WEST COAST and Fremantle will roll out the big names for Saturday's pre-season derby at Wonthella Oval.
Recently-crowned 2012 Brownlow medallist Sam Mitchell will feature in the blue and gold for the first time, while Nat Fyfe, the 2015 Brownlow winner, will play for the Dockers after leg injuries cruelled him last year.
Mitchell headlines a much stronger West Coast squad than the one that travelled to Narrandera to play against Greater Western Sydney in round one of the JLT Community Series.
Matt Priddis, Josh Kennedy, Jeremy McGovern, Luke Shuey, Andrew Gaff, Jack Darling and Shannon Hurn have all been picked, while Drew Petrie is also in line for his first game for the club after crossing from North Melbourne at the end of last season.
Fremantle gets its first look at a host of new recruits, including former Hawk speedster Bradley Hill, Bulldogs premiership defender Joel Hamling, ex-Cat Shane Kersten, and ex-Giant Cam McCarthy (the promising key forward who didn't play at all last year).
Melbourne has again left Jack Watts out of its squad for Saturday's Casey Fields clash with Carlton and it would seem he is now running out of opportunities to stake a claim for the start of the home and away season. As expected, former Bomber half-back Michael Hibberd will play his first game for the Dees.
Skipper Marc Murphy, who missed the last 12 games of 2016 because of an ankle injury, will lead the Blues.
But in an exciting afternoon for Carlton, emerging key forward Harry McKay will play his first game at AFL level after spending last year in the VFL. Former Cat Billie Smedts and former Giant Rhys Palmer will also don the navy blue jumper for the first time.
Todd Goldstein and Majak Daw will step out for North Melbourne for the first time this year in Sunday's sold-out clash against Hawthorn at Arden Street.
And the Hawks will get their first look at prized recruit Tom Mitchell, who didn't play against Geelong last week in his new club's pre-season opener.
It has been a treacherous pre-season for North's tall stocks, so the Kangaroos will be delighted to have Goldstein returning after an ankle injury and Daw, who hasn't played because of a knee injury.
Robbie Tarrant (back), Scott Thompson (adductor) and Lachie Hansen (quad) are also back for North in what shapes as a much stronger squad for the club's second pre-season hit-out.
The Hawks also welcome back some big names with Jack Gunston, Luke Hodge, Luke Breust, Brendan Whitecross and former Adelaide defender Ricky Henderson picked for their first game of the summer. Boom recruit Jaeger O'Meara has pulled up well from his first AFL level game in two years and has been named again.
Joe Daniher will play his first game for Essendon this year when the Bombers travel to Mackay on Sunday afternoon to take on Gold Coast. Essendon has also named in the squad veteran midfielder Brent Stanton, one of the banned players from last year. Heath Hocking, a late withdrawal from the round one squad, has also been named. Skipper Dyson Heppell, Zach Merrett, David Zaharakis and James Kelly are among the notable Bombers who won't make the trip north.
Gold Coast has left gun forward Tom Lynch behind. Big man Jarrod Witts, midfielder Aaron Hall and impressive youngster Jack Bowes will also miss the game. As forecast, Gary Ablett's return will wait until the final pre-season clash in a fortnight against the Western Bulldogs. Midfielder Mitch Hallahan is among the inclusions for the Suns.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Melbourne v Carlton, Casey Fields, 2.05pm AEDT
MELBOURNE
1. Jesse Hogan, 2. Nathan Jones, 3. Christian Salem, 5. Christian Petracca, 6. Jordan Lewis, 7. Jack Viney, 9. Jack Trengove, 10. Angus Brayshaw, 11. Max Gawn, 13. Clayton Oliver, 14. Michael Hibberd, 15. Billy Stretch, 18. Jake Melksham, 20. Colin Garland, 22. Aaron vandenberg, 23. Bernie Vince, 24. Jay Kennedy-Harris, 25. Tom McDonald, 26. Sam Weideman, 28. Oscar McDonald, 29. Jayden Hunt, 30. Alex Neal-Bullen, 32. Tomas Bugg, 33. Jake Spencer, 37. Dion Johnstone, 43. James Harmes, 44. Joel Smith
