BRISBANE Lions fans will have their first glimpse of star recruit Dayne Beams when the team takes on St Kilda in Burpengary on Saturday, but they will have to wait a little longer to see Allen Christensen in Lions colours.
BRISBANE LIONS v ST KILDA
Burpengary (QLD), Saturday, February 28, 3.10pm AEST
Beams, who was traded to the Lions from Collingwood in the off-season, is a huge addition for Justin Leppitsch's side.
However, Christensen – who had surgery on his back before leaving Geelong – has targeted a return in round one of the home and away season.
Led by new skipper Tom Rockliff, the Lions will field a strong team in their NAB Challenge clash against the Saints.
Mitch Robinson, formerly at Carlton, is another handy inclusion, while Matthew Leuenberger and Daniel Rich have been named to play.
St Kilda's No.1 draft pick Paddy McCartin will be looking to make an instant impact in his first official game for his new club, while Hugh Goddard (pick No.21) will also get the chance to showcase his talents.
Sydney Swans recruit Tim Membrey and American convert Jason Holmes have also been included in the Saints' squad.
Tom Boyd, the Western Bulldogs' big-money recruit, will turn out for his new club for the first time on Saturday against Richmond.
The Whitten Oval is expected to be packed for the key forward's first official game for the club, with the Bulldogs naming a near full-strength squad for Luke Beveridge's first match at the helm.
Richmond captain Trent Cotchin is expected to miss most of the club's NAB Challenge campaign, as he deals with hamstring soreness. Dustin Martin and Brett Deledio are also missing from Damien Hardwick's first squad for 2015, with ex-Cat Taylor Hunt, Connor Menadue, Reece McKenzie and Kane Lambert among those who will get the chance to impress in their first hit-outs for the Tigers.
Adelaide is set to travel to Port Lincoln to do battle against North Melbourne without star midfielders Patrick Dangerfield and Scott Thompson. However All Australians Daniel Talia and Brodie Smith will play, as will gun on-baller Rory Sloane. Hawthorn recruits Kyle Cheney and Luke Lowden have also been named to play in Phil Walsh's first game as coach.
North has named a strong team, with Shaun Higgins and Jarrad Waite among those to travel interstate to face the Crows.
Stars Jack Ziebell, Daniel Wells, Nick Dal Santo and Brent Harvey have all been included in the squad, while the club's top draftee (No.16 overall) Sam Durdin is among those named to play. Andrew Swallow and Todd Goldstein were late withdrawals.
Geelong will travel to Townsville to face Gold Coast at Tony Ireland Stadium, minus stars Joel Selwood and Steve Johnson.
As flagged earlier in the week, key forward Mitch Clark will play his first AFL game since round 4, 2013.
The young Cats squad features all four of the club's draftees from last season, led by first-round selection (No.10 overall) Nakia Cockatoo.
Cockatoo, Cory Gregson (pick No.47), Dean Gore (No.55), Jordan Cunico (No.59) have all impressed at training in the pre-season.
Irishman Padraig Lucey has been selected, with youngsters Jake Kolodjashnij, Darcy Lang, Jarrad Jansen and Michael Luxford also part of the squad.
The Suns will be without skipper Gary Ablett and young jet Jack Martin (after his Indigenous All Stars experience last week), but Jarrod Garlett (pick No.15 in last year's draft) will have the chance to push his case for an early season debut.
Touk Miller, who the Suns selected at No.29, is also in the squad.
Rookie Keegan Brooksby will partner Zac Smith in the ruck, while Jesse Lonergan, who has been cut down by injury in recent seasons, is fit again and named to play.
BRISBANE LIONS v ST KILDA
Burpengary (QLD), Saturday, February 28, 3.10pm AEST
BRISBANE LIONS
1. Luke McGuane, 4. James Aish, 5. Mitch Robinson, 6. Josh Green, 7. Jed Adcock, 8. Rohan Bewick, 9. Dayne Beams, 10. Daniel Rich, 14. Brent Staker, 15. Dayne Zorko, 17. Claye Beams, 18. Nicholas Robertson, 21. Daniel Merrett, 22. Marco Paparone, 23. Matthew Leuenberger, 25. Daniel McStay, 26. Tom Cutler, 27. Darcy Gardiner, 28. Lewis Taylor, 29. Jaden McGrath, 30. Jack Redden, 31. Harris Andrews, 32. Sam Mayes, 33. Michael Close, 35. Ryan Lester, 38. Tom Rockliff, 32. Justin Clarke, 44. Archie Smith, 47. Zac O’Brien.
ST KILDA
3. Jack Steven, 4. Eli Templeton, 5. Shane Savage, 6. Seb Ross, 8. Blake Acres, 9. Tommy Lee, 11. Leigh Montagna, 14. Jarryn Geary, 15. Jack Billings, 16. Jack Newnes, 17. Dylan Roberton, 18. Billy Longer, 20. David Armitage, 21. Luke Delaney, 22. Farren Ray, 24. Sean Dempster, 25. Sam Fisher, 26. Tom Curren, 27. Josh Bruce, 28. Tim Membrey, 32. Paddy McCartin, 33. Hugh Goddard, 35. Josh Saunders, 37. Jack Lonie, 38. Ahmed Saad, 39. Cameron Shenton. 40, Jack Sinclair. 44, Maverick Weller, 45. Jason Holmes.
