Ultimate guide: Check out what your club’s Round 1 team could look like
A young ruckman is set to be given a big chance at the Tigers, while a number of top draft picks will be unleashed throughout the competition. Which new faces will be given a chance at your club?
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It is the question every football fan wants answered. Who will make the cut for each club’s Round 1 side?
After a long pre-season and with every club having now played a Marsh Series game, SuperFooty reporter Jon Ralph has done a deep dive on where all 18 clubs sit.
Check out who’s in, who’s out and who still has a point to prove in the lead-up to Round 1.
Then post your best 22 for your team in the comments section at the bottom of the article.
ADELAIDE CROWS
B: Luke Brown, Daniel Talia, Kyle Hartigan
HB: Rory Laird, Fischer McAsey, Wayne Milera
C: Chayce Jones, Rory Sloane, Brodie Smith
HF: Tom Lynch, Taylor Walker, Lachlan Murphy
F: Tyson Stengle, Darcy Fogarty, Elliot Himmelberg
FOLL: Reilly O’Brien, Matt Crouch, Brad Crouch
I/C: Bryce Gibbs, Jake Kelly, Paul Seedsman, Jordan Gallucci
WHO MISSED OUT
David Mackay, Ben Keays, Rory Atkins, Billy Frampton
INJURY WARD
– Tom Doedee hyperextended his left knee during a recent training session. He has already been ruled out of the club’s final Marsh Series match and is unlikely to feature in the club’s Round 1 side.
– Playing in the Adelaide v Port Adelaide U23 game, Ned McHenry left the ground with a back-related hamstring issue early in the second-half and didn’t return.
– Riley Knight will miss the start of the season with an Achilles.
RALPHY SAYS
Play the kids early and often, Matty Nicks, because this is still very much a developing side.
It might be harsh to suggest Darcy Fogarty should stop teasing us, but his SANFL form was average last year until thrown into the seniors with telling effect (nine goals in the last four games).
Brodie Smith will likely play midfield all year and while Bryce Gibbs is determined to play half back, he was dropped three times last year. His new coach doesn’t owe him anything so he needs to jump from the blocks early.
First-year tall defender Fisher McAsey will have games where he is monstered but the sooner the Crows can get 50 games into him the better so Nicks will be happy to ride the highs and lows.
Taylor Walker wants to pinch-hit on the wing. The only way he can restore his reputation is by doing what big tall forwards do – crash packs at every opportunity for the crumbers, not chasing easy kicks up field.
One last question – can Shane McAdam find a spot as a small forward after transforming his body over the summer?
BRISBANE LIONS
B: Noah Answerth, Harris Andrews, Marcus Adams
HB: Daniel Rich, Darcy Gardiner, Callum Ah Chee
C: Hugh McCluggage, Jarryd Lyons, Mitch Robinson
HF: Lincoln McCarthy, Daniel McStay, Dayne Zorko
F: Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood, Cam Rayner
FOLL: Stefan Martin, Lachie Neale, Jarrod Berry
I/C: Alex Witherden, Oscar McInerney, Grant Birchall, Cam Ellis-Yolmen
WHO MISSED OUT
Jacob Allison, Ryan Lester, Rhys Mathieson, Brandon Starcevich, Tom Berry, Connor Ballenden, Allen Christensen
INJURY WARD
Archie Smith has a short-term knee issue while Toby Wooller and Tom Joyce are listed as being out for close to a month.
RALPHY SAYS
Where is the weakness in this side?
Perhaps with the sheer quality of attacking talls, which is why Eric Hipwood’s summer of growth is so exciting and Oscar McInerney’s improvement as a ruck-forward has so much hanging on it.
What a luxury to have Charlie Cameron, Cam Rayner and Lincoln McCarthy as the three small forwards. Rayner again kicked 20 goals for the second year in a row but had 25 points to go with it. Is he hungry enough to turn into Dusty Mark II or will his lack of elite fitness type-cast him as a dangerous small? We might find out this year. If he wants to be a superstar he needs superstar workrate.
Given Cam Ellis-Yolman was recruited as a tough inside mid he will probably start early but can he hold his spot? Tom Berry brained them in the NEAFL last year so will try to push another mid out of their best-22 spot. The only question is depth given the Lions barely had an injury last year. Do they have a soft underbelly or can the likes of Rhys Mathieson and Connor Ballenden emerge as regulars if those injuries hit?
