[ad_1]
Opening Round is here, with the AFL returning this week.
The eight clubs opening the season face several key selection conundrums and injury voids to fill otherwise.
Get the latest selection and injury news ahead of Opening Round in AFL Team Tips!
The only place to watch every game of AFL’s Opening Round is Fox Footy, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
Tensions building at Freo | 02:01
OPENING ROUND TEAMS (all times AEDT)
SYDNEY SWANS v MELBOURNE
Thursday March 7, 7:30pm at the SCG
Predicted Swans side
B: Dane Rampe, Tom McCartin, Harry Cunningham
HB: Jake Lloyd, Nick Blakey, Matt Roberts
C: Errol Gulden, Chad Warner, James Jordon
HF: Will Hayward, Logan McDonald, Sam Wicks
F: Hayden McLean, Joel Amartey, Tom Papley
FOLL: Brodie Grundy, Isaac Heeney, James Rowbottom
I/C: Oliver Florent, Angus Sheldrick, Robbie Fox, Braeden Campbell, Justin McInerney
Team Tips: The big story for the Swans exiting the pre-season has been the late decimation to their midfield brigade, with veteran pair Luke Parker (arm) and Taylor Adams (knee) joining skipper Callum Mills (shoulder) on the sidelines to begin the season. As they prepare to combat Melbourne’s star-studded engine room, the setbacks come at a particularly inopportune time. However, consequently, the door to increased opportunity opens — potentially for the likes of emerging on-ballers Angus Sheldrick or Caleb Mitchell, or for new wingman James Jordon to move closer to the contest against his former side. Star pair Chad Warner and Tom Papley will rejoin John Longmire’s side on Thursday after being rested for the Community Series match against Brisbane. Neither recruit Joel Hamling nor Lewis Melican feature here as the Swans take a smaller defence into their season opener against Melbourne’s agile forward line.
Predicted Demons side
B: Adam Tomlinson, Steven May, Christian Salem
HB: Judd McVee, Jake Lever, Trent Rivers
C: Ed Langdon, Clayton Oliver, Alex Neal-Bullen
HF: Tom Sparrow, Bayley Fritsch, Jack Billings
F: Bailey Laurie, Jacob van Rooyen, Kade Chandler
FOLL: Max Gawn, Jack Viney, Christian Petracca
I/C: Jake Bowey, Caleb Windsor, Blake Howes, Josh Schache, Taj Woewodin
Team Tips: Melbourne has confirmed draftee Caleb Windsor, third-year utility Blake Howes and ex-Saint Jack Billings will play their first games in red and blue on Thursday night, while Clayton Oliver will also be unleashed, giving us a fair indication of Simon Goodwin’s side. Kysaiah Pickett won’t play as he serves his one-game suspension for a hit on Patrick Cripps in the finals last year. Meanwhile Harrison Petty (toe) and Charlie Spargo (Achilles) are racing the clock to be fit in time for the trip to the Harbour City – and might just miss out – and Lachie Hunter (calf) and Shane McAdam both face delayed starts to the season and. Josh Schache feels ahead of recruit Tom Fullarton for the key forward./backup ruck role, for now.
Prototype defender: who made the list? | 02:59
BRISBANE LIONS v CARLTON
Friday March 8, 7:40pm at the Gabba
Predicted Lions side
B: Brandon Starcevich, Jack Payne, Ryan Lester
HB: Keidean Coleman, Harris Andrews, Darcy Wilmot
C: Jaspa Fletcher, Hugh McCluggage, Jarrod Berry
HF: Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood, Zac Bailey
F: Cam Rayner, Joe Daniher, Darcy Gardiner
FOLL: Oscar McInerney, Josh Dunkley, Lachie Neale
I/C: Dayne Zorko, Callum Ah Chee, Lincoln McCarthy, James Madden, Kai Lohmann
Team Tips:Kai Lohmann is firming as a likely Opening Round starter for Chris Fagan’s Lions, asserting his presence as a high half-forward as well as tracking back in defence. Edging out James Tunstill, James Madden has similarly impressed over the pre-season, with he or Lohmann the likely starting sub. Deven Robertson (wrist) played in the club’s reserves hit-out in an interrupted pre-season, so the midfielder likely starts the year in the twos.. Otherwise, the Lions are largely set, with a question mark still hovering over Darcy Gardiner’s surprise transition into the forward line — how the 28-year-old gels with established stars Joe Daniher, Charlie Cameron and Eric Hipwood remains to be seen when the real stuff starts. Tom Doedee, Will Ashcroft (both ACLs) and Conor McKenna start the season outside the side, with Doedee expected to return in the coming weeks.
Predicted Blues side
B: Nic Newman, Lewis Young, Adam Saad
HB: Brodie Kemp, Mitch McGovern, Zac Williams
C: Blake Acres Patrick Cripps, Oliver Hollands
HF: David Cuningham, Charlie Curnow, Matthew Cottrell
F: Orazio Fantasia, Harry McKay, Matt Owies
FOLL: Marc Pittonet, Adam Cerra, Sam Docherty
I/C: George Hewett, Tom De Koning, Jordan Boyd, Lachie Fogarty, Alex Cincotta
Team Tips: Quite a few moving parts.Sam Walsh (back) has already been ruled out of Friday night, but he’ll also miss next Thursday’s clash with Richmond at a minimum, joining Jacob Weitering (calf) on the sidelines in two huge losses for the Blues. Jesse Motlop (toe) and Jack Martin (knee) are also unlikely to feature against the Dees, while running defender Zac Williams will play against the Lions – as confirmed by Michael Voss on Fox Footy’s AFL 360. Corey Durdin and Matt Owies are available to provide potential reinforcements in attack along with recruit Orazio Fantasia, who seems set to line up against Brisbane. One of the main talking points surrounding the Blues is their key-position setup, with a question mark hovering over the health of ruck Marc Pittonet. If Pittonet suits up against the Lions, how will Tom De Koning be utilised by Voss? Is he better suited as a full-time ruck, a full-time forward, or neither?
