AFL 2024: How all 45 players at new AFL clubs are tracking and their best 23 chances rated
After a hectic trade period where more than 40 players landed at new clubs, a host of new faces are in the frame for round 1 debuts. We examine how every recruit is faring at all 18 clubs.
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Through trades, free agency, draft and summer signings, 45 players have landed at new clubs after previous AFL experience ahead of the 2024 season.
Some, like new Magpie Lachie Schultz, are locks to play from the start this year.
But a bunch of others have hoped to prove themselves after landing a career lifeline over the off-season.
Here is how the new faces are tracking as the season approaches.
ADELAIDE
Chris Burgess (old club: Gold Coast) – Played mainly as a key forward during his time at the Suns, Burgess is a red-hot chance to slot into Adelaide’s back six as they try to figure out their key defensive stocks. Spent the majority of the VFL season last year playing key back, so he could fill that void with some experience.
Is he in the best 23: In the air
BRISBANE LIONS
Tom Doedee (Adelaide) – Recovering from an ACL injury, Doedee is feeling confident and ahead of schedule. There is still some hope he can play early in the season.
Best 23: Yes, when fit
Brandon Ryan (Hawthorn) – Broke onto the scene for the Hawks last year as a mid-season draftee, Ryan lasted at the Hawks six months before requesting a trade to the Lions. While he is behind Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood, there is a possibility he fills the third-tall void Jack Gunston had been playing for the Lions.
Best 23: Unlikely
CARLTON
Orazio Fantasia (Port Adelaide) – Trying to extend his career at a third club, Fantasia has found it difficult getting his body right the past few years. Made the move to Port Adelaide from Essendon at the start of 2021, however has played just four games in two years. Fantasia has been healthy so far this pre-season and will be hopeful of getting an extended run of footy in 2024.
Best 23: In the air
Elijah Hollands (Gold Coast) – The Blues are thrilled with Hollands so far this pre-season. He has been consistently at the front of the pack in club running, just behind his brother Ollie. Elijah will miss the first two games of the season due to a league suspension but should be firmly in the mix after that.
Best 23: Likely, after suspension
COLLINGWOOD
Lachie Schultz (Fremantle) – One of the biggest names to request a trade at the end of 2023, Schultz was contracted at the Dockers for another season. Fremantle said he was a required player and they were comfortable holding him to his deal, considering he had booted 33 goals for the year. Will slot into Collingwood’s forward line, filling Jack Ginnivan’s spot, and provide a spark for the reigning premiers.
Best 23: Lock it in
ESSENDON
Xavier Duursma (Port Adelaide) – Never really cemented his spot in Port Adelaide’s best 22, spending games in the past two seasons as a sub and never playing more than 20 games in a season. Duursma came to the Dons with a hip injury but he has worked through that. With Nic Martin moving to the back flank, a wing spot has opened up for the Bombers and Duursma likely has first crack at that spot.
Best 23: Likely
Todd Goldstein (North Melbourne) – Goldstein has been the No.1 ruck at Essendon this pre-season given Sam Draper has been sidelined. The Bombers will be able to rest Goldstein when needed given Nick Bryan is waiting in the wings but he should play a lot given Brad Scott as always favoured fielding two rucks.
Best 23: Likely
Jade Gresham (St Kilda) – The former Saint appears certain to start at his new club as a mid-forward, bringing some much needed spark to the Dons. New teammates have been impressed with his class.
Best 23: Lock it in
Ben McKay (North Melbourne) – Lock him in to play every game at full-back as the former Roo has been in good touch so far pairing with youngster Zach Reid.
Best 23: Lock it in
FREMANTLE
Oscar McDonald (Williamstown – VFL) – With Brennan Cox now in doubt for round 1 due to a leg stress reaction, the door is open for McDonald to try and force his way in at his third club.
Best 23: Unlikely
Jeremy Sharp (Gold Coast) – After 23 games in three seasons at the Suns, Sharp was not offered a contract extension on the Gold Coast. He since returned home to Western Australia and signed at Fremantle as a Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period pick-up. The former second-round pick seems in line to play early and often, with a dominant pre-season to date.
Best 23: Likely
Patrick Voss (Essendon) – The uncapped key forward was cut from the Bombers and signed with Port Melbourne in the VFL, however seems destined to land at Fremantle as an SSP player ahead of the season. He was seen as raw at the Bombers but ultra-competitive. If he signs, he could play early, with an impressive summer putting him in line with Dockers forwards Matt Taberner and Josh Treacy.
