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The dominant storyline coming out of Round One for Sunday’s clash at Optus Stadium centres on the influence of the big men. The spotlight naturally falls on two elite ruckmen who, five years ago, shared the stage in Melbourne’s memorable premiership triumph. Max Gawn, now a veteran of more than a decade at the very top of his craft after a long apprenticeship, started slowly last week against Tom De Koning but worked his way into the contest, eventually asserting his authority and guiding his side to victory. He was well supported by Harrison Petty, who provided valuable backup in a part-time ruck role. Twenty-four hours earlier, Luke Jackson was outstanding for Fremantle, taking control of the ruck division and showcasing his elite athleticism. Alongside Luke Darcy, he helped the Dockers explode out of the blocks against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, where they piled on a remarkable eight-goal opening term. However, that early dominance faded as the Cats’ running power took over, gradually shifting momentum as Fremantle ran out of steam. Post-match, Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir voiced frustration about the fixture, arguing that teams involved in Opening Round gain a “competitive advantage” over those starting in Round One. “Anyone who’s been around football would realise it’s an advantage,” he said. “We should all start the season the same way.” In contrast, Melbourne’s new coach Steven King struck a far more positive tone following his side’s winning performance. He praised his players’ intent to move the ball quickly and boldly, highlighting a more aggressive and exciting style of play. He also welcomed the club’s new additions, noting their immediate impact, and reinforced a coaching philosophy built on freedom, trust, and instinct. King could easily have countered Longmuir by pointing to Fremantle’s own advantage this week - hosting a travelling side on a short six-day turnaround. Instead, he chose to focus internally, a mindset that may prove invaluable as the season unfolds. This contrast in outlook is telling. While Melbourne’s list may not match Fremantle’s depth on paper, the Demons are playing with cohesion, purpose, and belief. Their ball movement - particularly transitioning from half-back with speed and precision - suggests they are far more competitive than many expect. Fremantle’s midfield, featuring Jackson alongside Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw and Hayden Young, appears settled and dynamic. Yet Melbourne’s emerging on-ball brigade, blending experience with youthful explosiveness, showed genuine promise against St Kilda. Up forward, the Demons look significantly more cohesive. The inclusion of Brody Mihocek alongside Jacob van Rooyen and Bayley Fritsch has improved structure and synergy, while the Pickett cousins, Kozzie and Trelly, add pace and unpredictability at ground level. Melbourne’s defensive structure is also undergoing a transformation in line with the new style. Against the Saints, they afforded considerable latitude to the opposing forwards and conceded a high number of marks inside the 50 metre arc that were not fully capitalised upon, but they will need to fortify their defences as required. The Docker attack is expected to present more of a challenge than the Demons faced last week. Ultimately, the outcome may hinge on the marquee ruck duel between Gawn and Jackson, as well as Melbourne’s capacity to maintain intensity across four quarters. If the Demons can sustain their run and composure, they are every chance to push the home side deep into the contest. That said, the balance still leans slightly towards Fremantle - but only just, in what shapes as a far closer encounter than many anticipate. Fremantle by 3 points. THE GAME Melbourne v Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Saturday 21 March 2026 at 7.35pm HEAD TO HEAD Overall Fremantle 27 wins Melbourne 19 wins At Optus Stadium Fremantle 1 win Melbourne 1 win Last five meetings Fremantle 3 wins Melbourne 2 wins The Coaches Longmuir 0 wins King 0 wins THE LAST TIME THEY MET Melbourne 16.11.107 defeated Fremantle 14.13.97 at The MCG, Round 6, 2025 The Demons caused an upset in ending their season opening five game losing streak on the back of a slashing game from Kozzie Pickett (5 goals, 24 disposals) and Max Gawn’s dominant ruck display against Sean Darcy in the absence of Luke Jackson. Trent Rivers also had a big day out to thwart the Dockers. THE TEAMS (to be loaded when available) FREMANTLE MELBOURNE Injury List: Round 2 Shane McAdam — Achilles / 2-4 weeks Matthew Jefferson — foot / 3 -5 weeks Aidan Johnson — knee / 3-5 weeks Luker Kentfield — knee / 3-5 weeks Kalani White — glandular fever / 3-5 weeks Jake Bowey — foot / 7 -9 weeks Tom Campbell — neck / TBC Jack Viney — Achilles / TBC

