AFL pre-season state of play 2024: Latest track intel and news, injury latest, position changes, Round 1 bolters, most impressive players

Wait, it’s already February? And televised footy is less than three weeks away?!

The AFL pre-season is in full swing with clubs tuning up for televised match simulations and official practice matches – with Kayo the only place to watch every morsel you’ve been desperate to vacuum up into your greedy, little footy-loving mouth over the summer.

So who’s looking good at your club, what are the big changes being made already and who’s still sidelined? Here’s everything you need to know in our mega AFL pre-season state of play. All times AEDT.

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ADELAIDE CROWS

Role changes: With Tom Doedee gone and Nick Murray sidelined with an ACL tear, the Crows will try plenty of options in defence, including Elliott Himmelberg with the forward having trained with the backline this off season. It makes sense given the club missed out on Harrison Petty despite lobbying hard to get him across from Melbourne. Himmelberg, who played in defence at junior and under-18 level, will battle for a spot with draftee Dan Curtin plus Jordon Butts, Josh Worrell, Mark Keane, James Borlase and Chris Burgess. The latter could swing either way having trained with the forwards before Christmas. Rory Sloane, while now sidelined, played off halfback at times this pre-season while Josh Rachele moved more into the midfield.

Who’s ‘tearing up the track’: After a breakout 2023 campaign, buoyed by a big pre-season, Luke Pedlar has enjoyed another strong summer which has the 21-year-old keen to power the Crows’ rise in 2024. “It’s about refining a few deficiencies that I will work on through the pre-season,” Pedlar said. “Fitness was one – I could never really get fit enough to play at the level for four quarters (until last year). I’d probably play a quarter here and show glimpses.” Keep an eye on young midfielder Zac Taylor, the 2021 draftee who has struggled in past pre-seasons but looks much improved in his third.

Injury latest: Veteran Rory Sloane is racing the clock for Round 1 after another detached retina in his right eye, while Jake Soligo rolled his ankle badly on Wednesday and is a question mark for now. Harry Schoenberg won’t be there for the start of the season as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles. Nick Murray will also continue to work his way back from a ruptured ACL. Wayne Milera re-injured his hamstring and will miss another 2-3 weeks.

Match simulation (live on Kayo): Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval, 5:30pm Friday February 23

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): West Coast at Hisense Stadium, 3:10pm Saturday March 2

BRISBANE LIONS

Role changes and who’s ‘tearing up the track’: The late finish to the 2023 campaign has given the Lions a limited pre-season and their loaded list won’t need many tweaks – it’ll be more about just getting everyone back into tip-top shape for the Opening Round showdown with Collingwood. Veteran star Dayne Zorko declared this week he’s “feeling great”. “How old’s LeBron, 40-odd? Just keep going … until I completely broke down or (Lions football manager) Danny (Daly) taps me on the shoulder, but the way I’m feeling and pulling up after training at the moment, I feel fantastic, so that’s great,” he said.

Injury latest: Lions footy boss Danny Daly has hinted Tom Doedee could even be available early in the season as he recovers from an ACL injury. Will Ashcroft is also tracking well as he looks to return from his own ACL tear. “Tommy is probably ahead of schedule,” Daly said of the former Crow on SEN. “He’s started to join in the competitive side of our drills. We’re expecting him to be hopefully available for selection by about Round 4 or 5. He’s going along really well.”

Match simulation (live on Kayo): Gold Coast at Brighton Homes Arena, 6pm Thursday February 22

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): Sydney at Blacktown International Sportspark, 4:10pm Thursday February 29

CARLTON

Role changes: The exciting return of Zac Williams means there’ll be a squeeze for spots at halfback, so who among Adam Saad, Nic Newman, Alex Cincotta and Sam Docherty will have their magnet moved? The latter has spent time in the midfield before and may do so again.

Who’s ‘tearing up the track’: Fox Footy’s David King noted Mitch McGovern is looking the “fittest he’s ever been”, while Sam Walsh also looks to have added a bit more muscle. Observers on Tuesday were impressed by draftee Billy Wilson’s speed and smarts and he could push for a Round 1 debut.

