AFL Round 1 teams: Premiership Magpie ‘managed’, Brownlow medalist out

Collingwood have pulled a selection surprise for Round 1, leaving out a premiership star while a Brownlow medallist will miss with injury.

See the Round 1 teams.

Collingwood premiership hero Tom Mitchell has been sensationally “managed” out of the Magpies’ Friday night showdown against Sydney as coach Craig McRae stuck to his promise to select a young on-baller.

Mitchell was subbed out early in the third quarter of the 32-point loss to the Giants last week with only nine disposals to his name.

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Finlay Macrae will come into the Collingwood side after a strong pre-season and an admission from the coach he “had to be picked”, with Mitchell named as an emergency alongside Billy Frampton and last week’s sub John Noble.

Collingwood premiership star Tom Mitchell has been ‘managed’ after just one round with Finlay Macrae taking his midfield spot. Picture: Michael Klein

Noble lost his spot in the 23 to returning veteran Jeremy Howe, who was passed fit to play after a strong training session on Wednesday.

Three-time All Australian Jack Macrae hasn’t been picked by the Western Bulldogs, while Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale will miss Brisbane’s clash with Fremantle with hamstring tightness.

The Swans will be unchanged, while fellow opening round victors GWS will bring in a fit Finn Callaghan and Harry Perryman for Saturday’s clash with North Melbourne after the pair missed the big Magpies win through pre-season injuries.

The Kangaroos have rolled the dice on Aidan Corr coming off an ankle injury, with the defender to play alongside debutant Toby Pink and Kallan Dawson against a star-studded Giants forward line.

The Western Bulldogs have named Caleb Daniel on the extended bench as intrigue surrounds who will make way for the five club debutants confirmed to face Melbourne on Sunday.

The Demons have swung the axe after an underwhelming loss to Sydney, with Adam Tomlinson, Charlie Spargo and Josh Schache making way alongside the injured Jake Bowey for seven possible inclusions including star forward Kysaiah Pickett (suspension) and second-chance defender Marty Hore.

St Kilda already announced Darcy Wilson would debut earlier in the week, but also made a selection surprise with another speedster, Lance Collard, to play his first senior match in Geelong on Saturday night.

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon with livewire forward Lance Collard, who will make his debut against Geelong on Saturday. Picture: Michael Klein

Collard was named on the bench along with Marcus Windhager, who was cleared to play after suffering a broken hand in eerily similar scenes to his lead up to the 2023 season.

Cats mature-age recruit Shaun Mannagh has sealed a fairytale AFL debut after being drafted from VFL side Werribee, while Ollie Dempsey has also been included in a full-strength side bar the injured Gary Rohan.

Hawthorn left out young midfielder Henry Hustwaite despite an impressive pre-season, instead opting for Cam Mackenzie and Josh Ward to fill Will Day’s midfield absence, while Jack Gunston made the 23 for his first game in brown and gold since leaving for the Lions last year.

Massimo D’Ambrosio was named at halfback for an immediate showdown against his former Bombers.

Essendon went for Jake Kelly instead of Jayden Laverde to complete its back six against Hawthorn, with Nik Cox and Harry Jones both named for the Saturday afternoon clash at the beginning of an important campaign for the key position duo.

Inexperienced forward Lachie Gollant was given the nod to replace a sore Taylor Walker in Adelaide’s attack against an unchanged Gold Coast, while James Borlase edged out Mark Keane for the final key defensive post alongside Jordon Butts and Josh Worrell.