AFL 2021: All the latest team news, whispers for Round 1
St Kilda’s recruiting drive continues with three players from other clubs and two debutants to face GWS, while Port Adelaide has left out a former AFL captain.
Crows
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Zak Jones has been unable to prove his fitness for St Kilda’s tantalising clash with GWS, joining the Saints big injury contingent.
The former Swan suffered a hamstring injury, then a corkie, this week and has joined a star-studded list of Saints on the sidelines including Rowan Marshall, Max King, Dan Hannebery, Ben Paton and Jarryn Geary.
The Saints have named Jake Carlisle as an emergency for the clash against the Giants.
Shaun McKernan, Mason Wood, Paul Hunter, Jack Higgins and Thomas Highmore will all play their first games for the club, while the Giants will give Matt Flynn and Tanner Bruhn their debuts.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL TEAMS
Former Collingwood speedster Jaidyn Stephenson will play for North Melbourne for the first time against Port Adelaide on Sunday, with the Kangaroos also giving highly rated draftee Tom Powell his debut.
Charlie Lazzaro is set to be the medical substitute for the Kangaroos against Port Adelaide.
Ex-Richmond defender Oleg Markov has been named by the Gold Coast for his first game for the Suns, while Zac Langdon will debut for the West Coast Eagles in their clash in Perth.
Alex Witherden, who came to the Eagles from Brisbane, has been named as an emergency by West Coast.
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Earlier, a bevy of debutants were named to make their Round 1 debut on Saturday, with five youngsters starting their AFL career in the blockbuster Essendon-Hawthorn clash at Marvel Stadium — one of those as the injury sub.
Promising key forward Harrison Jones and top-10 selection Nikolas Cox accompany off-season recruits Jye Caldwell, Peter Wright and Nick Hind in the Bombers’ side.
Hawks defender turned forward Jacob Koschitzke will play his first career game after a six-goal haul in the pre-season alongside draftees Tyler Brockman and Next Generation Academy graduate Connor Downie.
The latter makes his debut in strange circumstances as the injury substitute, meaning he may not play a single minute in his first match.
All three youngsters have impressed in the practice matches to earn their spot to play against the Bombers’ in the season-opener at Marvel Stadium.
Downie was one of the best midfielders in the NAB League in 2019 and his hard run and penetrating kick will be a weapon on the wing.
The 196cm Koschitzke kicked six goals in the Hawks’ last practice match win over North Melbourne and will provide a mobile marking target in the absence of premiership hero Jack Gunston (back).
And Brockman, who was the club’s final choice in last year’s national draft when he was taken with pick No.46, is an explosive goal kicker who averaged 4.7 tackles a game in the WAFL last year.
The 181cm livewire has come on quickly at Waverley over summer and has shone with his speed and smarts at ground level in match simulation.
Hawthorn started last season with one of the oldest lists in the competition and knocked over Richmond, Brisbane and North Melbourne in a promising start to the 2020 campaign.
But the Hawks struggled throughout the remainder of the COVID-19-impacted year and have signaled their intention to regenerate the side with fresh talent this season.
Veteran playmaker Shaun Burgoyne will also step out for game 390 against the Bombers.
Brisbane will blood running-machine Harry Sharp — who smashed the 2km time-trial record at last year’s draft combine — after bolting into Round 1 calculations following an impressive AAMI Community Series performance.
Highly touted recruit Joe Daniher will also play his first game for his new club after a flawless pre-season.