As part of the effort to trim the runtime of the regular podcast, we’ve been looking at which segments could be reshaped without losing what makes them valuable. One segment that naturally came into focus was Binman’s Stats Files. Not because it isn’t important; quite the opposite. It’s become such a substantial and much-loved part of the show that it deserves a little room to breathe. The Stats Files is one of the things that gives this podcast its unique flavour, but it also takes up a fair bit of airtime and, just as importantly, a lot of preparation from Binman behind the scenes especially with the tight turnaround after those Sunday late-afternoon games. So rather than lose it altogether, we’re evolving the format. We’ll still bring you an abridged version of The Stats Files on the main podcast, but for those of you who really like to sink your teeth into the numbers, we’re launching this midweek companion pod featuring the full-length version. So for fans of The Stats Files, don’t worry it isn’t going anywhere. It’s just getting its own stage. And this podcast is its debut. Presenting the inaugural Stats Files presented by Binman for Round 1.

10 - Darcy Fort (Brisbane) "Brisbane have needed him at the most important time of the year. He just does his job whenever Fages (Chris Fagan) calls on him. When he's needed, he gets it done." 9 - Toby Nankervis (Richmond) "Warrior. He's still a gun and he still terrifies me when he marks the ball." 8 - Darcy Cameron (Collingwood) "I think he's a really good intercept ruckman. I think he marks the ball a lot, I'm just not sure he's absolutely everything else that some of these high quality rucks can be." 7 - Tim English (Western Bulldogs) "Really starting to emerge. He's a damaging ruckman, he's not just a ruckman. As I said some of these blokes, their whole game's amazing." 6 - Tristan Xerri (North Melbourne) "Last year outstanding, he was in the All-Australian conversation with Max (Gawn). He probably will be (higher) if he keeps going the way he's going." 5 - Tom De Koning (St Kilda) "He had Max (Gawn) on toast in the first quarter and then the tonsillitis kicked in and he didn't have enough antibiotics otherwise it would have been a whole different conversation." 4 - Luke Jackson (Fremantle) "He could be No.2 in my mind if he played ruck the whole time. Absolute superstar ruckman. If he ever gets let free as a full-time ruck, goodness gracious me." 3 - Brodie Grundy (Sydney) "He's been an outstanding ruckman over his career. He's done lots of great things and he's made a world of difference up there in Sydney." 2 - Jarrod Witts (Gold Coast) "He's a big man. He's been an absolute star for (Gold Coast). He's been captain at different times. He's keeping a great ruckman, Ned Moyle, out of the game." 1 - Max Gawn (Melbourne) "Maxy gets number one and rightly so. He's been the best for a number of years now and he deserves the titles, and he deserves the conversation - is it Simon Madden or Max, because he's been outstanding."

Of course he is.

325 is the new 426

The compromised AFL fixture will get another test this week with the first lot of teams getting a bye after only two matches. Despite this Round 2 starts off with two cracking games as the Hawks host the Swans at the G on Thursday Night and then on Friday Night the Crows host the Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval. On Saturday Christian Petracca will return to the MCG as his new Suns take on the Tigers. Later that day the Saints head to Greater Western Sydney to take on the Giants as they try to avoid an 0 and 3 start to the season. Sunday will see a double header of 4 teams that will likely be propping up the ladder in 2026 as the Power host the Bombers at Adelaide Oval and the Eagles host the Kangaroos at Optus Stadium. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons?

