AFL round 1 predicted teams: How every club is likely to line-up

One of North Melbourne’s off-season recruits faces a huge task in his first outing as a Roo after being confirmed to debut against GWS. See every club’s predicted side here.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 16: Tom Lynch of the Tigers celebrates a goal during the 2023 AFL Round 01 match between the Richmond Tigers and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 16, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Richmond could welcome back a triple treat of stars for Thursday night’s round 1 clash with Carlton with Dustin Martin, Tom Lynch and Toby Nankveris all getting through an important training session at Punt Road.

As last week’s acting captain Jayden Short revealed the players had a “tough” post-match review of last Saturday’s “embarrassing” start against Gold Coast, he said he was confident of a strong fightback against the Blues this week.

The Tigers’ hopes of causing an upset against Carlton were given a boost when Martin (corked calf), Lynch (foot) and Nankervis (foot) looked to prove their fitness in a solid training session.

Rhyan Mansell (ankle) is also closing in on a return to the AFL side.

Short said he wasn’t sure what was happening at selection but was encouraged to see how the trio of senior Tigers got through Tuesday’s session.

“We obviously didn’t start the way we wanted to on the weekend, but we’ve had a few boys train (on Tuesday) and I’m hoping they come up,” Short said.

“They looked pretty good but I obviously don’t pick the team.

“I am hoping all three (Martin, Lynch and Nankervis) get up, also Rhyan Mansell had an awesome pre-season … he missed on the weekend. I think he was putting his hand up as well.

“I’m always pumped when you get blokes back from rehab and I am hoping Lynchy gets himself back but I don’t want to put the pressure on him as he has been a long time out of the game.”

Tom Lynch could be back to terrorise the Blues. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Lynch has not played since round 4 last season and his return to a forward line that struggled badly last week would be a bonus.

“It has almost been 12 months with a foot injury, and when he did it, he felt he was only going to miss a week,” Short said.

“To see the way he has shown up at the club every single day in rehab has been amazing and his attitude towards his rehab has been sensational. His positivity around the club is amazing. If he does get himself up, it is going to be awesome, not just for him but for the club as well.”

Short was one of the senior Tigers including Tim Taranto and Dion Prestia highlighted by Footy Classified’s Kane Cornes on Monday for missing tackles and costly turnovers.

The 28-year-old doesn’t shy away from the criticism, saying: “I’m always looking to get better and improve as a player.”

But he said the “tough” conversations inside Punt Rd meant more to him.

“Obviously, our contest work in the first two quarters was pretty down and we reviewed that the next day and had some pretty honest conversations around that,” he said.

“We can expect a lot better this week, the boys really want to get to work.

“They are embarrassed about how we started and it is something we want to rectify.

“Adem (Yze) doesn’t need to come in and yell and scream … (the players) know how they want to play, and that wasn’t it.”

— Glenn McFarlane

PREDICTED ROUND 1 TEAMS

CARLTON V RICHMOND

CARLTON

B: Boyd Young Saad

HB: Newman McGovern Williams

C: Acres Cripps Hollands

HF: Cottrell McKay Cuningham

F: Fantasia Curnow Fogarty

R: De Koning Cerra Hewett

INTER: Kennedy Carroll Moir Owies Kemp

LIKELY SUB: Moir

EMER: Pittonet Binns Cincotta

IN: Moir

OUT: Docherty

KEY ABSENTEES: Docherty, Walsh, Weitering, Martin

There’s a bit of chatter around that the Blues could debut Ashton Moir, the South Australian who was taken at pick 29 in last year’s draft and had some nice moments in the pre-season clash with Melbourne. It could come at the expense of Matt Owies who was quiet against Brisbane but a straight swap for the injured Sam Docherty seems more likely. Jesse Motlop (toe) could push to return but might be held back until after the round 2 bye.

RICHMOND

B: Grimes Broad Gibcus

HB: Short Vlastuin Rioli

C: McIntosh Taranto Pickett

HF: Baker Balta Bolton

F: Martin Lynch Koschitzke

R: Nankervis Hopper Prestia

INTER: Ryan Rioli Dow Campbell Young

LIKELY SUB: Rioli

EMER: Naismith Cumberland Banks

IN: Lynch, Nankervis, Martin

OUT: Naismith, Banks, Ross

KEY ABSENTEES: Jack Graham

Naismith would be unlucky to be left out after battling manfully against Jarrod Witts, but Samson Ryan offers the Tigers more versatility in attack. Lynch has long targeted round 1 for his comeback, while Martin should be fit to return. Nankervis might be touch-and-go, in which case Naismith would lead the midfield again. Debutant Seth Campbell won’t be left out after kicking two of Richmond’s nine goals.

