NORTH MELBOURNE / MELBOURNE / RICHMOND (Fri night – Etihad Stadium)

 

NORTH MELBOURNE
1. Daniel Currie, 2. Brad McKenzie, 3. Ryan Bastinac, 4. Liam Anthony, 5. Ben Jacobs, 6. Lachlan Hansen, 7. Jack Ziebell, 8. Daniel Wells, 9. Andrew Swallow, 10. Ben Cunnington, 11. Michael Firrito, 12. Lindsay Thomas, 14. Jordan Gysberts, 15. Luke Delaney, 16. Scott Thompson, 17. Nathan Grima, 18. Shaun Atley, 19. Sam Wright, 20. Drew Petrie, 22. Todd Goldstein, 23. Kieran Harper, 24. Levi Greenwood, 25. Robbie Tarrant, 28. Will Sierakowski, 29. Brent Harvey, 30. Tom Curran, 31. Cameron Delaney, 34. Jamie Macmillan, 35. Aaron Black, 38. Majak Daw, 41. Aaron Mullett, 42. Scott McMahon, 43. Sam Gibson, 46. Ben Speight

North Melbourne’s fantastic run with injuries in 2012 has continued into the start of their 2013 campaign, with Leigh Adams the only best 22 player not in the 34 man squad. As a result of such a healthy list they don’t have quite as many rookies as other teams. The duel between Daniel Currie and Majak Daw to see who is second in line behind Goldstein will be interesting and both will get their chance to impress. Brent Harvey will get a good run at the NAB Cup before having to serve a six week suspension to start the season.

It will also be the first chance we get to see Ben Jacobs and Jordan Gysberts in a North jumper.

Interesting stat: Currie and Sierakowski are the top two current players for years spent in the AFL without debuting.

 

MELBOURNE
1. Jesse Hogan, 2. Nathan Jones, 4. Jack Watts, 5. Jimmy Toumpas, 6. Chris Dawes, 7. Jack Viney, 8. James Frawley, 10. Shannon Byrnes, 12. Colin Sylvia, 13. Jordie McKenzie, 14. Lynden Dunn, 15. David Rodan, 17. Sam Blease, 19. James Strauss, 20. Colin Garland, 21. Cameron Pedersen, 22. James Magner, 25. Tom McDonald, 26. Daniel Nicholson, 27. Tom Gillies, 28. Joel Macdonald, 30. James Sellar, 31. Jack Grimes, 32. Michael Evans, 34. Dean Kent, 36 Aaron Davey, 38. Jeremy Howe, 39. Neville Jetta, 40. Mark Jamar, 42. Jake Spencer, 45. Matt Jones, 46. Dean Terlich, 47. Tom Couch, 48. Jack Fitzpatrick

There’s a few Dees missing for this first pair of games, with co-captain Jack Trengove, Mitch Clark, Luke Tapscott, Max Gawn and Rohan Bail, but overall it’s not too far off full strength for this time of year. There are three legitimately hot rookie options in Jimmy Toumpas, Jack Viney and Dean Terlich. Toumpas and Viney are midfielders and two of the highest rated juniors from 2012, while Terlich is a mature aged rebounding defender who was drafted from Norwood in the SANFL.

You can look, but you can’t touch Jesse Hogan, who was a mini draft selection for Melbourne last year. He’ll spend the year playing in the VFL, as he’s a few months too young for AFL. As far as other rookies go, it might be worth keeping a bit of an eye on Michael Evans, Dean Kent and Matt Jones. Evans played four games in 2011, but missed last year with a back injury. Jones is 25 years old, so you you would suspect he’s been recruited to play pretty much straight away.

 

RICHMOND
1. Chris Newman, 3. Brett Deledio, 4. Dustin Martin, 5. Brandon Ellis, 6. Shaun Grigg, 7. Matt Dea, 8. Jack Riewoldt, 9. Trent Cotchin, 10. Shane Edwards, 11. Jake Batchelor, 12. David Astbury, 13. Ricky Petterd, 14. Bachar Houli, 15. Chris Knights, 16. Luke McGuane, 18. Alex Rance, 20. Ivan Maric, 21. Shane Tuck, 23. Daniel Jackson, 24. Ben Griffiths, 26. Robin Nahas, 27. Aaron Edwards, 29. Ty Vickery, 30. Reece Conca, 31. Nick Vlastuin, 35. Matt White, 36. Matt McDonough, 37. Orren Stephenson, 38. Steven Morris, 39. Tom Derickx, 43. Todd Elton, 44. Matthew Arnot, 45. Brett O’Hanlon, 49. Steven Verrier

Apart from their backline Richmond are also pretty close to full strength with Dylan Grimes, Troy Chaplin, Brad Helbig, Jake King and Nathan Foley all missing this weekend. We’ll get a good look at DEF/MID Nick Vlastuin, who has reportedly had a strong pre-season, while there are a few other rookies in action who wouldn’t be expected to break straight into the 22 this early (apart from Astbury, who we already know about).

