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The wait for AFL action is over, with the Indigenous All-Stars game and the beginning of match simulations this weekend.
Watch selected 2025 AFL Match Simulations, exclusively LIVE on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer
Fremantle will host the All-Stars at Optus Stadium on Saturday night after the Western Bulldogs and Essendon play the first of eight scratch matches — all with varying formats — across the league. Games will be shown across Foxtel and Kayo.
With every club to feature across the next week, foxfooty.com.au breaks all down the match simulation details, latest injury lists and key storylines to follow for all 18 teams.
ADELAIDE CROWS
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Izak Rankine
Match simulation details: Play Port Adelaide on Friday February 21 at 5.30pm (AEDT), Mt Barker Summit Sport and Recreation Park (4×28-minute quarters with no time on).
In doubt/won’t play: Kieran Strachan (foot)
What to look out for: The rave at West Lakes heading into their first pre-season hit out of 2025 heavily revolves around three players. Izak Rankine’s role at Adelaide this season is of interest to a lot of fans across the competition, with the 24-year-old set to be unleashed into the midfield even more than he was last season in between injuries. With a full pre-season under his belt and seemingly clear of injury, Riley Thilthorpe will be of great focus for Crows fanatics — as they edge closer to life without gun veteran Taylor Walker. Unsurprisingly, Sid Draper will be the most-watched draftee from the Crows this season, with the South Adelaide product hitting the ground in his first summer at AFL level. Expect him to be unleashed through the midfield throughout the friendly Showdown clash. Both he and Rankine are expected to effectively replace Rory Laird on-ball, with the dual All-Australian instead lining up off the half-back like he so often did during the first half of his career.
BRISBANE LIONS
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Callum Ah Chee, Charlie Cameron
Match simulation details: Play Collingwood and Gold Coast Suns on Thursday February 20 at 6pm (AEDT), People First Stadium (Three matches of 2×25-minute periods: Brisbane Lions v Collingwood, Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns, Gold Coast Suns v Collingwood).
In doubt/won’t play: Eric Hipwood (groin), Henry Smith (shoulder), Keidean Coleman (knee), Lincoln McCarthy (knee), Darcy Gardiner (knee), Tom Doedee (knee)
What to look out for: Life after Joe Daniher. The Lions brought in veteran Sun Sam Day during last year’s trade period, so he could get first look as a forward-ruck option to support Oscar McInerney. Although Darcy Fort — who replaced the injured McInerney for last year’s Grand Final — has forward craft and could fill the void. Elsewhere, top Lions draftee Levi Ashcroft is a good chance to be unleashed in the ‘triple threat’ match sim — and he’s every chance to make a similar immediate impact to what brother Will achieved in his debut season, although the youngest Ashcroft is coming off a more limited pre-season.
CARLTON
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Jesse Motlop, Zac Williams
Match simulation details: Play St Kilda on Saturday February 22 at 11am (AEDT), IKON Park (4×20-minute quarters with time on).
In doubt/won’t play: Sam Walsh (hamstring), Alex Cincotta (hip), Nic Newman (knee)
What to look out for: The moves of Jagga Smith. The Blues has no hesitation declaring after last year’s draft that the Oakleigh Chargers ball magnet was at the top of their draft board, with the club ultimately ecstatic to secure him with Pick 3. Since landing at IKON Park, Smith has fitted into Michael Voss’ set-up with aplomb with his poise and deft touch, with most track watchers tipping him to be a Round 1 lock. Blues fans will get their first look at Smith against a rival AFL team next weekend, while returning club favourite Jack Silvagni is a good chance to be unleashed in a new defensive role.
COLLINGWOOD
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Bobby Hill, Ash Johnson
Match simulation details: Play Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns on Thursday February 20 at 6pm (AEDT), People First Stadium (Three matches of 2×25-minute periods: Brisbane Lions v Collingwood, Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns, Gold Coast Suns v Collingwood).