Collingwood’s defence could get Jeremy Howe back. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD V SYDNEY

COLLINGWOOD

B: Maynard Moore Howe

HB: Pendlebury Quaynor N.Daicos

C: Hoskin-Elliott Crisp J.Daicos

HF: Sidebottom Mihocek Schultz

F: Elliot McInnes Hill

R: Cameron De Goey Lipinski

INTER: Macrae Mitchell McCreery Markov Cox

LIKELY SUB: McCreery/Markov

IN: McInnes, Howe, Macrae

OUT: Johnson, Dean, Noble

KEY ABSENTEES: Murphy, McStay

There has been a clamour from Collingwood supporters for Fin Macrae to be called on this week after the Magpies’ midfield battled against GWS. The word from Collingwood on Wednesday was it’s a fair chance of happening — but will it be as the sub? Jeremy Howe should return to replace round 0 debutant Charlie Dean and Reef McInnes is in line to get his chance after an impressive pre-season.

SYDNEY

B: Melican McCartin Florent

HB: Blakey Rampe Roberts

C: Lloyd Warner Gulden

HF: Heeney McDonald Papley

F: Hayward McLean Amartey

R: Grundy Jordan Rowbottom

INTER: Fox Cunningham Campbell McInerney Wicks

LIKELY SUB: Wicks

NO CHANGE

KEY ABSENTEES: Adams, Parker, Mills

The Swans are sitting pretty and it’s going to be hard to change a winning formula. Robbie Fox played a negating role on Jake Lever up forward, but with the Pies short on rebounding defenders he might not be needed. He may play the role again if Jeremy Howe is named, however. Peter Ladhams, Jack Buller or a fit Sam Reid are also options if the Swans decide to drop Joel Amartey who was subbed out against the Demons. Angus Sheldrick fractured his finger in a VFL practice match and, while he won’t need surgery, won’t be considered to help bolster the engine room in a big midfield showdown against the Pies.

Jade Gresham will make his first AFL appearance as a Bomber. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

ESSENDON V HAWTHORN

ESSENDON

B: Redman McKay Reid

HB: Martin Laverde McGrath

C: Tsatas Durham Duursma

HF: Caldwell Langford Gresham

F: Stringer Wright Perkins

R: Goldstein Setterfield Merrett

INTER: Hobbs Cox Jones Bryan Guelfi

LIKELY SUB: Guelfi

EMER: Menzie Heppell Weideman

KEY ABSENTEES:Ridley, Parish, Draper

All of Essendon’s prized recruits should debut in red and black against Hawthorn, with Goldstein likely to take the main ruck duties due to Sam Draper still being under an injury cloud. Draper played in a VFL practice match on managed minutes, but with Goldstein on the list and Nick Byran developing, Brad Scott can afford not to rush Draper. Darcy Parish has been ruled out due to a hamstring strain, with Ben Hobbs a like-for-like replacement after getting through a VFL hitout. Nik Cox has been training down back and between him, McKay, Reid, Laverde and Redman they should be able to equal one Jordan Ridley, who’s missing with a quad, although there’s every chance former skipper Heppell comes in. One of Menzie or Guelfi will likely miss, with the other our choice to be named as the sub.

HAWTHORN

B: Scrimshaw Frost Weddle

HB: Amon Sicily Impey

C: Macdonald Nash D’Ambrosio

HF: Moore Lewis Hardwick

F: Ginnivan Chol Breust

R: Reeves Newcombe Worpel

INTER: Gunston Watson Mackenzie Hustwaite Ward

LIKELY SUB: Ward

EMER: Phillips Morrison Meek

KEY ABSENTEES:Day, Jiath, Blanck, Wingard

The Hawks were crippled by injuries in pre-season, but as Will Day went down Cam Mackenzie and Henry Hustwaite thrived with more midfield minutes against the Bulldogs. We’ve got them both earning a round 1 spot, while several fresh faces in Nick Watson, Mabior Chol and Massimo D’Ambrosio will play their first games for Hawthorn — plus Jack Gunston is back. Blake Hardwick should start forward but Sam Mitchell has said that’s no sure thing to last — don’t be surprised to see that change happen during matches this season depending on where the game sits. Karl Amon will spend more time behind the ball in defence in a win for SuperCoaches. Ethan Phillips could easily be selected if the Hawks opt to go tall in defence and that would likely come at the expense of Ward, Watson, Hustwaite or D’Ambrosio.

