New Recruits Set to Shine: Predicted Round 1 AFL Debuts for Every Club

Port “would like to hire from within” | 02:46

Practice matches are just around the corner and AFL clubs are gearing up for what promises to be another thrilling season.

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But which gun recruits be there straight away? Which draftees can make an immediate impact?

Foxfooty.com.au examines how your side could to line up to start the 2025 season. Note: boldened names indicates change from our initial predicted sides last December.

ADELAIDE CROWS

B: J.Butts, M.Keane, M.Michalanney

HB: R.Laird, N.Murray, W.Milera

C: L.Sholl, M.Crouch, I.Cumming

HF: A.Neal-Bullen, D.Fogarty, B.Keays

F: R.Thilthorpe, T.Walker, J.Rachele

FOLL: R.O’Brien, J.Dawson, I.Rankine

I/C: J.Soligo, J.Peatling, S.Draper, D.Curtin, M.Hinge

EMG: S.Berry, J.Worrell, L.Pedlar

As things stand right now in early February, West Lakes has nearly a completely clean bill of health. Only reserve ruck Kieran Strachan is at risk of being unavailable for their Round 1 clash with St Kilda. Superstar Izak Rankine looks primed otherwise see more midfield time in 2025, leaving coach Matthew Nicks with a plethora of options to run through the midfield. New recruits Alex Neal-Bullen and James Peatling are both excellent options on-ball as a second rotation, as are the likes of Jake Soligo and Ben Keays. Meanwhile, a move to half-back for Rory Laird alongside former Giant Isaac Cumming will give Adelaide’s defence plenty of stability and experience. Sid Draper has hit the ground running very well since being drafted in November last year and is a great chance of debuting from the get-go, while second-year young gun Dan Curtin is also right on the cusp of playing at the senior level full-time.

BRISBANE LIONS

B: B. Starcevich, H. Andrews, R. Lester

HB: D. Zorko, J. Payne, D. Wilmot

C: J. Fletcher, W. Ashcroft, H. McCluggage

HF: C. Rayner, L. Morris, J. Berry

F: C. Cameron, E. Hipwood, Z. Bailey

FOLL: O. McInerney, L. Neale, J. Dunkley

I/C: K. Lohmann, C. Ah Chee, N. Answerth, L. McCarthy, L. Ashcroft

EMG: C. McKenna, B. Reville, S. Day

CARLTON

B: A.Saad, J.Weitering, J.Silvagni

HB: N.Haynes, M.McGovern, O.Hollands

C: B.Acres, P.Cripps, S.Docherty

HF: E.Hollands, H.McKay, M.Cottrell

F: Z.Williams, C.Curnow, J.Motlop

FOLL: T.De Koning, A.Cerra, S.Walsh

I/C: G.Hewett, L.Cowan, J.Smith, C.Lord, A.Moir

EMG: J.Boyd, L.Fogarty, B.Kemp

This is with the expectation all of Sam Walsh, Charlie Curnow and Jack Silvagni will be fit for Round 1, with Silvagni getting the nod in defence ahead of Lewis Young and Brodie Kemp, even though Kemp has been training as a forward this summer. The team is missing Nic Newman (knee – season) and Alex Cincotta (hip) due to injury, with Ollie Hollands and Lachie Cowan to take over as the rebounding half-backs, while veteran Sam Docherty could spend time behind the ball. Outside of that there’s a few tight calls – especially in the small/medium forwards department, despite Matt Owies’ departure. We’ve gone for Jesse Motlop, Matt Cottrell and Ashton Moir over the likes of Lachie Fogarty, Corey Durdin and Orazio Fantasia, but that mix could be different come Round 1.

