Key posts
Can the Suns handle the hype?
One of the questions over Gold Coast this season is how they will handle expectations? This is the first time in the expansion club’s history they are being tipped to finish in the top and be a genuine premiership contender.
Suns coach Damien Hardwick, in his pre-game interview on Fox Footy, says his team is aware of the hype.
“There’s no shying away from that,” Hardwick said. “You’re allowed to go there, but pull yourself back.”
The trap they cannot fall into, Hardwick said, is become too focused on results as that can lead to “tightness” and “anxiety”.
Selection
Both teams are missing some key players tonight, but both also welcome some high-profile off-season recruits.
For the Suns, the biggest name on the sidelines is Brownlow medallist Matt Rowell. He suffered a finger injury playing for Victoria in last month’s State of Origin game, and a timeline for his return is yet to be revealed, the Suns simply listing his estimated return date as TBC.
Of course, the upside for Damien Hardwick’s team is that former Melbourne star Christian Petracca is stepping out for his new team. He’s been named on a half-forward flank.
Geelong are starting their season without skipper Patrick Dangerfield (calf) and also last year’s Coleman medallist Jeremy cameron (quadriceps), although both should not be sidelined for long. Bailey Smith (calf) and Gryan Miers (thumb) were both listed to have fitness tests this week, but were selected in the 23 for tonight’s game alongside midfield recruit James Worpel, playing his first game for the Cats since crossing from Hawthorn.
You can catch up with all the selected teams for opening round here.
Seeking your podcast questions
Speaking of the Real Footy podcast, the Monday edition returns next week.
Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Caroline Wilson will be in the studio to discuss all the news and share their views on opening round and the biggest stories of the 2026 season.
They’re always happy to take questions from the audience on the pod, so if you’ve got something to ask Gleese, Jake and Caro, and would like your question read on air, post it in the box below.
For the tipsters among us
Of course, this is the second match of opening round. The AFL season began at the SCG last night when Sydney overcame a sluggish start to storm over the top of Carlton.
It was a fairly predictable result in the end; one most footy tipsters would have anticipated, except for one in our team… I won’t name this tipster.
But footy tipping is a tricky game.
Each Thursday on the Real Footy tipping podcast, Peter Ryan and I try to make your tipping task just that little bit easier. They take you through each of the games for the coming round and share their advice before you lodge your tips for the weekend.
You can catch up with this week’s episode of the pod here:
The weather forecast for tonight’s clash
By Andrew Wu
It’s warm and humid on the Gold Coast, which is no surprise at this time of year. We might get a shower or two but, thankfully, there’s no repeat of the cyclone which threw opening round into chaos 12 months ago.
Welcome to Friday night footy
By Andrew Wu
Hello to everyone. Thanks for joining me tonight for Friday night footy. Tonight it’s the flag fancies Gold Coast taking on last year’s runners-up Geelong at People First Stadium.
The undermanned Cats are missing five of their grand final team, including Patrick Dangerfield and Jeremy Cameron, but will still be fielding a strong 23 for their first game of the season.
Among those who did not play in the decider are veteran defender Tom Stewart, Tanner Bruhn and former Hawthorn midfielder James Worpel.
The Suns are unveiling former Melbourne champion Christian Petracca and No.2 draft pick Zeke Uwland after a busy trade period.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