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Carlton v Richmond10 Sam Walsh (CARL) 6 Patrick Cripps (CARL) 6 Jayden Short (RICH) 5 Jagga Smith (CARL) 2 Tim Taranto (RICH) 1 Jacob Weitering (CARL) Essendon v Hawthorn9 Nick Watson (HAW) 5 Tom Barrass (HAW) 4 Jack Gunston (HAW) 4 Conor Nash (HAW) 3 James Sicily (HAW) 3 Jarman Impey (HAW) 1 Zach Merrett (ESS) 1 Jai Newcombe (HAW) Western Bulldogs v Greater Western Sydney10 Marcus Bontempelli (WB) 8 Aaron Naughton (WB) 6 Tom Liberatore (WB) 3 Matthew Kennedy (WB) 2 Tim English (WB) 1 Lachie Jaques (WB) Geelong v Fremantle8 Max Holmes (GEEL) 7 Luke Jackson (FRE) 7 Shannon Neale (GEEL) 4 Shaun Mannagh (GEEL) 2 Caleb Serong (FRE) 2 Jeremy Cameron (GEEL) Sydney v Brisbane8 Nick Blakey (SYD) 8 Joel Amartey (SYD) 7 Tom McCartin (SYD) 4 Riley Bice (SYD) 2 Isaac Heeney (SYD) 1 Jarrod Berry (BL) Collingwood v Adelaide10 Wayne Milera (ADEL) 5 Riley Thilthorpe (ADEL) 5 Josh Worrell (ADEL) 4 Nick Daicos (COLL) 3 Alex Neal-Bullen (ADEL) 3 Dan Houston (COLL) North Melbourne v Port Adelaide10 Charlie Comben (NMFC) 6 Luke Parker (NMFC) 4 Harry Sheezel (NMFC) 4 Tristan Xerri (NMFC) 4 Dylan Stephens (NMFC) 2 Luke Davies-Uniacke (NMFC) Melbourne v St Kilda9 Jacob van Rooyen (MELB) 8 Max Hall (STK) 7 Max Gawn (MELB) 2 Callum Wilkie (STK) 2 Jack Sinclair (STK) 1 Jack Steele (MELB) 1 Caleb Windsor (MELB) Gold Coast v West Coast10 Christian Petracca (GCFC) 8 Jarrod Witts (GCFC) 6 Noah Anderson (GCFC) 3 Ben King (GCFC) 2 Touk Miller (GCFC) 1 Milan Murdock (WCE) LEADERBOARD20 Christian Petracca (GCFC) 14 Nick Daicos (COLL) 13 Sam Walsh (CARL) 10 Marcus Bontempelli (WB) 10 Charlie Comben (NMFC) 10 Tom McCartin (SYD) 10 Justin McInerney (SYD) 10 Wayne Milera (ADEL) 10 Ed Richards (WB) 10 Jake Stringer (GWS) 9 Jacob Van Rooyen (MELB) 9 Nick Watson (HAW) 8 Joel Amartey (SYD) 8 Nick Blakey (SYD) 8 Errol Gulden (SYD) 8 Max Hall (STK) 8 Max Holmes (GEEL) 8 Bailey Humphrey (GCFC) 8 Aaron Naughton (WB) 8 Jack Sinclair (STK) 8 Jarrod Witts (GCFC)

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We’ll leave the questions there for this week. There’s plenty to unpack, and I’m very conscious of the need to trim the runtime of the show while also easing the preparation load at my end. That said, I really do appreciate all the questions and comments from the audience. They’re a big part of what helps shape the agenda each week and give us a strong sense of what people want discussed. Even when we can’t get to everything, the feedback is always valuable and helps guide the conversation.