COLLINGWOOD

B: B. Maynard, D. Moore, I. Quaynor

HB: H. Perryman, J. Howe, J. Daicos

C: S. Sidebottom, J. De Goey, J. Crisp

HF: L. Schultz, B. Mihocek, J. Elliott

F: B. Hill, D. McStay, B. McCreery

FOLL: D. Cameron, N. Daicos, S. Pendlebury

I/C: P. Lipinski, R. McInnes, E. Allan, W. Hoskin-Elliott, M. Cox

EMG: T. Membrey, F. Macrae, W. Hayes

ESSENDON

B: A. McGrath, B. McKay, J. Ridley

HB: M. Redman, Z. Reid, N. Martin

C: X. Duursma, Z. Merrett, A. Roberts

HF: J. Caldwell, H. Jones, A. Perkins

F: I. Kako, N. Caddy, K. Langford

FOLL: S. Draper, D. Parish, S. Durham

I/C: N. Bryan, E. Tsatas, D. Shiel, J. Gresham, J. Menzie

EMG: J. Laverde, S. El-Hawli, P. Wright

The Bombers have had several players endure interrupted pre-seasons, including Darcy Parish (back), Sam Durham (ribs), Jordan Ridley (hamstring), Jye Caldwell (hip) and Ben McKay (ankle), but all should be ready to go for round one. Draftee Isaac Kako has impressed over summer and will figure from the get-go in a new-look forward line headed by Nate Caddy.Nic Martin can literally play anywhere, while Archie Roberts appears marginally ahead of Saad El-Hawli for a wing/half-back spot. It looks as though the Bombers will feature a two-pronged ruck set-up, with Sam Draper and Nick Bryan ahead of veteran Todd Goldstein. Dylan Shiel has flourished in a new role at half-back over pre-season and midfielder Elijah Tsatas has had the best summer of his career, with a breakout season looming. Peter Wright seems to have been bumped down the pecking order a little bit as a result of the Bombers’ new-look, pressurised forward line, while Zach Reid has been selected over Jayden Laverde in our side. Utility Nik Cox, midfielders Ben Hobbs and Will Setterfield and ex-Lion Jaxon Prior are others around the mark. Small forward Matt Guelfi will miss an extended period with a hamstring injury, while Alwyn Davey jnr went down with a knee injury. Jye Menzie could get the nod to begin with as their replacement.

FREMANTLE

B: L.Ryan, A.Pearce, B.Walker

HB: J.Clark, B.Cox, H.Chapman

C: J.Sharp, H.Young, N.O’Driscoll

HF: S.Bolton, J.Treacy, M.Frederick

F: S.Switkowski, J.Amiss, S.Sturt

FOLL: L.Jackson, C.Serong, A.Brayshaw

I/C: N.Fyfe, N.Erasmus, J.Draper, M.Johnson, C.Wagner

EMG: M.Reid, J.O’Meara, M.Walters

Not that it’s unfamiliar to the Dockers after Sean Darcy’s 2024 campaign, but there’s a different feel about this Fremantle line-up now after it was confirmed the ruck would almost certainly miss Round 1 due to injury. Luke Jackson looks the obvious No.1 ruck with pinch-hit support from Josh Treacy, but the Dockers continue to be impressed with the work of third-choice ruck Liam Reidy. Also included are top-10 pick Neil Erasmus, Sam Sturt and Michael Frederick, along with prized recruit Shai Bolton. The Dockers added Murphy Reid to a highly talented and super speedy small-forward-line, so the Sandringham Dragons ball-winner isn’t a certainty to feature straight away. Reid projects long-term as a midfielder but given Fremantle’s firepower between the arcs — and Nat Fyfe and Jaeger O’Meara already on the midfield fringes — if he gets a go in the seniors, it’d likely be forward of the ball. O’Meara, James Aish, Will Brodie, Karl Worner, Bailey Banfield and even veteran Michael Walters are among the unlucky names missing from the team. Walters this pre-season has been limited recovering from surgery anyway, so he might be in a race to be fit.