CARLTON
B: Lachie Plowman, Jacob Weitering, Tom Williamson
HB: Sam Docherty, Liam Jones, Kade Simpson
C: Will Setterfield, Ed Curnow, Marc Murphy
HF: Jack Martin, Levi Casboult, Zac Fisher
F: Mitch McGovern, Harry McKay, Eddie Betts
FOLL: Matthew Kreuzer, Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh
I/C: Sam Petrevski-Seton, Nic Newman, Caleb Marchbank, Jack Silvagni
WHO MISSED OUT
Harrison Macreadie, Hugh Goddard, Michael Gibbons, Paddy Dow, Jack Newnes, Liam Stocker, Matthew Kennedy, Darcy Lang, Marc Pittonet
INJURY WARD
– Charlie Curnow will miss the start of the season with a right patella injury.
– Harry McKay has resumed training after a groin injury but still has some work to do before he is AFL ready.
– Top draft pick Brodie Kemp continues to recover from an ACL injury he sustained last year.
RALPHY SAYS
Carlton looks a great side on paper, but paper teams have never held up the premiership cup. It’s time to convert that potential into reality.
The worry is that Harry McKay is no certainty for Round 1 because of groin issues, which would mean Mitch McGovern and Levi Casboult might be the team’s two leading forwards against Richmond. Casboult has never worried about reputation and just gets the job done, while McGovern is so far an almost player. At 25 years of age, will he continue to flirt with his form given he has never kicked more than 32 goals in any given season?
The backline looks excellent – perfect blend of intercept markers, lockdown players like Lachie Plowman and offensive drive from the likes of Kade Simpson and Sam Docherty. Sam Petrevski-Seton is set to join them at half back this year while Nic Newman has had a great summer.
Marc Pittonet has shown excellent signs so far but will the Blues play two rucks in Matthew Kreuzer and him? Probably not unless Pittonet can also go forward. The Blues fans love Tom De Koning but it’s hard to see how he fits into the team at the moment. Let’s hope he can force his way in by sheer performance because he’s got the skill-set to be a star.
After so much publicity Jack Silvagni’s early scratch match and Marsh Series form has been encouraging enough to believe he will again play 20-odd games as a half forward who can pinch hit or even tag at times.
COLLINGWOOD
B: Jeremy Howe, Jordan Roughead, Brayden Maynard
HB: Isaac Quaynor, Darcy Moore, Jack Crisp
C: Tom Phillips, Scott Pendlebury, Rupert Wills
HF: Jaidyn Stephenson, Brody Mihocek, Will Hoskin-Elliott
F: Jamie Elliott, Mason Cox, Jordan De Goey
FOLL: Brodie Grundy, Steele Sidebottom, Taylor Adams
I/C: Josh Thomas, Chris Mayne, Callum Brown, John Noble
WHO MISSED OUT
Jack Madgen, Brayden Sier, Jay Rantall, Tyler Brown, Tim Broomhead, Josh Daicos, Ben Reid, Travis Varcoe, Tom Wilson, Darcy Cameron, Matt Scharenberg, Atu Bosenavulagi
INJURY WARD
– Tom Langdon’s future at the Magpies is uncertain as he continues to battle a right knee injury. Langdon hasn’t played senior footy since Round 9 last year.
– Adam Treloar suffered a hamstring injury in the Pies’ Marsh Series win against Richmond.
RALPHY SAYS
NATHAN Buckley is thrilled to have some selection conundrums ahead of Round 1 after the excellent form of Josh Daicos, John Noble, Darcy Cameron and even Fijian-born Atu Bosenavulagi, who started as a small forward against Richmond.
Isaac Quaynor is in this side but John Noble will be pushing hard to displace him after breaking in last year. Rupert Wills is probably ahead of Brayden Sier but they will battle for the same spot all year.
Mason Cox is the incumbent alongside Brody Mihocek but as Buckley said on Sunday, Cameron didn’t put a foot wrong against Richmond.
His ruck work was sublime but can they count on him to crash packs and regularly kick goals as a forward? Having said that, can they count on Cox to do that on a weekly basis in a contract year?
Let’s hope he gets a clear run at it to establish himself as the second marking forward.
So maybe it’s a match-race between the pair in the final Marsh Series game against St Kilda.
The Pies have pushed Will Hoskin-Elliott up onto the wing at times in the pre-season, while there is likely a spot available in Round 1 given Adam Treloar is set to miss with a hamstring.