Injury latest:In a bitter blow late last month Jack Silvagni was ruled out for the season with an ACL tear, while Jacob Weitering (calf strain) is racing the clock for the season opener. Other than those two it’s been a clean pre-season for the Blues; Zac Williams is tracking well as he looks to return from his own ACL tear and is expected to be available for round one. “He’s progressing as expected,” Michael Voss told media at a press conference this month. “If we use the timeline of his injury as a bit of a guide, he should be back to full fitness in the first week of February.”

Match simulation (live on Kayo): Geelong at Ikon Park, 11am Thursday February 22

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): Melbourne at Ikon Park, 6:40pm Wednesday February 28

COLLINGWOOD

Role changes: Hard to imagine too much changing from a premiership winning formula, especially when the half-forward role filled by the out-of-position Taylor Adams has been upgraded with the recruitment of Lachie Schultz.

Who’s ‘tearing up the track’: If you listen to Fox Footy’s Cam Mooney, everyone. He revealed this month he’d been told by an insider the group has come back better than any premiership defending group he’d seen. Admittedly it’s hard to imagine someone in the club talking them down publicly in January. David King raved over Joe Richards, Beau McCreery and Bobby Hill when he visited training in mid-January while draftee Tew Jiath “does some incredible things with his movement and creativity, despite possibly needing another 1-2 preseasons”.

Injury latest: The hard-luck story of Dan McStay will see him miss the 2024 season with an ACL injury, continuing a horror run with injury since joining the Pies ahead of the 2023 season. It’s a relatively clean bill of health otherwise, despite some illness running through the club. Josh Daicos, Brody Mihocek and Brayden Maynard should all take part in the club’s pre-season games.

Match simulation (live on Kayo): North Melbourne at Arden Street, 10am Wednesday February 21

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): Richmond at Ikon Park, 6:40pm Tuesday February 27

ESSENDON

Role changes: Defender Jake Kelly is putting his hat in the ring for a move to the wing, despite recruit Xavier Duursma being earmarked to slot into that role on the opposite side to Nic Martin. The arrival of Todd Goldstein also means he and Sam Draper can split time in the forward line and ruck.

Who’s ‘tearing up the track’: Forward Kyle Langford said last week Harrison Jones is one to watch, putting together a good stretch of footy that has onlookers excited for what he could produce in 2024. Many at the Bombers have made a point of coming back fitter and attacking the pre-season with a full head of steam, with new recruit Jade Gresham one of those.

Injury latest: Star ruck Sam Draper continues to try and work his way back from a groin injury, while Dylan Shiel will likely miss the side’s practice matches amid a foot issue. Xavier Duursma is back in full training after a hip concern, likewise Sam Weideman after an Achilles complaint, while Jaiden Hunter (ACL) and Tex Wanganeen (foot) are a long way off.

Match simulation (live on Kayo): St Kilda at RSEA Park, 2pm Friday February 23

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, 5:10pm Friday March 1

FREMANTLE

Role changes: It looks like Nat Fyfe is set for a return to the midfield, training with the group this pre-season and eyeing a spot in the middle should his body allow him.

Who’s ‘tearing up the track’: Again, Fyfe is in good touch and has impressed onlookers so far, getting through sessions unscathed and looking solid as he works to return to the side and stay healthy consistently as opposed to recent seasons. Matt Taberner, after just four games last season, has been firing all pre-season with Michael Frederick suggesting it would be “scary” for opponents playing alongside all three of Taberner, Jye Amiss and Josh Treacy. Frederick added Amiss “has definitely put size on and the boys know how good he is already”.

Injury latest: Star ruckman Sean Darcy is pushing to make his return from injury in round one as the tall works his way back from an Achilles injury. Brennan Cox had a stress reaction in his fibula recently but is still expected to be ready for round one. Sam Switkowski is looking to be right for the season-opener as well after a hamstring injury.