In doubt/won’t play: Jordan De Goey (knee), Tom Mitchell (foot), Harvey Harrison (knee)
What to look out for: Clearly classy new recruit Dan Houston — a dual All-Australian the Pies landed last year via a mega trade — will be a watch, but there’s a gran sense of optimism, too, around Ed Allan — the Pies’ first selection from the 2022 draft. Late in his second season on the list, Allan produced an eye-catching display against Melbourne, booting one goal from 21 disposals, nine score involvements and six tackles. Any hype and momentum he created in that game has been transferred onto the training track this summer. Pies assistant Hayden Skipworth late last year described Allan as “a real athletic beast being a six foot three mid who can run at speed”. A big opportunity for Allan to impress in the triple threat match.
ESSENDON
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Jade Gresham,
Match simulation details: Play Western Bulldogs on Saturday February 15 at 2pm (AEDT), Mission Whitten Oval (4×30-minute quarters with no time on).
In doubt/won’t play: Sam Durham (ribs), Darcy Parish (back), Jordan Ridley (hamstring), Ben McKay (ankle), Matt Guelfi (hamstring), Archer Day-Wicks (toe), Jayden Nguyen (knee), Alwyn Davey Jr (knee), Zak Johnson (shoulder)
What to look out for: The new ‘dynamic duo’. At last year’s draft combine, Isaac Kako opened up to foxfooty.com.au about his tight bond with fellow Parade College graduate Nate Caddy, saying: “We were a dynamic duo back in high school kicking bags of goals together.” Now they’re sharing the same forward line at Essendon. An electric small forward with elite goal sense and speed, Kako fills a small forward chasm at the Bombers, while mobile forward Caddy has significantly improved his aerobic capacity to compliment his breathtaking ability in the air. You sense these two are going to be brining Essendon fans through the turnstiles for many years to come.
FREMANTLE
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Shai Bolton, Michael Walters
Match simulation details: Play Indigenous All-Stars on Saturday February 15 at 7.30pm (AEDT), Optus Stadium.
In doubt/won’t play: Alex Pearce (ankle), Sean Darcy (ankle), Nat Fyfe (knee), Hayden Young (hamstring)
What to look out for: The ruck set-up. With Sean Darcy sidelined due to injury, Liam Reidy is set to lead the Dockers in the ruck, with forward-ruck Luke Jackson as the back-up. That will allow Josh Treacy — one of the most hyped Dockers players over the off-season — to focus purely on his forward craft. Melbourne champion Garry Lyon late last year said Treacy “can be the best forward in the game”. Elsewhere, it’ll be a touch jarring watching Bolton and Walters go up against their teammates. And don’t expect them to hold back, with both players looking sharp at Fremantle training this week, according to track watchers.
GEELONG CATS
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Tyson Stengle, Lawson Humphries
Match simulation details: Play Hawthorn on Monday February 17 at 2pm (AEDT), GMHBA Stadium (4×30-minute periods with no time on).
In doubt/won’t play: Cam Guthrie (Achilles), Shaun Mannagh (foot), Toby Conway (back), Xavier Ivisic (ankle), Jack Martin (managed)
What to look out for: There’s a lot of questions around player roles heading into the season, such as Mark Blicavs and Sam De Koning’s splits between the ruck and the 50m arcs. Also watch for the role played by developing key defender Connor O’Sullivan, who is putting his hand up for a spot to begin the season but faces a mightily tough backline to break into. Mitch Knevitt — one of Geelong’s most impressive trainers over the summer — may be trialled in a largely inside midfield role, while Ted Clohesy has big fans inside the football club and will put his hand up to play consistent senior footy this year. Elsewhere, there’s a lot of hype around Shannon Neale, who’ll have a more permanent role inside 50 this year with Tom Hawkins’ retirement, while all eyes will be on Bailey Smith to see how he fits into the new midfield brigade.
GOLD COAST SUNS
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Joel Jeffrey, Ben Long
Match simulation details: Play Brisbane Lions and Collingwood on Thursday February 20 at 6pm (AEDT), People First Stadium (Three matches with 2×25-minute periods: Brisbane Lions v Collingwood, Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast Suns, Gold Coast Suns v Collingwood).