FULL TEAMS
COLLINGWOOD v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Friday, March 19, 7.50pm AEDT, MCG
MAGPIES
B: B.Maynard 37 J.Roughead 23 J.Madgen 44
HB: J.Crisp 25 D.Moore 30 J.Howe 38
C: J.Noble 9 S.Pendlebury 10 T.Brown 6
HF: J.Elliott 5 B.Mihocek 41 W.Hoskin-Elliott 32
F: J.Daicos 7 M.Cox 46 J.Thomas 24
Foll: B.Grundy 4 T.Adams 13 J.De Goey 2
I/C: O.Henry 35 I.Quaynor 3 T.Ruscoe 21 B.Sier 36
EMG: C.Brown 17 D.Cameron 14 L.Greenwood 19 N.Murphy 28
BULLDOGS
B: B.Williams 34 R.Gardner 43 C.Daniel 35
HB: T.Duryea 15 A.Keath 42 A.Scott 28
C: P.Lipinski 27 A.Treloar 1 L.Hunter 7
HF: B.Smith 6 A.Naughton 33 J.Dunkley 5
F: T.English 44 J.Bruce 17 M.Bontempelli 4
Foll: S.Martin 8 J.Macrae 11 T.Liberatore 21
I/C: B.Dale 31 L.McNeil 30 M.Wallis 3 L.Vandermeer 23
EMG: J.Schache 13 Z.Cordy 12 R.West 14 J.Johannisen 39
MELBOURNE v FREMANTLE
Saturday March 20th, 1.45pm at MCG
DEES
B: N.Jetta, S.May, A.Tomlinson
HB: C.Salem, J.Lever, J.Hunt
C: J.Harmes, C.Petracca, E.Langdon
HF: N.Jones, T.McDonald, A.Neal-Bullen
F: C.Spargo, L.Jackson, B.Fritsch
Foll: M.Gawn, C.Oliver, T.Sparrow
I/C: K.Pickett, J.Jordon, T.Rivers, A.Brayshaw
EMER: O.Baker, J.Bowey, K.Chandler, H.Petty
NEW: J.Jordon
DOCKERS
B: T.Watson, J.Hamling, A.Pearce
HB: R.Conca, B.Cox, L.Ryan
C: J.Aish, N.Fyfe, B.Acres
HF: C.Serong, A.Cerra, T.Colyer
F: S.Switkowski, M.Taberner, L.Schultz
FOLL: L.Meek, A.Brayshaw, D.Mundy
I/C: L.Henry, H.Young, E.Hughes, C.Blakely
EMG: S.Giro, S.Darcy, H.Chapman, L.Thomas
NEW: L.Meek
ADELAIDE v GEELONG
Saturday March 20, 4.35pm at Adelaide Oval
CROWS
B: A.McPherson, J.Butts, L.Brown
HB: W.Hamill, B.Smith, J.Kelly
C: L.Sholl, R.Sloane, P.Seedsman
HF: J.Rowe, B.Frampton, N.McHenry
F: S.McAdam, T.Walker, L.Murphy
FOLL: R.O’Brien, R.Laird, B.Keays
I/C: T.Lynch, S.Berry, H.Schoenberg, T.Doedee
EMG: D.Fogarty, C.Jones, M.Hinge, D.Mackay
NEW: J.Rowe, S.Berry
CATS
B: L.Henderson, M.Blicavs, J.Bews
HB: T.Atkins, T.Stewart, J.Kolodjashnij
C: I.Smith, J.Selwood, S.Menegola
HF: S.Higgins, G.Rohan, C.Guthrie
F: G.Miers, T.Hawkins, L.Dahlhaus
FOLL: R.Stanley, B.Parfitt, P.Dangerfield
I/C: M.O’Connor, Z.Guthrie, J.Clark, J.Jenkins
EMER: C.Constable, F.Evans, J.Henry, Q.Narkle
ESSENDON v HAWTHORN
Saturday March 20, 7.25pm at Marvel Stadium
BOMBERS
B: J.Laverde, A.Francis, M.Redman
HB: N.Hind, C.Hooker, J.Ridley
C: A.McGrath, Z.Merrett, D.Heppell
HF: B.Ham, N.Cox, K.Langford
F: H.Jones, P.Wright, A.McDonald-Tipungwuti
FOLL: S.Draper, J.Caldwell, D.Shiel
I/C: N.Cahill, W.Snelling, D.Parish, D.Smith
EMER: A.Perkins, N.Bryan, M.Gleeson, T.Cutler
NEW: N.Hind, J.Caldwell, P.Wright, N.Cox, H.Jones.
