Footy Tips Opening Round 2026: Blues v Swans – Who's the Real McCoy at the SCG?
Right lads, the wait is finally over. Opening Round is here, and the fixture gods have served up a cracker to get the 2026 season started: the Carlton Blues against the Sydney Swans under the SCG lights. Sure, you know the story. Last year's finals heartbreak for the Swans, the rise of the young Blues guns, and those old Buddy-Curnow comparisons that still get Dean Cox's back up. So, before you lock in your footy tips for the week, let's cut through the chat and get down to business.
What the Teams Tell Us
Michael Voss has been busy with the magnets, naming seven new faces for the Blues, with the big news being the return of general Jacob Weitering. That spine is looking rock-solid again. Down at Sydney, John Longmire has his stars lined up – Isaac Heeney and Tom Papley are both in, and they'll be looking to capitalise on any early-season cobwebs. 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 bet the farm on him. Well, maybe not the farm, but definitely your footy tips multi.
The Key Battles That'll Decide Your Footy Tips
For my money, this game will be won and lost in the middle and across half-back. If the Swans let Weitering and co. pick them off with easy intercepts, the Blues' forward line – with Curnow and McKay – will have a field day. On the flip side, can Carlton's new-look midfield handle 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 out of the middle, especially in the first quarter, sets the tone. Watch for Patrick Cripps taking on the Swans' on-ball brigade.
- Curnow vs McCartin: Tom McCartin gets first crack at Charlie. If Curnow kicks three or more, the Blues win. Simple as that.
- SCG factor: It's a tight ground. Sydney loves to use the corridors. If Carlton get sucked in, Papley and co. will burn them 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 man's game. But I reckon their backline holds up just about well enough, and Curnow kicks a bag in the second half to seal it. Dean Cox might not like the hype, but Charlie Curnow is the real deal – and he's about to prove it on the big stage. Whether you're plugging 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 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 have a go. 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 heads, the latest Footy tipping & tips・kirus.pro - Version 1.4.9 - iOS update is out – they've tidied up the interface, making it a dream for those Sunday night panic sessions 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 in the best but on the losing side. Get your footy tips in, grab a cold one, and enjoy the footy. It's great to have it back.