The first round results for the 2026 Demonland Player of the Year 17. Max Gawn 16. Jacob van Rooyen 8. Jai Culley, Kysaiah Pickett 7. Jack Steele 4. Brody Mihocek 2. Koltyn Tholstrup 1. Harrison Petty

One of the big stories of the AFL off-season was the spending spree of Melbourne’s Round 1 opponent, St Kilda. They splashed out heavily, first to retain Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera - the hero of last year’s epic come-from-behind miracle victory - turning him into a $2 million man. They then effectively took out an expensive overdraft to recruit a string of expensive players from other clubs. It was a risky investment strategy and, although it’s still early days, it certainly failed to pay off in Sunday’s season opener, with much of the glitter turning to fool’s gold. Melbourne’s thriftier and more measured approach looks the better bet at this stage. Having decided to clear the decks of some outstanding icons of the past - players who might still have had a few quality seasons left in them - the Demons instead turned to youth in the draft and adopted a restrained recruiting strategy. The result was not a bargain-bin Temu Melbourne, but rather a collection of hard-working contributors: the blue-collar reliability of Brody Mihocek, a real steal in former Saints captain Jack Steele, and the unpredictable Jack-in-the-box dynamism of Changkuoth Jiath. All appear to be solid pieces in a team willing to commit fully to the cause. A new coach and the fresh approach he has brought with him have also provided an important ingredient for change. The Saints, with the advantage of a Round Zero game already under their belts, started more strongly but were soon reeled in. Rule changes introduced by the AFL over summer appear to favour a faster, more direct style of play. Stolid, slow ball movement won’t cut it. For now, the theme seems to be survival of the fittest. Enter eight-time All-Australian ruckman Max Gawn. He struggled a little early against St Kilda’s $1.75 million ruckman TDK, but when the contest intensified he produced a herculean masterclass of ruck craft, endurance and strength. Gawn dominated the second half and played a pivotal role in delivering victory for the Demons. With Steven May now retired, young forward Jacob van Rooyen commands the team’s highest guernsey number. Sporting a newly shorn look and a leaner frame, he stepped up to the honour superbly, kicking six goals alongside Mihocek’s three - a clear reflection of King’s overhaul of the way Melbourne structures its attacking entries, sometimes starting from deep in defence. The avenues into attack now come from different places than the ineffective methods of recent seasons and the result in terms of efficiency of the forward line is obvious and glaring. The statistics are being turned on a head. On that subject, Christian Salem capped off his 200th AFL game with a team high 23 possessions, a solid performance from the loyal defender. The team’s enthusiasm is infectious. First goals for new players were celebrated with genuine excitement. Latrelle Pickett had a relatively quiet debut, but the reception from both teammates and crowd when he produced that sizzling run around a flat-footed line of St Kilda defenders for his first goal will become an unforgettable memory. His older cousin Kozzie came alive in the second half when it mattered most. Koltyn Tholstrup was handed the daunting early-career task of minding Wanganeen-Milera and, although the maestro slipped away a few times, the youngster can hold his head high. And in a game increasingly demanding elite fitness, Harry Sharp became more valuable as the match wore on. There is still a mountain of work ahead. Not everything went to plan in the heat of the contest. Frustratingly, kicks and handballs did not always hit their targets. The reshaped midfield remains a work in progress and the list still needs depth to navigate through a long, hard season. They will face a sterner test against Fremantle’s high-quality on-ball brigade next week. But if Sunday is any indication, Demon fans have reason for optimism. It may not yet be gold-class football, but it’s a promising start. MELBOURNE 3.3.21 9.7.61 14.9.93 18.12.120 ST KILDA 4.4.28 9.5.59 13.11.89 15.17.107 GOALS MELBOURNE van Rooyen 6 Mihocek 3 Chandler Culley Fritsch Gawn K Pickett L Pickett Sharp Steele Windsor ST KILDA Hall 4 Wanganeen-Milera 3 Higgins Owens 2 Keeler Ryan Wilson Wood BEST MELBOURNE Gawn van Rooyen Mihocek Windsor K Pickett Steele ST KILDA Hall Wanganeen-Milera Sinclair Wilkie Windhager Flanders INJURIES MELBOURNE Nil ST KILDA Matteas Phillipou (corked quad) Liam Ryan (corked shoulder) REPORTS MELBOURNE Nil ST KILDA Nil UMPIRES Nicholas Jankovskis Matt Stevic Andrew Heffernan Harrison Birch CROWD 44,577 at the MCG

👆Paging Dr @binman for the Stats Files on the Podcast.

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