Zac Fisher is set for his first game as a Roo. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

GWS GIANTS V NORTH MELBOURNE

B: Himmelberg Taylor Idun

HB: Whitfield Buckley Ash

C: O’Halloran Kelly Callaghan

HF: Daniels Riccardi Bedford

F: Greene Hogan Brown

R: Briggs Coniglio Green

INTER: Thomas Haynes Cadman Perryman Wehr

LIKELY SUB: Wehr/Thomas

EMER: Keeffe Angwin Peatling

IN: Callaghan, Perryman

OUT: Ward, McMullin

KEY ABSENTEES:Cumming

Ward is facing a couple of months on the sidelines after being injured in a Beau McCreery tackle against Collingwood. Perryman and Callaghan should both walk straight into the 23 when fit, although there’s little need for Adam Kingsley to rush them after an impressive win over the reigning premier in opening round.

NORTH MELBOURNE

B: Fisher Corr Dawson

HB: McKercher Pink Sheezel

C: Tucker Wardlaw Stephens

HF: Duursma Coleman-Jones Stephenson

F: Zurhaar Larkey Curtis

R: Xerri Davies-Uniacke Powell

INTER: Lazzaro Goater Scott Phillips Taylor

LIKELY SUB: Phillips/Taylor

EMER: Ford Comben Nyuon

KEY ABSENTEES:Simpkin, McDonald

Former Swan Toby Pink likely gets the job on Jesse Hogan after his debut was confirmed. If Aidan Corr isn’t fit, former Tiger Bigoa Nyuon is likely to play his first match as a Roo. As it stands, Nyuon is likely battling Kallan Dawson for the role as the third tall. Luke McDonald is unlikely to play.

Riley Bonner has made an impressive start as a Saint. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

GEELONG V ST KILDA

GEELONG

B: Z.Guthrie, S. De Koning, J.Kolodjashnij

HB: T.Stewart, J.Henry, M.Holmes

C: M.Blicavs, T.Bruhn, M.Duncan

HF: B.Close, T.Hawkins, O.Henry

F: G.Miers, J.Cameron, T.Stengle

R: R.Stanley, P.Dangerfield, T.Atkins

INT: J.Clark, M.O’Connor, O.Dempsey, Z.Tuohy J.Bowes

LIKELY SUB: Bowes

KEY ABSENTEES: G.Rohan (back), C.Guthrie (quad)

There are a host of names jostling for the last few spots in the side. Jhye Clark and Oliver Dempsey both flourished during their practice matches, while Shannon Neale also played two full practice games, showing he can play alongside Jeremy Cameron and Tom Hawkins. Rhys Stanley is the favourite to face his former side after Toby Conway spent his second practice match in the VFL, while don’t rule out a debut for Shaun Mannagh – even as an impact sub. Will the Cats be forced to make tough calls on Zach Tuohy and Jed Bews?

ST KILDA

B: Stocker Battle Wilkie

HB: Bonner Cordy Wanganeen-Milera

C: Wood Steele Hill

HF: Phillipou Owens Henry

F: Higgins King Membrey

R: Marshall Ross Crouch

INTER: Byrnes Sharman Jones Garcia Wilson

LIKELY SUB: Garcia

EMER: Collard Shoenmaker Caminiti

KEY ABSENTEES:Webster, Butler, Howard, Paton, Sinclair

Brad Crouch is no certainty after missing both pre-season games, but the Saints have been hopeful he will prove his fitness to take on the Cats. Jack Sinclair has resumed training after an injury setback but was ruled out on Thursday. The last call in defence will come down to Cordy or Shoenmaker, with experience likely to win out despite the draftee’s impressive practice match against North Melbourne.