GEELONG CATS

B: Z. Guthrie, J. Henry, J. Kolodjashnij

HB: L. Humphries, S. De Koning, T. Stewart

C: M. Knevitt, P. Dangerfield, O. Dempsey

HF: G. Miers, S. Neale, S. Mannagh

F: T. Stengle, J. Cameron, O. Henry

FOLL: R. Stanley, M. Holmes, B. Smith

I/C: T. Atkins, B. Close, T. Bruhn, M. Blicavs, M. Duncan

EMG: J. Bowes, J. Martin, C. O’Sullivan

GOLD COAST SUNS

B: M.Andrew, S.Collins, B.Uwland

HB: D.Rioli, C.Ballard, J.Noble

C: S.Clohesy, N.Anderson, L.Weller

HF: B.Ainsworth, E.Read, B.Humphrey

F: B.Long, B.King, J.Rogers

FOLL: J.Witts, M.Rowell, T.Miller

I/C: W.Graham, L.Lombard, T.Berry, C.Budarick, W.Powell

EMG: E. Himmelberg, A.Davies, D.Swallow

GWS GIANTS

B: H.Himmelberg, S.Taylor, C.Idun

HB: L.Whitfield, J.Buckley, L.Ash

C: F.Callaghan, T.Green, X.O’Halloran

HF: B.Daniels, A.Cadman, T.Greene

F: D.Jones, J.Hogan, J.Stringer

FOLL: K.Briggs, S.Coniglio, J.Kelly

I/C: C.Ward, J.Wehr, T.Bedford, L.Aleer, J.Leake

EMG: C.Stone, L.Keeffe, O.Hannaford

HAWTHORN

B: J. Battle, T. Barrass, J. Scrimshaw

HB: J. Impey, J. Sicily, J. Weddle

C: K. Amon, W. Day, M. D’Ambrosio

HF: D. Moore, M. Chol, N. Watson

F: B. Hardwick, M. Ramsden, J. Ginnivan

FOLL: L. Meek, J. Newcombe, J. Worpel

I/C: C. Macdonald, C. Mackenzie, J. Gunston, C. Nash, C. Jiath

EMG: L. Breust, F. Maginness, H. Morrison

Josh Battle and Tom Barrass were the key additions over the off-season and will immediately bolster Hawthorn’s backline. That means veteran defender Sam Frost, who is on the comeback from a foot injury, misses out on this best 23. Mitch Lewis (ACL) and Calsher Dear (back) will eventually return from injury in the forward half, but Max Ramsden gets an opportunity to begin with in their absence. Tough nut Blake Hardwick looks set to spend more time forward in 2025, while the likes of Changkuoth Jiath and Conor Nash have been preferred to Josh Ward, Finn Maginness and Harry Morrison. Veteran Jack Gunston has had a strong summer and will be crucial in the absence of Lewis and Dear, while small forward Luke Breust will also have a role to play at different stages of the season. Captain James Sicily has shown he can be effective at either end of the ground and remains an intriguing watch all season.

MELBOURNE

B: J.Lever, T.McDonald, J.McVee

HB: T.Rivers, S.May, C.Salem

C: E.Langdon, J.Viney, C.Windsor

HF: K.Chandler, D.Turner, H.Langford

F: C.Spargo, J.van Rooyen, B.Fritsch

FOLL: M.Gawn, C.Petracca, C.Oliver

I/C: J.Bowey, T. Sparrow, H.Petty, X.Lindsay, S.McAdam

EMG: J.Billings, B.Laurie, B. Howes

Demons senior players have spoken glowingly of first-round draft picks Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay, who each appear a more-than-likely chance of earning Round 1 debuts. And while they project long-term as on-ball accumulators, it seems they will start their careers largely forward of the ball. Unfortunately, second-year forward Koltyn Tholstrup — tipped to play a role in filling Alex Neal-Bullen’s void — will miss up to three months after falling victim to a bone-stress injury. And with Kysaiah Pickett out of action for the first three weeks due to suspension, Charlie Spargo, after an Achilles issue cruelled his 2024 campaign, could be set for a revitalising 2025, while Shane McAdam has promisingly strung weeks together this pre-season after an injury-hampered beginning to his Melbourne career. Veteran Jake Melksham is likely to miss the start of the season with a hamstring injury. Mature-ager Aidan Johnson has his fans this pre-season and will act as necessary depth, while third-year key defender Jed Adams has impressed skipper Max Gawn but might not get a look-in until later in the year or if injury strikes.

NORTH MELBOURNE

B: J. Archer, G. Logue, A. Corr

HB: C. Daniel, C. Comben, C. McKercher

C: F. O’Sullivan, T. Powell, B. Scott

HF: L. Parker, N. Larkey, J. Simpkin

F: P. Curtis, J. Darling, C. Zurhaar

FOLL: T. Xerri, L. Davies-Uniacke, H. Sheezel

I/C: W. Phillips, E. Ford, Z. Fisher, Z. Duursma, D. Tucker

EMG: L. McDonald, K. Dawson, R. Hansen jnr

A hamstring injury to young midfielder George Wardlaw is a big blow as the practice matches approach. Former Bulldog Caleb Daniel will slot straight in at half-back, while ex-Swan Luke Parker is likely to split his time between the midfield and forward line. Former Eagle Jack Darling wins a spot in the forward line, edging out Brynn Teakle and Toby Pink. With Wardlaw on the sidelines, Tom Powell and Will Phillips are likely to see more midfield minutes, too. Former captain Luke McDonald could be a victim of the youth movement, but keep an eye on prized draftee Finn O’Sullivan who has played on a wing throughout pre-season. Key defender Kallan Dawson is another unlucky omission, largely due to the emergence of Charlie Comben as a defender and the fitness of Griffin Logue and Aidan Corr. The likes of Robert Hansen jnr, Dylan Stephens, Riley Hardeman, Wil Dawson, Miller Bergman and Jacob Konstanty are other names in the mix. Elsewhere, Brayden George (ACL) and Callum Coleman-Jones (Achilles) are on the comeback trail from injury, while defender Josh Goater has a possible hamstring concern.

