Verdict on favourite son in rapid slide; Tiger ‘Ferraris’ set to explode — Blowtorch

Suns’ burning question: Is Jamarra ready for Opening Round?

You can’t be too critical of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan in our first look at the recruit in a Suns guernsey last week. The forward struggled to have an influence in the match simulation loss to St Kilda in what was a tough night for key forwards in dewy conditions on the Gold Coast. It wasn’t helped by some pretty ordinary supply up forward either and constantly being overmatched in two or three v ones. But on Thursday we’ll get a better idea if the recruit is ready for Opening Round and playing in his first official AFL game since 2024 after impressing at the Suns over the pre-season. Plus a look at how Ugle-Hagan function alongside Ben King in a combination Gold Coast fans will be hoping can spearhead a premiership caliber forward line in 2026. If the former No. 1 pick can step up against the reigning back-to-back premiers, imagine what sort of confidence he could take into the season proper.

MELBOURNE v RICHMOND

Friday February 27, 4.10pm at Mars Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: Channel 504 from 4pm with Dwayne Russell, Jess Webster, Brad Johnson, Nick Dal Santo & Ben Dixon

Demons’ burning question: How real is this more exciting brand under King?

It was like you were watching a totally different side last week. Melbourne looked re-energised in a dominant 80-point win over North Melbourne in their match simulation match. Forget the scoreboard, the Demons passed the eye test with flying colours and you could see the brand new Steven King is trying to install. They defended well and looked organised behind the ball, then attacked with a more daring, chaotic brand. Sounds simple enough, but it’s effectively how Melbourne and 17 other clubs will be wanting to play. We’ll get another look at it against Richmond in a method that Kysaiah Pickett and cousin Latrelle thrived in to provide serious optimistic for Demons fans and renewed faith for what 2026 could hold.

Tigers’ burning question: Will the new ‘Ferraris’ be Round 1 ready?

Fox Footy’s David King — an avid training track-watcher at this time of the year — cheekily suggested on X in January there were “Ferraris” everywhere at Richmond. If that’s the case, No.1 pick Sam Lalor would be in pole position, evidenced by his tantalising showing against Essendon. He took an awesome mark early and, overall, was clean and comfortable in possession, attending many centre ball-ups. Then there’s 2025 top-1o draft picks Sam Grlj and Sam Cumming, who are eyeing early-season debuts. Grlj was arguably the most impressive Richmond youngster against the Bombers with his daring dash and adept decision-making exiting defence, while Cumming improved as the game progressed and benefitted from more centre ball-up attendances. It’s one thing to show glimpses in the pre-season, but how quickly can they convert their form into home and away season class? Because you sense they’ll be heavily relied upon early.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v HAWTHORN

Friday February 27, 7.10pm at Mission Whitten Oval

How to watch on Fox Footy: Channel 504 from 7pm with Anthony Hudson, Garry Lyon, Ken Hinkley, Lauren Wood & David Zita

Bulldogs’ burning question: Will there be enough growth from within?

We all know the Dogs’ A-graders — Bontempelli, Darcy, Richards and Dale, to name a few — and how important they are to the team’s success. But for the Bulldogs to take the next step in 2026 and become the flag contender many think they can be, the emerging youngsters and ‘depth players’ need to step up. We’ve seen signs of that in recent weeks, most notably in the match sim against Sydney. After 18 games and four seasons, Arty Jones looks primed to cement his spot in the Dogs’ line-up, while Ryley Sanders and Lachie Jaques loom as potential weapons ahead of their third and second years respectively. Add in a full year in the midfield for emerging star Joel Freijah and there’s more tools for Luke Beveridge to work with.

Hawks’ burning question: Are midfield reinforcements hiding in plain sight?