Sam Berry is a strong chance to get his spot back in Adelaide’s midfield. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

GOLD COAST V ADELAIDE

GOLD COAST

B: Uwland Ballard Collins

HB: Budarick Swallow Powell

C: Fiorini Miller Ellis

HF: Ainsworth Casboult Humphrey

F: Berry King Lukosius

R: Witts Rowell Anderson

INTER: Flanders Sexton Holman Rosas Macpherson

LIKELY SUB: Macpherson

EMER: Atkins, Graham, Moyle

UNCHANGED

KEY ABSENTEES: Jed Walter, Lachie Weller

Damien Hardwick is in a luxurious position after a commanding win over his former side. The Suns finished their 39-point win over Richmond with a clean bill of health as they prepare for a sterner test against Adelaide.

ADELAIDE

B: J. Worrell, J. Butts, M. Michalanney

HB: B. Smith, J.Borlase, W. Milera

C: C. Jones, J. Dawson, J. Soligo

HF: I. Rankine, C. Burgess, J. Rachele

FF: L. Murphy, D. Fogarty, B.Keays

R: R. O’Brien, R. Laird, M. Crouch

INTER: L.Gollant, L. Pedlar, M. Hinge, L.Sholl

LIKELY SUB: S. Berry

KEY ABSENTEES: R. Thilthorpe (knee), R. Sloane (eye), N. Murray (knee), H. Schoenberg (Achilles)

Gold Coast recruit Chris Burgess will make his Crows debut after the pre-season knee injury to Riley Thilthorpe. Taylor Walker has been ruled out with a back complaint, giving Burgess the chance to press his case for a regular spot up forward after Riley Thilthorpe’s pre-season injury blow. James Borlase appears to be ahead of Mark Keane for a key defensive spot.

Lachie Bramble will play his first match as a Bulldog. Picture: Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images

MELBOURNE V WESTERN BULLDOGS

MELBOURNE

B: Howes May Lever

HB: McVee Tomlinson Rivers

C: Langdon Petracca Salem

HF: Sparrow Van Rooyen Chandler

F: Neal-Bullen Fritsch Spargo

R: Gawn Viney Oliver

INTER: Fullarton Windsor Billings Woewodin Pickett

LIKELY SUB: Woewodin

EMER: McDonald, Schache, Hore

IN: Fullarton, Woewodin, Pickett

OUT: Bowey, Schache, Laurie

KEY ABSENTEES: Hunter, McAdam, Petty

Laurie didn’t have a great impact against the Swans before being subbed out for Billings is in danger of making way for Pickett’s return from suspension. Likewise, Billings could be axed. Rushing Fullarton back would be a risk, but the Demons need more support for Gawn than Schache provided in round 0. Woewodin could be a straight swap for Bowey, although off-season recruit Marty Hore is another player who could be considered to fill the backline void.

BULLDOGS

B: Khamis Jones Richards

HB: Johannisen O’Donnell Dale

C: Treloar Sanders Gallagher

HF: West Lobb Harmes

F: Ugle-Hagan Naughton Weightman

R: English Bontempelli Liberatore

INTER: Bramble Daniel Coffield McNeil Williams

LIKELY SUB: Williams

EMER: Darcy, Vandermeer, Duryea

KEY ABSENTEES: Smith, Macrae, Gardner

With Macrae set to fall short of proving his fitness for round 1, Caleb Daniel may get a reprieve and sneak into the Dogs starting 22. Although that’s no certainty, with talk this week that Luke Beveridge could make a statement and leave Macrae and Daniel in the reserves. We’re banking on Bailey Dale getting up for the clash with the Demons as he battles a hamstring issue. Rory Lobb wins the pre-season battle for selection between him and Sam Darcy while Lachie Bramble, James Harmes, Harvey Gallagher, Ryley Sanders and Nick Coffield will make their Bulldogs debuts.