Can Harley Reid handle the pressure? | 01:16
GOLD COAST SUNS v RICHMOND
Saturday March 9, 4:20pm at Heritage Bank Stadium
Predicted Suns side
B: Sean Lemmens, Sam Collins, Charlie Ballard
HB: Alex Sexton, Wil Powell, Connor Budarick
C: Brayden Fiorini, Matt Rowell, Brandon Ellis
HF: Ben Ainsworth, Jack Lukosius, Bailey Humphrey
F: Nick Holman, Ben King, Mac Andrew
FOLL: Jarrod Witts, Touk Miller, Noah Anderson
I/C: Sam Flanders, David Swallow, Levi Casboult, Darcy Macpherson, Tom Berry
Team Tips: A new era begins at the Suns under Hardwick, but a big loss to the Giants will give the three-time premiership coach plenty to ponder. In a win for Hardwick, Gold Coast goes into the season with a near full bill of health outside of Jed Walters (collarbone) injury and Lachie Weller (ACL). It seems Hardwick is set to give early opportunities to former Pick 5 Mac Andrew, who’s shown he can play both defence and attack and as a backup ruck for Jarrod Witts. Bodhi Uwland and Joel Jeffrey miss out on defensive spot on a line where Hardwick will be keen to have a settled mix, trialling Alex Sexton in a new rebounding role. We’ve given the last three bench spots to Levi Casboult, Darcy Macpherson and Tom Berry, but that in itself feels up in the air.
Predicted Tiger side
B: Dylan Grimes, Josh Gibcus, Nick Vlaustin
HB: Jayden Short, Nathan Broad, Daniel Rioli
C: Kamdyn McIntosh, Dion Prestia, Marlion Pickett
HF: Dustin Martin, Jacob Koschitzke, Shai Bolton
F: Seth Campbell, Noah Balta, Liam Baker
FOLL: Toby Nankervis, Jacob Hopper, Tim Taranto
I/C: Jack Ross, Sam Naismith, Tylar Young, Thomson Dow, Steely Green
Team Tips: Also starting a new chapter under Adem Yze. The Tigers lost dual premiership winner Jack Graham to a quad injury in the waning stages of their Community Series match against Melbourne. It means he’ll join Tom Lynch and Rhyan Mansell on the sidelines to start the season, opening the door of opportunity to another of Richmond’s midfield/half-forward types including Thomson Dow and possible debutants Seth Campbell and Steely Green, who have all impressed over the pre-season. Considering Toby Nankervis is touch and go to get up for Opening Round, Sam Naismith feels likely to play his first official game in yellow and black, beating Samson Ryan for the backup ruck role.
Vision of Clarkson’s alleged slur | 02:03
GWS GIANTS v COLLINGWOOD
Saturday March 9, 7:30pm at Giants Stadium
Predicted Giants side
B: Connor Idun, Jack Buckley, Harry Himmelberg
HB: Lachie Whitfield, Sam Taylor, Lachie Ash
C: Xavier O’Halloran, Tom Green, Jacob Wehr
HF: Brent Daniels, Jake Riccardi, Toby Bedford
F: Toby Greene, Jesse Hogan, Callum Brown
FOLL: Kieren Briggs, Josh Kelly, Stephen Coniglio
I/C: Aaron Cadman, Callan Ward, Nick Haynes, Josh Fahey, Harvey Thomas
Team Tips: The Giants are out for revenge against the Magpies in a side with only changes around the edges that that lost that preliminary final by one point. Fin Callaghan, Isaac Cumming and Harry Peryman all appear unlikely to get up in time to face Collingwood, with Xavier O’Halloran and Jacob Wehr winning the vacancies on the wing. Darcy Jones was firming for a spot, but missed both pre-season games to potentially push him back slightly at the selection table. It leaves the likes of Josh Fahey and possible debutant Harvey Thomas to round out Adam Kingsley’s bench.
Predicted Magpies side
B: Brayden Maynard, Darcy Moore, Billy Frampton
HB: Oleg Markov, Jeremy Howe, Isaac Quaynor
C: Steele Sidebottom, Jordan De Goey, Josh Daicos
HF: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Mason Cox, Lachie Schultz
F: Bobby Hill, Brody Mihocek, Jamie Elliott
FOLL: Darcy Cameron, Tom Mitchell, Nick Daicos,
I/C: Jack Crisp, Scott Pendlebury, Beau McCreery, Patrick Lipinski, Ash Johnson
Team Tips: Despite some key absences, the premiers are in great shape to start the season. The Dan McStay key forward void has been a hot topic all summer, while you sense Nathan Murphy won’t be available either. There’s every chance Craig McRae’s side just deploys Mason Cox and Will Hoskin-Elliott forward more to essentially fill the McStay role with more aerial presence in attack, but we’ve included Ash Johnson over the likes of Reef McInnes,John Noble and Finlay Macrae.Billy Frampton should meanwhile move into defence to cover Murphy, but there might be a second key back opening. Channel 7 reports Jeremy Howe (corked leg) will undergo a fitness test after being restricted over the last 10 days. If Howe misses, Noble and Charlie Dean would be the ones to watch as potential replacements. At this stage, you feel like it’s only that sub role up for grabs otherwise from the above side, with the rest of the Magpies’ 22 well settled.
[ad_2]
Source link