Overview

• Six opening matches produced varied outcomes as Carlton, West Coast, Sydney, North Melbourne, Essendon and Melbourne secured Round 1 victories between August 14 and 16.
• Sunday’s closing fixtures pit the Brisbane Lions against Hawthorn at Brighton Homes Arena, St Kilda against Adelaide at RSEA Park and Port Adelaide against Fremantle at Alberton Oval.
• Broadcast partners have lined up live coverage on Kayo and Foxtel’s Fox Footy with select free-to-air access via Channel 7 and 7plus for Sunday’s matches.
• Fremantle will welcome back captain Ange Stannett from an ACL layoff alongside Kiara Bowers after childbirth, while Adelaide’s lineup features Ebony Marinoff and new recruit Hannah Ewings.
• Strong early performances, notably Essendon’s 56-point win over GWS and North Melbourne’s upset of Geelong, are shaping ladder dynamics heading into the final Round 1 games.