Best 23: Unlikely
GEELONG
Emerson Jeka (Hawthorn) – Jeka became just the second player to play 10 games or less and move from Hawthorn to Geelong, following in the footsteps of Gary Ablett Sr. The utility is hopeful he can find similar success at the Cats, with an Esava Ratugolea-sized hole in their back six.
Best 23: Unlikely
Shaun Mannagh (Werribee – VFL) – Mannagh thought his shot at AFL footy had come and gone, with the 26 year old toiling away at VFL level. But a starring 2023 season, capped off by six goals in Werribee’s grand final loss, put him on the radar of clubs and was picked by the Cats. A genuine chance to play round 1 and be in Geelong’s best forwards mix in 2024.
Best 23: In the air
HAWTHORN
Massimo D’Ambrosio (Essendon) – The former Bomber has one important man in his corner, with coach Sam Mitchell a fan of the left footer. He appears set to be played off half-back but even with Changkuoth Jiath moving to the wing and Blake Hardwick being trialled up forward, there is no guarantee D’Ambrosio will be a first-choice player.
Best 23: In the air
Mabior Chol (Gold Coast) – A spot next to Mitch Lewis as the No.2 tall forward is Chol’s for the taking, even after a slow pre-season due to a knee injury. Expect him to play plenty of football.
Best 23: Likely
Jack Ginnivan (Collingwood) – When asked through pre-season, each teammate of the new Hawk has admired his footy smarts. Ginnivan joined his new club in top shape and should be firmly among a packed forward mix.
Best 23: Likely
Jack Gunston (Brisbane Lions) – The wily veteran has been largely on his own program this summer after rejoining the Hawks but a dominant display in match play this week showed he can still produce. Expect him to play plenty of time up forward in a new-look Hawks attack.
Best 23: Likely
MELBOURNE
Jack Billings (St Kilda) – Billings did not fall out of favour at the Saints, instead struggling with injury the past two seasons. The midfield-forward moved to Melbourne to try to jump-start his career, having played just 11 games in the past two season. He has been training on a wing for Melbourne in the pre-season and will be on the fringe of senior selection ahead of the opening round.
Best 23: In the air
Tom Fullarton (Brisbane Lions) – Won’t play early this season, with a hamstring injury to rule him out of the first few weeks. But Fullarton had claimed the second ruck role behind Max Gawn and the Dees liked his competitiveness before the injury.
Best 23: Unlikely
Marty Hore (Williamstown – VFL) – After being delisted by the Demons back in 2021, Hore earned another shot at the club through the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period ahead of the 2024 season. He had two impressive seasons in the VFL for North Melbourne and Williamstown, and will push to break into Melbourne’s defensive unit with Trent Rivers set for more midfield time in 2024 and Michael Hibberd retired.
Best 23: In the air
Shane McAdam (Adelaide) – The ex-Crow has been on lighter duties throughout pre-season, often seen at training working separate from the group. The Dees need some more energy forward so he is sure to play a big part.
Best 23: Likely
NORTH MELBOURNE
Zac Fisher (Carlton) – A hamstring setback has limited Fisher, who was initially cleared by scans and then found to have a minor strain. He should be fit for round 1 and should slot in to half-back, where he showed real promise last year for Carlton.
Best 23: Lock it in, when fit
Bigoa Nyuon (Richmond) – Injuries to Aiden Corr and Griffin Logue – and the departure of Ben McKay – have thrown open the Roos defence and ‘Biggie’ has been among the contenders. Might not start in round 1 but should get a look in at some point.
Best 23: Unlikely
Toby Pink (Glenelg – SANFL) – Back in the AFL after a stint for Sydney back in 2019. He did not play a game for the Swans during his three seasons there, but a dominant year for Glenelg in 2023 gave him a lifeline at the Roos. The key defender is likely to slot into the senior side to fill the void left by Ben McKay.
Best 23: In the air
Dylan Stephens (Sydney) – New teammates have marvelled at Stephens’ running capacity, with the winger running second to co-captain Jy Simpkin in January’s 2km time trial. There is no reason Stephens won’t be playing every game he is available in the midfield and wing.