HAWKS
B: S.Frost, K.Hartigan, C.Jiath
HB: J.Impey, B.Hardwick, H.Morrison
C: T.Phillips, J.O’Meara, W.Day
HF: L.Breust, J.Koschitzke, J.Worpel
F: S.Burgoyne, J.Ceglar, T.Brockman
FOLL: B.McEvoy, L.Shiels, T.Mitchell
I/C: O.Hanrahan, D.Moore, D.Howe, T.O’Brien
EMG: C.Downie, M.Lewis, M.Hartley, D.Greaves
NEW: J.Koschitzke, T.Brockman, T. Phillips, K.Hartigan
BRISBANE v SYDNEY
Saturday March 20, 7.45pm at The Gabba
LIONS
B: D.Rich, H.Andrews, J.Payne
HB: B.Starcevich, R.Lester, G.Birchall
C: H.McCluggage, D.Zorko, J.Berry
HF: Z.Bailey, J.Daniher, L.McCarthy
F: T.Fullarton, E.Hipwood, C.Cameron
FOLL: O.McInerney, J.Lyons, L.Neale
I/C: C.Ah Chee, M.Robinson, K.Coleman, H.Sharp
EMER: E.Smith, M.Adams, R.Mathieson, C.Ballenden
NEW: J.Daniher, H.Sharp
SWANS
B: D.Rampe, H.McLean, H.Cunningham
HB: J.Lloyd, T.McCartin, J.Dawson
C: B.Campbell, L.Parker, O.Florent
HF: N.Blakey, S.Reid, C.Warner
F: I.Heeney, L.McDonald, E.Gulden
FOLL: T.Hickey, J.Rowbottom, T.Papley
I/C: J.Kennedy, C.Mills, S.Wicks, G.Hewett
EMG: W.Hayward, J.Bell, C.Sinclair, D.Stephens
NEW: L.McDonald, B.Campbell, E.Gulden
NORTH MELBOURNE v PORT ADELAIDE
Sunday March 21, 1.10pm at Marvel Stadium
KANGAROOS
B: L.Young, B.McKay, S.Atley
HB: J.Ziebell, A.Corr, L.McDonald
C: J.Polec, L.Davies-Uniacke, J.Stephenson
HF: K.Turner, J.Walker, T.Thomas
F: J.Mahony, N.Larkey, C.Zurhaar
FOLL: T.Goldstein, T.Powell, J.Simpkin
I/C: C.Taylor, B.Scott, A.Bonar, D.Tyson
EMG: C.Lazzaro, W.Phillips, C.Menadue, T.Campbell
POWER
B: R.Burton, T.Clurey, D.Houston
HB: A.Aliir, T.Jonas, D.Byrne-Jones
C: X.Duursma, O.Wines, K.Amon
HF: O.Fantasia, P.Ladhams, S.Motlop
F: Z.Butters, C.Dixon, R.Gray
FOLL: S.Lycett, W.Drew, T.Boak
I/C: T.Marshall, M.Bergman, K.Farrell, R.Bonner
EMG: T.Rockliff, M.Georgiades, S.Mayes, L.Jones
GWS GIANTS v ST KILDA
Sunday March 21, 3.20pm at GIANTS Stadium
GIANTS
B: H.Perryman, L.Keefe, N.Haynes
HB: I.Cumming, P.Davis, S.Reid
C: C.Ward, J.Kelly, J.Buckley
HF: T.Taranto, T.Bruhn, T.Greene
F: B.Hill, H.Himmelberg, M. de Boer
FOLL: M.Flynn, S.Coniglio, J.Hopper
I/C: L.Ash, S.Taylor, C.Idun, T.Green
EMG: X.O’Halloran, Z.Sproule, S.Mumford, M.Buntine
SAINTS
B: D.Howard, C.Wilkie, J.Webster
HB: N.Coffield, J.Sinclair, H.Clark
C: J.Steele, S.Ross, B.Hill
HF: D.Butler, J.Higgins, J.Billings
F: T.Membrey, S.McKernan, J.Lonie
FOLL: P.Hunter, J.Bytel, J.Gresham
I/C: B.Long, J.Battle, T.Highmore, M.Wood
EMG: D.McKenzie, L.Dunstan, J.Carlisle, D.Kent
WEST COAST v GOLD COAST
Sunday March 21, 6.10pm at Optus Stadium
EAGLES
B: S.Hurn, T.Barrass, B.Sheppard
HB: T.Cole, J.McGovern, J.Nelson
C: L.Duggan, D.Sheed, J.Redden
HF: X.O’Neill, J.Darling, J.Cripps
F: L.Ryan, J.Kennedy, O.Allen
FOLL: N.Naitanui, T.Kelly, A.Gaff
I/C: Z.Langdon, N.Vardy, J.Petruccelle, J.Rotham
EMG: J.Brander, A.Witherden, J.Jones, B.Ah Chee
SUNS
B: C.Budarick, S.Collins, S.Lemmens