In doubt/won’t play: Sam Flanders (back), Touk Miller (knee)
What to look out for: Forward-half connection. For all the promise Gold Coast showed last season, its inability to hit targets inside 50 cruelled its chances of winning more games and, subsequently, playing finals for the first time in the club’s history. While gun recruit Dan Rioli will play predominantly across half-back, his ball use could help set the tone for the Suns as they move the ball down the field. And as young emerging forwards like Jed Walter, Ethan Read and Bailey Humphrey receive more exposure at AFL level, the more they’ll help address the connection issue. While we’ll get our first look next week to see whether the Suns have addressed the issue over the off-season, the intensity of the ‘triple threat’ match might not be the best measuring stick.
GWS GIANTS
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Nil
Match simulation details: Play Sydney Swans on Friday February 21 at 10.00am (AEDT), Tramway Oval (4×30-minute quarters with no time on).
In doubt/won’t play: Ryan Angwin (ankle), Josh Fahey (foot), Stephen Coniglio (shoulder/face), Toby Bedford (quad)
What to look out for: How ‘The Package’ fits in. Veteran forward Jake Stringer was traded to the Giants during last year’s trade period after an impressive 42-goal season at Essendon. Stringer joins a star-studded attack featuring reigning Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan and superstar captain Toby Greene, while Brent Daniels, Darcy Jones and Aaron Cadman all loom as key forward cogs again for 2025. Stringer has had an excellent off-season, according to the Giants, with a good chance he’ll pinch-hit regularly in the midfield, along with Greene and Daniels. There’s a lot of firepower up front for the Giants this season, so how they balance everything will be a fascinating watch, especially against the Swans first-up.
HAWTHORN
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Karl Amon
Match simulation details: Play Geelong on Monday February 17 at 2pm (AEDT), GMHBA Stadium (5×30-minute periods with no time on).
In doubt/won’t play: Calsher Dear (back), Mitch Lewis (knee), James Blanck (knee), Sam Frost (foot)
What to look out for: The new-look backline. The Hawks went hard at the trade table last season, acquiring Josh Battle from the Saints and Tom Barrass from the Eagles. The star duo join the likes of James Sicily, Jack Scrimshaw, Josh Weddle, Jarman Impey and Changkuoth Jiath down back — and that doesn’t include James Blanck and Sam Frost, whose pre-seasons have been hampered by injury. Battle and Barrass will help the Hawks lock down in defence and free up the likes of Scrimshaw, Weddle and Sicily — to the point where Sicily could even spend more time in the attacking arc. Injuries to Dear and Lewis could also open the door of opportunity to someone such as five-game key forward Max Ramsden, who has been banging the door down for a senior opportunity in the forward half to begin the year.
MELBOURNE
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Kysaiah Pickett, Steven May
Match simulation details: Play North Melbourne on Saturday February 22 at 11am (AEDT), Arden Street Oval (4×25-minute quarters with time on for goals only, plus 2×3-minute scenario play at the end of the second and fourth quarters).
In doubt/won’t play: Christian Petracca (ribs), Judd McVee (hamstring), Jack Viney (ribs), Jake Melksham (hamstring), Koltyn Tholstrup (bone stress), Luker Kentfield (illness), Charlie Spargo (Achilles), Tom Fullarton (hamstring)
What to look out for: The draftees. Where Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay line up will be of intrigue to Melbourne supporters. Langford, especially, looks ready-made, with senior teammates speaking glowingly of his size and intensity at training. Lindsay has also impressed, albeit a knee injury has slightly interrupted his first AFL pre-season. Keep an eye, too, on mature-age recruit Aidan Johnson, who has turned heads this summer., The new-look forward line is worth monitoring, too. Jacob van Rooyen and Daniel Turner prepare to join forces as key targets in attack, while maligned swingman Harry Petty is set to shift back into defence. Expect to see the likes of Shane McAdam and off-season recruit Harry Sharp throw their hats in the ring to assume Kysaiah Pickett’s place in Simon Goodwin’s side while the electric hybrid serves a three-game suspension.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Jy Simpkin
Match simulation details: Play Melbourne on Saturday February 22 at 11am (AEDT), Arden Street Oval (4×25-minute quarters with time on for goals only, plus 2×3-minute scenario play at the end of the second and fourth quarters).
