Culture - It's time to quit stuff like this

Finally the 2026 AFL Premiership Season is upon us. While Melbourne sits out Opening Round, there is still plenty of footy to enjoy with five non-MFC clashes to kick off the new season. It all begins on Thursday night with a blockbuster at the SCG as Sydney hosts Carlton in what should be a strong early test for both sides. On Friday night, Gold Coast gets its chance to open the season in front of a home crowd when the Suns and Christian Petracca take on Geelong at People First Stadium. Saturday features a double-header, starting in the afternoon with Greater Western Sydney and Clayton Oliver meeting the Hawks at Engie Stadium. That is followed on Saturday night by Brisbane Lions hosting the Western Bulldogs at the Gabba, with the Lions embarking on their campaign to win the Threepeat. Opening Round wraps up on Sunday night at the MCG, where St Kilda takes on Collingwood in the only game in town in the first week of the season. There is no shortage of storylines across the round, so discuss all the action from the non-MFC games of Opening Round.

With just over two weeks until their opening match of the 2026 AFL Premiership season, the Demons are already well on the path to redemption and have the Saints firmly in their sights ahead of their mid-March clash at the MCG. What do you think the team will look like when they run out on to the G?

Mars is not usually a place known for lighting strikes but on Friday evening it happened twice in the vicinity of the stadium in Ballarat that carries the name and is a half completed building site with limited capacity for spectators.

The Dees ran another clinic for the second week in a row as they easily accounted for the Tigers in the lightning interrupted shortened match at Mars Stadium in Ballarat.

Kozzy Pickett was the man of the match last week and has a vote lead over backup ruck Max Heath who didn't play this week and 5 votes over former Saint Jack Steele. Who gets the votes in this weeks shortened match win over the Tigers? Your votes please. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

It's Game Day and the 2026 AFL Premiership season is almost upon us as the Demons take to the field for their final practice match before the first ball is kicked in anger in 16 days time. What are you expecting to see from the Dees today as they take on the Tigers at Mars Stadium in Ballarat?