SEN’s AFL Player of the Year and Rising Star votes - Opening Round, 2026

There were some massive individual performances in the AFL's Opening Round.

Five matches took place on the first weekend of the season and there were a few standout performers including Christian Petracca on his Suns debut, Ed Richards in the Bulldogs' big win in Brisbane and Nick Daicos in Collingwood's season opener.

See our Player of the Year votes below:

SEN’s POTY votes - Opening Round

Sydney (132) v (69) Carlton

3: Errol Gulden (SYD)
2: Justin McInerney (SYD)
1: Isaac Heeney (SYD)

Who missed: James Rowbottom was in the mix for a vote.

Gold Coast (125) v (69) Geelong

3: Christian Petracca (GCS)
2: Touk Miller (GCS)
1: Bailey Humphrey (GCS)

Who missed: John Noble was excellent. Noah Anderson might have nabbed a vote if he kicked straighter.

GWS (122) v (95) Hawthorn

3: Jake Stringer (GWS)
2: Clayton Oliver (GWS)
1: Finn Callaghan (GWS)

Who missed: Stephen Coniglio was close. Jai Newcombe was Hawthorn's best.

Brisbane (106) v (111) Western Bulldogs

3: Ed Richards (WB)
2: Connor Budarick (WB)
1: Marcus Bontempelli (WB)

Who missed: Lachie Neale was a bit stiff to miss. Tom Liberatore and Charlie Cameron next.

St Kilda (66) v (78) Collingwood

3: Nick Daicos (COL)
2: Scott Pendlebury (COL)
1: Josh Daicos (COL)

Who missed: Harry Perryman was extremely unlucky to miss for his job on Nasiah.

Leaderboard

3: Nick Daicos (COL)
3: Jake Stringer (GWS)
3: Errol Gulden (SYD)
3: Ed Richards (WB)
3: Christian Petracca (GCS)
2: Touk Miller (GCS)
2: Scott Pendlebury (COL)
2: Justin McInerney (SYD)
2: Connor Budarick (WB)
2: Clayton Oliver (GWS)
1: Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
1: Josh Daicos (COL)
1: Isaac Heeney (SYD)
1: Finn Callaghan (GWS)
1: Bailey Humphrey (GCS)

We’ll also keep track of our version of the Rising Star in 2026.

SEN’s Rising Star votes - Opening Round

3: Jagga Smith (CAR)
2: Leo Lombard (GCS)
1: Lachie Jaques (WB)

Who missed: Zeke Uwland was close but made a few errors.