AFL 2026: Charlie Curnow, Ollie Florent and Will Hayward face their old sides in Opening Round

Former Carlton megastar Charlie Curnow won’t have to wait long to settle any differences with his former side as the start of the season and AFL’s Gather Round were locked.

Charlie Curnow will open his career in Sydney against his former side Carlton in Opening Round next season with two former Swans now Blues also getting an immediate go at their old teams after acrimonious departures.

Ahead of the full release of the 2026 fixture on Thursday, the AFL also confirmed the full Gather Round schedule, which will begin with Adelaide playing Carlton and once again include games in the Barossa Valley, making up round five of the season.

But the season will open with Carlton travelling to the Harbour City to take on the Swans in the opening match of the season on Thursday, March 5.

It will also be a reunion for Will Hayward and Ollie Florent, who were part of a separate trade between Sydney and Carlton and said they didn’t like the way things ended.

While it’s Carlton’s second crack at Opening Round in three years, it’s St Kilda’s debut on the first weekend of the season.

Charlie Curnow will face his old side in Opening Round. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The Saints will take on Collingwood in a home game at the MCG on the Sunday night before the Labour Day public holiday.

Saints superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera said there was no bigger home-and-away game than the Pies at a packed ‘G.

“Yeah, really excited, obviously first time for the club … it’s great to be a part of it,” he said.

“I can’t wait to get stuck into it; it’s huge, we get to play against Collingwood who have been a strong side for a couple of years.

“Hopefully, it’s a big crowd there, we’re super excited to be a part of it.

“It’s on the big stage, the ‘G, on a Sunday night, it doesn’t get much bigger than that.”

St Kilda's Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera can’t wait to pay at the ‘G against Collingwood. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The AFL is going to release its full fixture on Thursday but prematurely announced the Western Bulldogs would not host any games in Ballarat next season.

The Bulldogs have played several home games in the regional Victorian town but will hold off next season as Mars Stasom remains under construction.

Richmond will also host games in Tasmania after North Melbourne’s partnership with Hobart ended.

The Tigers won’t lose any of their MCG games, instead trading in their AFL-mandated home games at Marvel Stadium.

GATHER ROUND MATCHES

Thursday April 9:

Adelaide v Carlton (AO)

Friday April 10:

Collingwood v Fremantle (AO)

Sat April 11:

Essendon v Melbourne (AO)

North Melbourne v Brisbane (Barossa)

Sydney v Gold Coast (Norwood)

Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs (AO)

Sunday April 12:

Geelong v West Coast (Norwood)

GWS v Richmond (Barossa)

Port Adelaide v St Kilda (AO)