Notable absentees: Neville Jetta, Jeff Garlett, Dom Tyson, Jack Watts
CARLTON
1. Jack Silvagni, 3. Marc Murphy, 4. Bryce Gibbs, 6. Kade Simpson, 7. Dylan Buckley, 8. Matthew Kreuzer, 10. Harry McKay, 11. Sam Kerridge, 13. Jed Lamb, 15. Sam Docherty, 16. Billie Smedts, 17. Sam Rowe, 20. Lachie Plowman, 22. Caleb Marchbank, 23. Jacob Weitering, 24. Rhys Palmer, 25. Zac Fisher, 27. Dennis Armfield, 28. David Cuningham, 29. Cameron Polson, 30. Charlie Curnow, 33. Jarrod Pickett, 35. Edward Curnow, 37. Daniel Gorringe, 39. Dale Thomas, 41. Levi Casboult, 42. Kym LeBois, 43. Simon White, 46. Matthew Wright
Notable absentees: Sam Petrevski-Seton, Patrick Cripps, Nick Graham, Andrew Phillips
West Coast v Fremantle, Wonthella Oval, 3.40pm AWST
WEST COAST
1. Sam Mitchell, 2. Mark LeCras, 3. Andrew Gaff, 4. Dom Sheed, 5. Brad Sheppard, 6. Elliot Yeo, 7. Chris Masten, 8. Jack Redden, 11. Matthew Priddis, 12. Sharrod Wellingham, 13. Luke Shuey, 15. Jamie Cripps, 16. Eric Mackenzie, 17. Josh Kennedy, 19. Nathan Vardy, 20. Jeremy McGovern, 21. Drew Petrie, 23. Lewis Jetta, 25. Shannon Hurn, 26. Sam Butler, 27. Jack Darling, 28. Tom Cole, 30. Jackson Nelson, 33. Josh Hill, 34. Mark Hutchings, 37. Tom Barrass, 38. Kurt Mutimer, 40. Tom Gorter, 47. Francis Watson
Notable absentees: Nic Naitanui, Liam Duggan, Will Schofield, Scott Lycett
FREMANTLE
1. Hayden Ballantyne, 3. Zac Dawson, 4. Sean Darcy, 5. Garrick Ibbotson, 6. Danyle Pearce, 7. Nat Fyfe, 8. Nick Suban, 9. Bradley Hill, 10. Michael Walters, 11. Tommy Sheridan, 12. Jon Griffin, 14. Lachie Weller, 15. Ethan Hughes, 16. David Mundy, 17. Hayden Crozier, 18. Darcy Tucker, 19. Connor Blakely, 20. Matt Taberner, 21. Joel Hamling, 22. Shane Kersten, 23. Cam McCarthy, 26. Ed Langdon, 32. Stephen Hill, 33. Cam Sutcliffe, 34. Lee Spurr, 35. Michael Apeness, 36. Brennan Cox, 37. Michael Johnson, 40. Sam Collins
Notable absentees: Lachie Neale, Zac Clarke, Aaron Sandilands, Griffin Logue, Harley Bennell
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26
North Melbourne v Hawthorn, Arden St Oval, 2.05pm AEDT
NORTH MELBOURNE
2. Marley Williams, 4. Shaun Higgins, 6. Lachlan Hansen, 7. Jack Ziebell, 8. Nathan Hrovat, 9. Andrew Swallow, 10. Ben Cunnington, 11. Luke McDonald, 12. Lindsay Thomas, 13. Ryan Clarke, 14. Trent Dumont, 16. Scott Thompson, 18. Shaun Atley, 21. Jy Simpkin, 22. Todd Goldstein, 23. Ben McKay, 24. Sam Durdin, 25. Robbie Tarrant, 28. Kayne Turner, 31. Braydon Preuss, 32. Mason Wood, 33. Ed Vickers-Willis, 34. Jamie Macmillan, 38. Majak Daw, 39. Mitchell Hibberd, 40. Nick Larkey, 41. Corey Wagner, 42. Declan Mountford, 44. Cameron Zurhaar
Notable absentees: Jed Anderson, Ben Brown, Sam Gibson, Jarrad Waite
HAWTHORN
2. Jarryd Roughead, 3. Tom Mitchell, 4. Billy Hartung, 5. Ryan Burton, 6. Josh Gibson, 8. Taylor Duryea, 10. Jaeger O’Meara, 11. Brendan Whitecross, 12. James Frawley, 15. Luke Hodge, 19. Jack Gunston, 20. Dallas Willsmore, 21. James Sicily, 22. Luke Breust, 23. Tim O'Brien, 24. Ben Stratton, 25. Ryan Schoenmakers, 26. Liam Shiels, 27. Tyrone Vickery, 29. Will Langford, 31. Ricky Henderson, 32. Jack Fitzpatrick, 33. Cyril Rioli, 34. Kurt Heatherley, 36. Kieran Lovell, 37. Blake Hardwick, 40. Kade Stewart, 42. Teia Miles, 43. Marc Pittonet
Notable absentees: Ben McEvoy, Shaun Burgoyne, Grant Birchall, Isaac Smith, Paul Puopolo
Gold Coast v Essendon, Harrup Park Country Club, 3.40pm AEST
GOLD COAST
