AFL teams news: Peter Wright injury, see the full line-ups for Round 1

Peter Wright has been ruled out of round 1 with the possibility of multiple weeks on the sidelines. Plus, two Saints will debut. See the full teams for round one here.

Peter Wright’s availability for the opening rounds of the season is in doubt after he dislocated his shoulder at training, on the day his four-year contract extension was announced.

The Bombers confirmed their star forward would miss Sunday’s clash against Hawthorn with the timeline of his injury to be clearer in the coming days.

“He (Wright) has been sent for scans this afternoon with the results to dictate the next course of action for him,” the Bombers said in a statement.

“The club will work through rehab options in the coming days.

Peter Wright is out of round 1. Picture: Getty Images

It is a huge blow for Sunday’s clash against Hawthorn, with Jake Stringer already ruled out meaning new coach Brad Scott’s forward line will rest on the shoulders of youngster Harrison Jones and new recruit Sam Weideman.

If Wright needs immediate surgery it would put him out between 16 and 20 weeks with star St Kilda forward Max King on track for a five month rehabilitation.

If the club chooses against surgery Wright will likely need multiple weeks of strength and stability work.

But if he suffered a further dislocation upon his return like Collingwood’s Nathan Kreuger last year, he would then need season-ending surgery.

Brisbane star Joe Daniher suffered a dislocation in round 7 last year and while he dodged surgery, his coach Chris Fagan said his star forward’s shoulder dislocated most weeks of the season as he played through pain.

Essendon’s fellow talls in James Stewart and Zach Reid and rangy wingman Nik Cox still face six weeks on the sideline as they also recover from injury.

Scott told reporters Stringer was close to playing but not “round 1 ready.”

It comes after teammate Dylan Shiel called for critics to stop “shaming” Stringer over his fitness issues.

Stringer is also out of the season opener. Picture: Michael Klein

“He’s medically available now, so he’s in full training and it’s just a case of getting the work

into him,” Scott said.

“There’s being medically ready, and then there’s being fully conditioned and ready to

compete for 125 minutes.”

Stringer trained with the main group on Friday before joining in some running drills with injured youngster Jayden Davey.

There was also a scare involving captain Zach Merrett on the track, who got up limping after

a crunching hit from big man Andrew Phillips.

But after a few minutes with trainers Merrett was back on the track and moving well.

Scott also confirmed that former skipper Dyson Heppell and midfielder Jye Caldwell will play

this weekend.

Returning Bomber Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Hawks defender Jack Scrimshaw, who played 20 senior games last year, have both not been selected in their side’s 22 for the bumper contest at the MCG.

Dons key forward Harry Jones, who was previously selected on an extended bench, has been named at full forward after Peter Wright’s training mishap.

Saints unveil debutants, emerging yougnster out

will unveil two debutants in round one with prized top 10 pick Mattaes Phillipou and pre-season signing Anthony Caminiti named to face Fremantle at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The nod for Caminiti comes five weeks after the key forward first became a Saint, with an exciting dress rehearsal in an intra-club earning him a spot on their list last month.

Marcus Windhager will miss due to fitness reasons after undergoing surgery on his broken hand in the past fortnight, but the emerging youngster has been named as an emergency.

It gives midfielder Jack Bytel the opportunity to play his first game since round 23, 2021.

As expected, Adelaide has left out talented tall Riley Thilthorpe for its clash with Greater Western Sydney, instead opting for forwards Elliott Himmelberg and Shane McAdam, who have been named on the bench.

The Crows will also blood father-son debutant Max Michalanney, the son of four-time Norwood premiership player Jim, while pre-season recruit and former Magpie Tyler Brown will be the substitute.

WHAT ACTIVATED EXTREME HEAT POLICY MEANS FOR ROUND 1

The AFL will activate its extreme heat policy for two day games this weekend as players prepare to swelter through 37 degree temperatures in Melbourne.

The risks of dehydration will soar for the North Melbourne and West Coast and GWS versus Adelaide clashes due to the boiling forecasts.

The league has told the clubs water carriers will have unlimited access to the ground, meaning players won’t have to wait until a set shot or a score to have a drink.

Clubs will also be permitted one extra trainer to carry fluids for the games.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ALL THE ROUND 1 TEAMS

The quarter time and three quarter time breaks will also be extended by two minutes for the GWS versus Adelaide game in Sydney on Sunday with a top temperature of 32 expected.

Clubs are expected to incorporate the use of ice vests and fans down on the boundary to help keep players cool on the bench.

The league has told clubs it will continue to monitor the forecasts and update the allowances if necessary.

Clubs will also be permitted to use the sub as per normal, allowing teams to inject a fresh player into the game for tactical or medical reasons.

