AFLW round one highlights North Melbourne dominance and standout players

The opening round of the 2026 AFLW season has highlighted several key performers and competitive dynamics. North Melbourne established themselves as the competition benchmark following a 73-point victory over Geelong at Marvel Stadium. Rival players, including Jordyn Allen, Sarah Hosking, and Elaine Grigg, suggested that North Melbourne’s dominance serves as a standard for the rest of the league to strive toward.

Individual standout performances included Melbourne’s Mia Austin, who recorded a career-high four goals against Hawthorn in her debut for the club. St Kilda midfielder Tyanna Smith also drew attention for her pace and ability to break lines during her team's match against Carlton. Meanwhile, Geelong’s significant loss to North Melbourne has raised questions regarding the team's ability to deliver the ball effectively into their forward 50.