The opening round of the AFL 2025 season kicked off with excitement and drama on Super Saturday, featuring several key matchups including Collingwood taking on Port Adelaide, and the Western Bulldogs facing North Melbourne. Fans gathered at stadiums across the country to cheer on their teams, setting the stage for action-packed football.
Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury made headlines as he started as the substitute for the match against Port Adelaide at the MCG on March 15, 2025, marking the first time he stepped onto the field as the sub in his storied career. Coach Craig McRae had made this strategic decision after Pendlebury had recorded 19 touches during last week’s lackluster loss to Greater Western Sydney.
"It’s good to be home (at the MCG) and hear the faithful. We love our Magpie Army. We want to put on performance they’d be proud of tonight," McRae said before the game, emphasizing the players’ need to recuperate their momentum. He stressed the team’s core philosophy: "Our DNA is about pressure. So when you have 38 tackles, it’s a bit like, ‘Come on, boys, what are we doing?’" Collingwood aimed not only to please the fans but also to rectify their previous performance.
And rectify they did. The Magpies showcased their attacking prowess early on, with Tim Membrey sealing the deal by scoring three goal conversions and securing lead margins over Port Adelaide throughout the match. The atmosphere grew electric when Dan Houston debuted for Collingwood, receiving massive cheers from the home crowd as he tackled his former side. By the end of the first quarter, Collingwood had established control, leading Port Adelaide 6.2 (38) to 2.2 (14).
Meanwhile, at Marvel Stadium, the match between the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne took center stage. The Bulldogs, anticipated to make waves this season, kicked off strong with their initial two goals scored by Ed Richards and Sam Darcy. Yet, North Melbourne was eager to break their unfortunate seven-match streak against the Bulldogs, having faced defeats by significant margins since 2020.
The excitement soon shifted to the serious side of the game when Luke Cleary suffered a nasty accident and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher during the Bulldogs' victory, causing concern among fans and players alike. Thankfully, the Bulldogs managed to secure the win without losing their momentum, yet the injury served as sobering moment during the game.
Shifting focus to Sydney's match against Brisbane at the SCG, the Lions fought hard to reclaim victory after last season's grand final loss. Brisbane edged out the Swans with creativity and determination, finally clinching the game with a score of 12.14 (86) to 12.10 (82). The match drew 34,906 passionate fans who witnessed thrilling gameplay, right down to the last minute. Chad Warner's impactful kick from 50 meters turned the excitement but it was the turnovers by Sydney, particularly Matt Roberts handing the ball to Josh Dunkley for Brisbane's ceaseless conversion, which proved to be their downfall.
Throughout the match, Brisbane proved to be resilient, even as they faced adversities with Brandon Starcevich suffering concussion late.game. Both Dayne Zorko and Zac Bailey had stellar performances, with Bailey putting up four goals for the Lions. According to match stats, Zorko also dominated with 24 possessions, propelling Brisbane's effort to retain control.
Reflecting on these encounters, it's clear the 2025 season is off to a thrilling start, with teams and players showing flashes of brilliance amid cautionary moments, including alarming injuries. For Collingwood and their current form, marked improvement will be key— especially as they aim to balance pressure with performance efficiency on the field.
With the first Super Saturday of the season now behind us, fans look onward to the forthcoming matches as teams continue to define their trajectories. Each team leaves with lessons learned and aspirations bolstered, setting the stage for another compelling chapter of the AFL season to come.