Best 23: Lock it in
PORT ADELAIDE
Esava Ratugolea (Geelong) – The utility was denied a move to Port Adelaide at the end of the 2022 season but he finally got his wish last year, moving from Geelong. Ratugolea will link up with Port Adelaide’s back six and should slot straight in, and showed some decent growth in a defensive role the past two years. Played in defence in the VFL in 2022 and played 16 games for the Cats last year.
Best 23: Lock it in
Ivan Soldo (Richmond) – Has battled two finger injuries in the off-season so has spent the majority of the summer either on a modified program or playing deep forward. But Soldo will have first crack at the number one ruck role, having shown his wares in 2023 when Toby Nankervis was missing from the Richmond line-up.
Best 23: Likely
Jordon Sweet (Western Bulldogs) – Made the move from the Western Bulldogs in an effort to become a lead ruck for a side, however Sweet likely did not anticipate Soldo’s impending arrival. The former Bulldog will have another ruck battle to claim top spot, with Soldo currently slightly ahead.
Best 23: Unlikely
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Essendon) – Finally broke into the Essendon senior side consistently last year, making Zerk-Thatcher’s move to Port Adelaide an intriguing one. He’ll likely be fighting for a spot in the best 23.
Best 23: Likely
RICHMOND
Jacob Koschitzke (Hawthorn) – His biggest competition for the second tall forward spot next to Tom Lynch might be defender Noah Balta. Koschitzke has shown improvement so far at Punt Road and should play in round 1.
Best 23: Likely
Sam Naismith (Port Melbourne – VFL) – Naismith himself believes he can outpoint skipper Toby Nankervis for the top ruck spot at Richmond. He started pre-season third in line behind Nankervis and Sampson Ryan but has hardly put a foot wrong.
Best 23: Unlikely
ST KILDA
Riley Bonner (Port Adelaide) – Went under the radar as a rookie draft selection after being cut by Port Adelaide. Bonner adds some bounce off half-back and should be in the mix as Ross Lyon tries to add more dash to the Saints team.
Best 23: In the air
Paddy Dow (Carlton) –A knee injury could put Dow out for the next month so he may struggle to make it for round 1, but the former Blue has had a solid summer.
Best 23: Likely
Liam Henry (Fremantle) – Lock Henry in to one wing at St Kilda this year as the ex-Docker looks to become a weapon under the roof at Marvel Stadium.
Best 23: Lock it in
SYDNEY
Taylor Adams (Collingwood) – Ready to add some grunt to the Sydney midfield, Adams will be firmly part of the onball rotation under John Longmire.
Best 23: Likely
Brodie Grundy (Melbourne) – Dominated a recent intra-club practice match and should be back to spending almost all of his time in the ruck. Wise judge Dean Cox said Grundy has been “unbelievable” in his first months at the club, all signs point to a big bounce back year from the ruck.
Best 23: Lock it in
Joel Hamling (Fremantle) – A good chance to be Tom McCartin’s regular foil in defence, Hamling appears up against Aaron Francis for a tell defender role.
Best 23: Likely
James Jordon (Melbourne) – Played on a wing in a recent intra-club hitout. No guarantee he fits into the Sydney best team but he will certainly be in the mix.
Best 23: In the air
WEST COAST
Tyler Brockman (Hawthorn) – Showed some class in a high half-forward role during a recent practice match. Should be a lock to play all year in the ones.
Best 23: Lock it in
Matt Flynn (GWS) – Probably going to edge Bailey Williams out for the starting ruck spot in round 1. Flynn has a mature body and could be a SuperCoach bargain if he does land the first ruck role.
Best 23: Likely
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Lachie Bramble (Hawthorn) – Set to be used off half-back for the Dogs, Bramble has recovered from shoulder surgery and is in full training. He might be behind a few in the running defender stakes but we know Luke Beveridge likes to give guys a chance.
Best 23: Unlikely
Nick Coffield (St Kilda) – Another new Dog to be thrown into the defensive mix, Coffield has high wraps on him if he can stay fit and he has been fit over summer. Should get some minutes early.
Best 23: In the air
James Harmes (Melbourne) – Might be thrown in to fill the void with Bailey Smith out, Harmes adds some defensive nous to the Bulldog midfield that can need it at times. Firmly in the mix for round 1.
Best 23: In the air
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