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ESSENDON
B: Mason Redman, Michael Hurley, Aaron Francis
HB: Adam Saad, Cale Hooker, Conor McKenna
C: Darcy Parish, Dylan Shiel, Andrew McGrath
HF: David Zaharakis, Shaun McKernan Jake Stringer
F: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, James Stewart, Orazio Fantasia
FOLL: Andrew Phillips, Zach Merrett, Devon Smith
I/C: Matt Guelfi, Dylan Clarke, Tom Bellchambers, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher
WHO MISSED OUT
Tom Cutler, Kyle Langford, Jordan Ridley, Martin Gleeson, Brayden Ham, Kobe Mutch, Will Snelling, Jacob Townsend, Irving Mosquito, Tom Cutler, Jordan Ridley
INJURY WARD
– Joe Daniher has seen a groin specialist in Ireland and is expected to be sidelined for an extended period of time.
– Patrick Ambrose suffered a PCL injury in a recent practice match and could miss between 8 and 10 weeks.
– Conor McKenna has returned to the club. The Bombers are yet to rule him out of Round 1.
– Cale Hooker and James Stewart have battled injuries throughout the pre-season but the club has yet to make a call on their Round 1 availability.
– Dyson Heppell has missed almost the entire pre-season and faces an uphill battle to play Round 1.
RALPHY SAYS
Against West Coast the Essendon midfield was brilliant at lowering their eyes and hitting up small leading forward targets after failing to do that in the elimination final loss.
That might be Essendon’s lot for some time given Joe Daniher might never be back in Bomber colours and the replacements aren’t obvious.
Last year’s pick 30 Harrison Jones got some game time against West Coast as a key forward while there is a spot for leading forward James Stewart if he can get over his groin issues.
Apart from those concerns Patrick Ambrose’s absence will be significant given he takes the big dogs up forward. Cale Hooker will slot into defence but hasn’t seen game time yet, while Brandon Zerk-Thatcher has enough potential for the Bombers to persevere with him.
If the key position issues are a worry, Darcy Parish and Andrew McGrath look significantly advanced from this time last year while Devon Smith will be a massive addition after knee issues last year.
But Essendon still looks to have some key position holes and no real way to fill them in the short-term.
FREMANTLE
B: Luke Ryan, Brennan Cox, Hayden Young
HB: Reece Conca, Griffin Logue, Stephen Hill
C: James Aish, Andrew Brayshaw, Blake Acres
HF: Michael Walters, Matt Taberner, Caleb Serong
F: Darcy Tucker, Rory Lobb, Brandon Matera
FOLL: Sean Darcy, Nat Fyfe Adam Cerra
I/C: Ethan Hughes, Travis Colyer, Brett Bewley, Connor Blakely
WHO MISSED OUT
Taylin Duman, Alex Pearce, Bailey Banfield, Stefan Giro, Cam McCarthy, Liam Henry
INJURY WARD
– Jesse Hogan is taking time away from football to deal with mental health issues.
– The Dockers are waiting on the results of scans after Blake Acres hurt his hamstring.
– David Mundy is still recovering from a broken leg.
– Alex Pearce has ruled himself out for Round 1.
– Joel Hamling faces a battle to feature in the first half of the season with an ankle injury
– Nathan Wilson is suffering from turf toe and is unlikely to play Round 1.
RALPHY SAYS
So many spots up for grabs for a Fremantle side force-feeding games into the kids and having to replace Brad Hill, Ed Langdon and potentially Jesse Hogan.
Newbies James Aish and Blake Acres made an instant splash against Carlton on the weekend as replacements on the wing. However, Acres suffered a hamstring injury at training this week but has not yet been ruled out for Round 1.
The Dockers are keen to play Brennan Cox as a key defender given their injury issues, while Griffin Logue does special things at times and still could be anything.
Liam Henry is still easing back from a disrupted summer but fellow top 10 pick Caleb Serong hasn’t missed a beat and should play Round 1.
Hayden Young rounds out the trio of top-ten picks but he didn’t play against Carlton so might have to force his way into the Fremantle side early in the season.
GEELONG CATS
B: Mark O’Connor, Mark Blicavs, Jake Kolodjashnij
HB: Tom Stewart, Harry Taylor, Zach Tuohy
C: Jordan Clark, Joel Selwood, Mitch Duncan
HF: Brandan Parfitt, Esava Ratugolea, Gary Ablett
F: Gryan Miers, Tom Hawkins, Luke Dahlhaus
FOLL: Rhys Stanley, Patrick Dangerfield, Jack Steven
I/C: Cameron Guthrie, Josh Jenkins, Jack Henry, Tom Atkins
WHO MISSED OUT
Jed Bews, Lachie Henderson, Zach Guthrie, Quinton Narkle, Sam Menegola, Charlie Constable, James Parsons, Gary Rohan, Lachie Fogarty, Darcy Fort
INJURY WARD
– After a positive start to the pre-season, Nakia Cockatoo is now battling a hamstring injury.
