Collingwood
The Pies will use the practice games to work out how former Sydney forward Jack Buller fits into their forward-line mix alongside Dan McStay and Tim Membrey. Spots will be open after the departures of Brody Mihocek and Mason Cox, who both played in the preliminary final. Draftees Angus Anderson, Tyan Prindable and Sam Swadling have been managed through their first preseason. All have had strong summers, but their chances of an early debut hinge on the availability of others. Jai Saxena and Zac McCarthy are seen as longer-term projects. Roan Steele, their mid-season pick last year, has impressed with his running.
Essendon recruit Brayden Fiorini is set to play on the wing at his new club.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
Essendon
Brayden Fiorini has made an instant impact off the field at The Hangar and been appointed to the club’s leadership group. On the field, the Bombers have earmarked him to play on the wing, a position they are light on. Barring injury, he’ll play round one. Of their early picks, midfielder Dyson Sharp and half-back Jacob Farrow are a chance for early debuts. Small forward Hussein Al Achkar is building a strong bond with Isaac Kako but will need time.
Fremantle
James Worpel stepping out for the Cats in Monday’s match simulation against his former club, hawthorn.Credit: AFL Photos
Former Demon Judd McVee will link up with his Perth housemate Jordan Clark in defence at his new club. He’s trained strongly since an illness before Christmas. Mason Cox booted three goals in an intraclub game last week as a ruck/forward in the absence of the injured Sean Darcy. Luke Jackson’s impending move from ruck/forward to a midfielder creates a vacancy for Cox.
Geelong
Former Hawks midfielder James Worpel is on track make his debut in the hoops in the opening round. Tanner Bruhn, who did not play last year, has been training across half-back, so a positional change is on the cards. Rookie Nick Driscoll lined up against Hawthorn in the match sim on Monday though it’s a big ask for him to make his debut early on for the grand finalist. Hunter Holmes and Jesse Mellor are being given time to learn their trade under Nigel Lappin.
Gold Coast
Christian Petracca has the tools to be Dustin Martin 2.0 for Damien Hardwick – but will he be given the same brief? The boom recruit will divide his time between the midfield and forward, rotating with Bailey Humphrey and Touk Miller. The exact split will depend on match-ups, but the Suns are keen to set up with an extra half-forward in the midfield. Ethan Read’s move to the wing creates a key forward opening for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, who is tracking well at his new club. No.2 draft pick Zeke Uwland, considered the most likely draftee to debut early, is vying for a wing spot with Read and Sam Clohesy. Defender Avery Thomas could be a bolter.
Greater Western Sydney
Clayton Oliver’s importance to the Giants has soared after a likely season-ending ACL injury to Tom Green. The former Demon has settled in well in Sydney, and is desperate to send a message to his former club. The Giants have made improving their clearance game a key priority. Mature-age recruit Jayden Laverde offers defensive cover for Sam Taylor and Jack Buckley. Their first-year draftees won’t see much senior action but second- and third-year players, such as Joe Fonti and Cody Angove, will get opportunities.
Hawthorn
This is unlikely to be a year Hawks fans see too many of their kids. Draftee Aidan Schubert has impressed as a key forward in his first preseason taking on senior key defenders, but his chances of an early debut are slim behind Jack Gunston, Mitch Lewis, Calsher Dear and Mabior Chol. Rookie Ollie Greeves has impressed but needs to improve his endurance to break into the midfield, while onballer Jack Dalton has also made a mark.
Melbourne
Latrelle Pickett stole the show with his cameo in the club’s online membership drive, and he’s set to excite Dees fans on the field – maybe as early as round one. The cousin of Kysaiah Pickett is an excitement machine with his speed, smarts and creativity. Of their mature-age recruits, Jack Steele will slot straight into a new-look midfield, Brody Mihocek has an important role relieving pressure from their young keys, and Changkuoth Jiath is slated to play half-back if he gets through the practice games despite not taking part in all of recent training.