HB: W.Powell, C.Ballard, O.Markov
C: O.Markov, H.Greenwood, J.Lukosius
HF: D.Swallow, S.Day, L.Weller
F: I.Rankine, B.King, D.MacPherson
FOLL: J.Witts, M.Rowell, T.Miller
I/C: N.Anderson, J.Bowes, W.Brodie, A.Sexton W.Powell, C.Graham, A.Sexton
EMER: C.Burgess, C.Graham, J.Harbrow, N.Holman
Bombers to blood five new players
Essendon coach Ben Rutten has confirmed the Bombers will blood five club debutants in Saturday night’s clash with Hawthorn, including two players set to line up for their first AFL games.
The Bombers will unveil last year’s No.8 draft pick Nik Cox and 2019 No.30 draft pick Harrison Jones for what will be their AFL debuts.
Off-season recruits Jye Caldwell, Peter Wright and Nick Hind will also play their first games in red and black.
A Victorian, Cox has not played an official game since 2019 after the NAB League season was scrapped last year due to COVID-19.
He is the son of former Fitzroy, Brisbane Lions and Melbourne swingman Darryl Cox.
“Nik Cox hasn’t played a proper game of footy for about 18 months, so it’s a huge effort from him,” Rutten said.
“He’s presented well, done nearly every session and really built his game over the last couple of weeks. We’re looking forward to what he can do not only this week, but throughout the season. He’ll keep getting better and better.”
Jones impressed alongside former Gold Coast Suns big man Wright in a new-look Bombers forward line during Essendon’s two warm-up matches, while former Greater Western Sydney midfielder Caldwell is set for an inside midfield role this year.
Former St Kilda small forward Hind has also had a strong pre-season.
Essendon’s veteran defender Michael Hurley has lost up to 10kg and is in doubt to play football this season, as he battles a hip infection that has baffled doctors and seen him hospitalised.
Bombers’ club great Matthew Lloyd revealed on Footy Classified on Wednesday night that the 193-game defender was too sick to even be able to attend the club’s jumper presentation held earlier this week.
“He is so sick,” Lloyd said of Hurley.
“He is having a lot of hip troubles, infections, constantly being infected, he’s lost 8-10kg and may not play at all this year, or who knows in the future.
“(Doctors) don’t really know how the infection came about and he’s continually having to have it drained out, cleaned out.”
The 30-year-old All-Australian, who was twice hospitalised in February because of the infection, played 14 games in 2020.
Essendon will open their 2021 season against Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium on Saturday and fans are bracing for a rebuild, with new club president, Paul Brasher, describing it as a development year for the Bombers.
Lloyd said he expected Essendon would finish in the bottom six in 2021 and as such could understand why Brasher had used those words.