Ricky Petterd, Chris Knights and Orren Stephenson will all be looking to make a good impression with their new club, with Petterd and Stephenson in a battle for promotion to the senior list.

 

CARLTON / GWS / SYDNEY (Sunday – Blacktown)

CARLTON
1. Andrew Walker, 3.Marc Murphy, 4. Bryce Gibbs, 6. Kade Simpson, 7. Dylan Buckley, 9. Kane Lucas, 10. Matthew Watson, 11. Robert Warnock, 12. Mitch Robinson, 13. Chris Yarran, 14. Brock McLean, 15. Jeremy Laidler, 16. Andrew Collins, 17. Sam Rowe, 19. Eddie Betts, 20. Rhys O’Keeffe, 21. Josh Bootsma, 22. Shaun Hampson, 23. Lachie Henderson, 24. Patrick McCarthy, 27. Dennis Armfield, 28. Tom Bell, 31. Marcus Davies, 34. Nick Duigan, 35. Ed Curnow, 38. Jeff Garlett, 40. Michael Jamison, 41. Levi Casboult, 42. Zach Tuohy, 43. Simon White, 44. Andrew Carrazzo, 45. Aaron Joseph, 46. David Ellard

The Blues will have a run without Chris Judd, Matthew Kreuzer, Heath Scotland and Jarrad Waite, so they’re missing pretty much one player from each part of the ground. There’s not a massive amount of rookie interest, except for Sam Rowe, who is an enticing RUC/FWD option. Even if he doesn’t play he’s still worth a spot on your Dream Team or SuperCoach team purely for flexibility.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
1. Phil Davis, 2. Curtly Hampton, 4. Toby Greene, 5. Dylan Shiel, 6. Lachie Whitfield, 7. Rhys Palmer, 9. Tom Scully, 10. Devon Smith, 11. Taylor Adams, 12. Jonathon Patton, 13. Sam Darley, 14. Tomas Bugg, 15. Tim Golds, 16. Nathan Wilson, 17. Adam Treloar, 18. Jeremy Cameron, 20. Adam Tomlinson, 21. Matt Buntine, 22. Shaun Edwards, 23. Sam Reid, 25. Anthony Miles, 26. Jonathan Giles, 28. Liam Sumner, 30. Lachie Plowman, 31. Jacob Townsend, 32. Gerald Ugle, 35. Aidan Corr, 37. Setanta O’hAilpin, 38. Stephen Gilham, 39. Tim Mohr, 40. Adam Kennedy, 42. Mark Whiley, 43. Kurt Aylett, 48. Sam Frost

Not that there’s many experienced players to be missing, but the notable ones are Stephen Coniglio, Callan Ward, Dom Tyson, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Bret Thornton and Chad Cornes. Only Tyson and Cornes are out long term. #1 draft pick Lachie Whitfield will get his first taste of action, though an article from earlier today quoted assistant coach Leon Cameron as saying they are hoping to get half a season out of him.

Fellow draft picks Lachie Plowman and Aidan Corr will get a run in defence, but Kristian Jaksch and Jonathan O’Rourke won’t be playing. It’s great to see Setanta O’hAilpin out there and with the lack of forward rookies, despite his slightly heavier price tag, he might be worth a look.


SYDNEY SWANS
1. Tim Membrey, 3. Jarrad McVeigh, 4. Daniel Hannebery, 5. Ryan O’Keefe, 6. Tom Mitchell, 7. Harry Cunningham, 9. Nick Malceski, 11. Jed Lamb, 12. Josh Kennedy, 13. Andrejs Everitt, 14. Craig Bird, 15. Kieren Jack, 17. Tommy Walsh, 18. Jesse White, 19. Tony Armstrong, 20. Sam Reid, 22. Dean Towers, 23. Jordan Lockyer, 24. Jude Bolton, 25. Ted Richards, 26. Luke Parker, 28. Matthew Dick, 30. Lewis Roberts-Thomson, 31. Harry Marsh, 32. Lewis Jetta, 33. Brandon Jack, 34. Alex Johnson, 35. Sam Naismith, 36. Alex Brown, 38. Mike Pyke, 39. Heath Grundy, 42. Xavier Richards, 43. Dane Rampe, 44. Jake Lloyd, 46. Shane Biggs

There’s a bit of excitement in the fantasy world about Tom Mitchell. The father/son pick from last year was battling a nagging knee injury all through 2012, so we never saw him, but he’s a big chance for games this year. Jed Lamb has been there for two years and finished last year very strongly. Dean Towers was a mature aged player from North Ballarat in the VFL, so he’s one to watch. It’s a tough side to break into, so you don’t imagine there’ll be too many spots for rookies at Sydney this year.