– Joel Selwood won’t play a Marsh Series match but is expected to play in Round 1.
RALPHY SAYS
The nucleus of this side remains the same but that doesn’t mean there aren’t spots up for grabs for Round 1.
Last year Zach Tuohy missed the start of the year and then played forward for a time, while Jed Bews only got back in Round 15 after groin issues.
Jake Kolodjashnij played 23 games for the year and right now is battling hip issues.
But if all of them are fit for Round 1 – with Mark O’Connor, Mark Blicavs and Tom Stewart automatic selections – who is squeezed out? Harry Taylor likely gets the nod again ahead of Lachie Henderson but they are questions Chris Scott will be seeking to answer in the last Marsh Series game. The Cats will probably ease back Kolodjashnij so might not have to make the hard calls yet.
Similarly can the Cats play three tall forwards in Josh Jenkins, Harry Taylor and Esava Ratugolea, or does Ratugolea play so much ruck that he and Stanley share those duties and Jenkins is a mainstay up forward?
Darcy Fort will be another pushing to take Stanley’s spot, which is far from set in concrete given Scott dropped him for his full back in the qualifying final.
Scott probably favours Stanley, but Fort was solid in the Marsh Series game.
Jack Steven will play half forward and if fit enough pinch-hit in the midfield and while Scott urged caution for those believing he will again be a star, we know his best is scintillating.
Tom Atkins played 23 games last year so he surely starts ahead of Gary Rohan, or is there enough room for both of them in this side?
GOLD COAST SUNS
B: Jarrod Harbrow, Rory Thompson, Jack Lukosius
HB: Pearce Hanley, Connor Budarick, Brandon Ellis
C: Lachie Weller, Jack Bowes, Brayden Fiorini
HF: Hugh Greenwood, Ben King, Ben Ainsworth
F: Noah Anderson, Peter Wright, Alex Sexton
FOLL: Jarrod Witts, David Swallow, Matt Rowell
I/C: Touk Miller, Darcy Macpherson, Wil Powell, Peter Wright
WHO MISSED OUT
Corey Ellis, Will Brodie, Sam Flanders, George Horlin-Smith, Anthony Miles, Sam Day, Sam Collins, Sean Lemmens,
INJURY WARD
– Izak Rankine suffered a shoulder injury in the pre-season.
– Charlie Ballard will be sidelined for around three months after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction.
RALPHY SAYS
Plenty of moving parts in this Gold Coast Suns side given injuries to key backs and the young kids improving quickly.
Charlie Ballard is out with a shoulder reconstruction but against Geelong, little-known Connor Budarick took on that role with aplomb. Can he keep that spot for the season proper?
Jack Bowes is the centreman in this side but he shut-out Gary Ablett playing in the unusual spot of half back in the first Marsh Series game. Izak Rankin has talent to burn but didn’t play in that side despite an encouraging pre-season so it’s hard to pencil him into the Round 1 side.
Pearce Hanley should be a half back star but is still working back from injury niggles, so Brandon Ellis’ continued strong form is a key to the club starting the season well.
Let’s hope Lachie Weller’s strong showing in the Bushfire relief game translates into a bumper season for a player who hasn’t hit the heights expected of him yet.
GWS GIANTS
B: Nick Haynes, Phil Davis, Aidan Corr
HB: Heath Shaw, Sam Taylor, Zac Williams
C: Lachie Whitfield, Stephen Coniglio, Harry Perryman
HF: Harry Himmelberg, Jeremy Finlayson, Jacob Hopper
F: Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron, Brent Daniels
FOLL: Sam Jacobs, Josh Kelly, Matt de Boer
I/C: Jackson Hatley, Tom Green, Adam Kennedy, Sam Reid
WHO MISSED OUT
Lachie Keeffe, Lachlan Ash, Matt Buntine, Xavier O’Halloran, Tommy Sheridan, Jye Caldwell, Brent Daniels, Bobby Hill, Daniel Lloyd, Shane Mumford
INJURY WARD
– Callan Ward is targeting a Round 4 return from his ACL injury.
– Tim Taranto suffered a shoulder injury in GWS’s Marsh Series opener against Sydney. He won’t feature in the first half of the season.
