It’s set to be a blockbuster weekend of sport, with a range of events kicking off worldwide, including round one of the AFL season and the second race of the Formula 1 calendar.

Essendon and Hawthorn headline Friday Night Football

Friday night starts with a massive round one clash at the MCG, as a young Essendon side begin their 2026 season, against one of their oldest rivals, the Hawthorn Hawks.

All eyes will be on former Bombers captain, Zach Merrett, as he faces the team that tried to acquire him in the 2025 trade period. He famously returned to the hangar this preseason after a trade fell through in the dying minutes of deadline day.

Merrett spoke on AFL 360 during the week, describing his headspace during the end of last year.

“I never thought I would get there, and unfortunately, I did at the end of last year, and that was why those next few months unfolded,” he said.

He would later front his teammates and clear the air before this upcoming season.

“(It was) probably two or three weeks later, we caught up with Andy McGrath and Kyle Langford and just talked about everything —they put their cards on the table around their frustrations, and then I gave them a little bit more context.”

Hawthorn head into the match as big favourites, while Essendon aim to cause a huge upset.

Matildas kick off the finals stage of the Asian Cup with an injury cloud

Later tonight, the Matildas start the next round of their AFC Women’s Asian Cup campaign, after progressing through the group stage.

The team continue their travels down under, as they arrive at HBF Park in Perth, to face North Korea in the quarter-final stage.

Their squad depth will be tested, as key pairing Hayley Raso and Steph Catley were ruled out on Thursday by their coach, Joe Montemurro.

“They’re tracking well. They were very close, but they won’t be included in the squad tomorrow,” he said.

He brushed off any major concerns with a crack about Sam Kerr playing defense.

“Sam Kerr is playing at left back,” he joked.

“We’ve got enough backup in our squad and we believe in the backup that we’ve got to come in.”

Australia was kicked out at this stage in the 2022 Asian Cup and are hoping to avoid similar disappointment.

Additionally, the group has the chance to secure World Cup qualification, if they reach the semi final stage. The next World Cup will be hosted by Brazil in 2027.

The second week of F1 action launches at the Chinese Grand Prix

The weekend draws to a close with the next instalment in the Formula 1 racing season, as the Chinese Grand Prix gets underway on Sunday.

Stakes are high for Australian driver, Oscar Piastri, as he sensationally crashed during his out-lap last week at the Australian Grand Prix. He clipped a kerb on turn four, leading to significant damage to his McLaren, taking him out of the race in his home country.

Piastri is trying to bounce back quickly, with a long and gruelling F1 season ahead.

“Obviously I’m trying to forget it. Having a race this weekend is always nice,” he said.

“We’ve identified quite a lot of areas where we (McLaren) can improve and where we could have done better, but I think most people will have those opportunities.”

British driver, George Russell currently sits in pole position for Mercedes, alongside Italian teammate, Andrea Antonelli, who make up one and two on the F1 standings.

The race begins on Sunday evening, while practice and qualifying takes place today and Saturday.

What else is on?

More upcoming sport this weeks includes the NBL semi finals, some huge AFL and NRL games, including Alex Johnston looking to be the games try scorer record holder. The Opals will also face Hungary Saturday night in the Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying tournament.

Photo: By Liauzh is available HERE used under a Creative Commons Licence. This image has not been modified.