Rafael Bonachela, artistic director of Sydney Dance Company for nearly 20 years, will premiere his final work for the company in its 2027 season. The new piece will appear in a triple bill called Wild Order. Bonachela announced in March that he would leave the company in mid-2028, saying it was time for someone else to lead it. The 2027 season also includes Future Reverie, a collaboration between four choreographers, and tours to regional New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and overseas.
The AFL has released its 2027 Gather Round fixtures, with Adelaide and South Australia hosting a weekend of football. The Crows are expected to open proceedings on Friday night and Port Adelaide to close on Sunday afternoon. Some supporters had feared the draw would include weak matches, but the writer argues the league has delivered strong contests. Highlights include Adelaide against Brisbane, Collingwood against Sydney, Carlton against Melbourne, and Port Adelaide against the Western Bulldogs, featuring Zak Butters' return. Only two games were judged less appealing.
A media report claims the Sydney Swans could open the 2027 AFL season against the Geelong Cats on Wednesday, March 17, at the SCG. The AFL has not yet released its Round 1 fixtures, and the match has not been confirmed. All 18 teams will play on the same weekend to open the season, after Opening Round was scrapped. The Cats have added Toby Greene and Rowan Marshall, while the Swans are expected to remain strong under Dean Cox following a deep finals run in 2026.
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Brisbane have been given a primetime Thursday night opening match at Gather Round in 2027, against co-hosts Adelaide on April 8. The round closes on Sunday night with Zak Butters facing his former club Port Adelaide, now as a Western Bulldogs player. Brisbane have won all four of their past Gather Round matches, by an average of 38.5 points. Other grudge matches include Rowan Marshall facing former club St Kilda, and Essendon meeting North Melbourne after facing Melbourne in recent years. The round is played across four days in South Australia.
The AFL 2027 fixture is likely to be announced on Thursday, November 12, based on the league's recent pattern. It will come in the days before the AFL National Draft, which starts on Thursday, November 19. The 2027 season is set to begin on either Wednesday, March 17 or Thursday, March 18 with Round 1. There will be no Opening Round, with all 18 teams playing in the first round. The start has been pushed back a week because of the 150th Anniversary cricket Test at the MCG from March 11 to 15.
St Kilda face intense scrutiny ahead of the 2027 AFL season, despite a relatively quiet offseason. Coach Ross Lyon is on the final year of his contract, and the club's future direction is closely tied to the season's outcome. Commentator Sam Edmund rated the Saints 6.5 out of 10 and described the year as massive, noting they have not won a final since 2020. He called the signing of Jake Stringer a sign of desperation.
The Western Bulldogs are now seen as premiership favourites for the 2027 AFL season after signing Zak Butters, provided they stay healthy. Past seasons have ended in disappointment, with injuries derailing their last push. The writer argues the club's core players will remain strong beyond 2027, but says failing to reach at least a preliminary final could raise doubts about their premiership hopes. The pressure to perform is significant, with the writer suggesting that falling short could cost jobs at the club.
Collingwood has signed Lachie Neale and Jesse Hogan this offseason, with both over 30, rather than adding youth to its list. Commentators say the club is topping up with experience as it looks ahead to 2027. Neale is a Brownlow medallist and Hogan a former Coleman Medal winner, filling needs in the midfield and forward line. Whether the approach is the right one will only become clear around the middle of next season.
Hawthorn have been named among the premiership contenders after a strong offseason. The club added midfielder Zach Merrett and Gold Coast Suns key forward Ben King, and lost no player of substance. Commentator Jono Baruch says the Hawks should be favourites for 2027 and that anything short of a Grand Final appearance would be a disappointment. Coach Sam Mitchell has yet to lead the club to a Grand Final, so the coming season is seen as a defining one for the team.
Collingwood have signed veterans Lachie Neale and Jesse Hogan to fill urgent needs in the midfield and up forward. The moves keep the club's list on the older side, rather than taking a younger path after criticism of its age last season. St Kilda great Leigh Montagna says the club is walking a tightrope with age but he backs it to contend. He says the Pies need their players fit and available, and could push into the top six. Managing veterans' workloads may mean giving rest to some players and bringing in younger ones for experience.
Hay Magpies have appointed James McLean as first grade coach for 2027 and signed UK recruit Jack Green, Cheyne Whitelaw and Taii Tovuto. Darlington Point-Coleambally named Chaise Sergi and Thomas Fattore as first grade coaches, while Griffith Black & Whites appointed father and son William and Kodie Charles. Yenda signed Jordon Burley from Temora. Leeton, Yanco Wamoon Hawks and Waratah Tigers have scheduled annual general meetings in the coming weeks, with the Leeton meeting held tonight.