So much of the talk over the off-season has surrounded Hawthorn’s midfield and whether it has enough firepower after the club missed out on Zach Merrett and the subsequent injury blow to Will Day. Would they have gone harder at Merrett if they knew they’d be without Day for half the season? Well, two emerging players ready to help fill the void could be hiding in plain sight — Josh Ward and Connor Macdonald. Ward already levelled up his game in 2025 to become a key part of Sam Mitchell’s midfield, without becoming a bona fide star of that engine room. Meanwhile Macdonald has never gotten great on-ball exposure at AFL level but was a gun midfielder in his junior days. Both players impressed in last week’s match simulation against Geelong and should only get more opportunities to show their worth against the Western Bulldogs. Some of these names going to another level could be the difference in the Hawks being a genuine contender in 2026. Triple premiership Hawk Shaun Burgoyne told foxfooty.com.au his former side would “be around the mark” for a flag, adding: “They seem to be riding the wave of expectation. They’re embracing it, playing a really exciting brand, they defend really well … the whole team seem to be gelling under Sam.”

ST KILDA v ESSENDON

Saturday February 28, 3.10pm at Mars Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: Channel 504 from 3pm with Leigh Montagna, Gerard Healy, Ken Hinkley & Ben Dixon

Saints’ burning question: TDK came with the biggest price tag … but is another recruit set to have a greater impact?

Sure, it was only match simulation, but a big tick to the new-look Saints in their first unofficial game of 2026 in a 71-point drubbing of Gold Coast. Sam Flanders was everywhere in a pure midfield role where he racked up a stack of touches. Save it for the real stuff, Sam! So while $12 million man Tom De Koning comes on the biggest price tag of their recruits and thus should have the highest expectations, Flanders could end up being their most valuable addition. The ex-Sun led a more dynamic looking midfield alongside Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Mattaes Phillipou, who himself is like something of a new recruit after his 2025 was ruined by injury. Clearly, teams are going to put more attention into Wanganeen-Milera this year, so if the likes of Flanders and Phillipou can also wreak havoc through the midfield, it could go a long way for Ross Lyon’s troops.

Bombers’ burning question: Is their forgotten star primed to bounce back?

Darcy Parish feels like a bit of a forgotten man at Essendon after injuries have derailed the midfielder in recent years. But he might be ready to re-announce himself to the AFL world in 2026. Parish, 28, racked up plenty of the footy as one of the club’s best in their 50-point match simulation win over Richmond last week. A midfield led by Parish, Zach Merrett, Jye Caldwell and Sam Durham shouldn’t be underestimated if they can all stay on the park and build reps together after an injury year from hell in 2025. Parish was one of the biggest victims of that injury curse with just three appearances, so Bombers fans will be keen to see the All-Australian back up last week’s efforts, and as much as anything, simply show he’s fit and ready to fire for the season proper.

FREMANTLE v ADELAIDE CROWS

Saturday February 28, 6.10pm at Lane Group Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: Channel 504 from 6pm with Adam Papalia, David King, Will Schofield & Kath Loughnan

Dockers’ burning question: How lethal could they be forward of centre this year?

Fremantle’s key forwards have given fans plenty to be excited in recent years. And the excitement was only augmented last week with Jye Amiss, Josh Treacy and Pat Voss taking advantage of a young West Coast backline to kick eight of Fremantle’s 11 goals. But what’ll be just as important this year is the delivery they receive up the field. Rising Star winner Murphy Reid has been the buzz player across the summer at Freo — a title he lived up to last weekend as he took on a bigger role in the midfield. While coach Justin Longmuir was keen to temper expectations on Reid, he did admit: “His kicking inside 50, I know the forwards lick their lips leading at him.” The kick inside 50 has never been more important — and Reid, according to Longmuir, is “probably our best ball user forward of centre”. Watch out.

Crows’ burning question: Are Reilly O’Brien’s days numbered?

The Crows, like many clubs, are experimenting with a different ruck set-up this off-season with new rules and an extended bench. The athletic Lachlan McAndrew has surged into the No. 1 ruck spot, while the versatile Toby Murray looms as the likely forward-ruck option, therefore allowing the ominous Riley Thilthorpe to remain closer to goal. So what does that mean for Reilly O’Brien? A best and fairest winner and member of the leadership group, O’Brien has suddenly gone from the Crows’ clear preferred ruck for seven consecutive seasons to third in the pecking order. Crows legend Mark Ricciuto said O’Brien was a proud player and integral clubman who “will be having an absolute crack as well” to get back into the senior side, but conceded the rule change that helps jumping rucks “hurts Riley a bit”. Ricciuto told foxfooty.com.au: “He’s more of a stronger-bodied ruckman, but Reilly is really good around the ground and he’s pretty good when it’s on the ground as well. So while it hurts him in the jump in the centre square, it might aid him against the jumpers because as soon as it hits the ground he might be able to follow up better. It’s not completely against him, so let’s wait and see. Everyone has to adapt to the rules, some can do it better than others, but he not going to throw the towel in just because there’s a rule change and say ‘my career’s over’. He’s been great for the Adelaide Football Club and I reckon he’ll find a way.”