“I can understand why he said it … but they’ll be a lot of senior players at the club confused because only a few years back, Dylan Shiel, Devon Smith, Jake Stringer, Adam Saad all came to the club in the hope of winning a premiership so it’s amazing how quickly things have changed,” Lloyd said.
Two to debut for Dogs, Treloar picked
Adam Treloar has been named at the heart of the Western Bulldogs Round 1 line-up but Luke Beveridge could not find room for Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen in his side.
Treloar’s grudge match against the side that shunned him will start with the explosive midfielder named in the centre for the Dogs.
Summer rookies Anthony Scott, 25, and Lachlan McNeil, 19, will both make their AFL debuts alongside ex-Lion Stef Martin.
Johanissen couldn’t make the Round 1 team even though former captain Easton Wood is not ready from a hamstring strain and Hayden Crozier is out after AC joint surgery.
But he could still be the Dogs’ sub given he is an emergency along with Josh Schache, Rylee West and Zaine Cordy.
Collingwood named Brody Mihocek (calf) and Brayden Maynard (shin), with youngsters Brayden Sier and Trey Ruscoe in the side along with Geelong Falcons first-gamer Ollie Henry, who was named on the interchange.
Steele Sidebottom (calf) might be ready for Round 2, while Jordan De Goey was named as a starting onballer despite calls for the Pies to play him in a more potent role out of the goalsquare.
Treloar has made no secret of his dismay at the way he was turfed by the Pies but the Dogs don’t expect his former teammates to “go after” him on Friday night.
Beveridge yesterday said Treloar had handled the hype of the week “wonderfully well” as he spoke openly of his frustration at having to leave the Pies.
“Adam has really strong relationships with his former teammates, so it’s not one of those situations where you think they are going to go after him or anything like that,” Beveridge said.
“It’s important the individual manages it as best they can. Adam seems to be on top of it,” Beveridge said on Thursday.
“He’s gone through some injury and some physical battles in recent times and that shows you that he is. It’s not affecting anyone else to any detriment and that’s always an important consideration.
“It will be more of a relief after the game to have played and been able to get this one out of the way. He seems to be managing things wonderfully well.”
Beveridge said he didn’t need to get involved in the “tit for tat” arguments about just why Treloar was forced out of Collingwood.
Treloar will be one of four new Bulldogs taking on the Magpies, and the role played by new big man Stefan Martin could be as important as anything Treloar does.
Collingwood ruckman Brody Grundy has destroyed the Dogs in recent seasons, and while Beveridge said emerging Bulldogs ruckman Tim English would go up another gear this season, the extra help from Martin could be crucial.
“It surprised us he was so dominant (Grundy) was last year. I do feel like we are better prepared and Stef will be really important in that equation,” Beveridge said.
“Each year you are going to get increments in growth and there might be a time when (English) really imposes himself on the competition. We’d love that to be soon.
“ He’s shown signs he’s capable of doing that. I’d rather not crystal ball his immediate impact, but he’s done a big pre-season and he’s ready.”
LATEST ROUND 1 TEAM WHISPERS
With start of season 2021 kicking off, this is your one-stop shop for every confirmed team selection news at your club and selection dilemmas.
ADELAIDE
The Crows will bring in two names for their home clash against the Cats, with James Rowe and Sam Berry set to debut.
Mature-age goalsneak Rowe will follow in the footsteps of his dad, Stephen, when he takes to Adelaide Oval on Saturday, while hard-nosed midfielder Sam Berry gets an opportunity in Matt Crouch’s absence.
Crouch’s problems have lingered since off-season hip surgery.
Both Tom Doedee and Jordon Butts will be picked to take on the intimidating duo of Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron, while coach Matthew Nicks confirmed former Giants midfielder Jackson Hately had been overlooked.
BRISBANE
Covering Cam Rayner poses a slight headache for coach Chris Fagan in what was shaping as an easy first night at the selection table before his young forward blew out his knee. Fagan does have an embarrassment of riches at his disposal.
