AFL 2024: Opening Round Preview

The 2024 AFL season starts in an unfamiliar setting....Sydney. The AFL have opted to split the Opening Round across two weeks with week 1 being held in the Rugby League heartland of New South Wales and Queensland.

We look at each fixture with particular emphasis on the Irish players involved and predict who will pick up the four points.

Sydney v Melbourne, SCG

Thursday, March 7, 7.30pm AEDT

Last time: Melb 11.11 (77) def Syd 7.14 (56)

Irish Involvement: None

Sydney go into the 2024 season without their talisman for the last 10 years, Buddy Franklin, who retired late in 2023. They have recruited 2 time All-Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy (from Melbourne) who will add a bit of stardust to their squad.

Melbourne head into the game on the back of losing Angus Brayshaw to a concussion forced retirement recently. However Clayton Oliver overcoming his interrupted pre-season will help alleviate some of their midfield concerns.

Prediction: Melbourne Demons

Brisbane v Carlton, Gabba

Friday, March 8, 6.40pm AEST

Last time: Brisbane 11.13 (79) def Carlton 9.9 (63)

Irish Involvement: Despite having 3 Irish players on their senior list none of Brisbane's Irish contingent will take any part in the game. Conor McKenna has been given more time to recover following a pre-season injury while James Madden & Darragh Joyce will struggle for significant game time this year.

These teams met in the 2023 preliminary final with Brisbane proving victorious. The Brisbane Lions head into the 2024 as many peoples favourite for the premiership given their narrow defeat to Collingwood last year and are notoriously difficult to defeat at the Gabba.

Carlton made the finals for the first time in 9 years in 2023 and have a number of players at the top of the game including Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh and reigning Coleman medalist Charlie Curnow.

Prediction: Brisbane Lions

Gold Coast v Richmond, Heritage Bank Stadium

Saturday, March 9, 3.20pm AEST

Last time: GC 11.6 (72) d Rich 6.12 (48), R7 2023

Irish Involvement: None

It had to be! The new Gold Coast Suns head coach, Damien Hardwick, opens his new chapter against the team he coached to 3 premierships in 4 years! Gold Coast fans (of which there aren't many) will be hoping Hardwick can lead them to their first finals campaign since their inception. Richmond are on a downward trajectory but still have some quality around the squad including Shai Bolton and an ever-dangerous Dustin Martin.

Prediction: Gold Coast Suns

GWS v Collingwood, Giants Stadium

Saturday March 9, 7.30pm AEDT

Coll 8.10 (58) d Greater Western Sydney 8.9 (57)

Irish Involvement: Callum Brown of GWS will start as a deep forward and has impressed already with a number of goals in pre-season.

This is another repeat of a 2023 Preliminary Final where GWS came heartbreakingly close to victory against eventual premiership winners Collingwood. GWS had an incredible finish to the 2023 Home and Away Season with 11 wins from their last 13 games and they will be hoping they can kick on in 2024.

This game should be a great one with two of the top teams in the league competing against each other with some exciting players to watch on both sides: Toby Greene and Tom Green from GWS and Jordan De Goey and Nick Daicos of Collingwood.

Prediction: GWS