There were some massive individual performances across Round 1 in the AFL.

With all 18 teams returning for the first time in 2026, we had nine games to analyse over a massive weekend of footy.

See our Player of the Year votes below:

SEN’s POTY votes - Round 1

Carlton (75) v (71) Richmond

3: Patrick Cripps (CAR)
2: Jayden Short (RIC)
1: Sam Walsh (CAR)

Who missed: Tom Lynch would have polled if he kicked straight.

Essendon (83) v (145) Hawthorn

3: Josh Ward (HAW)
2: Nick Watson (HAW)
1: Connor Macdonald (HAW)

Who missed: James Sicily was brilliant off half back, while Jack Ginnivan and Dylan Moore were strong.

Western Bulldogs (134) v (53) GWS

3: Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
2: Aaron Naughton (WB)
1: Tim English (WB)

Who missed: A heap of Dogs starred. Sam Darcy, Tom Libenratore and Matt Kennedy unlucky.

Geelong (110) v (100) Fremantle

3: Max Holmes (GEE)
2: Jeremy Cameron (GEE)
1: Luke Jackson (FRE)

Who missed: Bailey Smith and Caleb Serong had plenty of it while hitting the scoreboard.

Sydney (104) v (60) Brisbane

3: Tom McCartin (SYD)
2: Nick Blakey (SYD)
1: Joel Amartey (SYD)

Who missed: James Rowbotton and Justin McInerney the next best.

Collingwood (79) v Adelaide (93)

3: Wayne Milera (ADE)
2: Nick Daicos (COL)
1: Josh Worrell (ADE)

Who missed: Alex Neal-Bullen was immense while Dan Houston continued his hot start to 2026.

North Melbourne (113) v (67) Port Adelaide

3: Dylan Stephens (NM)
2: Harry Sheezel (NM)
1: Luke Parker (NM)

Who missed: Charlie Comben and Tristan Xerri were big in their battles.

Melbourne (120) v (107) St Kilda

3: Jacob Van Rooyen (MEL)
2: Max Gawn (MEL)
1: Max Hall (STK)

Who missed: Brody Mihocek and Kysaiah Pickett were big inside 50 for the Dees.

Gold Coast (131) v (72) West Coast

3: Noah Anderson (GCS)
2: Christian Petracca (GCS)
1: Joel Jeffrey (GCS)

Who missed: Jarrod Witts absolutely dominated Matt Flynn in the ruck.

Leaderboard

5: Nick Daicos (COL)
5: Christian Petracca (GCS)
4: Marcus Bontempelli (WB)
3: Wayne Milera (ADE)
3: Tom McCartin (SYD)
3: Patrick Cripps (CAR)
3: Noah Anderson (GCS)
3: Max Holmes (GEE)
3: Josh Ward (HAW)
3: Jake Stringer (GWS)
3: Jacob Van Rooyen (MEL)
3: Errol Gulden (SYD)
3: Ed Richards (WB)
3: Dylan Stephens (NM)

We’ll also keep track of our version of the Rising Star in 2026.

SEN’s Rising Star votes - Opening Round

3: Lachie Jaques (WB)
2: Jagga Smith (CAR)
1: Sam Grlj (RIC)

Who missed: Willem Duursma, Dyson Sharp and Latrelle Pickett all had nice debuts.

Leaderboard

5: Jagga Smith (CAR)
4: Lachie Jaques (WB)
2: Leo Lombard (GCS)
1: Sam Grlj (RIC)