RALPHY SAYS
This is some kind of side, even with Tim Taranto stuck on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.
Lachie Ash was so dynamic as the club’s No. 4 draft pick that you get the feeling he won’t be in the NEAFL long if he does start there.
With Zac Williams battling achilles tendinitis there is a chance Ash plays from Round 1 anyway.
The feeling is that Williams might end up missing Round 1 to ensure he gets over that achilles problem.
Raging bull Tom Greene, the No. 10 pick who had 21 touches, two goals and 15 contested possessions in the heavy win over Sydney, looks a star in the making too.
It’s not often two draftees force their way into a Grand Final side.
Jackson Hateley, Jy Caldwell, and Xavier O’Halloran are all pushing hard for midfield time as well.
Sam Jacobs likely leads the ruck from Round 1, with the Giants getting Shane Mumford fit for the start of the season but aware they won’t likely play both veteran rucks in the one game.
HAWTHORN
B: James Sicily, James Frawley, Jack Scrimshaw
HB: Sam Frost, Ben McEvoy, Ben Stratton
C: Tom Scully, James Worpel, Isaac Smith
HF: Luke Breust, Mitch Lewis, Chad Wingard
F: Tim O’Brien, Jon Patton, Paul Puopolo
FOLL: Jon Ceglar, Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O’Meara
I/C: Shaun Burgoyne, Ricky Henderson, Liam Shiels, Changkuoth Jiath
WHO MISSED OUT
Conor Glass, Michael Hartley, Damon Greaves, James Cousins, Finn Maginness, Harry Morrison, Daniel Howe, Conor Nash
INJURY WARD
– Jarman Impey is progressing well in his recovery from an ACL injury. He isn’t expected to feature to start the season.
– Jack Gunston underwent ankle surgery in late December which kept him out for six weeks of pre-season. He missed the club’s opening Marsh Series match and faces a race against time to be ready for Round 1.
– Ben McEvoy suffered a corked thigh in the opening minutes of the Marsh Cup. However, he is still hopeful of playing in Round 1.
– Blake Hardwick will miss multiple weeks to start the season after injuring a muscle in his chest
RALPHY SAYS
How many talls can Alastair Clarkson fit into his Round 1 side?
That’s the key question for a side that immediately looks better on paper than it did as it ended the 2019 season with a rush.
The back six is interesting with Blake Hardwick out for the early rounds of the year.
James Sicily, James Frawley and Ben Stratton are the defensive mainstays, with Ben McEvoy set to play at centre half back and Sam Frost the ex-Demon pushing hard.
Does Frost start his season in the VFL and a smaller player like Conor Glass come in to field the opposing mid-sizers and smalls?
Up forward Mitch Lewis and Jon Patton will play early and play often, but is there room for Tim O’Brien as the third attacking tall after 16 games last year.
Chad Wingard will be better for the run, Tom Mitchell is back and James Worpel enters the season with the pedigree of a bona fide star. With Tom Scully another year progressed from his injury problems the hope is he and Isaac Smith can be the kind of wing combo that Smith and Brad Hill were in the glory years.
MELBOURNE
B: Neville Jetta, Steven May, Michael Hibberd
HB: James Harmes, Jake Lever Christian Salem
C: Ed Langdon Angus Brayshaw, Adam Tomlinson
HF: Nathan Jones, Tom McDonald, Christian Petracca
F: Jake Melksham, Sam Weideman, Bayley Fritsch
FOLL: Max Gawn, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney
I/C: Kysaiah Pickett, Luke Jackson, Aaron vandenBerg, Mitch Brown
WHO MISSED OUT
Josh Wagner, Joel Smith, Marty Hore, Trent Rivers, James Jordan Tom Sparrow, Kyle Dunkley, Alex Neal-Bullen, Charlie Spargo, Oscar McDonald, Jayden Hunt, Harry Petty
INJURY WARD
– Harley Bennell is unlikely to feature during the first half of the season after suffering another calf injury.
– Steven May continues to recover from minor knee surgery.
RALPHY SAYS
As we found out with Melbourne last year, it’s not the marquee names in the best 22, it’s whether they front up with quality performances.
But Ed Langdon and Adam Tomlinson on the wings, Christian Petracca with the penny finally having dropped and Jack Viney will a full season under his belt surely improves this team straight away.
The club won’t miss Sam Frost as long as Steven May and Jake Lever remain fit, but unfortunately that’s a big if.