PORT ADELAIDE

B: M.Bergman, B.Zerk-Thatcher, L.Jones

HB: J.Burgoyne, A.Aliir, J. Sinn

C: T.Boak, W.Drew, K.Farrell

HF: J.Horne-Francis, J.Lukosius, J.Richards

F: W.Rioli, E.Ratugolea, M.Georgiades

FOLL: J.Sweet, Z.Butters, C.Rozee

I/C: O.Wines, S.Powell-Pepper, D.Byrne-Jones, J.Mead, J.Berry

EMG: L.Evans, J.Finlayson, O.Lord

Undoubtedly the biggest selection question at Alberton heading into Round 1, is who replaces Todd Marshall? And in addition, how many tall forwards will they play? Marshall will miss an extended period with a ruptured Achilles, meaning all of Esava Ratugolea, Jeremy Finlayson and Ollie Lord are vying for a position at full forward. Gold Coast recruit Jack Lukosius and young gun Mitch Georgiades will start in Round 1, but how many more talls in the front half Ken Hinkley is prepared to deploy remains unclear. Up to four key forwards were played in the one side last year before Charlie Dixon’s retirement, but a slight change in setup may be preferred this season. Last year’s first-round draft pick Joe Berry has impressed senior players since coming to the club, and is on the fringe of an instant debut all things staying equal. The naming of Sam Powell-Pepper in our best 23 is presumptuous of the gun completing his rehabilitation to its full extent before Round 1, but the signs are so far promising for him to slot straight back into the side.

RICHMOND

B: N.Broad, B.Miller, N.Vlastuin

HB: T.Brown, J.Blight, J.Short

C: H.Ralphsmith, J.Hopper, S.Banks

HF: R.Mansell, J.Bauer, S.Lalor

F: S.Campbell, T.Lynch, M.Rioli

FOLL: T.Nankervis, T.Taranto, D.Prestia

I/C: J.Ross, S.Green, S.Ryan, J.Koschitzke, K.McIntosh

EMG: K.Smith, T.Dow, L.Fawcett

With key defender Noah Balta suspended four games to open the season after pleading guilty to assault following an incident in December and the luckless Josh Gibcus still sidelined, Jacob Blight slots into defence next to Ben Miller, with swingman Jacob Koschitzke’s lively pre-season earning him a spot in the side to begin the season. Spearhead Tom Lynch should be right to go for Round 1 provided he checks all boxes in his return from a bout of concussion, and Jacob Bauer and Samson Ryan, when he rests forward, seem likeliest to join him in leading the attack. Draftees Josh Smillie and Jasper Alger are on modified programs and may miss the start of the season, but No.1 pick Sam Lalor is raring to go and appears a near certainty to earn a league debut straight away. The ACL quintet of Judson Clarke, Mykelti Lefau, Tylar Young, Josh Gibcus and draftee Taj Hotton remain some way off, but Clarke is said to be the closest of the lot to a return.

