Every AAMI Community Series Practice Match Reviewed: SuperCoach 2026 Takeaways
All 9 AAMI Community Series practice matches reviewed with SuperCoach analysis, three players to watch from every game, injury updates, and rookie signals heading into Round 1 2026.
The pre-season is done. Nine games. Every club. Now we know things.
The AAMI Community Series gave us our last look at every AFL list before Round 1 kicks off on Thursday, March 5. Our team has reviewed every match through the SuperCoach lens — the role changes, the rookie signals, the injury flags, and the premium watch-outs that should be shaping your squad right now.
Click through to any match for the full breakdown including three players to watch, detailed SuperCoach analysis, and injury tables.
Full Results & Reviews
Wednesday, February 25
Carlton 13.8 (86) def. Geelong 11.5 (71) — Princes Park
The headline: Jagga Smith racked up 37 disposals on return from his ACL tear. Carlton's post-Curnow era has a pulse.
SuperCoach signal: Smith's midfield-forward link role is a goldmine at his ACL-deflated price. Tanner Bruhn's return off half-back adds Geelong DEF depth.
Three to watch: Jagga Smith, Tanner Bruhn, Elijah Hollands
👉 Full match review: Carlton vs Geelong
Thursday, February 26
Sydney 14.13 (97) def. GWS 8.11 (59) — Henson Park
The headline: Brodie Grundy dominated under the new ruck rules — 33 hitouts, 4 clearances. Charlie Curnow bombed one from 60m on the run.
SuperCoach signal: Grundy is a top-3 RUC lock. The new rules suit athletic ruckmen. Toby Greene's 26 disposals and 8 tackles from a FWD role is elite hybrid output.
Three to watch: Brodie Grundy, Clayton Oliver, Toby Greene
👉 Full match review: Sydney vs GWS
Brisbane 19.12 (126) def. Gold Coast 15.11 (101) — Springfield
The headline: 227 combined points in the QClash. Petracca was explosive for the Suns (24 disposals, 9 clearances). Logan Morris kicked four for the Lions.
SuperCoach signal: Petracca at Gold Coast is a format-winning pick if healthy. Keidean Coleman's return from double ACLs at a deflated price is the value play to stash.
Three to watch: Christian Petracca, Keidean Coleman, Logan Morris
👉 Full match review: Brisbane vs Gold Coast
Friday, February 27
Melbourne 12.6 (78) def. Richmond 6.7 (43) — Mars Stadium, Ballarat (abandoned — lightning)
The headline: Melbourne's new attacking game style is legit. Caleb Windsor and Kysaiah Pickett ran the new-look midfield. Seven first-quarter goals.
SuperCoach signal: Windsor is Melbourne's breakout candidate — 10 touches and 7 score involvements in the first quarter alone. Pickett's increased midfield time changes his scoring profile entirely.
Three to watch: Caleb Windsor, Kysaiah Pickett, Sam Lalor
👉 Full match review: Melbourne vs Richmond
Western Bulldogs 18.9 (117) def. Hawthorn 11.7 (73) — Whitten Oval
The headline: Tim English put in a ruck performance for the ages — 23 disposals, 6 marks, 4 clearances, 2 goals. The Bont had 29 touches. Hawthorn will hope this was a pre-season aberration.
SuperCoach signal: English is a potential top-2 RUC if the multi-faceted role continues. Jordan Croft at $120k is free money. Nick Watson's class was obvious despite the 44-point loss.
Three to watch: Tim English, Nick Watson, Jordan Croft
👉 Full match review: Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn
Saturday, February 28
St Kilda 17.13 (115) def. Essendon 10.12 (72) — Mars Stadium, Ballarat
The headline: Welcome to the Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera era. Four goals, 28 disposals, 805m gained from a midfield role. The million-dollar man delivered.
SuperCoach signal: NWM's role upgrade from half-back to midfielder is the biggest pre-season shift. Lachie Blakiston as a DEF-priced ruck scoring 86 points is a format-breaking cheat code.
Three to watch: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Lachie Blakiston, Liam Ryan
👉 Full match review: St Kilda vs Essendon
Fremantle 12.12 (84) def. Adelaide 9.14 (68) — Rushton Park, Mandurah
The headline: Josh Treacy single-handedly won the game with five final-quarter goals. Adelaide's 14 behinds cost them dearly.
SuperCoach signal: Rachele's midfield time is the signal to track — if Adelaide commit, he's underpriced. Mitchell Marsh's 65m bomb from the draft class was a nice debut moment.
Three to watch: Josh Treacy, Josh Rachele, Mitchell Marsh
👉 Full match review: Fremantle vs Adelaide
Sunday, March 1
North Melbourne 12.18 (90) def. Collingwood 14.5 (89) — Mars Stadium, Ballarat
The headline: Top pick Lachy Dovaston kicked the winning goal in a come-from-behind one-point thriller against an undermanned Collingwood. The kid looks ready.
