Home
Search
thewest.com.au‌‌
SportChevron Right Icon

AFL

West Coast will be hoping to rebound from their worst season on record in 2025 with plenty of fresh faces and young talent.

AFLVideoCommentsPremiumMeet every West Coast Eagle set to play in 2026

West Coast will be hoping to rebound from their worst season on record in 2025 with plenty of fresh faces and young talent. Meet every Eagle set to take the field in 2026.

Mitchell Woodcock

Fremantle Dockers head coach Justin Longmuir leaves the field following the AFL Round 1 match between the Geelong Cats and the Fremantle Dockers at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong, Saturday, March 14, 2026. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY JOEL CARRETT

AFLCommentsPremiumAFL have ‘got it wrong’ over Opening Round says Longmuir

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has called on the AFL to dump opening round saying it gives an unfair advantage to the teams that take part the following week.

Glen Quartermain

Fremantle lost to Geelong despite holding a big lead in the first half.

analysis
analysis
AFLVideoCommentsPremium
analysis
Until Dockers become ruthless, they’re just pretenders

Fremantle had the chance to prove to the AFL world that they had the killer instinct to be among the premiership contenders this year. Instead, they lost the seemingly un-loseable after a blistering first term.

Mitchell Woodcock

Shannon Neale stepped up with five goals as the Cats ran down the Dockers. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLScott hails Cats' belief as Neale stars in comeback win

Shannon Neale kicked an equal career-best five goals as Geelong overhauled a 35-point deficit in their thrilling win over Fremantle.

Shayne Hope

The proposed Macquarie Point stadium isn't expected to host AFL games until the 2031 season. (PR IMAGE PHOTO)

AFLStadium delay 'no surprise': Tasmania Devils CEO

Tasmania Devils CEO Brendon Gale is confident a longer-than-expected build for the Macquarie Point stadium won't hurt the club's ability to attract top talent.

Ethan James

Fremantle ran out of steam to lose to Geelong.

analysis
analysis
AFLCommentsPremium
analysis
THREE-WORD: Dockers run down in another Geelong defeat

A second-half fade out has seen Fremantle start the season with a defeat in Geelong for the second year in a row. Read our three-word analysis of every Docker.

Aaron Kirby

Fremantle are set to be among the teams contending for a premiership in 2026.

AFLCommentsPremiumMeet every Docker set to pursue club’s maiden flag in 2026

Fremantle are set to be among the teams contending for a premiership in 2026 with a list brimming with talent and experience. Here’s every player who will assist their bid this season.

Craig O'Donoghue

Aaron Naughton and Marcus Bontempelli combined for nine goals as the Bulldogs routed GWS. (Rob Prezioso/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLDogs coach dishes rare praise after Bont masterclass

An "extraordinary" performance from Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli inspired a rare act from coach Luke Beveridge post-match.

Sam McInerney

Veteran Fremantle defender Luke Ryan has suffered another blow after being dropped for the Dockers’ round one clash against Geelong.

AFLCommentsPremiumRyan cops fresh setback after being left out of Cats clash

Veteran Fremantle defender Luke Ryan has suffered another setback after being dropped for the Dockers’ round one clash against Geelong.

Aaron Kirby

Andrew Brayshaw of the Dockers is tackled by Jhye Clark.

AFLCommentsDockers fade as Cats claw their way to round one win

Fremantle won the sprint but lost the marathon, surrendering early ascendancy to open the season with a 10-point loss to Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday.

Glen Quartermain

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 14: Shannon Neale of the Cats celebrates a goal during the 2026 AFL Round 01 match between the Geelong Cats and the Fremantle Dockers at GMHBA Stadium on March 14, 2026 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

AFLCommentsRECAP: Cats run over Freo after second half fade out

Fremantle got off to a false start last year against Geelong. Can they find some redemption and lay down an early marker to show they are serious contenders this year? Relive all the action live!

Jake Santa Maria

Tim Kelly will start this season on the outer.