 

BRISBANE / GOLD COAST / HAWTHORN (Sat night – Metricon Stadium)

BRISBANE LIONS
1.Sam Docherty, 2. Ryan Harwood, 3. Brent Moloney, 5. Billy Longer, 6. Josh Green, 8. Rohan Bewick, 9. Ashley McGrath, 10. Daniel Rich, 12. Stefan Martin, 13. Callum Bartlett, 15. Dayne Zorko, 17. Claye Beams, 18. Todd Banfield, 19. Jordan Lisle, 21. Daniel Merrett, 22. Marco Paparone, 24. Joel Patfull, 25. Richard Newell, 26. Elliot Yeo, 28. Patrick Karnezis, 29. Andrew Raines, 30. Jack Redden, 31. James Polkinghorne, 35. Ryan Lester, 36. Matt Maguire, 37. Patrick Wearden, 38. Tom Rockliff, 40. Niall McKeever, 41. Mitch Golby, 42. Justin Clarke, 44. Aaron Cornelius, 46. Sam Michael, 48. Stephen Wrigley

There’s a mix of interesting rookies lining up for the Lions, with Sam Docherty being the highest priority. Unfortunately Sam Mayes doesn’t get a run, as he’s a rare forward rookie option worth a look. Of course, Brent Staker will miss the start of the season with a knee injury.

It will be good to see if the talk about Tom Rockliff spending more time in the midfield wasn’t just talk and just quietly, I’m keeping a close eye on Daniel Rich, who I reckon is ready to explode.

GOLD COAST
1. Jaeger O’Meara, 2. Zac Smith, 3. Jared Brennan, 4. Maverick Weller, 5. Jarrod Harbrow, 6. Alex Sexton, 7. Karmichael Hunt, 8. Luke Russell, 9. Gary Ablett, 11. Harley Bennell, 12. Sam Day, 13. Jacob Gillbee, 14. Matthew Warnock, 15. Daniel Gorringe, 16. Rory Thompson, 17. Steven May, 19. Tom Lynch, 21. Jeremy Taylor, 23. Charlie Dixon, 24. David Swallow,  26. Matt Shaw, 28. Jack Martin, 29. Tom Murphy, 30. Campbell Brown, 31. Jackson Allen, 33. Aaron Hall, 34. Jack Hutchins, 35. Michael Rischitelli, 36. Greg Broughton, 37. Jesse Lonergan, 38. Joel Wilkinson, 40. Andrew Boston, 42. Kyal Horsley

New drinking game. Drink a Jaeger Bomb every time Jaeger gets it. This guy is one of the most exciting rookie prospects this year, so keep a close eye on him. There’s another “look, but don’t touch” with Jack Martin named, but he’s not old enough to play AFL until 2014. Jesse Lonergan could be a very good midfield option, as he’s got a very mature body and is strong around the contest.

It’s a little surprising to see Ablett named, especially if you were to believe some of the doom and gloom about his pre-season, but he must be fine. This will be our first look at everyone’s FAVOURITE fantasy player Greg Broughton in his new colours. You might say “never again” but what if he busts out 60 in one of these mini games?

HAWTHORN
2. Jarryd Roughead, 4. Matthew Suckling, 6. Josh Gibson, 10. Bradley Hill, 13. Kyle Cheney, 14. Grant Birchall, 16. Isaac Smith, 17. Brian Lake, 18. Brent Guerra, 19. Jack Gunston, 20. David Hale, 21. Shane Savage, 22. Luke Breust, 23. Lance Franklin, 24. Ben Stratton, 25. Ryan Schoenmakers, 27. Matt Spangher, 28. Paul Puopolo, 29. Will Langford, 30. Luke Lowden, 31. Angus Litherland, 32. Jonathan Simpkin, 33. Cyril Rioli, 34. Jordan Kelly, 35. Sam Grimley, 37. Jed Anderson, 38. Mitch Hallahan, 39. Max Bailey, 40. Tim O’Brien, 41. Taylor Duryea, 42. Kaiden Brand, 43. Amos Frank, 46. Derick Wanganeen, 47. Jonathon Ceglar

Buddy and Ablett playing against each other in a Round 1 game? Slow down fellas! It’s early days yet.

There’s a huge amount of rookies lining up for Hawthorn, so it will give their fans a glimpse of the future. It’ll be a very inexperienced midfield without Sam Mitchell, Luke Hodge, Brad Sewell, Shaun Burgoyne and Jordan Lewis (not that Burgoyne has spent heaps of time in the centre lately).

I’m really looking forward to watching Jed Anderson in action and undoubtedly Tom Schneider will dominate in the NAB Cup like he always does and continue to be on our short lists (wait…he got delisted…)