MELBOURNE has surprisingly overlooked midfielders Dom Tyson and Angus Brayshaw for Sunday's huge MCG clash against Geelong.
Despite appearing in both JLT Community Series matches, Brayshaw hasn't been picked for the round one blockbuster, while Tyson has been left out after playing 19 games last season.
Sam Frost and Tom Bugg are the Demons' other emergencies. Corey Maynard is into the 22 for just his second career game.
TEAMS: Full round one line-ups
Geelong will unveil three debutants – ex-South Fremantle star Tim Kelly, ruck-forward Esava Ratugolea and midfielder Lachie Fogarty – in skipper Joel Selwood's 250th game.
The Cats have ruled out Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield (hamstring) but prodigal son Gary Ablett is locked in for his comeback from the Gold Coast.
Rhys Stanley has missed out and is an emergency alongside Jordan Cunico, Charlie Constable and Jordan Murdoch.
Greater Western Sydney has gone with athletic tall Rory Lobb to lead the ruck division against the Western Bulldogs, leaving out big man Dawson Simpson.
Lobb won the battle to take over from retired behemoth Shane Mumford despite only having one NEAFL practice match as preparation for Sunday's clash in Canberra.
Simpson, ex-Pies tall Lachie Keeffe, Aiden Bonar and Nick Shipley are the Giants' emergencies.
The Dogs will have four club debutants, with prized draftee Aaron Naughton named alongside ex-Docker Hayden Crozier, former Power tall Jackson Trengove and rookie Billy Gowers.
Dead-eye goalkicker Tory Dickson, youngster Lukas Webb, premiership hero Caleb Daniel and Lin Jong are the emergencies.
West Coast has pulled several surprises for the historic first AFL match at Optus Stadium against Sydney to close round one.
Tough midfielder Mark Hutchings has been left out despite serviceable performances in both JLT Community Series clashes.
Meanwhile, wingman Chris Masten and dashing defender Jackson Nelson have been confirmed to start after missing both hit-outs against Port Adelaide and Fremantle.
Experienced backman Will Schofield is also into the line-up to help counter Swans superstar Lance Franklin, while the Eagles will blood electric forward Liam Ryan, father-son Jake Waterman and dynamic onballer Daniel Venables.
Hutchings, workhorse Fraser McInnes, Francis Watson and Brayden Ainsworth are emergencies.
Veteran Swans duo Jarrad McVeigh and Heath Grundy have proven their fitness, while Callum Sinclair is the lone ruckman set to take on ex-teammates Nic Naitanui and Scott Lycett.
Sydney will be without Dan Hannebery (calf), Aliir Aliir (ankle) and speedster Gary Rohan, who is remaining at home to support his pregnant wife.
Will Hayward, Daniel Robinson, Jordan Foote and Harrison Marsh have been named emergencies.
Sunday, March 25
Greater Western Sydney v Western Bulldogs at UNSW Canberra Oval, 1.10pm AEDT
GREATER WESTERN SDNEY
New: Z.Langdon (Claremont)
Notable absentees: Matt Buntine, Ryan Griffen, Adam Kennedy, Will Setterfield, Zac Williams, Tom Scully, Jacob Hopper
WESTERN BULLDOGS
New: H.Crozier (Fremantle), J.Trengove (Port Adelaide), A.Naughton (Rockingham), B.Gowers (Carlton)
Notable absentees: Marcus Adams, Dale Morris, Liam Picken, Jack Redpath, Mitch Wallis, Caleb Daniel, Lin Jong
Melbourne v Geelong at the MCG, 3.20pm AEDT
MELBOURNE
New: J.Lever (Adelaide), B.Fritsch (Casey Demons)
Notable absentees: Jack Viney, Aaron vandenBerg, Dom Tyson, Angus Brayshaw
GEELONG
New: L.Fogarty (Spotswood/Western U18s), T.Kelly (South Fremantle), E.Ratugolea (Cobram/Murray U18s)
Notable absentees: Patrick Dangerfield, Scott Selwood, Lachie Henderson, Lincoln McCarthy, Nakia Cockatoo, Rhys Stanley
West Coast v Sydney at Optus Stadium, 4.20pm AWST
WEST COAST
New: J.Waterman (Claremont), L.Ryan (Subiaco), D.Venables (Keilor/Western U18s)
Notable absentees: Josh Kennedy, Eric Mackenzie, Nathan Vardy
SYDNEY
New: Nil
Notable absentees: Alex Johnson, Sam Naismith