So you can bet on Oscar McDonald playing a dozen games or so.
For all his dogged style of play, he still has some Oscar moments.
Kysaiah Pickett is surely a lock for Round 1 based on only his pressure, and while No. 3 pick Luke Jackson might end up getting squeezed out the club has seen enough of his potential to believe he is on track.
Tom Sparrow is a midfield wildcard given he’s been in the centre for many of the club’s match simulation contests, while Aaron vandenBerg is again fit and strong.
James Harmes at half back will help with the hard edge, quality ball use and running power.
Nathan Jones played midfield, wing and half back last year but started the season well with a strong Marsh Series contest.
All of it has the potential to be something special or just another typical year for Melbourne.
They have the talent, now they have to prove it.
NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Jamie Macmillan, Robbie Tarrant, Majak Daw
HB: Jasper Pittard, Josh Walker, Shaun Atley
C: Jared Polec, Ben Cunnington, Trent Dumont
HF: Jy Simpkin, Nick Larkey, Tarryn Thomas
F: Aiden Bonar, Ben Brown, Cam Zurhaar
FOLL: Todd Goldstein, Shaun Higgins, Jack Ziebell
I/C: Jed Anderson, Mason Wood, Dom Tyson, Curtis Taylor/ Aaron Hall
WHO MISSED OUT
Sam Durdin, Ben McKay, Ed Vickers-Willis, Paul Ahern, Aaron Hall, Bailey Scott, Curtis Taylor, Will Walker
INJURY WARD
– Marley Williams will return in Round 3 after suspension
– Aaron Hall missed the club’s Marsh Series opener because of back spasms. He took time away from the game last year for mental health issues.
– There is no return date for Ben Jacobs.
– Kayne Turner is currently out for an extended period of time with a toe injury.
– Luke Davies-Uniacke is battling a groin injury.
RALPHY SAYS
Majak Daw has likely done enough to regain his position in the back six alongside Robbie Tarrant, so does Rhyce Shaw choose ex-Lion Josh Walker or Sam Durdin as the third tall?
Durdin played 10 games late last year while Walker’s best is excellent but his 2019 was decimated by injury.
There are queries over Jared Polec (foot), Ben Brown (calf) and Jack Ziebell (calf) but if those three players take to the field for Round 1 it looks like a powerful side.
North Melbourne fans must be salivating at the prospect of Cam Zurhaar and Nick Larkey playing together for a full season.
Kane Turner’s long-term toe injury is a blow given his forward pressure, so do the Roos address that deficiency in the mid-season draft?
Meanwhile one of Shaw’s great challenges is getting solid years out of Dom Tyson and Aaron Hall, signed up long term but unable to perform last year given injury and moderate form.
PORT ADELAIDE
B: Ryan Burton, Tom Jonas, Justin Westhoff
HB: Hamish Hartlett, Tom Clurey, Darcy Byrne-Jones
C: Karl Amon, Tom Rockliff, Xavier Duursma
HF: Connor Rozee, Mitch Georgiades, Robbie Gray
F: Pete Ladhams, Charlie Dixon, Brad Ebert
FOLL: Scott Lycett, Dan Houston, Travis Boak
I/C: Sam Powell-Pepper, Zak Butters, Steven Motlop, Riley Bonner
WHO MISSED OUT
Jack Watts, Willem Drew, Sam Mayes, Jackson Mead, Joe Atley, Wylie Buzza, Todd Marshall Kane Farrell
INJURY WARD
– Ollie Wines will have a delayed start to the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
RALPHY SAYS
A team that Port Adelaide guarantees us will absolutely positively make finals still has lots of kids in its best side so consistency is going to be the challenge for Ken Hinkley’s mob.
Dan Houston has turned into a serious midfielder over the summer and early pick Mitch Georgiades has shown enough for Hinkley to think him worthy of a Round 1 debut.
Jack Watts missed the squad for the first Marsh series team so will have to force his way into the team to play his first AFL game since Round 2 last year.
Sam Powell-Pepper is being redeployed as a pressuring small forward but given his terrible conversion last year can he maximise the chances he gets?
Charlie Dixon has looked renewed this summer after overcoming his persistent injury battles.
Still get the feeling given the established talent is a known quantity that Port’s ability to dodge the second year blues for Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma will be a decisive factor.