In doubt/won’t play: George Wardlaw (hamstring), Brayden George (knee), Callum Coleman-Jones (Achilles)
What to look out for: Who gets midfield minutes. Despite young gun George Wardlaw’s latest hamstring setback, North Melbourne is stacked for young midfield talent this season. The on-ball brigade will be spearheaded by star Luke Davies-Uniacke — who’ll be one of the big rolling trade and free agency storylines of the year — alongside Harry Sheezel, Jy Simpkin and Tom Powell. Then there’s the likes of Colby McKercher, Finn O’Sullivan and Will Phillips, who’ll all be fighting for more midfield time, while veteran recruit Luke Parker could be another option. North’s centre bounce attendees against Melbourne, as well as the number of players they rotate through the middle, will be an interesting follow.
PORT ADELAIDE
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Jase Burgoyne, Jeremy Finlayson, Jason Horne-Francis, Willie Rioli
Match simulation details: Play Adelaide Crows on Friday February 21 at 5.30pm (AEDT), Mt Barker Summit Sport and Recreation Park (4×28-minute quarters with no time on).
In doubt/won’t play: Todd Marshall (Achilles), Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (back), Esava Ratugolea (knee), Willem Drew (Foot)
What to look out for: For multiple years now, the Power have brought multiple recruits to Alberton during the off-season, with 2024 no different. Jack Lukosius is the most high-profile of the trio set to run out against the Crows on February 21. The former Sun was certain to start up forward only a week or two ago, but now with Brandon Zerk-Thatcher and Esava Ratugolea injured down back, could he be used as a temporary swingman? Joe Richards and Rory Atkins will also don the Power guernsey for the first time against their new cross-town rivals. Joe Berry will have plenty of eyes on him as the club’s first draft pick taken last November, while Jack Whitlock and Christian Moraes were also among the best 40 players in the same draft pool who should play. With Ratugolea’s injury, Jeremy Finlayson and Ollie Lord will be looking to outdo each other with the duo in a two-horse race to replace Todd Marshall up forward to play alongside Lukosius and Mitch Georgiades as the third tall.
RICHMOND
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Maurice Rioli Jnr.
Match simulation details: Play West Coast on Monday February 17 at 12.30pm (AEDT), Mineral Resources Park (4×30-minute quarters with no time on).
In doubt/won’t play: Josh Smillie (hamstring), Tom Lynch (concussion) is expected to play against Collingwood in the Community Series as he builds back his loads, Jonty Faull (back), Judson Clarke (knee), Tylar Young (knee), Josh Gibcus (knee), Mykelti Lefau (knee), Taj Hotton (knee)
What to look out for: The new kids. Few clubs have ever attacked the draft as hard as the Tigers did last November. And the reality is the Tigers will likely have to turn to several of them early in the year to make an impact. No. 1 pick Sam Lalor will play against West Coast in Monday’s match simulation, while the likes of Harry Armstrong, Tom Sims and Luke Trainor should get a good taste against the Eagles and then later the Magpies. Josh Smillie is nursing a minor hamstring strain, and while he may be in a race against time to be fit for practice hit-outs, it seems he will be in the Round 1 selection frame. Despite his interrupted draft year, Lalor has starred on the track at Punt Road, especially since Christmas. Coach Adem Yze told AFL Media: “You look at him and he is a man. He is ready to go.”
ST KILDA
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Brad Hill, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
Match simulation details: Play Carlton on Saturday February 22 at 11am (AEDT), IKON Park (4×20-minute quarters with time on).