SuperCoach signal: Dovaston ($290k FWD) is a near-certain Round 1 debutant. Trembath ($167k) changed the game at half-time with two goals. Blamires ($230k) was a revelation off half-back.
Three to watch: Lachy Dovaston, Cooper Trembath, Tom Blamires
👉 Full match review: North Melbourne vs Collingwood
Port Adelaide 22.8 (140) def. West Coast 9.13 (67) — Mineral Resources Park, Perth
The headline: Port obliterated West Coast with an 11-goal third quarter. Georgiades kicked six. Butters scored 152 Fantasy points in 67% time on ground. The Power look terrifying.
SuperCoach signal: Butters in a contract year is a top-5 MID. Josh Lindsay ($278k DEF) was the lone Eagle bright spot — near-certain debut, strong cash cow. Duursma's 38% disposal efficiency is a concern, but the role is there.
Three to watch: Zak Butters, Josh Lindsay, Mitch Georgiades
👉 Full match review: Port Adelaide vs West Coast
Pre-Season SuperCoach Power Rankings
Based on everything we saw across the AAMI Community Series, here are the key takeaways by position:
Rucks to Lock
| Player | Club | Why | |--------|------|-----| | Brodie Grundy | Sydney | 33 hitouts, new rules suit him perfectly | | Tim English | Bulldogs | 23 disposals, 2 goals — plays like a mid | | Lachie Blakiston | Essendon | DEF-priced ruck. 86 Fantasy pts. Cheat code. |
Rookies to Start
| Player | Price | Position | R1 Confidence | |--------|-------|----------|---------------| | Lachy Dovaston | $290,000 | FWD | 🟢 Very High | | Lachie Blakiston | $399,000 | DEF | 🟢 Very High | | Josh Lindsay | $278,000 | DEF | 🟢 High | | Cooper Trembath | $167,300 | FWD | 🟢 High | | Tom Blamires | $230,000 | MID | 🟡 Moderate | | Dyson Sharp | $302,000 | MID | 🟡 Moderate |
Role Changes to Monitor
- Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera → full midfield role (was half-back)
- Josh Rachele → midfield CBA time (was small forward)
- Kysaiah Pickett → inside mid (was half-forward)
- Todd Marshall → defence (was key forward)
- Jason Horne-Francis → forward resting (was midfielder)
Injury Red Flags
| Player | Club | Issue | Concern Level | |--------|------|-------|---------------| | Riley Sanders | Bulldogs | Concussion | 🔴 Will miss R1+ | | Sam Darcy | Bulldogs | Back/hip/groin | 🔴 R1 doubt | | Darcy Moore | Collingwood | Calf | 🔴 Unlikely Opening Round | | Jeremy Howe | Collingwood | Calf | 🔴 Unlikely Opening Round | | Callum Wilkie | St Kilda | Calf cork | 🟡 R1 in doubt | | Ryan Byrnes | St Kilda | Ankle | 🟡 TBC | | Hugh McCluggage | Brisbane | Calf cork | 🟡 Monitor |
What Happens Next
Round 1 kicks off Thursday, March 5 with Sydney vs Carlton at the SCG. Opening Round runs through the weekend, with the full Round 1 fixture beginning March 13.
For the complete rookie landscape heading into the season, check our Rookie Power Rankings Traffic Light Guide and the 10 Players to Back Before Round 1.
The pre-season is over. The real thing starts Thursday.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What were the AAMI Community Series results in 2026?+
Carlton def. Geelong by 15, Sydney def. GWS by 38, Brisbane def. Gold Coast by 25, Melbourne def. Richmond by 35 (abandoned), Western Bulldogs def. Hawthorn by 44, St Kilda def. Essendon by 43, Fremantle def. Adelaide by 16, North Melbourne def. Collingwood by 1, Port Adelaide def. West Coast by 73.
Which SuperCoach rookies impressed in the AAMI Community Series?+
Lachy Dovaston (3 goals, $290k FWD), Lachie Blakiston (86 pts, $399k DEF-priced ruck), Josh Lindsay (76 pts, $278k DEF), Tom Blamires (92 pts, $230k MID), and Dyson Sharp (48 pts, $302k MID) all put their hands up for Round 1.
Which premium SuperCoach players stood out in pre-season?+
Zak Butters (152 pts in 67% TOG), Tim English (23d, 2g from ruck), Brodie Grundy (33 hitouts under new rules), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (4 goals from midfield), and Jagga Smith (37 disposals returning from ACL).
What injuries came out of the AAMI Community Series 2026?+
Key concerns: Riley Sanders (Bulldogs, concussion — will miss R1), Callum Wilkie (Saints, calf cork — R1 doubt), Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe (Collingwood, calves — unlikely for Opening Round), Sam Darcy (Bulldogs, back/hip/groin — R1 doubt). Most other knocks were minor.
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