Adelaide opened its 2026 AFL season with a statement 14-point win over Collingwood at the MCG. Here are the key numbers, milestones and historical notes from Round One.

A winning way to start

Adelaide has now won all three of its Round One clashes against Collingwood, with every meeting played in Melbourne. The first came in 2006 with a 34‑point victory at Docklands, followed by a four‑point win at the MCG in 2009 when Taylor Walker made his AFL debut. The latest result also snapped a sequence of four losses and a draw against the Magpies at the MCG dating back to 2014.

Club history made

At 210cm, Lachlan McAndrew became the tallest player to represent the Crows at AFL level. He edges past inaugural Crow Romano Negri and Kieran Strachan (204cm), Shaun Rehn (203cm) and Reilly O’Brien (202cm). Fittingly, Negri — who played in the Club’s first AFL game in 1991 — presented McAndrew with his No.42 guernsey inside the rooms before the match.

Milera’s career‑best night

New Crows Life Member Wayne Milera produced the best performance of his career, finishing with a personal‑best 34 disposals in his 124th AFL game. The half‑back operated at 94 per cent efficiency, recorded eight score involvements, gained 673 metres and played on from seven kick‑ins. His previous disposal high was 33 against Gold Coast in 2018.

Fogarty joins elite company

Darcy Fogarty’s 200th AFL goal elevated him into the top ten goalkickers in Adelaide’s history. He now sits alongside Club greats including Taylor Walker (680), Tony Modra (440), Eddie Betts (310), Josh Jenkins (296), Mark Ricciuto (292), Andrew McLeod (275), Scott Welsh (270), Darren Jarman (264) and Brett Burton (264).

Early season start

The March 14 opening marked Adelaide’s earliest season start since 2000, when the Crows hosted the Western Bulldogs on March 11. That season was brought forward to avoid a scheduling clash with the Sydney Olympics.

New names added to the list

The Crows’ all‑time AFL player tally has now reached 271 following three club debuts on Saturday night. Callum Ah Chee became player No.269, Lachlan McAndrew No.270 and Toby Murray No.271.

Laird climbs the record books

Rory Laird’s 270th AFL appearance moved him past Scott Thompson into the Club’s top ten for games played. He now sits two games behind Mark Bickley and three behind Brodie Smith.

A Round One quirk

Melbourne remains the only non‑South Australian club Adelaide has never faced in a Round One fixture.