ROUND 1 TEAMS

RICHMOND v CARLTON

Thursday, March 16, 7:20pm at MCG

Tigers

B: N. Balta, N. Vlastuin, D. Grimes (c)

HB: N. Broad, L. Baker, D. Rioli

C: K. McIntosh, D. Prestia, J. Short

HF: M. Rioli, J. Graham, S. Bolton

F: J. Riewoldt, D. Martin, T. Lynch

FOLL: T. Nankervis, T. Taranto, J. Hopper

I/C: B. Miller, M. Pickett, T. Cotchin, R. Mansell

EMER: J. Ross, S. Ryan, J. Clarke, T. Dow

Blues

B: Le. Young, J. Weitering, A. Saad

HB: S. Docherty, M. McGovern. L. Cowan

C: B. Acres, P. Cripps (c), O. Hollands

HF: J. Martin, H. McKay, J.Silvagni

F: M. Owies, C. Curnow, Z. Fisher

FOLL: T. De Koning, M. Kennedy, G. Hewett

I/C: N. Newman, A. Cerra, E. Curnow, J. Motlop

EMER: J. Honey, L. O’Brien, L. Plowman, M. Pittonet

GEELONG v COLLINGWOOD

Friday, March 17, 7:40pm at MCG

Cats

B: O’Connor, De Koning, Ratugolea

HB: Smith, Stewart, Z.Guthrie

C: Blicavs, Holmes, Tuohy

HF: Stengle, Cameron, Miers

F: Henry, Hawkins, Rohan

FOL: Stanley, C.Guthrie, Dangerfield

I/C: Bews, Atkins, Bruhn, Close

EMG: Ceglar, Simpson, Parfitt, Whyte

Pies

B: Quaynor, Howe, Maynard

HB: Hoskin-Elliott, Moore, N.Daicos

C: Noble, Crisp, Sidebottom

HF: Mitchell, De Goey, Hill

F: Mihocek, Elliott, McStay

FOL: Cameron, J.Daicos, Adams

I/C: Pendlebury, McCreery, Murphy, Cox

EMG: Frampton, McInnes, Carmichael, Markov

NORTH MELBOURNE v WEST COAST

Saturday, March 18, 1:45pm at Marvel Stadium

Roos

B: McDonald, Logue, Bonar

HB: Goater, Ziebell, Scott

C: Shiels, Powell, Simpkin

HF: Zurhaar, Comben, Stephenson

F: Sheezel, Larkey, Taylor

FOL: Xerri, Davies-Uniacke, Turner

I/C: Curtis, Greenwood, Bergman, Cunnington

EMG: Phillips, La.Young, Goldstein, Dawson

Eagles

B: Hurn, Barrass, Cole

HB: Duggan, McGovern, Hunt

C: Gaff, Kelly, Chesser

HF: Sheed, Darling, Cripps

F: Ryan, Allen, Long

FOL: Williams, Ginbey, Shuey

I/C: Witherden, O’Neill, Jones, Jamieson

EMG: Waterman, Petruccelle, West, Clark

PORT ADELAIDE v BRISBANE

Saturday, March 18, 4:35pm at Adelaide Oval

Power

B: Burton, Jonas, McKenzie

HB: Byrne-Jones, Aliir, Houston

C: Bergman, Drew, Duursma

HF: Georgiades, Marshall, Rozee

F: Butters, Dixon, Powell-Pepper

FOL: Lycett, Wines, Horne-Francis

I/C: Farrell, Fantasia, Rioli, Jones

EMG: Evans, Bonner, McEntee, Burgoyne

Lions

B: Starcevich, Payne, Rich

HB: McKenna, Andrews, Wilmot

C: Ashcroft, Bailey, Berry

HF: Cameron, Gunston, McCluggage

F: Rayner, Daniher, Hipwood

FOL: McInerney, Dunkley, Neale

I/C: Robertson, McCarthy, Coleman, Tunstill

EMG: Prior, Sharp, Fort, Joyce

MELBOURNE v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Saturday, March 18, 7:25pm at MCG