RICHMOND
B: Nathan Broad, Dylan Grimes, David Astbury
HB: Bachar Houli, Nick Vlastuin, Jayden Short
C: Kane Lambert, Dion Prestia, Josh Caddy
HF: Shane Edwards, Jack Riewoldt, Shai Bolton
F: Daniel Rioli, Tom Lynch, Jason Castagna
FOLL: Ivan Soldo, Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin
I/C: Liam Baker, Callum Coleman-Jones, Marlion Pickett, Sydney Stack
WHO MISSED OUT
Patrick Naish, Jack Graham, Ryan Garthwaite, Kamdyn McIntosh, Jack Ross, Tom Dow, Riley Collier-Dawkins, Jack Higgins, Oleg Markov, Toby Nankervis, Noah Balta, Mabior Chol,
RALPHY SAYS
Brandon Ellis’ spot is up for grabs and Toby Nankervis’ slow summer with groin issues means it remains to be seen whether the club plays two rucks in Round 1 against Carlton.
Otherwise the Tigers appear well settled given the kids didn’t really take their chances in the loss to Collingwood in Wangaratta.
Jack Higgins isn’t yet in the best 22 by Damien Hardwick’s own admission, while Marlion Pickett is now clearly in the best side after a summer franking his Grand Final performance with quality match simulation showings.
Ryan Garthwaite is the next cab off the rank should one of the key defenders go down.
Riley Collier-Dawkins was poor last week but has had a massive summer, while the club’s first pick from last November looked at home late in that game but when the sting was clearly out of the contest.
Josh Caddy continues to play half back and wing 18 months after his dominant season as a medium-sized forward, but with Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch as the key pillars there just isn’t a spot for him up forward.
The club has huge hopes for Callum Coleman-Jones as a ruckman and marking forward.
Some insiders at the club believe he is a huge chance to stay in the team in Round 1 as the third tall who also plays second ruck behind Soldo.
Meanwhile Noah Balta and Mabior Chol have huge talent but again will need to work their way into the side when injuries hit.
ST KILDA
B: Jarryn Geary, Jake Carlisle, Callum Wilkie
HB: Dylan Roberton, Dougal Howard, Hunter Clark
C: Seb Ross, Bradley Hill, Jack Billings
HF: Jade Gresham, Paddy Ryder, Jack Sinclair
F: Dan Butler, Max King, Tim Membrey
FOLL: Rowan Marshall, Dan Hannebery, Jack Steele
I/C: Luke Dunstan, Jimmy Webster, Zak Jones, Ben Long
WHO MISSED OUT
Josh Battle, Nathan Brown, Nick Coffield, Jonathon Marsh, Shane Savage, Nick Hind, Jack Bytel, Ed Phillips, Dean Kent, Matt Parker
INJURY WARD
– The Saints have a relatively clean bill of health at the moment.
RALPHY SAYS
The challenge to pick St Kilda’s best side doesn’t necessarily guarantee they will be world-beaters this season.
The question remains: Do they have enough A graders to be a top-four team?
But there is no doubt there is a logjam for positions under Brett Ratten.
Over the summer Ben Long has been pushed to half back with impressive results, while Jade Gresham’s emergence as a full-blown midfielder gathers speed.
Jarryn Geary, Jake Carlisle, Cal Wilkie and Dylan Roberton are automatic starters in the back six.
But does Josh Battle join them, is Hunter Clark a half back or mid, is Dougal Howard a lock and can Jimmy Webster return to his best as a sweeping half back after only eight games last year?
Ditto up forward, with Max King yet to play an AFL game but already seen as the heir apparent to Nick Riewoldt’s throne.
Can Paddy Ryder bring the ball to ground enough to get the smalls involved because Tim Membrey and King are more mark-and-lead players.
Jon Marsh is being trialled as that pack-crashing forward.
SYDNEY SWANS
B: Jordan Dawson Dane Rampe, Jake Lloyd
HB: Ollie Florent, Aliir Aliir, Callum Mills
C: Dylan Stephens, Josh Kennedy, Isaac Heeney
HF: Lewis Taylor, Sam Reid, Nick Blakey
F: Will Hayward, Tom McCartin, Tom Papley
FOLL: Sam Naismith, Luke Parker, George Hewett
I/C: James Rowbottom, Harry Cunningham, Sam Gray, Callum Sinclair
WHO MISSED OUT
Kaiden Brand, Will Gould, Robbie Fox, Ryan Clarke, Zac Foot, Brady Rowles, Ben Ronke, Elijah Taylor, Colin O’Riordan
INJURY WARD
– Lance Franklin will have a delayed start to the year following off-season knee surgery.
– Lewis Melican has a hamstring issue.