Losing Rayner is offset by being able to slot Joe Daniher straight into his forward line. He might also consider sitting Keidan Coleman on a flank, to crumb the three big forwards — Daniher, Eric Hipwood and Dan McStay.
Charlie Cameron struts his stuff and Linc McCartney provides a small mobile target. Fagan would be expected to leave Marcus Adams on the bench as cover for big defenders Harris Andrews and Darcy Gardiner. He might also start Jarryd Lyons and Callum Ah Chee on the pine which highlights Brisbane’s depth. Doubtful that Nakia Cockatoo gets a guernsey first-up.
Captain Dayne Zorko has also hinted that teenager Harry Sharp is in the mix for his debut.
CARLTON
The Blues unleashed three new faces in their 25-point loss to the Tigers on Thursday night, with all three showing enough to keep their spots.
Former Suns and Bombers defender Adam Saad was the pick of the bunch with his dash and clean disposal off half-back, picking up 25 touches and 114 SuperCoach points as one of Carlton’s best on the night.
Former Cat Lachie Fogarty was also impressive, grabbing the ball 20 times on the way to 78 SuperCoach points, while former Demons defender Oscar McDonald was the first player to benefit from the controversial sub rule, coming on in the second half to kick two goals in his new role as a key forward.
COLLINGWOOD
High draft pick Oliver Henry will debut for the Magpies.
Steele Sidebottom is out until Round 2 but Taylor Adams and Brody Mihocek will return for the clash against the Bulldogs, which means someone will make way.
Mason Cox showed he should play Round 1 with a strong AAMI Series display and has been picked, forcing Darcy Cameron out of the 22.
Will Kelly is out with a collarbone injury, so Mihocek’s return is all the more important.
ESSENDON
The Ben Rutten era will kickstart with a new-look Essendon line-up against the Hawks on Saturday.
Last year’s No. 8 pick Nik Cox and 2019 pick Harrison Jones will both debut, while Peter Wright, Nick Hind and Jye Caldwell will all make their first appearances in the black and red.
Zach Reid is progressing well and could be seen at senior level in the first month of footy.
Time has run out for Patrick Ambrose (foot) and David Zaharakis (knee) as far as Round 1 goes, while Jake Stringer (Achilles) will also be on the sidelines.
FREMANTLE
Who is going to provide the height up forward for the Dockers?
Fremantle have considered shifting one of their tall defenders forward, with Alex Pearce a potential option to provide some height up there. But Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said they don’t want to take a “short-term” approach in replacing Lobb in the forward line.
Where the Dockers play Nat Fyfe as well will be fascinating, following his dominant game in the Community Series, after he spent a lot of time forward in 2020.
GEELONG
An already deep backline is bursting at the seams now that one-time pressure forward Tom Atkins appears to have snatched a halfback spot. Jed Bews, Mark O’Connor, Jack Henry and Jake Kolodjashnij can’t all play, on top of Atkins.
It helps that Zach Tuohy has gone forward and Jordan Clark is playing on a wing now. The forward structure will be interesting, too, with Jeremy Cameron arriving to form a destructive duo with Tom Hawkins.
The Cats were comfortable using Hawkins as the solo ‘tall’ in attack in the latter stages of last year, leaving Esava Ratugolea out and using mid-sized Gary Rohan as another target.
Ratugolea (leg fracture) will miss the early rounds, and it would be a change in philosophy for Geelong to also play Josh Jenkins, especially since Rhys Stanley (concussion) will be fit. However, it depends on what Chris Scott’s back-up ruck plans are.
GOLD COAST
Coach Stuart Dew will have no hesitation starting star youngster Matt Rowell after he missed the last 12 games of the 2020 season. Rowell has passed all tests pre-season and could even start in the centre square against the Eagles on Sunday.