NORTH MELBOURNE v COLLINGWOOD

Sunday March 1, 1.10pm at Mars Stadium

How to watch on Fox Footy: Channel 504 from 3pm with Leigh Montagna, Matt Hill, Jack Riewoldt, Jordan Lewis & Eddie Betts

Kangaroos’ burning question: Surely they’ll be better than last Friday night?

After six consecutive bottom-three finishes, North has indicated it’s ready to make genuine inroads and challenge for finals. But the match sim loss to Melbourne would’ve been a jarring experience for its fans. Yes it was only a February match simulation, so setting off the alarm bells now would be premature. But you could sense the Roos’ frustration post-game, with assistant coach Michael Barlow dubbing the 80-point loss to Melbourne as “unflattering and disappointing”. Barlow told reporters: “We had a really good discussion as a group just before around having real belief and confidence in what we’ve been able to do in the last few months and the back-end of last year – we have the faith and things will be OK. We’ll get another opportunity to butter up next week.” Well, the opportunity comes this weekend against reigning preliminary finalists Collingwood. The Roos are missing several key players through injury, but must show more defensive accountability against the Pies to ensure they hit the home and away season with some confidence and momentum.

Magpies’ burning question: Is Craig McRae retooling his midfield?

Granted, Collingwood was missing several key stars including both Daicos brothers and Darcy Cameron. But a starting midfield of Oscar Steene, Jordan De Goey, Ed Allan and mature-aged draftee Angus Anderson in their match simulation clash with GWS showed Craig McRae might be ready to turn a page with his engine room and give more opportunities to young players. That’s not to say they’ll be relying on these less experienced players, but simply be more willing to expose them to bigger roles after they’ve consistently gone back to the well with the likes of Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom and Jack Crisp. Anderson was impressive with serious physicality and defensive presence as the type of player who could be ready for senior footy early, while Beau McCreery also had some impressive stints through the midfield as a De Goey-esque type of player.

WEST COAST EAGLES v PORT ADELAIDE

Sunday March 1, 6.10pm at Mineral Resources Park

How to watch on Fox Footy: Channel 504 from 6pm with Adam Papalia, David King, Will Schofield, Kath Loughnan & David Zita

Eagles’ burning question: How bold will they be for Round 1 selection?

There’s a lot of uncertainty around how the Eagles will line up for their first home and away match. Could they name all three 2025 first-round draftees to face Gold Coast? No.1 pick Willem Duursma looks like a lock, while No.4 pick Cooper Duff-Tytler is in a good spot for an early debut with fellow tall Archer Reid probably slightly behind Duff-Tytler and Jobe Shanahan in the pecking order. And with Liam Baker banned for one match, No.19 pick Josh Lindsay is right in the mix to face the Suns after impressing with his composure and pinpoint ball use in recent weeks. Elsewhere, would the Eagles look at Jacob Newton over Matt Owies if there’s room for only one small forward? And does the versatile Bo Allan get a gig first up? And if so, what role does he play? We could get a few answers on Sunday.

Power’s burning question: How underdone is Jason Horne-Francis?

For now, the Power are keeping calm on Horne-Francis’ fitness, but he’s dealing with a lingering foot injury. Horne-Francis who underwent off-season surgery to address the foot issue that saw him miss the back-end of 2025, was withdrawn from last week’s match sim against Adelaide during the second quarter. Power assistant coach Luke Webster said it was “awareness” in Horne-Francis’ foot, while the player himself told 7News Adelaide “it was just being extra careful”. Horne-Francis has already been carefully managed across the summer, especially after he left the track early in November with a foot concern. But the star midfielder declared: “I definitely feel I can turn it around and hopefully have a good season.” For now, every Horne-Francis step – literally and figuratively – will be eagerly watched.