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St Kilda Saints vs Collingwood Magpies AFL Opening Round Tips - New-look Saints chalk up first win
The St Kilda Saints are poised to start the 2026 AFL season strong with new additions Tom De Koning, Liam Ryan, Sam Flanders, and Jack Silvagni, aiming to capitalize on Collingwood's weakened defense due to absent players like Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe. The Saints' off-season moves signal their ambition for premiership contention, focusing on bolstered midfield strength. Conversely, the Magpies must address significant roster changes, though key players like Steele Sidebottom and Jordan De Goey are fit to play. Expert predictions lean towards a St Kilda victory as they embark on their push for September success.
- The game will be played at MCG on Sunday 8th March, with the bounce at 7:20 PM (AEDT)
- Saints boosted by new signings and aiming for finals.
- Collingwood faces challenges with absent key players.
- Prediction favors Saints as 2.5-point favorites.
St Kilda Saints vs Collingwood Magpies AFL Opening Round Tips
St Kilda Saints vs Collingwood Magpies, Opening Round 2026 - Expert Prediction
The ‘outs’ in the Collingwood backline will be too substantial as the Saints start their push back into September footy with a win in Opening Round.
- St Kilda Saints vs Collingwood Magpies, Opening Round 2026 - Expert Prediction
- Head to Head Stats
- St Kilda Saints Form Analysis & Team News
- St Kilda Saints Team News
- St Kilda Saints Team List
- Collingwood Magpies Form Analysis & Team News
- Collingwood Magpies Team News
- Collingwood Magpies Team List
- St Kilda Saints vs Collingwood Magpies AFL 2026 Opening Round FAQ’s
No team has splashed more in the offseason than the Saints and all of the new faces of Tom De Koning, Liam Ryan, Sam Flanders and Jack Silvagni will all be on the pitch come Sunday afternoon.
The health of the Pies is at the other end of the spectrum with captain Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe missing from the backline for the opening match of the season.
Ross Lyon and the Saints need to start fast after all the money that has flown out of the clubhouse in the offseason. The Carlton trio will make a huge impact and unlock Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, which will be a daunting sign for the rest of the AFL.
NAS will have a big one, just as he did last time he faced the Magpies (35 disposals) while I also expect the year to start fast for Mitch Owens who will find space to attack the goal.
- Collingwood lost 5 of their final 7 games in 2025
- Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has had 30+ disposals in his last 2 matches against Collingwood
- Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera had 30+ disposals in 10 matches last season.
- Mitch Owens kicked 2+ goals in the first 3 matches of the 2025 season.
Head to Head Stats
The Pies got up 108-74 in their Round 15 match versus the Saints in 2025 with both Daicos brothers controlling the match with 30 disposals each. St. Kilda took the 2024 clash 94-74.
3 of the last 4 matches have gone over the game total.
St Kilda Saints Form Analysis & Team News
St Kilda attacked the 2025 off-season by adding Tom De Koning, Liam Ryan, Sam Flanders and Jack Silvagni while retaining key pieces like Rowan Marshall and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, signalling belief that their premiership window is opening.
The 2026 season is about acceleration, with improved ruck strength and midfield growth giving the Saints a realistic path to finals if cohesion develops quickly.
Their success may ultimately hinge on defensive stability and the continued rise of Wanganeen-Milera as a midfield game-breaker under greater opposition attention.
St Kilda Saints Team News
Tom De Koning, Jack Silvagni, Sam Flanders and Liam Ryan will all make their debut for the Saints on Sunday afternoon.
The injury concerns for Max King are a reality for St Kilda who will be missing their key forward for the opener.
St Kilda Saints Team List
B: J.Silvagni 3 C.Wilkie 44 A.Caminiti 47
HB: A.Tauru 26 B.Hill 8 N.Wanganeen-Milera 7
C: M.Windhager 2 M.Hall 40 D.Wilson 22
HF: M.Phillipou 25 H.Boxshall 38 M.Owens 10
F: R.Marshall 19 C.Sharman 43 J.Higgins 1
Foll: T.De Koning 21 S.Flanders 9 J.Sinclair - C 35
I/C: J.Macrae 6 J.Carroll 18 L.Ryan 31 M.Wood 32 H.Garcia 34
Emerg: L.Stocker 14 I.Keeler 17 C.Banfield 36
Notable absentees: Dan Butler, Dougal Howard, Hunter Clark, Paddy Dow, Max King, Ryan Byrnes, Liam Henry
Collingwood Magpies Form Analysis & Team News
Collingwood enter the 2026 AFL season with premiership expectations but also notable list changes after a dominant 2025 start ended with a late fade and Preliminary Final exit.
The loss of key contributors, particularly Brody Mihocek, shifts greater responsibility onto Jack Buller and Dan McStay to provide a consistent key forward presence inside 50.
If the Magpies can adjust their structure while maintaining their trademark forward pressure and defensive balance, they remain firmly in the premiership conversation.
Collingwood Magpies Team News
Jeremy Howe and captain Darcy Moore will leave a substantial hole in the Magpies defence on Sunday afternoon.
The positive news is that Steele Sidebottom, Jordan De Goey, Jack Crisp and Scott Pendlebury have all been cleared to play in the opener.
Collingwood Magpies Team List
B: B.Frampton 17 I.Quaynor 3 B.Maynard 4
HB: D.Houston 9 J.Daicos 7 H.Perryman 12
C: W.Parker 15 N.Daicos - C 35 R.Steele 45
HF: L.Schultz 8 S.Sidebottom 22 B.McCreery 31
F: T.Membrey 28 J.Elliott 5 D.McStay 11
Foll: D.Cameron 14 J.Crisp 25 J.De Goey 2
I/C: P.Lipinski 1 S.Pendlebury 10 E.Allan 16 J.Buller 34 N.Long 44
Emerg: O.Steene 21 J.Cochran 27 L.Sullivan 33
Notable absentees: Jeremy Howe, Darcy Moore, Bobby Hill
St Kilda Saints vs Collingwood Magpies AFL 2026 Opening Round FAQ’s
How to watch St Kilda Saints vs Collingwood Magpies AFL 2026 Opening Round?
You can watch the St Kilda Saints vs Collingwood Magpies AFL 2026 Opening Round game via Fox Sports or Kayo Sports. If you are watching from outside of Australia the WatchAFL app is the perfect solution.
How to buy tickets to St Kilda Saints vs Collingwood Magpies AFL 2026 Opening Round?
To buy tickets to the St Kilda Saints vs Collingwood Magpies AFL 2026 Opening Round game check the AFL website or the official St Kilda Saints site.
Verdict
The Saints will cover as 2.5 point favourites with Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera getting 30+ disposals and Mitch Owen kicking a couple of goals.
St Kilda -2.5
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