with an average of 1.7.

If he can stay healthy throughout the early stages of the year and maintain his form, then he's well on his way to crossing the 40+ goal mark.

But just like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get when Stringer plays.

Nicholas Quinlan

Are the Suns contenders?

Gold Coast are legit...

Over the off-season many pundits rated the Suns as a premiership chance in 2026, and expected the club to dismantle Geelong in their Opening Round game, but there was one question - would they be able to rise to the occasion against the 2025 Grand Finalist's?

They absolutely did.

The Suns dominated the Cats throughout the entire game, with Christian Petracca likely taking home the 3 votes.

On his debut game for the club, Petracca managed a stellar 34 disposals along with three goals, announcing himself to the Suns faithful as a fan favourite with his highest ever rated career game according to Champion Data.

With last season's Brownlow Medalist, Matt Rowell, and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan still not in the main squad, Gold Coast's stocks will only continue to rise throughout the season, making them a definite chance to win the flag.

On the other hand, the Cats proved that they cannot perform at the top-level without their veterans.

Jeremy Cameron and Patrick Dangerfield sitting on the sidelines was a huge blow for the 2025 Grand Finalist's, and showed that the Cats need these stars back as soon as possible!

Connor Scanlon

New season, same old Carlton

It might not be good for Carlton fans, but it’s great theatre for the rest of us.

Talkback should be fairly strong today, you’d imagine.

An almighty second-half capitulation condemned the Blues to a deflating 63-point loss to the Sydney Swans in the much-anticipated season opener at the SCG.

In the fourth minute of the third term the Blues led by 22 points. Things were in decent shape.

Inexplicably they conceded 12 goals for the remainder of the quarter, including a run of six in 12 minutes, then copped another six majors either side of the final break.

The slick Swans, who were at the centre of a first-half fumbleathon, piled on 18 goals to six in the second half to make Michael Voss’ side look silly.

Dean Cox’s men exposed Carlton’s inability to cover the ground. The Blues were torn to shreds. They didn’t have the legs to go with the home team. They couldn’t spread.

"No matter what we did, we couldn't stop it," said Voss.

Just 38 tackles from the Blues. Half of those came in the second half when they barely had the ball. The last time they had less tackles they smashed West Coast in Round 5 last season. When they always had the ball.

To borrow a half-time prediction from a former colleague, Nic Negrepontis - a broken Blue:
“Dominate Q1
“Even Q2
“Smashed Q3
“Out of reach Q4
“Following the script from last year so far.”

It was an all-too-familiar feeling for Blues fans even after all of that off-season change. Their fans know them all too well.

On the other hand, the Swans seemed imperious when their stars got going. Errol Gulden, Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner sizzled after half-time - particularly Errol and Isaac.

And while it took Charlie Curnow a little while to find his footing, it must have hurt the Carlton faithful when he nailed his first Swans goal during that third term onslaught.

Plenty of questions and not many answers for Carlton. Old foe Richmond at the MCG next Thursday to take out their anger as the Swans paddle on to a huge home clash with the Lions next Saturday night.