1. Pearce Hanley, 2. Jarrad Grant, 4. Jack Martin, 6. Alex Sexton, 7. Jesse Lonergan, 8. Brayden Fiorini, 10. Kade Kolodjashnij, 11. Touk Miller, 13. Callum Ah Chee, 14. Mitch Hallahan, 15. Dan Currie, 16. Rory Thompson, 17. Steven May, 20. Michael Barlow, 21. Jack Leslie, 23. Sean Lemmens, 24. David Swallow, 26. Matthew Shaw, 27. Ben Ainsworth, 30. Peter Wright, 31. Keegan Brooksby, 32. Brandon Matera, 34. Mackenzie Willis, 36. Josh Schoenfeld, 38. Jesse Joyce, 39. Ryan Davis, 41. Will Brodie, 42. Adam Saad, 44. Darcy Macpherson
Notable absentees: Gary Ablett, Jarrod Harbrow, Tom Lynch, Jarrod Witts, Aaron Hall, Matt Rosa, Jack Bowes
ESSENDON
1. Andrew McGrath, 3. Darcy Parish, 4. Jobe Watson, 5. Brent Stanton, 6. Joe Daniher, 8. Martin Gleeson, 9. Brendon Goddard, 14. Jordan Ridley, 15. Josh Green, 16. Joshua Begley, 17. James Stewart, 18. Michael Hurley, 19. Kobe Mutch, 20. Jackson Merrett, 22. Matthew Leuenberger, 27. Mason Redman, 28. Mitch Brown, 30. Kyle Langford, 32. Travis Colyer, 33. Jayden Laverde, 34. Jake Long, 36. Michael Hartley, 37. Dylan Clarke, 39. Heath Hocking, 40. Ben Howlett, 43. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, 44. Shaun McKernan, 45. Conor McKenna, 49. Matt Dea
Notable absentees: Zach Merrett, David Zaharakis, Mark Baguley, Orazio Fantasia, Dyson Heppell, David Myers, Patrick Ambrose, James Kelly
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Richmond v Adelaide, Etihad Stadium, 7.40pm AEDT
RICHMOND
1. Nick Vlastuin, 2. Dylan Grimes, 3. Dion Prestia, 4. Dustin Martin, 5. Brandon Ellis, 6. Shaun Grigg, 7. Ben Lennon, 8. Jack Riewoldt, 9. Trent Cotchin, 10. Shane Edwards, 11. Jake Batchelor, 12. David Astbury, 17. Daniel Rioli, 20. Ivan Maric, 21. Jacob Townsend, 22. Josh Caddy, 24. Ben Griffiths, 25. Toby Nankervis, 26. Anthony Miles, 27. Sam Lloyd, 28. Taylor Hunt, 30. Reece Conca, 31. Oleg Markov, 32. Corey Ellis, 33. Kamdyn McIntosh, 35. Nathan Broad, 40. Daniel Butler, 41. Mabior Chol, 46. Jason Castagna
Notable absentees: Shai Bolton, Shaun Hampson, Kane Lambert, Connor Menadue, Steven Morris, Alex Rance
ADELAIDE
1. Jonathon Beech, 4. Josh Jenkins, 8. Jake Kelly, 10. Harrison Wigg, 12. Daniel Talia, 13. Taylor Walker, 14. David Mackay, 15. Kyle Hartigan, 17. Curtly Hampton, 18. Eddie Betts, 20. Hugh Greenwood, 21. Rory Atkins, 22. Andy Otten, 23. Charlie Cameron, 24. Sam Jacobs, 26. Richard Douglas, 27. Tom Lynch, 28. Cam Ellis-Yolmen, 29. Rory Laird, 30. Wayne Milera, 31. Myles Poholke, 32. Troy Menzel, 33. Brodie Smith, 36. Dean Gore, 37. Paul Hunter, 38. Harry Dear, 41. Mitch McGovern, 43. Reilly O’Brien, 44. Matt Crouch
Notable absentees: Kyle Cheney, Brad Crouch, Jordan Gallucci, Jake Lever, Paul Seedsman, Rory Sloane, Scott Thompson
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23
St Kilda v Port Adelaide, Etihad Stadium, 7.40pm AEDT
ST KILDA
1. Tom Hickey, 2. Jake Carlisle, 3. Jack Steven, 4. Jade Gresham, 5. Shane Savage, 6. Sebastian Ross, 7. Luke Dunstan, 8. Blake Acres, 9. Jack Steele, 12. Nick Riewoldt, 13. Jack Lonie, 14. Jarryn Geary, 15. Jack Billings, 16. Jack Newnes, 17. Dylan Roberton, 18. Billy Longer, 19. Sam Gilbert, 20. David Armitage, 22. Nathan Brown, 24. Sean Dempster, 25. Koby Stevens, 27. Josh Bruce, 28. Tim Membrey, 29. Jimmy Webster, 32. Paddy McCartin, 34. Nathan Wright, 35. Jack Sinclair, 36. Daniel McKenzie, 44. Maverick Weller
Notable absentees: Leigh Montagna, Nathan Freeman
PORT ADELAIDE
1. Travis Boak, 2. Sam Powell-Pepper, 3. Jake Neade, 4. Patrick Ryder, 7. Brad Ebert, 8. Hamish Hartlett, 11. Aaron Young, 12. Jackson Trengove, 15. Karl Amon, 16. Oliver Wines, 17. Tom Clurey, 20. Chad Wingard, 21. Jared Polec, 22. Charlie Dixon, 23. Matthew Lobbe, 24. Jarman Impey, 26. Riley Bonner, 27. Brett Eddy, 28. Willem Drew, 29. Jasper Pittard, 30. Joe Atley, 31. Aidyn Johnson, 34. Will Snelling, 36. Jack Hombsch, 39. Justin Westhoff, 42. Tom Jonas, 43. Dan Houston, 46. Sam Gray, 48. Nathan Krakouer
Notable absentees: Robbie Gray, Matthew Broadbent, Angus Monfries, Jimmy Toumpas