ST KILDA

B: J. Webster, A. Caminiti, A. Schoenmaker

HB: J. Sinclair, C. Wilkie, N. Wanganeen-Milera

C: D. Wilson, J. Steele, B. Hill

HF: M. Owens, M. King, L. Henry

F: D. Butler, C. Sharman, J. Higgins

FOLL: R. Marshall, J. Macrae, M. Windhager

I/C: T. Travaglia, M. Wood, H. Boyd, M. Hall, R. Byrnes

EMG: H. Garcia, H. Clark, L. Stocker

It’s already been a tough pre-season for the Saints, who have lost several key players to injury, but it could scarily have ben even worse. Gun trio Max King, Jack Sinclair and Mason Wood all went down at varying degrees during match simulation on Friday. While all three look likely to have avoided serious injury, any of them could miss their season opener. Of those that have already been ruled out though, Dougal Howard will miss three months due to a shoulder dislocation, Mattaes Phillipou will spend three to four months on the sidelines because of a stress fracture in his right leg and Paddy Dow will miss the start of the year due to a knee infection. Anthony Caminiti could assume Howard’s role in defence, while Arie Schoenmaker is also primed for greater senior opportunities. Former Bulldog Jack Macrae adds further experience to the midfield group, while draftee Tobie Travaglia and Box Hill product Max Hall are both eyeing round one debuts. Ruck Rowan Marshall will “definitely” play round one according to coach Ross Lyon but expect SANFL product Harry Boyd to also play in tandem with him. Gippsland Power product Alix Tauru is still dealing with a back problem, with former Blue Jack Carroll, youngster Angus Hastie and veteran Zak Jones are other names in the mix.

SYDNEY SWANS

B: D. Rampe, L. Melican, H. Cunningham

HB: M. Roberts, N. Blakey, O. Florent

C: E. Gulden, Ch. Warner, J. Jordon

HF: T. Papley, L. McDonald, A. Sheldrick

F: T. McCartin, J. Amartey, W. Hayward

FOLL: B. Grundy, I. Heeney, C. Mills

I/C: J. Rowbottom, J. Lloyd, J. McInerney, R. Fox, B. Campbell

EMG: B. Paton, T. Adams, H. McLean

WEST COAST EAGLES

B: R.Ginbey, H.Edwards, B.Hough

HB: R.Maric, J.McGovern, L.Baker

C: J.Graham, L.Duggan, J.Hunt

HF: J.Hutchinson, J.Waterman, L.Ryan

F: M.Owies, O.Allen, J.Cripps

FOLL: B.Williams, T.Kelly, H.Reid

I/C: J.Williams, B.Allan, E.Hewett, N.Long, T.Brockman

EMG: T.Gross, T.Cole, C.Chesser

The Eagles will be without two veteran on-ballers early, with Elliot Yeo an unlikely Round 1 starter and Dom Sheed to miss the entire 2025 season. Emerging star Harley Reid is currently on a modified training program due to an ankle niggle. However, both he and Jake Waterman (back) are expected to be fit for their home-and-away season opener against Gold Coast. Overall, it’s somewhat of a fresh start for the Eagles under new coach Andrew McQualter. Liam Baker will be a superb addition given his leadership and versatility, while Jack Graham will add a seasoned body around the contest. Ex-Blue Matt Owies will be a handful for opposition defences, while young gun Bo Allan is likely to have an impact early in the season. Reuben Ginbey and Ryan Maric have both been slated for defensive roles, as has, which means there could be a shuffling down back. In the battle for the No. 1 ruck spot, we’ve gone for Bailey Williams over Matt Flynn, but that really could go either way. Tom Cole and Jack Petruccelle are players who have been around for a while now, but could be squeezed out if McQualter chooses to blood some kids, such as Tom Gross.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

B: T. Duryea, R. Lobb, J. O’Donnell

HB: L. Bramble, B. Khamis, B. Dale

C: S. Davidson, T. Liberatore, B. Williams

HF: J. Croft, A. Naughton, M. Kennedy

F: C. Weightman, S. Darcy, R. West

FOLL: T. English, M. Bontempelli, E. Richards

I/C: R. Sanders, J. Freijah, H. Gallagher, L. McNeil, L. Vandermeer

EMG: R. Garcia, J. Harmes, C. Poulter

It’s been a tumultuous pre-season for the Bulldogs, who are set to begin their 2025 campaign with a host of big-name players. Star midfielder Adam Treloar has succumbed to a calf injury, while defensive duo Liam Jones and Jason Johannisen have hamstring issues. There is uncertainty around key forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan who continues to complete a “flexible” training program while he works through some personal issues. Buku Khamis and Jedd Busslinger appear the front runners to replace Jones, while Jordan Croft and Sam Davidson could both help to fill the void if Ugle-Hagan isn’t available. Both Davidson and Croft have also spent time on a wing throughout pre-season, so there’s a high chance that Beveridge could include both in his round one side. The Bulldogs lost a trio of key players in Bailey Smith, Jack Macrae and Caleb Daniel over the off-season, but the likes of Ryley Sanders and ex-Blue Matthew Kennedy have impressed over summer and will help to fill those holes. Draftees including Cooper Hynes, Josh Dolan, Lachie Jaques and Luke Kennedy might have to earn their way to senior selection via the VFL.