AFL 2023: See every player named to debut in round 1
The most popular player in KFC SuperCoach will make his debut in round 1 along with a host of new faces from Adelaide, Hawthorn, Essendon, Carlton and more. See every name.
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The Brisbane Lions have confirmed footy’s worst-kept secret by officially announcing Will Ashcroft will debut in round 1.
The son of triple premiership forward Marcus Ashcroft was taken at No.2 in last year’s draft after a stellar junior career. He was so impressive Lions coach Chris Fagan quipped last year that he would have picked Ashcroft to play AFL if he had been allowed to.
The Lions confirmed with a seven-second video on their social media channels on Thursday that Ashcroft will feature in the team to face Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
He is the most selected player in KFC SuperCoach, where he is priced at $202,800 in the midfield.
Meanwhile, Adelaide could unveil three club debutants against GWS in the season opener on Sunday.
Max Michalanney was told following match sim at West Lakes on Thursday that he would make his AFL debut against the Giants.
Michalanney was drafted by the Crows as a father-son selection, with dad Jim a Norwood legend.
His parents surprised Michalanney when his debut was getting announced in front of the Crows playing group.
The young defender has impressed since arriving at West Lakes, with former captain Taylor Walker declaring early in pre-season that he could play in Round 1.
Izak Rankine will play his first game for the Crows after his big move from Gold Coast.
Adelaide could also give a Crows debut to former Collingwood midfielder Tyler Brown.
Brown, a father-son player at the Pies, arrived at West Lakes through the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period when the Crows had two list spots available, following Fischer McAsey walking away from the game and Paul Seedsman sitting out the season as he continues to battle concussion symptoms.
Brown provides some height to the midfield, the Crows have long been crying out for.
Teammates were congratulating Brown, who played 27 games at the Magpies, following the announcement.
Hawks‘ top pick to make AFL debut
– Rebecca Williams
Hawthorn will unveil its top draft pick in Sunday’s round 1 clash against Essendon after confirming Cam Mackenzie would make his debut.
Selected at No.7 in last year’s national draft, Mackenzie has been described by the Hawks as a “special player”, who has already slotted seamlessly into the club’s midfield mix.
In announcing his debut, the Hawks’ said the 19-year-old young gun had “demanded” his senior selection after his strong performance in the practice match against Collingwood when he had 24 disposals, a goal and a game-high 11 score involvements.
Hawthon’s general manager of football Rob McCartney said Mackenzie deserved his round-one call-up.
“We are thrilled to see Cam earn his opportunity to debut for Hawthorn,” McCartney said.
“In only a few short months since being drafted, Cam has demonstrated he’s a fast learner and has an incredible appetite for hard work.
“He is clearly a special youngster and hasn’t looked out of place in our midfield mix, showing flashes of what’s to come right across our practice matches.
“First games are special moments, so we are really excited for Cam that he will make his debut in front of family and friends at the MCG.”
Bombers to unleash father-son gun
- Rebecca Williams
Essendon is set to open a new father-son chapter with Alwyn Davey Jr to make his debut against Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday.
Davey Jr, the son of former Bomber Alwyn Davey, was told he would be lining up against the Hawks by his twin, Jayden, in a memorable moment for the brothers.
The Bombers released a short clip on social media of Jayden, who is recovering from an ACL injury, making the announcement in front of the Bombers’ playing group.
“The journey has gone a little bit hard for me, watching Alwyn out there, it was tough,” Jayden said.
“And we have got something for you, congratulations – you are in this week.”
Jayden then handed his brother his playing jumper, shaking his hand and ruffling his hair as their teammates burst into applause.
A 19-year-old midfielder-forward, Davey Jr was taken as a father-son selection at pick 45 in last year’s national draft.
Jayden was also taken as a father-son pick at No.54.
The twin’s dad finished his career at Essendon on 100 games, just meeting the selection criteria for his sons to qualify as father-sons.
Meanwhile, Melbourne will unveil two debutants against the Western Bulldogs.
Running defender Judd McVee and small forward/midfielder Bailey Laurie will play their first AFL games on Saturday night at the MCG.
McVee joined the Demons in the 2021 rookie draft and filled the role of injured backman Christian Salem in the two practice matches.
Laurie was recruited with pick 22 in the 2020 national draft.
Recruits Brodie Grundy and Lachie Hunter were also informed on Wednesday that they will play their first games in red and blue this weekend.
Davey delight for Round one. pic.twitter.com/Xi0mWc640f
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) March 15, 2023
Kangaroos unveil excitement machine, Eagles blood three
North Melbourne excitement machine Harry Sheezel will make his debut against West Coast on Saturday at Marvel Stadium.
The 18-year-old, taken at pick No.3 in last year’s national draft, was told of his selection by coach Alastair Clarkson at the Kangaroos’ team meeting on Tuesday.
“You’ve been dreaming of this for a long time mate, we wanted to tell you now so that you’re not still anxious,” Clarkson said of the crafty forward.
“You probably thought it was and hoping it was going to happen this week, but we just wanted you to settle yourself in your mind so you can tell your mum and dad and your sisters.
“I want you to know that your teammates in here and everyone in this room, we’re going to be rooting for you too, so well done lad.”
Sheezel was drafted as a clever forward but was switched to half-back in the final quarter of North Melbourne’s practice match against the Bulldogs, giving the Roos’ coaches another creative option down back.
North Melbourne will face a new-look Eagles team featuring former Demon Jayden Hunt and three debutants – Campbell Chesser, Reuben Ginbey and Noah Long.
Chesser, who can play as a running defender or on the wing, was West Coast’s first pick at No.14 in the 2021 national draft but had his 2022 season wiped out by a foot injury.
Ginbey, a powerful onballer, was taken at pick 9 in last year’s draft while small forward Long was recruited with pick 58.
Hunt joined the club as unrestricted free agent after 114 games for Melbourne.
Two Blues to debut in season opener
Carlton will unveil two debutants in Thursday night’s blockbuster season opener against Richmond.
Ollie Hollands and Lachie Cowan, who were both recruited in last year’s national draft, were informed in unusual circumstances during the Blues team meeting on Monday.
In a stunt for social media, coach Michael Voss answered his phone during the team meeting – which is generally a no-no – and then passed the phone to Hollands, saying it was his father who then revealed he would be coming to watch him against the Tigers.
The meeting then progressed before Voss’s phone rang again and he repeated the same joke, with Cowan’s father telling his son he was to make his AFL debut.
Hollands, who was taken with the Blues’ first pick at No.11, was considered the best two-way runner in the draft and has been one of the most consistent performers for the Blues across the summer.
Generally, rule No.1 of team meetings is make sure your phone doesn’t go off.
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) March 13, 2023
But, as you will see, there are some exceptions to this.
For example: when you’re the AFL Senior Coach, and the respective dads of two players making their AFL debuts come calling. 📞 pic.twitter.com/45VVvPuwKv
Cowan is a running defender from Tasmania and reigning Morrish Medallist who Carlton snared at No.30 in last November’s draft.
He is the replacement for Zac Williams, who seriously injured his knee earlier in the pre-season.
Hollands, who played his junior football with the Murray Bushrangers, is the younger brother of Gold Coast midfielder Elijah Hollands.
Both are popular picks in KFC SuperCoach, with Cowan a $117,300 defender and Hollands a $162,300 midfielder.
Check back for updates on every confirmed round 1 debutant.
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