North Melbourne
Small forward Lachy Dovaston fills a desperate need for the Kangaroos and is, therefore, likely to get an early opportunity. He has drawn comparisons with Hawthorn’s Nick Watson however he will take time to have an impact. He has some tricks and, at pick 16, was the best small forward in the draft. Charlie Spargo crossed from Melbourne, where he played in a premiership, but a shoulder operation has kept him out of contact training for most of the preseason. An excellent kick inside 50m, he is gradually building his fitness and hoping for a change of luck. Pick 48 Hugo Mikunda is a chance to feature early to replace the injured Jackson Archer across half-back. He is an excellent kick who has had a strong preseason. Blake Thredgold had surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury so won’t be available for a significant chunk of the season. He has shown good signs before the problem emerged in February.
The Kangaroos picked up Lachy Dovaston at the draft with pick No.16.Credit: Louis Trerise
Port Adelaide
Former Blue Corey Durdin has turned heads in his first preseason at Alberton to the point he is considered close to a lock for round one. Injuries hurt him at Carlton, but the small forward has hardly missed a preseason session. Jacob Wehr, from the Giants, is another who has impressed over summer and is set to take the wing vacated by club great Travis Boak. Ollie Wines’ suspension means Will Brodie will get an early taste of senior football at his third AFL club.
Richmond
Sam Cumming and Sam Grlj, picks seven and eight respectively, are every chance to be unveiled in round one. Cumming will be the latest fresh face into a youthful engine room, while the speedy Grlj will line up in defence. With the influx of young midfielders, expect to see reigning club champion Tim Taranto spending more time resting forward, a role he was adept at as a Giant.
Jack Silvagni joined the Saints as an unrestricted free agent.Credit: St Kilda Football Club
St Kilda
Could there be a role tweak for Jack Silvagni at his new club? The former Blue was played primarily as the second key defender last year at Carlton but had smaller types Liam Ryan and Jack Higgins and young key forward Isaac Keeler at various stages as opponents in an intraclub game on Friday, freeing him to play a more intercepting role. Tom De Koning spent more time in the ruck than Rowan Marshall. His pairing with Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera has the potential to be the league’s best one-two midfield punch. Sam Flanders has completed almost all the preseason as he eyes a more substantial midfield role. Ryan is also tracking well and will play the practice games. Charlie Banfield found plenty of the ball in the intraclub, Kye Fincher has a great step but, along with last year’s draftees, will need time. Next-gen Saints Mattaes Phillipou, Hugo Garcia and Darcy Wilson have made a leap over summer.
Sydney
Opposition defences, watch out. Charlie Curnow completed less than a week of full preseason training last campaign. This summer, he’s done an estimated 80 to 85 per cent of the sessions, which is strong. He’s also happy in his new home after an unsettled 2025 at Carlton. He will be one of possibly three players making their Swans debut in opening round. Defender Jai Serong and goal sneak Malcolm Rosas will get first crack in the practice games to nail their spots. Of the draftees, Harry Kyle is one to watch.
Swans recruit Charlie Curnow is set for big first year in Sydney.Credit: Sam Mooy
West Coast
The Eagles are another club that will field several new faces in round one. Expect No.1 draft pick Willem Duursma to feature early in the midfield and half-back. Cooper Duff-Tytler, pick four last year, has trained as a forward who can ruck but is no certainty to start the season. Brandon Starcevich, from Brisbane, is ramping up his training after just running out of time to be fit for state duties. Harry Schoenberg has been one of the most impressive over summer and is tipped to get a midfield spot, while Deven Robertson and Fin Macrae are also in contention as the Eagles look for bigger bodies. Tylar Young is a lock in defence.
Western Bulldogs
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Former Gold Coast defender Connor Budarick has added creativity to his game after being better known as a lockdown backman at the Suns. He’ll step right into the void left by the departures of Jason Johannisen and Taylor Duryea. Louis Emmett, at 199 cm, has the size and running capacity to play like Mark Blicavs. The Dogs don’t have great ruck depth. Like Emmett, it would not surprise if Lachlan Carmichael made his debut later this season. Will Darcy, brother of Sam, is very much a project player.
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