Footy Tips Opening Round 2026: Blues v Swans – Who's the Real Deal at the SCG?
Alright footy fans, welcome back. The long wait is finally over. Opening Round is here, and the fixture gods have served up an absolute belter to kick off the 2026 season: the Carlton Blues taking on the Sydney Swans under the lights at the SCG. You don't need me to tell you there's history between these two. The Swans' finals heartbreak last year, the emergence of some young guns at the Blues, and those endless Buddy vs. Curnow comparisons that still get Dean Cox fired up. So, before you lock in your footy tips for the week, let's cut through the chatter and get down to business.
What the Teams Tell Us
Michael Voss has been busy shuffling the pack, confirming seven new faces for the Blues, with the big news being the return of defensive general Jacob Weitering. That spine is looking rock-solid again. Down in Sydney, John Longmire has named his star players – Isaac Heeney and Tom Papley are both in, and they'll be looking to capitalise on any early-season ring-rust. But the name on everyone's lips is Charlie Curnow. Cox, now up in the coaching box, was quick to play down the 'next Buddy' hype earlier this week, but let's be honest – when Curnow is one-on-one twenty metres out, you'd put your house on him. Well, maybe not your house, but definitely your footy tips multi.
The Key Match-Ups That'll Decide Your Footy Tips
For me, this game will be won and lost in the middle and across half-back. If the Swans let Weitering and his mates pick them apart with easy interceptions, the Blues' forward line – with Curnow and McKay – will have a field day. On the flip side, can Carlton's new-look midfield cope with the explosive bursts of Heeney and Chad Warner? Here's what I'm keeping an eye on for my own footy tips this week:
- Clearance battle: Whoever gets first use of the ball out of the centre, especially in that first quarter, sets the tone. Watch for Patrick Cripps up against the Swans' on-ball brigade.
- Curnow vs McCartin: Tom McCartin gets the first crack at Charlie. If Curnow kicks three or more, the Blues win. Simple as that.
- SCG factor: It's a tight ground. Sydney love to use the corridors. If Carlton get sucked in, Papley and co. will make them pay on the outside.
My Expert Footy Tips: Blues by 12
I know, I know, tipping the Blues at the SCG in Round 0 is a brave shout. But I reckon their backline holds up just enough, and Curnow kicks a bag in the second half to seal the deal. Dean Cox might not be a fan of the hype, but Charlie Curnow is the real deal – and he's about to prove it on the big stage. Whether you're putting your picks into the Footy Tips app on your phone or relying on that dusty Match Annual 2015 you found in the shed (some stats never age!), trust the Blues' firepower.
Beyond the Game: A Couple of Handy Resources
Look, footy tipping is a serious business, but sometimes you need a bit of off-field reading too. I've been having a look at The Bottom Drawer Book: The After Death Action Plan – morbid? Maybe. But it's a bloody good reminder that life (and tipping) is short, so just have a crack. And if you're coaching the kids this season, Match! Football Skills is still the bible for teaching the next generation the right way to rove a pack or hit a target. For the tech-savvy among you, the latest Footy tipping & tips・kirus.pro - Version 1.4.9 - iOS update is out – they've tidied up the interface, making it a treat for those Sunday night panic sessions just before the first bounce.
So, there you have it. My two cents. Blues in a tight one, Curnow for first goal, and Heeney to be among the best but on the losing side. Get your footy tips in, grab a cold one, and enjoy the footy. It's bloody brilliant to have it back.