Harley Reid’s much-anticipated debut will be against Port. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images

PORT ADELAIDE V WEST COAST

PORT ADELAIDE

FB: B. Zerk-Thatcher, E. Ratugolea, L. Jones

HB: D. Houston, A. Aliir, K. Farrell

C: M. Bergman, C. Rozee, W. Drew

HF: J. Horne-Francis, T. Marshall, J. McEntee

FF: W. Rioli, C. Dixon, J. Mead

R: I. Soldo, O. Wines, Z. Butters

INTER: T. Boak, R. Burton, D. Byrne-Jones, J. Finlayson

LIKELY SUB: D. Williams

EMER: F. Evans, J. Sweet, J. Sinn

KEY ABSENTEES: Sam Powell-Pepper (suspended), Ollie Lord (leg), Mitch Georgiades (returning from injury)

Ollie Lord’s injury – and subsequent surgery – rules him out of the race for a spot in the forward line for round 1. But the selection headache is still there. Finlayson and former Bulldog Jordan Sweet are the other talls in line to take on the Eagles as Port eases Mitch Georgiades back into action. Francis Evans is in the mix as a pure small-forward, but Jackson Mead, fresh of an impressive pre-season campaign, offers Ken Hinkley more flexibility in the absence of Sam Powell-Pepper.

WEST COAST

B: Witherden Barrass Cole

HB: Duggan McGovern Hough

C: Chesser Yeo Gaff

HF: Reid Darling Cripps

F: Long Allen Maric

R: Williams Kelly Ginbey

INTER: Hunt Jamieson Petrucelle Brockman Hall

LIKELY SUB: Hall

EMER: Edwards Dewar Waterman

KEY ABSENTEES: Flynn Sheed Ryan Hewett

The biggest issue for Adam Simpson will be deciding who partners Bailey Williams with Matt Flynn ruled out for almost half the year. Coen Livingstone and Harry Barnett are options but may be too raw. It seems likely Callum Jamieson, who has been trialled in defence, provides back up. Clay Hall impressed early in pre-season but after an interrupted few months could be introduced as a sub. Former Hawk Tyler Brockman still has to prove his fitness and could be replaced in the 23 by Luke Edwards.

Conor McKenna is likely to replace the injured Keidean Coleman. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

FREMANTLE V BRISBANE LIONS

FREMANTLE

B: Ryan, Pearce, Clark

HB: Aish, Cox, Walker

C: Brayshaw, Young, Sharp

HF: Walters, Amiss, Emmett

F: Frederick, Treacy, Switkowski

R: Jackson, Serong, Fyfe

INTER: O’Meara, Johnson, Voss, Hughes, Erasmus

LIKELY SUB: Erasmus

EMER: McDonald, Sturt, Simpson

KEY ABSENTEES: Darcy, Chapman, O’Driscoll

There are question marks over a few Dockers heading into round 1. Jeremy Sharp played minutes for Peel Thunder on the weekend and copped a knock to his lower leg. The former Sun played on for a while before being pulled out of the game to manage his minutes. Brennan Cox has been battling back from a stress reaction in his leg and is considered a chance. Michael Frederick is confident his hamstring is good to go to face the Lions. Nat Fyfe starts in the guts along with Hayden Young who looks set for more midfield minutes.

KEY ABSENTEES: Darcy, Chapman, O’Driscoll

B: Brandon Walker, Alex Pearce, Luke Ryan.

HB: James Aish, Brennan Cox, Jordan Clark.

C: Matthew Johnson, Andrew Brayshaw, Jeremy Sharp.

HF: Michael Walters, Josh Treacy, Sam Switkowski.

F: Michael Frederick, Jye Amiss, Tom Emmett

FOLL: Luke Jackson, Caleb Serong, Nat Fyfe.

INT: Hayden Young, Jaeger O’Meara, Patrick Voss, Ethan Hughes.

SUB: Neil Erasmus.

Notable absentees: Sean Darcy, Heath Chapman, Nathan O’Driscoll.

BRISBANE LIONS

B: Starcevich Payne Lester

HB: McKenna Andrews Gardiner

C: Fletcher Lyons Berry

HF: Bailey Hipwood McCluggage

F: Rayner Daniher Cameron

R: McInerney Dunkley Neale

INTER: Lohmann Zorko Ah Chee Wilmot McCarthy

LIKELY SUB: Lohmann

EMER: Tunstill Fort Answerth

IN: McKenna

OUT: Coleman

KEY ABSENTEES: Doedee, Ashcroft

The Lions are unlikely to overreact to a one-point loss to Carlton but have been forced into a change due to Keidean Coleman’s ACL blow. Conor McKenna is fit and will be a like-for-like replacement in defence. Deven Robertson is the other player who could come into the reckoning, but could stay on the outer due to the form of Jarryd Lyons. Robertson could also come back in as sub.

Originally published as AFL round 1 predicted teams: How every club is likely to line-up