Dees

B: Petty, Lever, McVee

HB: Harmes, Tomlinson, Bowey

C: Hunter, Oliver, Langdon

HF: Chandler, Brown, Spargo

F: Pickett, Grundy, Neal-Bullen

FOL: Gawn, Sparrow, Petracca

I/C: Brayshaw, Laurie, Rivers, McDonald

EMG: Van Rooyen, Hibberd, Melksham, Jordon

Dogs

B: Duryea, Jones, Daniel

HB: Dale, Keath, Richards

C: Williams, Bontempelli, Macrae

HF: Smith, Naughton, Ugle-Hagan

F: Scott, Darcy, Lobb

FOL: English, Liberatore, Treloar

I/C: Johannisen, Bruce, Baker, Hannan

EMG: Khamis, Crozier, McLean, Sweet

GOLD COAST SUNS v SYDNEY SWANS

Saturday, March 18, 8pm at Heritage Bank Stadium

Suns

B: Farrar, Collins, Macpherson

HB: Long, Ballard, Constable

C: Hollands, Miller, Uwland

HF: Lukosius, Chol, Swallow

F: Holman, King, Flanders

FOL: Witts, Rowell, Anderson

I/C: Ainsworth, Casboult, Davies, Jeffrey

EMG: Berry, Fiorini, Graham, Moyle

Swans

B: T.McCartin, Rampe, P.McCartin

HB: Cunningham, Lloyd, Florent

C: Warner, Mills, McInerney

HF: Hayward, McLean, Heeney

F: Papley, Franklin, Gulden

FOL: Ladhams, Parker, Rowbottom

I/C: Campbell, Blakey, Stephens, McDonald

EMERG: Francis, Roberts, McAndrew, Sheldrick

GWS GIANTS v ADELAIDE

Sunday, March 19, 1:10pm at Giants Stadium

Giants

B: Idun, Taylor, Cumming

HB: Whitfield, Aleer, Ash

C: Callaghan, Green, Wehr

HF: Ward, Himmelberg, Lloyd

F: Greene, Hogan, Riccardi

FOL: Flynn, Kelly, Coniglio

INT: Haynes, Peatling, Perryman, Daniels

EMERG: Hamilton, Kennedy, Stone, Buckley

Crows

B: Doedee, Butts, Murray

HB: Smith, Dawson, Milera

C: Soligo, Laird, Hinge

HF: Rachele, Pedlar, Keays

F: Walker, Fogarty, Rankine

FOL: O’Brien, Sloane, Berry

INT: Himmelberg, Schoenberg, McAdam, Michalanney

EMERG: Parnell, Murphy, Thilthorpe, Brown

HAWTHORN v ESSENDON

Sunday, March 19, 3:20pm at MCG

Hawks

B: Jiath, Blanck, Frost

HB: Impey, Sicily, Day

C: Bramble, Newcombe, Amon

HF: Mackenzie, Koschitzke, Breust

F: Wingard, Greene, Moore

FOL: Meek, Maginness, Worpel

I/C: Reeves, Ward, Hardwick, Macdonald

EMERG: Brockman, Scrimshaw, Nash, Long

Bombers

B: Redman, Ridley, Zerk-Thatcher

HB: Kelly, Laverde, McGrath

C: Heppell, Setterfield, Shiel

HF: Durham, Weideman, Langford

F: Davey Jnr, Jones, Perkins

FOL: Draper, Merrett, Parish

I/C: Caldwell, Phillips, Martin, Menzie

EMERG: Snelling, Baldwin, D’Ambrosio, McDonald-Tipungwuti

ST KILDA v FREMANTLE

Sunday, March 19, 4:40pm at Marvel Stadium

Saints

B: Battle, Howard, Wilkie

HB: Stocker, Sinclair, Wanganeen-Milera

C: Hill, Bytel Byrnes

HF: Butler, Wood, Owens

F: Cordy, Gresham, Caminiti

FOLL: Marshall, Crouch, Steele

INT: Clark, Webster, Higgins, Phillipou

EMERG: Windhager, Campbell, Sharman, Paton

Dockers

B: Clark, Pearce, Ryan

HB: Cox, Young, Chapman

C: Hughes, Brodie, Aish

HF: Frederick, Jackson, O’Meara

F: Schultz, Fyfe, Switkowski

FOL: Darcy, Brayshaw, Serong

INT: Treacy, Henry, Frederick, Wilson

EMERG: Banfield, Walker, Johnson, Sturt

Verdict in on key Tigers, Blues huge show of faith

- Rebecca Williams

Carlton has given Tom De Koning the early ruck nod ahead of Marc Pittonet for Thursday’s round one blockbuster against Richmond at the MCG, while a veteran returns.

And Richmond flag stars Dion Prestia (pectoral) and Jayden Short (calf) have overcome their respective injuries to be named in the season-opening clash.

Former GWS Giants Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto will make their first appearances for the Tigers in a new-look on-ball brigade.

The off-contract De Koning, 23, has been named as the starting ruckman to face the Tigers, while Pittonet has been named as one of the Blues’ emergencies.

In another selection surprise, rookie-listed Blues veteran Ed Curnow has been named on the interchange bench for his first game since 2021 after missing last season with knee and hamstring injuries.

De Koning is the sole recognised ruckman named by thee Blues. Photo by Phil Hillyard

The Blues already announced a pair of debutants for the season opener earlier this week.

Ollie Hollands and Lachie Cowan, the Blues’ first two selections in last year’s national draft, will kick-off their AFL careers against the Tigers at the MCG.

Hollands, taken with pick No.11, has been named on a wing and Cowan, pick No 30, has been named on a half-back flank.