The rising stars in line for a debut at your club during August’s footy frenzy
Debutants will be unleashed thick and fast with clubs tested by quick turnarounds. Several have already been named ahead of Round 9, but else will be unearthed in the coming weeks? Dan Batten assesses the top candidates.
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It is an exciting time to be a footy fan with a fixture frenzy awaiting us.
Adding to the sense of anticipation will be the influx of young talent set to get their first taste of senior footy, as injuries mount and experienced players are managed through this trying period.
Some clubs have been generous to their young talent this season as they rebuild, while other sides, like Carlton, have blooded a host of debutants in previous seasons.
Which young guns are in line for a debut over the jam-packed next four rounds?
Check out the leading debut candidates at your club.
Adelaide
2020 debutants: Fischer McAsey, Will Hamill, Shane McAdam, Ned McHenry, Andrew McPherson
On the cusp: At 0-7, the lowly Crows will continue to play the kids and expect more debuts to come in the next month. Second-year defender Jordan Butts and 2019 draftee Josh Worrall impressed down back in a recent scratch match against Port Adelaide. Inside midfielder Harry Schoenberg, the club’s second pick in last year’s draft, is edging closer to an AFL berth and was matched up against Tom Rockliff at the weekend. Ruck understudy Kieran Strachan is ready if they decide to give Reilly O’Brien a rest.
Brisbane
2020 debutants: Deven Robertson, Tom Berry
On the cusp: The Lions have a very settled line-up with players such as Alex Witherden struggling to get games until he was brought in for Round 9. Bullocking midfielder/forward Ely Smith could be given his first crack with a hardened body ready-made for the rigours of senior footy. Academy graduate Connor Ballenden will make his debut against the Bombers, while fellow academy prospect Keidean Coleman may come into considerations, able to provide speed in their front half. Will Corey Lyons, brother of Lions star Jarryd, finally get his chance in his fourth season on Brisbane’s list?
Carlton
2020 debutants: Sam Philp
On the cusp: We are more likely to see familiar faces such as Paddy Dow and Lachie O’Brien re-enter the frame for the Blues, but there’s a couple of names to watch out for. Rookie forward Josh Honey lit up a recent scratch match with three goals against St Kilda’s reserves and could add some spark to their forward mix. Gut-running defender Matt Cottrell was named as an emergency in Round 7 and may be called on and is yet to debut after joining the club with mature-age success Michael Gibbons during the supplemental selection period last season.
Collingwood
2020 debutants: Tyler Brown, Will Kelly, Atu Bosenavulagi
On the cusp: Following a week’s rest after Round 8, Collingwood has back-to-back four day breaks, so you’d expect Nathan Buckley to get creative at selection. Irishman Mark Keane impressed with his intercept work during pre-season and can help plug a hole down back. Running machine Jay Rantall, who took out both of the Magpies’ 2km time trials in his first pre-season, could also be promoted while Scott Pendlebury (quad) is sidelined.
Essendon
2020 debutants: Ned Cahill
On the cusp: Coach John Worsfold indicated senior opportunity is coming for Sam Draper and he delivered, with the 203cm, 108kg ruckman to debut on Friday night. Draper turned heads during a recent scratch match and the chance is a long-time coming for the talented prospect. Developing tall Harrison Jones, their first pick of the 2019 draft, has to overcome a foot injury but could be called on given Essendon’s injury woes up forward. This may also work in Irving Mosquito’s favour if the Bombers continue to place an emphasis on pressure — as they did in Round 8.
Sam Draper 🔒
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) July 30, 2020
Get around the big fella!
Fremantle
2020 debutants: Sam Sturt, Hayden Young, Caleb Serong, Minairo Frederick, Tobe Watson
On the cusp: Fremantle is keen to play the kids having already trialled five debutants, the most recent being mature-age defender Tobe Watson, who held his own after being called up as a late in against Geelong. There are several more uncapped Dockers Justin Longmuir will consider, with ruckman Lloyd Meek front of the queue if they opt to give Sean Darcy or Rory Lobb a rest. Second-year midfielder Luke Valente has impressed during match simulation and should enter calculations, as will fellow rookie Tom North. Will the Dockers unleash their third top-10 selection from last year, exciting forward Liam Henry, over the next four rounds?
Geelong
2020 Debutants: Brad Close
On the cusp: Three games in two states across 14 days await the Cats, so expect a number of changes at selection each round. Key-position forward Nathan Kreuger and rangy defender Ben Jarvis were both named as emergencies in Round 8 and the South Australian duo loom as likely debutants. Tall defender Sam De Koning held the No. 1 ruck mantle in their recent scratch match with recognised ruckmen Rhys Stanley and Darcy Fort injured. Both will miss their blockbuster clash against West Coast, but Geelong are likely to allow Esava Ratugolea and Mark Blicavs to share duties again. First-round draftee Cooper Stephens is another who could be thrown in if experienced midfielders are eased through.
Gold Coast
2020 debutants: Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson, Connor Budarick, Izak Rankine
On the cusp: The Suns have another first-round selection from the 2019 draft to unveil in Sam Flanders, who will add power and a sense of x-factor up forward and through the middle. Wingman Jeremy Sharp, a second-round pick in the same draft, could enter the frame with his elite skills on the outside, while largely forgotten defender Jez McLennan is still yet to debut. The 23rd selection in the 2018 draft has been named as an emergency numerous times and this is as good a time as any to give the talented junior a taste.