WESTERN BULLDOGS v RICHMOND
Whitten Oval (Melbourne), Saturday, February 28, 4.40pm AEDT
WESTERN BULLDOGS
1. Jarrad Grant, 2. Robert Murphy, 3. Mitch Wallis, 4. Marcus Bontempelli,5. Matthew Boyd, 6. Luke Dahlhaus, 7. Lachlan Hunter, 9. Jake Stringer, 10. Easton Wood, 11. Jackson Macrae, 13. Nathan Hrovat, 15 Tom Campbell, 17. Tom Boyd, 21. Tom Liberatore, 22. Mitch Honeychurch, 23. Jordan Roughead, 25. Koby Stevens, 27. Will Minson, 28. Josh Prudden,29. Tory Dickson, 30. Joel Hamling, 32. Michael Talia, 33. Sam Darley, 38. Dale Morris, 39. Jason Johannisen, 42. Liam Picken, 43. Jack Redpath, 46. Lin Jong, 49. Ayce Cordy
RICHMOND
2. Dylan Grimes, 5. Brandon Ellis, 6. Shaun Grigg, 10. Shane Edwards, 11. Jake Batchelor, 12. David Astbury, 13. Ricky Petterd, 15. Chris Knights, 16. Shaun Hampson, 22. Nathan Gordon, 26. Anthony Miles, 27. Sam Lloyd, 28. Taylor Hunt, 29. Ty Vickery, 30. Reece Conca, 31. Nick Vlastuin, 34. Liam McBean, 35. Ben Lennon, 36. Matt McDonough, 37. Connor Menadue, 38. Steve Morris, 39. Nathan Drummond, 40. Daniel Butler, 42. Reece McKenzie, 43. Todd Elton, 44. Matt Arnot, 45. Jayden Short, 46. Jason Castagna, 48. Kane Lambert.
GOLD COAST v GEELONG
Townsville, Sunday, February 29, 3.40pm AEST
GOLD COAST
2. Zac Smith, 5. Jarrod Harbrow, 6. Alex Sexton, 7. Nick Malceski,11. Harley Bennell, 13. Andrew Boston, 14. Mitch Hallahan, 15. Daniel Gorringe, 18. Trent McKenzie, 19. Tom Lynch, 20. Henry Schade, 21. Jack Leslie, 24. David Swallow, 25. Danny Stanley, 26. Matthew Shaw, 28. Kade Kolodjashnij, 31. Keegan Brooksby, 32. Brandon Matera, 35. Michael Rischitelli, 36. Greg Broughton, 37. Jesse Lonergan, 39. Louis Herbert, 40. Sean Lemmens, 41. Jarrod Garlett, 42. Adam Saad, 43. Jarred Ellis, 44. Touk Miller, 46. Josh Hall, 48. Seb Tape.
GEELONG
2. Billie Smedts, 3. Jimmy Bartel, 4. Andrew Mackie, 5. Nakia Cockatoo, 7. Harry Taylor, 8. Jake Kolodjashnij, 9. James Kelly, 11. Darcy Lang, 12. Sam Blease, 13. Tom Lonergan, 15. Dean Gore, 16. Dawson Simpson, 19. Mitch Clark, 21. Jordan Murdoch, 22. Mitch Duncan, 23. Josh Caddy, 24. Jed Bews, 26. Tom Hawkins, 27. Mathew Stokes, 28. Cory Gregson, 29. Cameron Guthrie, 31. Jordan Cunico, 32. Steven Motlop, 35. Jarrad Jansen, 37. Michael Luxford, 39. Shane Kersten, 42. Padraig Lucey, 44. Corey Enright, 46. Mark Blicavs.
ADELAIDE v NORTH MELBOURNE
Centenary Oval (Port Lincoln), Sunday, February 29, 4.10pm ACDT
ADELAIDE
1. James Podsiadly, 2. Brad Crouch, 4. Josh Jenkins, 7. Nathan van Berlo, 8. Mitch Grigg, 9. Rory Sloane, 10. Matthew Jaensch, 11. Matthew Wright, 12. Daniel Talia, 13. Taylor Walker, 15. Kyle Hartigan, 16. Luke Brown, 17. Sam Kerridge, 18. Eddie Betts, 20. Sam Siggins, 23. Charlie Cameron, 25. Kyle Cheney, 27. Tom Lynch, 28. Cameron Ellis-Yolmen, 29. Rory Laird, 31. Jarryd Lyons, 33. Brodie Smith, 35. Harrison Wigg, 36. Brodie Martin, 40. Luke Lowden, 43. Reilly O’Brien, 45. Ricky Henderson, 46. Keenan Ramsey, 47. Jake Kelly.
NORTH MELBOURNE
1. Daniel Currie, 2. Brad McKenzie, 3. Ryan Bastinac, 4. Shaun Higgins, 5. Ben Jacobs, 7. Jack Ziebell, 8. Daniel Wells, 10. Ben Cunnington, 12. Lindsay Thomas, 14. Trent Dumont, 15. Nick Dal Santo, 18. Shaun Atley, 20. Drew Petrie, 21. Luke McDonald, 24. Sam Durdin, 25. Robbie Tarrant, 26. Daniel Nielson, 28. Robin Nahas, 29. Brent Harvey, 30. Jarrad Waite, 34. Jamie Macmillan, 36. Joel Tippett, 37. Will Fordham, 38. Majak Daw, 42. Scott McMahon, 43. Sam Gibson, 44. Max Warren, 50. Ben Brown.
