Carlton to play Adelaide, Port Adelaide to play St Kilda
Carlton will open the Gather Round against Adelaide next year as the AFL resists the temptation to kick off its annual football festival with a grudge match.
The Blues open the Roundup for the second time in 2023 against the Crows. In this match, the Crows defeated Carlton by 56 points after a terrific opening quarter.
Star Carlton midfielder Sam Walsh will be a key player for the Blues in the Gather RoundCredit: Getty Images
The league could kick off with Izak Rankine playing against Collingwood for the first time since he was suspended for a homophobic slur while playing with the Magpies last season and missed the finals.
In 2025, they planned for Hawthorn to play Port Adelaide in the final game of their tour of South Australia, following the controversial end to the 2024 semi-final when Power coach Ken Hinkley angered Hawks forward Jack Ginnivan by sledging him on the ground after the sound of a siren.
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This season, however, Port Adelaide will play the Saints at Adelaide Oval in the final game of the tour in what has become one of the most anticipated weekends of the year.
St Kilda’s Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera will be the focal point of the build-up after resisting a big offer from Port Adelaide in 2026 and opting to stay at the Saints for another two seasons.
The Western Bulldogs also announced they will not play two matches at Mars Stadium in Ballarat in 2026 while the ground is being redeveloped. They will play two matches in Ballarat in 2027 and 2028.
More to come
