AFL Opening Round Teams: All the ins, outs and selection news

There’ll be two debutants out there for the Swans in the first AFL game of the season, but selection intrigue lies with the Hawks after sticking with all of their key defenders.

Veterans Jack Gunston and Luke Breust have been overlooked for Hawthorn’s opening round clash with Sydney on Friday night amid a squeeze for spots in Sam Mitchell’s side.

The Hawks will also be without defender Changkuoth Jiath, who is still recovering from a minor hip injury.

However, fellow backman Sam Frost has kept his spot in the side for now, despite the arrivals of recruits Tom Barrass and Josh Battle who will make their club debuts.

Gunston was named as an emergency for the clash, but Breust was not part of the squad at all after featuring in a VFL practice match last week.

Midfielder Josh Ward – who featured in both of Hawthorn’s finals last September – has also been named as an emergency.

Sydney has named ruckman Brodie Grundy and small forward Tom Papley to play after both were listed as tests on the club’s injury report earlier this week.

Tom McCartin has been named at half-forward after the star defender kicked four goals in attack in last week’s pre-season match against the Gold Coast Suns.

Angus Sheldrick and Corey Warner – who have each played just nine AFL games – have been rewarded for strong pre-seasons by winning spots on the starting interchange bench.

Meanwhile, Brayden Maynard returns to Collingwood’s defence for its match against Greater Western Sydney on Sunday, with that backline being without recruit Dan Houston as he serves the final match of a suspension which was handed down late last year.

Fellow recruit Harry Perryman has been selected in the starting line-up to face his old side, while former St Kilda forward Tim Membrey was named on an extended interchange bench.

The Giants head into that match without onballer Tom Green (calf) and forwards Jesse Hogan (thumb) and Jake Stringer (hamstring).

Two of last year’s draftees – Cody Angove and Ollie Hannaford – have been named on the extended bench as they push for debuts, along with untried 2023 draftee James Leake.

Final teams for the match between the Giants and Magpies will be named at 5pm on Friday.

THE BOLTER FROM GIPPSLAND CONFIRMED AS FIRST DEBUTANT

It’s the debut that was nearly over before it began, but the Sydney Swans will unleash Gippsland-product Tom Hanily for his first AFL appearance on Friday night against Hawthorn.

The first of many fresh faces expected under new coach Dean Cox, Hanily was selected by the Swans in last year’s mid-season rookie draft. After an impressive VFL campaign and pre-season, he emerged as a genuine bolter for Cox’s first match in charge at the SCG.

However, a dangerous tackle on Gold Coast’s Will Graham in last week’s final practice match left the Swans anxiously waiting on whether Hanily would be available. The teenager eventually escaped with a $2,000 fine, clearing his path for his AFL debut.

Tom Hanily is embraced by teammates after learning of his AFL debut. Picture: Phil Hillyard

It was announced to the group on Wednesday night. Picture: Phil Hillyard

That level of intensity is something that Hanily brought throughout his junior footy career, with Gippsland Power talent manager Scott McDougal always confident he would get his shot at the big time.

“He’s very aggressive and a clean player below his knees,” McDougal said. “The first time he played for us was under-16s, he’d missed a game for a bit of a sling tackle, so that’s something he’s got to work on.

“$2000 fines, that’ll educate a young fella pretty quick. It’s hard because when you’re trying to get into the side, you’ve got to play life-or-death footy. But when you’re in, you can taper your ways.

“He always had this real hard edge to him. When he went at the ball, holes seemed to appear. He’ll put everything on the table for the team.

“That’s the one thing about Tommy’s footy. He doesn’t win the ball to showcase his ability. His ability is to release players with his creative handballs, and then the only reason he wins it is to promote a teammate. That’s why they love playing with him. His footy is team first footy.”

That team-first attitude was on display for the Swans in his nine VFL matches last season. While he only had six goals to his name, he ended the season with 32 score involvements.

Hanily had to overcome several injuries throughout his junior footy days just to get the Swans’ attention. An early concussion ruined his chances of playing for Vic Country, while an ankle injury interrupted his run at Gippsland. McDougal believes he would have been picked up in the 2023 draft if not for those knocks.

Hanily with his head over the ball while playing for the Leongatha Parrots. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

But now, he gets to follow in the footsteps of other AFL players from Leongatha, like Dyson Heppell and Jarryd Roughead. The Swans will also be hoping their latest small forward from Gippsland will be as successful as their current superstar, Tom Papley.

“He had some time working on his uncle’s dairy farm, walking cows up and down the hills of Leongatha,” McDougal said. “He had to actually come back to the program and showcase in the under-23 young guns in the VFL.

“He’s another little talent from the Power. We’ve had a few. They seem to like our small forwards. When the footy’s there, (Papley) is ahead of most people that play the game in his footy IQ. Tommy’s got a bit of that, too.

Ben Paton was swarmed by his teammates after being informed of his debut. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“I think you wouldn’t want to play poker against either of them. They’re both pretty ruthless.”

Hanily won’t be the only player to debut for the Swans on Friday night, with former Saint Ben Paton also set to run out in the red and white for the first time.

Paton was picked up in the 2024 rookie draft and immediately looked at home playing off halfback for the Swans. The 26-year-old played 71 AFL matches across six seasons for St. Kilda and will be looking to make an early impression at his new home in Sydney.

He will form part of a new-look defence that has accounted for Tom McCartin’s return to the forward line after four seasons down back.

Originally published as AFL Opening Round Teams: All the ins, outs and selection news