RALPHY SAYS
Take it as read that Lance Franklin won’t play Round 1, with the Swans happier to build him up to full fitness rather than risk him half-fit.
In his absence Tom McCartin and Sam Reid will have to step up in the early rounds, with Nick Blakey a star of the future but still needing senior bodies around him.
The Swans brought in Lewis Taylor and Sam Gray to make an immediate impact so expect them to get the first month or more in the team to prove themselves.
Ben Ronkie fell out of favour last season so needs to cement a spot.
Sam Naismith and Cal Sinclair will battle for the ruck spot while first pick Dylan Stephens has done enough to be in the frame for a Round 1 start.
WEST COAST EAGLES
B: Tom Cole, Tom Barrass, Brad Sheppard
HB: Shannon Hurn, Jeremy McGovern, Lewis Jetta
C: Andrew Gaff Elliot Yeo, Dom Sheed
HF: Jamie Cripps, Jack Darling, Jack Petruccelle
F: Jarrod Cameron, Josh Kennedy, Liam Ryan
FOLL: Nic Naitanui, Tim Kelly, Luke Shuey
I/C: Liam Duggan, Mark Hutchings, Jack Redden, Bailey Williams
WHO MISSED OUT
Jackson Nelson, Brendon Ah Chee, Brayden Ainsworth, Jarrod Brander, Jake Waterman, Tom Hickey
INJURY WARD
– Jack Darling suffered a cheekbone fracture during the pre-season but is expected to play Round 1.
– Daniel Venables will miss the season after suffering another concussion injury.
– Oscar Allen is still working through his rehab after an ankle injury.
– Jeremy McGovern faces a race against time to recover from an achilles/heel injury. Jackson Nelson could be a replacement for him if he doesn’t get up in time.
RALPHY SAYS
A team that won a flag two years back has Tim Kelly, Nic Naitanui, Brad Sheppard and Andrew Gaff in from the 22 that held aloft the cup
Kelly can play where he wants, while Tom Barrass was shaky at times last year but finished the season in better form.
No Willie Rioli in this side for the foreseeable future but they have enough star power if Jack Petruccelle adds consistency to his blistering pace.
Tom Hickey played 20 mostly solid games last year but second-year ruckman Bailey Williams is making a strong run at Round 1.
It puts the Eagles in a powerful position not only for the future but to allow Nic Naitanui rest and recovery instead of putting him out on the field at anything less than 100 per cent fitness.
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WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Easton Wood, Zaine Cordy Hayden Crozier
HB: Jason Johanissen, Alex Keath, Matt Suckling,
C: Lachie Hunter, Marcus Bontempelli, Mitch Wallis
HF: Bailey Smith, Josh Bruce, Josh Schache
F: Bailey Dale, Aaron Naughton, Sam Lloyd
FOLL: Tim English, Jack Macrae Josh Dunkley
I/C: Toby McLean, Patrick Lipinski, Tom Liberatore, Caleb Daniel
WHO MISSED OUT
Roarke Smith, Bailey Williams, Lewis Young, Will Hayes, Ben Cavarra, Billy Gowers, Fergus Greene
INJURY WARD
– Taylor Duryea underwent off-season surgery to fix a groin issue.
– Tom Liberatore is touch and go for a Round 1 return after a long-term knee injury.
– Lin Jong has a hamstring injury.
RALPHY SAYS
The top-line items at selection are clearly how the talls work now that Alex Keath and Josh Bruce slot into the backline and forward line respectively.
But have a look at the logjam for spots in the small forward position as an example of how many Dogs would believe they could play in Round 1.
If Josh Schache plays that leaves three positions plus one on the bench.
Bailey Dale is an automatic selection and so is Sam Lloyd but Ben Cavarra (after an excellent summer), Rhylee West, Billy Gowers, Will Hayes, and the taller Patrick Lipinski would all have claims for a spot in this side.
Then you throw in Bailey Smith and Mitch Wallis, who can play mid and half forward, and you realise what a task it will be for Luke Beveridge to select this team.
Aaron Naughton hasn’t been ruled out for Round 1 despite knee issues and Josh Bruce has had some minor back problems, so Schache has a real chance to establish himself as the third marking forward who can also go into the ruck.
Josh Dunkley is surely now a midfielder after his epic end to 2020.
And Tom Liberatore will ease into the season after knee issues but is coming on quickly.
It’s an enviable depth and spread of talent.
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Originally published as Ultimate guide: Check out what your club’s Round 1 team could look like
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