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AFL Pre-Season Round 2 Review: What We Learned Before Opening Round

AFL Pre-Season Round 2 Review: What We Learned Before Opening Round

AFL Pre-Season Round 2 Review: What We Learned Before Opening Round

✍️ Introduction

Pre season footy is never about the scoreboard, it’s about the signs. The system tweaks. The role changes. The young players pushing for Round 1 selection. And sometimes, it’s about which contenders already look switched on.

Round 2 of the AFL pre-season gave us a clearer picture of who’s ready, who’s experimenting, and who still has work to do before the Opening Round. Some sides played like it was September. Others looked like they were just getting kilometres into the legs. But beneath the practice game tag, there were genuine storylines emerging.

From dominant ruck performances and breakout youngsters to pressure systems clicking and rebuilding clubs still searching for answers, here’s everything we learned from AFL Pre-Season Round 2.


🔵Carlton vs Geelong 🐱

Result: Carlton by 15 points

🔎 Key Points

  • Carlton’s ball movement off half-back looked noticeably quicker and more deliberate.

  • Geelong’s questionable pre-season intent; Are they just cruising?

📈 Key Performers

  • Jagger Smith – 37 disposals + 1 goal. Elite loose-ball work, evasive, creative. Immediate impact player.

  • Sam Walsh – Looked back to peak fitness. Bold prediction: potential club B&F winner.

  • Wade Derksen – 18 disposals, 5 marks. Strong showing after a difficult list journey.

📝 Geelong Notes

  • Shannon Neale knee concern (expected OK).

  • Cameron didn’t play; Dangerfield limited.

  • Ollie Dempsey trialled midfield minutes.

🧠 Takeaway

Carlton looked more dynamic with Walsh + Smith inside. Geelong are hard to judge, likely conserving energy.

🔴 Sydney vs GWS 🟠

🔎 Key Points

  • Sydney looked sharp and organised across both pre-season games.

  • GWS missing 11 players from last year’s finals.

📈 Key Performers

  • Brodie Grundy – Dominant ruck display. Jumping, athletic, exploiting new rules. All-Australian ruck talk.

  • Errol Gulden – Minor ankle scare.

  • Logan McDonald – Solid.

⚠️ Concerns

  • Clayton Oliver hasn’t shown strong form signs yet.

  • GWS depth issues may carry into season.

🧠 Takeaway

Sydney is trending strongly. Grundy looks revitalised. GWS need midfield lift.

🦁 Brisbane vs Gold Coast ☀️

🔎 Key Points

  • Both teams are unlikely to show full hands.

  • Brisbane’s top end talent looked ready.

  • Jed Walter – Suspended.

📈 Key Performers

  • Zac Bailey – Sharp.

  • Lachie Neale – 31 disposals.

🧠 Takeaway

Brisbane look settled and confident. Suns are hard to read, likely holding tactics back.

🔴 Melbourne vs Richmond 🐯(Lightning shortened)

🔎 Key Points

  • Melbourne comfortably on top before cancellation.

  • Richmond’s youth depth showing.

📈 Key Performers

  • Jacob van Rooyen (JVR) 3 goals. Important year ahead.

  • Melbourne’s midfield class is evident.

⚠️ Richmond Injury Concerns

  • Taj Hotton long term injury.

  • Sam Fawcett shoulder.

  • Youth development interrupted.

🧠 Takeaway

Melbourne still has an elite core. Richmond’s rebuild will be bumpy.

🔵 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn 🟡

🔎 Key Points

  • Bulldogs intensity and pressure elite.

  • Hawks struggled with ball movement under pressure.

📈 Key Performers

  • Riley Sanders – Played half-back distributor role.

  • Tim English – Dominant ruck performance.

  • Arthur Jones – 3 goals, strong pre-season.

⚠️ Hawks

  • Concussion concerns (Cam Mackenzie).

  • Thin midfield depth.

🧠 Takeaway

The Bulldogs' pressure game looks real. Hawks still solid but pre-season result questionable.

⚫ St Kilda vs Essendon 🔴

🔎 Key Points

  • Saints taking pre-season seriously.

  • Essendon competitive but outclassed in top-end talent.

📈 Key Performers

  • Jack Sinclair – 40 disposals.

  • Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (Naz) – 4 goals, dominant.

  • Windhager – 41 disposals.

  • Filippo – Clean stoppage work.

  • Mitch Owens – 2 goals, 21 touches.

🧠 Takeaway

The Saints' drafting looks elite. Talent undeniable — timeline still the question.

⚓ Fremantle vs Adelaide 🟡

🔎 Key Points

  • Freo dominant in clearances (+10) and inside 50s (+16).

  • Midfield/ruck structure discussion ongoing.

📈 Key Performers

  • Josh Treacy – 5 goals. Huge pre-season.

  • Murphy Reid – 30 disposals.

  • Luke Jackson – Role flexibility.

  • Luke Pedlar (Crows) – Forward pressure strong.

🧠 Takeaway

Freo looks dangerous. Ruck mix (Darcy/Jackson/Cox) intriguing tactical question.

🔵 North Melbourne vs Collingwood ⚫️

🔎 Key Points

  • North showed improved forward half pressure.

  • Collingwood is missing many stars but the system is still functioning.

📈 Key Performers

  • Harry Sheezel – 33 disposals, 1 goal

  • Luke Davies-Uniacke – 34 disposals

  • Jy Simpkin – 28 disposals, 10 tackles

  • Nick Larkey – 3 goals

  • Lachie Dovaston – 3 goals

🧠 Takeaway

North trending upward but still struggling to put teams away. Collingwood's system resilience is impressive.

🟡 West Coast vs Port Adelaide ⚡️

🔎 Key Points

  • West Coast started well but skill execution was poor.

  • Port looked intense and clinical.

📈 Key Performers

  • Zak Butters – 36 disposals, 2 goals.

  • Todd Georgiades – 6 goals.

  • Jacob Newton (WCE) – Exciting signs.

  • Joe Shanahan – Strong aerial, needs ground impact.

🧠 Takeaway

Port looks ready. West Coast is still raw but young talent flashing.

Overall Recap of the Review

  1. Pre-season intensity varies massively between clubs.

  2. New ruck rules favour athletic jumpers.

  3. Several young players making immediate impact:

    • Jagger Smith

    • Murphy Reid

    • Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera

  4. Injury concerns shaping early narratives (Richmond, Hawthorn, GWS).

  5. Saints and Swans trending strongly.

  6. Rebuilding clubs still show structural issues (North, West Coast, Richmond).