CARLTON has gone down by 63 points in the season opener against Sydney.

Despite a bright start, the Blues were no match for the power of the Swans in the second half, ultimately falling 20.12 (132) to 10.9 (69).

On a night where the Blues unveiled seven new faces for the Club, Ben Ainsworth and Will Hayward kicked their first goals in Navy Blue while AFL debutants Jagga Smith (27 disposals) and Harry Dean (six intercepts) showed they belong at the level.

00:42

AFL OR | Kemp's brilliant bender opens 2026 season in style

Brodie Kemp is pumped up after curling through a superb effort to register the first major of the new campaign

The Blues enjoyed a strong start, with their appetite for the contest and willingness to take the game on a feature. They kept the Swans goalless in the opening term, with the returning Brodie Kemp kicking the first goal of the season.

He was quickly followed up by Hayward, while fellow former Swan Ollie Florent started brightly as the Blues took an 11-point lead into the main break.

00:39

AFL OR | Hayward hits former side with cheeky ‘calm down’

Will Hayward strikes early against his former club before delivering a cool celebration at the SCG

Carlton kept that going in the second term, responding to Sydney taking the lead with a pair of quick goals to close the term.

One of those was a piece of individual brilliance from Ainsworth, launching from 60 metres out to wrestle the lead back, before Marc Pittonet had a key victory against Brodie Grundy.

00:18

AFL OR | Ben's brilliant first goal in Blue

New Blue, Ben Ainsworth, kicks it long from the outside 50 to get his first in new colours.

The recently re-signed Sam Walsh led the charge for the Blues in the first half, typically combative at stoppage, while young midfielder Cooper Lord was prolific in the opening stages.

When Pittonet converted once again from a stoppage at the resumption of play in the third term, the Blues led by 22 points - but from there, it was all Sydney.

00:29

AFL OR | Back of the Pittonet: Big Blue's wild soccer silences SCG

Marc Pittonet comes out best in the ruck contest before sneaking through a sizzling finish off the deck

The Swans were at their devastating best, comprehensively beating the Blues at stoppages to pile on 12 goals for the term.

It turned a 22-point Carlton lead into a 39-point deficit at the final change, with the Blues no match for the Swans’ run and carry.

Come game’s end, it was a 63-point difference on the scoreboard, with the Blues needing to dust themselves off and go again against Richmond next Thursday night at the MCG.

SYDNEY        0.3     2.6     14.9       20.12 (132)
CARLTON      2.2     4.4     8.6        10.9 (69)

GOALS
Carlton: Pittonet 3, Ainsworth 2, Hayward, E.Hollands, Kemp, McKay, Moir