Excitement machine Izak Rankine is also expected to be cleared after missing the Community Series match with an ankle injury. But captain Jarrod Witts will miss his support of back-up ruckman Zac Smith who will miss most of the year with an ACL injury.
Don’t expect to see high draft pick Elijah Hollands in the early rounds as he completes his rehab from a knee injury.
GWS GIANTS
Coach Leon Cameron has already confirmed that Matt Flynn (ankle) will lead the Giants’ ruck division in Round 1, with Braydon Preuss (shoulder) facing another three-plus months out.
Like Flynn, prized draftee Tanner Bruhn will make his AFL debut against St Kilda on Sunday. Jesse Hogan (quadriceps), Jake Riccardi (ankle) and Daniel Lloyd (quadriceps) are out and Brent Daniels (hamstring) is also set to miss, leaving some unknowns about the club’s forward plans. Harry Himmelberg and Jeremy Finlayson are likely to be marking targets, and Toby Greene will be as important as ever. Bobby Hill could come into contention, but Bruhn and Matt de Boer may fill the other small forward slots.
Versatile trio Connor Idun, Jack Buckley and Phil Davis are potential forward options but will probably be elsewhere, while Cameron floated the possibility of playing ruckman Kieren Briggs. If Davis (knee) is deemed fit, where he’s played could impact on key defender Lachie Keeffe (ankle).
Callan Ward and Isaac Cumming will fill defensive slots as well.
HAWTHORN
Hawthorn veteran Shaun Burgoyne will continue his remarkable career against Essendon on Saturday night as he edges closer to becoming only the fifth player in AFL history to reach the 400-game milestone.
Despite some uncertainty over his position on the list last year given the club’s list profile, the 38-year-old will be named to take on the Bombers at Marvel Stadium.
While he agreed to a one-year deal last September, as well as a role with Hawthorn’s Indigenous program that will ultimately turn into an ongoing off-field position, Burgoyne said at the time he didn’t want to be gifted games to get to 400.
“Anything’s possible, (but) it’s still a long way to go,” Burgoyne said of the potential milestone last year.
“It’s a number I can’t hide away from because it’s so close.
“But I’ll get to that number if I’m able to do everything right and I’m able to play good footy, and if I don’t, then I don’t and I end up with whatever games I end up retiring on.
“But I’ll be happy.”
The Hawks have been pleased with Burgoyne’s form during the pre-season, with coach Alastair Clarkson certain to name him in the team alongside up to three potential debutants half his age.
Jacob Koschitzke, Tyler Brockman and Connor Downie will all debut.
MELBOURNE
Does Majak Daw come straight in for Round 1? It would be a bold, gutsy move given he has been only officially on the list for a week and has had a limited pre-season. Although, he kicked four goals in a VFL practice match last week to put his name forward.
His versatility would be very attractive to coach Simon Goodwin. While he has had the most success as a defender, he has the capability of playing as a forward or even as a ruckman. The Demons are undermanned up forward heading into Round 1. Could he be their smoky?
NORTH MELBOURNE
Where do they play Jaidyn Stephenson? All summer the former Magpie has been touted as a midfielder/winger, but a few seasons back he booted 38 goals in his debut season. He won the Rising Star as a deep forward and has played his best football forward of centre.
We’d love to see him go forward. Otherwise, the Roos’ biggest issue is getting as many of their best 22 on the park in Round 1 as possible given their spate of recent injuries. In a huge blow, it appears star Ben Cunnington (concussion) will miss the Roos’ season opener with a question mark over defender Robbie Tarrant and Jared Polec.
It is a huge ask for the Roos in Round 1 against the highly rated Power.
PORT ADELAIDE
The Power’s depth is strong so it will have some difficult decisions to make.
In defence particularly, there will be some long discussions about who to choose.
Hamish Hartlett (hamstring) will miss at least one week, leaving the door open for Miles Bergman to debut.
Does Lachie Jones play his first game? If so, at whose expense?
Will Riley Bonner get selected as a wingman after a strong pre-season?
