Footy Tips Opening Round 2026: Blues vs. Swans – Who's the Real Deal at the SCG?
Hey there, footy fanatics, welcome back. The wait is officially over. Opening Round is here, and the schedule-makers have served up an absolute banger to kick off the 2026 season: the Carlton Blues vs. the Sydney Swans under the lights at the SCG. You don't need me to tell you there's history here. Last year's finals heartbreak for the Swans, the emergence of young Blues guns, and the old 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 noise and get down to the nitty-gritty.
What the Teams Tell Us
Michael Voss has shuffled the deck, confirming seven new faces for the Blues, with the big inclusion being the return of defensive general Jacob Weitering. That spine is looking rock solid again. Down in Sydney, John Longmire has named his stars – Isaac Heeney and Tom Papley are both in, and they'll be looking to exploit any early-season rust. But the name on everyone's lips is Charlie Curnow. Cox, now up in the coaching box, was quick to douse the 'next Buddy' hype earlier this week, but let's be real – when Curnow is one-on-one twenty meters out, you'd bet the farm on him. Well, maybe not the farm, but definitely your footy tips multi.
The Key Match-Ups That'll Decide Your Footy Tips
In my book, this game will be won and lost in the midfield and across half-back. If the Swans let Weitering and company pick them apart with easy intercepts, the Blues' forward line – with Curnow and McKay – will feast. On the flip side, can Carlton's revamped midfield handle the explosive bursts from Heeney and Chad Warner? Here’s what I’m watching closely for my own footy tips this week:
- Clearance battle: Whoever gets first use out of the center, especially in the first quarter, sets the tone. Keep an eye on Patrick Cripps vs. 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.
- The SCG Factor: It's a tight ground. Sydney loves to use the corridors. If Carlton gets sucked in, Papley and company 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 bold call. But I reckon their backline holds up just 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 dusting off that old 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 taking a look at The Bottom Drawer Book: The After Death Action Plan – morbid? Maybe. But it’s a sobering but brilliant reminder that life (and tipping) is short, so go for it. 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 cleaned up the interface, making it a treat for those Sunday night panic sessions before the first bounce.
So, there you have it. My two cents. Blues in a close 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 great to have it back.