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Full Noise by SN
Live EPL this MondayVFL Round 1: Tasmania wins on debut in front of record crowd
Jaiden Sciberras • March 22nd, 2026 6:53 pm
The VFL has returned for 2026!
From Tasmania’s debut game to Geelong’s dominance, here’s a recap of everything you might have missed from Round 1’s action!
The Tasmania Devils have launched into the VFL in style, claiming a 17-point win over Coburg in front of a record crowd.
Selling out North Hobart Oval’s 10,634 capacity, the Devils took the lead late in the first term and never looked back.
Jed Hagan (18 disposals, 10 tackles, four goals) and Hugh Dixon (four goals) were the standouts for the Devils, while Coburg’s pairing of Jack Bytel (36 disposals, 11 clearances) and Donovan Toohey (34 disposals) found plenty of football.
Jaidyn Stephenson also returned to VFL football, kicking a goal from his nine touches.
A superb return to the VFL for Tasmania!
The Box Hill Hawks held the season opener against the Swans, winning by six goals thanks to a late third term flurry.
The Hawks were anchored by a collective of top senior listed talents, as the recently omitted Finn Maginness (31 disposals, one goal) and debutant Jack Dalton (27 disposals, six tackles, one goal) fired their names into contention.
Harry Morrison (26 disposals) and William McCabe (20 disposals, four goals) were also standouts for Box Hill, while Calsher Dear (13 disposals, two goals) won’t be out of the senior side for too long.
As for the Swans, veteran Taylor Adams (27 disposals, nine tackles, one goal) looked in good nick, while young forward Jesse Dattoli (20 disposals, two goals) may not have to wait too long for another opportunity at senior level.
Elsewhere, Geelong piled on the goals against the Bombers, booting 42 scores en route to a 163-78 win at GMHBA Stadium.
Of the Cats' 24 majors, Ollie Henry booted five, with Oli Wiltshire and Jay Polkinghorne contributing with four each.
Young guns George Stevens and Mitch Knevitt dominated in the midfield, combining for 68 disposals and 17 clearances.
For the Bombers, top 10 draft pick Jacob Farrow shone on debut with 31 and a goal, while Elijah Tsatas performed well with 23 and eight clearances.
Last year’s premiers Footscray kicked off their campaign with a win over Casey, led by veteran Adam Treloar.
After a horrid run with injuries, Treloar performed without hindrance to open his account in 2026, leading the line with 33 disposals, nine score involvements and six tackles as the Dogs claimed victory by 43 points.
SSP recruit Will Lewis bagged six, while 11 of the Dogs’ 23 finished with 20+ disposals.
As for Casey, Andy Moniz-Wakefield returned from long-term injury in style, collecting 32 disposals and eight marks, while recruit __Max Heath __managed 17 and a goal.
And in what may have been the game of the round between two non-affiliates, Williamstown edged past Frankston by just two points in a ripping contest on Friday night.
The Seagulls pulled away early, establishing a 36-0 quarter time advantage to claim full control. However, Frankston commenced their claw back in the second term, taking the lead for the first time just after the half time break.
Leading by eight points in the final term, Frankston were unable to hold onto their new-found lead, as Williamstown piled on three straight majors to regain the advantage and hold out for a stellar win.
Corey Ellison was superb for Frankson with five goals, while Brayden Preuss and Ben Kennedy led the Seagulls.
Around the competition, Richmond knocked off Southport by 40 points behind five goals from Jasper Alger, the Giants beat St Kilda by 44 behind of Jack Ough (35 and two goals), Oliver Hannaford (33 and three goals) and James Bell (36 disposals), Werribee knocked off the Suns by 15 and Port Melbourne closed Round 1 with a 14-point win over Sandringham!