GWS
2020 debutants: Tom Green, Lachie Ash
On the cusp: Greater Western Sydney’s midfield logjam has kept first round draftee Xavier O’Halloran on the outer since he arrived at the club at the end of 2018 and they will be eager to see what he can produce with his contract finishing up at the end of the season. The Giants have recruited two ready-made forwards in the last two drafts, with VFL product Jake Riccardi and 25-year-old goalsneak Thomas Hutchesson able to be called on if required. If they decide to change things up in the ruck, Kieran Briggs or Matthew Flynn may be considered.
Hawthorn
2020 debutants: Harry Jones, Will Day, Josh Morris
On the cusp: Alastair Clarkson hasn’t been afraid to blood debutants with their three this season coming in the past month. Small defender Damon Greaves, who shone during a pre-season game, will be in the mix. Midway through his third season, Jackson Ross is yet to be given an opportunity and can provide pace to their front half, while 2019 father-son selection Finn Maginness has a great tank and could also be trialled. Changkouth Jiath and Dylan Moore, who both debuted last season, are yet to feature and should have a more prominent role in the back-half of 2020.
Melbourne
2020 debutants: Luke Jackson, Kysaiah Pickett, Trent Rivers, Toby Bedford
On the cusp: Interestingly, only three players on Melbourne’s list are yet to play at AFL level and one of them, Aaron Nietschke, has been ruled out for the season with injury. James Jordon appears the most likely of those to feature but the Demons already have a stack of youngsters ahead of him, including 2020 debutants Toby Bedford and Trent Rivers.
North Melbourne
2020 debutants: Jack Mahony, Tristan Xerri
On the cusp: North Melbourne has been forced to give plenty of kids a run as their injury concerns mount and 2019 mid-season draftee Lachie Hosie looms as the next cab off the rank. The high-leaping forward plays taller than his 189cm size suggests and will surely come into coach Rhyce Shaw’s thinking. Otherwise, watch for ruck-forward Tristan Xerri to return to give Todd Goldstein a chop-out.
Port Adelaide
2020 debutants: Mitch Georgiades
On the cusp: Father-son midfielder Jackson Mead was closing in on a debut early in the season before injury struck and could earn a call-up, while exciting forward Miles Bergman has been unsighted to date. The Power’s first pick of the 2019 draft is another medium forward and will be sure to give the Alberton crowd plenty of highlights. Small forwards Tobin Cox and Dylan Williams will enter calculations if they look to change up their forward mix. While he has already played at Geelong, Wylie Buzza may make his Power debut following Todd Marshall’s injury blow.
Richmond
2020 debutants: Jake Aarts
On the cusp: Watch for debuts from Riley Collier-Dawkins and 2019 draftee Thomson Dow while Dion Prestia is sidelined. Collier-Dawkins is a tall inside-midfielder and has been close to getting his chance since joining the club as a first-round pick in the 2018 draft. Dow, the brother of Carlton’s Paddy, was also taken in the first round and can play on a wing or in the coalface. Callum-Coleman Jones (1 game) and Ryan Garthwaite (9 games) could also play a part.
St Kilda
2020 debutants: Max King, Ryan Byrnes
On the cusp: St Kilda’s team appears settled with experienced names like Dylan Roberton struggling to get a look in, but untried key defender Oscar Clavarino is in line for a debut over the next four rounds. After battling persistent hamstring injuries throughout the year, Clavarino pressed his claim in their recent scratch match against Brisbane, showing off his marking prowess in wet conditions. With Nathan Brown leaving their hub, the key defender will be front of mind for coach Brett Ratten. Otherwise, second-year midfielder Jack Bytel will be considered if they opt to rest their ball-winners.
Sydney
2020 debutants: Dylan Stephens, Chad Warner, Elijah Taylor, Matt Ling
On the cusp: The injury hit Swans are injecting plenty of youth into their side and there could be a few more debutants coming. Sam Wicks and Barry O’Connor will enter calculations after being elevated to the senior list this week, with injured stars Isaac Heeney and Josh Kennedy placed on their long-term injury list. Ruckman Joel Amartey and Michael Knoll should get their chance soon, Knoll (aged 27) being the most likely candidate to give Callum Sinclair support once fully recovered from his knee injury. Draftee Will Gould has a ready-made body and can impact from the get-go.
West Coast
2020 debutants: Nil
West Coast were yet to blood a debutant this season until Round 9 when they confirmed rookie key defender Harry Edwards will play his first game for the Eagles. Mature-age forward Nic Reid, 25, joined the club during the supplemental selection period and was named as emergency last round, on standby for Liam Ryan, and could feature at some stage. Ruckman Bailey Williams looks to be have leapfrogged Tom Hickey and Nathan Vardy and is likely to be given a crack as they manage Nic Naitanui through the fixture frenzy. We are yet to see their second round pick in the 2018 draft, midfielder Xavier O’Neil, or the big-bodied Hamish Brayshaw, brother of Angus and Andrew.
🚨 DEBUTANT ALERT! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/r3X26dpdpr
— West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) July 31, 2020
Western Bulldogs
2020 debutants: Ben Cavarra, Laitham Vandermeer, Louis Butler, Cody Weightman, Callum Porter
On the cusp: Luke Beveridge has played the equal-most debutants in 2020 and there aren’t too many players left yet to pull on red, white and blue. The most likely is 22-year-old ruckman Jordon Sweet if Tim English is rested, but English’s tank resembles that of a midfielder. Rookie defender Buku Khamis is raw but provides athleticism in spades and could press his claim during this period.
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Originally published as The rising stars in line for a debut at your club during August’s footy frenzy