Is there room for Kane Farrell?
The absences of Connor Rozee (foot) and Sam Powell-Pepper (broken hand/personal leave) might open the door for one to be chosen.
Also in the midfield, Willem Drew looks to be putting pressure on Tom Rockliff, while Jackson Mead seems to be in the mix but more likely an emergency.
The biggest question in attack is: which talls will partner Charlie Dixon?
Todd Marshall (cheek) is available and he seems likely to get the nod ahead of Mitch Georgiades.
RICHMOND
There were no new faces in Richmond’s Round 1 team as they cruised to victory over the Blues.
Jake Aarts was the only man in yellow and black selected in the initial 22 who hasn’t won a premiership, while Jack Ross eventually joined him as the injury sub for Nick Vlaustin, who could be in doubt for Round 2.
Skipper Trent Cotchin was a late withdrawal (gastro) with Marlion Pickett coming into the team.
Pickett had 13 touches in the win, but it might not be enough to hold his place should Cotchin return.
ST KILDA
The big question mark is who replaces James Frawley in the backline, after the recruit suffered a serious hamstring injury in the AAMI Community Series.
Jake Carlisle has been fit but has been playing in VFL scratch matches, with the Saints favouring Frawley in the key defensive post.
However, he could get a lucky look-in on the back of Frawley’s injury.
Mature-age draftee Thomas Highmore is another potential option after doing some nice things in the Saints’ two warm-up matches, with Darragh Joyce another possibility.
With key forward Max King (concussion) also forced out of the side, the door could also open for former North Melbourne forward Mason Wood at the other end of the ground.
SYDNEY
Sydney’s top three draftees from last year — Logan McDonald, Braeden Campbell and Errol Gulden — will all make their AFL debut on Saturday night. That solves part of the forward puzzle, with Sam Reid likely to serve as the back-up ruckman to Tom Hickey.
Callum Sinclair is set to miss out, while Lance Franklin (calf) is still at least a week away. There is still some intrigue around what the Swans do in the midfield, where Callum Mills is primed to finally move into. Chad Warner — a pre-season standout — Nick Blakey and George Hewett are jockeying to join Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, James Rowbottom and Ollie Florent in the centre.
Highly rated pair Dylan Stephens (concussion) and Justin McInerney (back) will rejoin that battle in the coming weeks, but will start at reserves level after interrupted pre-seasons.
WEST COAST
Youngster Xavier O’Neill looks to be front of the queue to replace injured captain Luke Shuey, while Zane Trew is likely to be in the mix to join an engine room also missing Elliot Yeo (osteitis pubis).
Alex Witherden’s selection may hinge on where Liam Duggan plays.
If Duggan moves up the ground, as he has during pre-season and late last campaign, it will likely provide an opportunity for ex-Brisbane halfback Witherden.
Who plays from West Coast’s contingent of small forwards is another key selection question?
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Two state league bolters will debut on the big stage on Friday night after Western Bulldogs named Anthony Scott and Lachlan McNeil for their first AFL games.
Scott, the Dogs’ 2019 VFL best and fairest, has been rewarded for a standout pre-season where he excelled as a small defender.
McNeil, a small forward who was taken from the SANFL at pick 11 in last year’s rookie draft, caught the eye in a recent trial game against Hawthorn.
While he was quieter against Melbourne in the Bulldogs’ official pre-season game, the 19-year-old did enough to convince coach Luke Beveridge he was ready to take on Collingwood.
The Dogs also confirmed Adam Treloar and Stefan Martin would play their first games for the club after being traded to Whitten Oval during the off-season.
The questions left are whether JJ has done enough? And can Easton Wood prove his fitness in time?
Jason Johannisen missed selection in the Dogs’ AAMI Community Series game against Melbourne, playing in the VFL practice match instead.
The loss of Hayden Crozier for up to two months opens the door for a defender.
Easton Wood is aiming to overcome the hamstring complaint that halted his pre-season.
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