AFLCommentsPremium‘Standout’ Kelly backed to fight his way back into AFL side

West Coast captain Liam Duggan has backed ‘ultimate professional’ Tim Kelly to work his way back into the Eagles’ best 23 after he was a surprise omission from their season opener.

Mitchell Woodcock

Gold Coast's thumping win over Geelong has installed the Suns as betting favourites to win the flag. (AAP PHOTOS)

AFLSuns can dream but must switch on for protege's Eagles

Gold Coast, who host a West Coast side stacked with debutants, have surged into AFL premiership favouritism after their dominant first-up defeat of Geelong.

Murray Wenzel

Skipper Max Gawn is confident Melbourne have found the right personnel to play fast footy. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLNew-look Demons couldn't slow down if they tried: Gawn

Melbourne won't be left behind in the AFL's race to play fast, attacking footy, with skipper Max Gawn excited to see how an electrifying duo can spark his side.

Sam McInerney

Josh Carr says he's excited as he looks to his future as Port Adelaide's head coach. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

AFL'Get stuck into it': new Port coach relishes challenge

Josh Carr says he's excited at the prospect of coaching Port Adelaide in a premiership match for the first time.

Steve Larkin

Coach Brad Scott expects there will be more blowouts this year when top teams play rebuilding teams.

BRAD WARNINGVideoBrad Scott issues warning after belting: ‘Best of luck with that’

The Essendon coach has one big fear for 2026 and has sent the AFL a message.

Anna Harrington, AAP

Optus Stadium will be empty this weekend.

opinion
opinion
AFLCommentsPremium
opinion
Empty Optus piles on early pressure for Dockers and Eagles

Optus Stadium isn’t hosting soccer this weekend but it’s not available for Fremantle or West Coast either, and that puts heaps of pressure on both clubs to start the season well, writes Craig O’Donoghue.

Craig O'Donoghue

Murphy Reid of the Dockers celebrates a goal.

opinion
opinion
AFLCommentsPremium
opinion
DANIELS: ‘Truly special’ Reid has keys to Freo’s redemption

Fremantle must draw a line in the sand against Geelong and Murphy Reid might be the man holding the stick, writes Ryan Daniels.

Ryan Daniels

Josh Lindsay has been touted as a future star.

AFLVideoCommentsPremiumNew Eagle has more than just an elite kick to help him shine

To pigeonhole Josh Lindsay as just a lethal left foot would be an injustice to the broader skillset that has him touted as a future star for West Coast.

Mitchell Woodcock

Justin Longmuir and the Dockers will be aiming high in 2026.

analysis
analysis
AFLCommentsPremium
analysis
No excuses for Dockers in 2026 flag pursuit

Fremantle were belted to the tune of 78 points by Geelong in round one last year but 2026’s repeat should prove a stark difference as the Dockers look to announce themselves as flag contenders.

Craig O'Donoghue

Andrew McGrath and his Bombers' teammates after their hiding at the MCG. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLA 'gulf' between Essendon and AFL's best: coach

Left to lament Essendon's inability to defend against Hawthorn, coach Brad Scott says the Bombers are under no illusions how far they are from the AFL's best.

Anna Harrington

Lloyd Meek was in fine form as the Hawks hammered Essendon at the MCG. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLHawks' Mitchell delighted as dual rucks get rolling

After Ned Reeves and Lloyd Meek combined with aplomb against Essendon, Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell indicated two rucks is a winning formula he will stick with.

Anna Harrington

Hawks' Dylan Moore responded brilliantly against Essendon after a week in the headlines. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

AFLMitchell rapt with Hawks' response to week in headlines

Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald were key to Hawthorn's thumping of Essendon and coach Sam Mitchell praised their response to a week in the headlines.

Anna Harrington

Former Fremantle player and St Kilda coach Scott Watters has dared the Dockers to aim for a “minimum” grand final appearance this season.

AFLCommentsPremiumDockers should be aiming for grand final: Watters

Former Fremantle player and St Kilda coach Scott Watters has dared the Dockers to unleash a two-headed forward line beast and aim for a ‘minimum’ of a grand final appearance this season.

Glen Quartermain