In doubt/won’t play: Jack Sinclair (hamstring), Mason Wood (quad), Rowan Marshall (pelvis), Liam Henry (knee), Mattaes Phillipou (leg), Dougal Howard (shoulder), Alix Tauru (back), Paddy Dow (knee)
What to look out for: The young guns. It’s been a forgettable summer on the injury front for St Kilda, with an array of players enduring interrupted pre-seasons. Sinclair and Henry are both in doubt for Round 1, while Phillipou, Howard and Dow will miss the early part of the season. But amid the setbacks in recent months, there’s been a handful of standout trainers, in particular top pick Tobie Travaglia, who’ll be in the Round 1 selection mix. A versatile, athletic and hard-running player, Travaglia will likely start his career outside the centre square, but has all the potential to eventually become a top-line midfielder. Another one is Hugo Garcia, who seems well placed for more AFL opportunities in his second season. Fox Footy’s David King watched Saints training recently and said Garcia “looked good on spread and in tight”. But King’s favourite Saint is Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, writing on X: “What a player! Kid’s something else.” Wanganeen-Milera is due to play for the Indigenous All-Stars seven days prior to the Saints-Blues match simulation, so he should be right with the turnaround depending on how he pulls up from the game. If he gets more midfield time this year, look out.
SYDNEY SWANS
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Joel Hamling
Match simulation details: Play GWS Giants on Friday February 21 at 10.00am (AEDT), Tramway Oval (4×30-minute quarters with no time on).
In doubt/won’t play: Jesse Dattoli (back), Logan McDonald (ankle), Jack Buller (shoulder), Will Edwards (leg)
What to look out for: A new role for Tom McCartin. New Swans coach Dean Cox recently told AFL Media he was seeking more flexibility within his side — and McCartin seems destined for a refresh, switching from the backline to the forward line during the off-season. McCartin started his Swans stint as a forward, but has been a permanent defender across the previous four seasons. With McDonald sidelined due to injury and Hayden McLean only recently returning to main training after a groin issue, McCartin should get a good look in the attacking arc against the Giants — unless Cox needs him in the backline on the day — alongside Joel Amartey.
WEST COAST EAGLES
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Tim Kelly, Coen Livingstone, Liam Ryan
Match simulation details: Play Richmond on Monday February 17 at 12.30pm (AEDT), Mineral Resources Park (3×20-minute periods with no time on).
In doubt/won’t play: Elliot Yeo (ankle/knee), Dom Sheed (knee), Rhett Bazzo (foot)
What to look out for: The obvious answer is how Harley Reid fares in the midfield — especially with Yeo and Sheed sidelined — but there’ll be ample intrigue around how the three rival-club recruits go. The Eagles traded in Liam Baker from Richmond and Matt Owies from Carlton, while they acquired ex-Tiger Jack Graham via free agency. The trio could line up in different thirds of the ground, although Baker showed great versatility at the Tigers. As part of the Eagles’ rebuild, they’ve gone from the fourth-oldest to the third-youngest list in the competition over the past three off-seasons, so the arrivals of Baker, Owies and Graham are even more crucial. There was angst among some Eagles fans when they parted with Pick 3 to give them the flexibility to bring in all their desired players — including Bo Allan at Pick 16 — so supporters will be keen to see how the fresh faces fare first-up in their unofficial hit-out.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Indigenous All-Stars squad members: Nil
Match simulation details: Play Essendon on Saturday February 15 at 2pm, Mission Whitten Oval (4×30-minute quarters with no time on).
In doubt/won’t play: Jason Johannisen (hamstring), Liam Jones (hamstring), Anthony Scott (knee), Adam Treloar (calf), Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (personal)
What to look out for: Ryley Sanders and Sam Darcy. There was ample hype around top-10 pick Sanders this time last year — and he was eye-catching in a match sim against the Hawks — but overall he struggled for consistency at the top level in a 14-game campaign where he was sub – or subbed – five times. But all signs point towards greater opportunities in 2025 for Sanders, who’s looked classy, composed and powerful coming out of stoppages at training over the summer. Darcy seems ready to explode in 2025, impressing with his competitiveness, mobility around the ground and freakish aerial ability. Skipper Marcus Bontempelli this week happily declared he was “not going to put a ceiling” on Darcy this year. Like the Saints, the Bulldogs have endured an unideal off-season on the injury front, while Ugle-Hagan also remains away from the club due to personal reasons. It comes as the Dogs and coach Luke Beveridge face a crunch season after years of being in and around finals without delivering. As Bontempelli said this week: “Until we start playing and improving it, the talk’s cheap.”