Match simulation (live on Kayo): West Coast at Mineral Resources Park, 7:45pm Saturday February 24

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): Port Adelaide at Alberton Oval, 8pm Friday March 1

GEELONG

Role changes: The midfield let the Cats down in 2023, so could they make a massive gamble and sacrifice a five-time All-Australian defender? Tom Stewart has been floated as a midfield option with Cats assistant James Kelly saying he would “love to see it” – and he attended 22 centre bounces last year, so it’s not a completely new concept. But giving up Stewart’s AFL-best work as an intercept defender would be incredibly risky. “I know they did it after halftime (at times) last year but that’s only because they had been beaten up,” Kane Cornes said on SEN Breakfast. I’m telling you, Geelong, if Tom Stewart is in the midfield, things are going really off track … to think that he’s going to play full-time midfield is ridiculous really.” Former defender and GWS captain Phil Davis added “if you’ve got an ace of spades maybe just keep it as an ace of spades”.

Who’s ‘tearing up the track’: Premiership stars Cam Guthrie and Jack Henry were badly missed last season but have capitalised on an extended pre-season to gain full fitness. Pick 11 Connor O’Sullivan has been used in a variety of positions already as the Cats look to blood another versatile player who can perform similarly to Mark Blicavs. “He’s just an impressive kid. We heard in the lead-up to the draft that he had good leadership qualities, he is tall, athletic, he can take a really good mark, all those sort of things in his draft report, we haven’t seen anything to suggest otherwise,” assistant James Kelly said this week. Kelly also talked up surprise draftee Oli Wiltshire, from Barwon Heads, with he and Shaun Mannagh pushing for early gametime.

Injury latest: Knock on wood, but so far so good, with the silver lining of the Cats’ bottom-10 finish being an extended pre-season with plenty of time for their injury-ravaged list to recover. The aforementioned Jack Henry, recovering from a Lisfranc issue, was on a modified program before Christmas but is back at full training while midfielder Jhye Clark and ruck Toby Conway are enjoying strong pre-seasons after their issues in 2023.

Match simulation (live on Kayo): Carlton at Ikon Park, 11am Thursday February 22

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): Essendon at GMHBA Stadium, 5:10pm Friday March 1

GOLD COAST SUNS

Role changes and who’s ‘tearing up the track’: It appears Ben Ainsworth could be the perfect player for the new game style under Damien Hardwick – which he won three flags with, of course – with the 25-year-old enjoying the pace of play. “Our training has been really short, sharp and intense,” Ainsworth told AFL Media. “I’ll be playing a similar role, but with the potential to come up to stoppages, which is pretty exciting for me because I think that’s where I can get better as a player, going into the contest. The more I can do that, as well as play my half-forward role, I think I can add a few strings to my bow.” Plenty of others are pushing for spots in Hardwick’s first Suns side after falling out of favour under Stuart Dew, including Alex Davies who’s keen for an inside midfield role with a bit of half-forward thrown in. “My running numbers have improved a lot … a lot more high-speed this pre-season,” he said. “It’s a quick transition game, that’s Dimma’s game.”

Injury latest: Thankfully very little for concern here, at least until top draft pick Jed Walter broke his collarbone this past week at training, leaving the key forward set to miss the full pre-season build-up and almost certainly Opening Round as well. Lachie Weller’s return from a 2023 ACL tear will be closely tracked.

Match simulation (live on Kayo): Brisbane at Brighton Homes Arena, 6pm Thursday February 22

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): GWS at Manuka Oval, 7:10pm Thursday February 29

GWS GIANTS

Role changes and who’s ‘tearing up the track’: It’s been a very quiet pre-season after their preliminary final heartbreak, which gave them a late start to the summer. Fox Footy’s Cameron Mooney, who has joined the club as a specialist key position coach, gave rave reviews to veteran star Jesse Hogan and young gun Callum Brown after a training session last week. “Jesse is looking really fit and strong, he rag dolled me a couple of times to be honest. And ‘Browny’ is looking fantastic, he’s really strong. I know he’s still learning the game, being an Irish kid, but his ability to throw me out of the way, his strength, his body and his timing, I was extremely impressed with what he did today.”

Injury latest: Adam Kingsley would be thrilled with the club’s clean bill of health so far, with only Adam Kennedy confirmed unavailable for the pre-season games, as he’s eight months into his ACL recovery. He is expected to head into skills training in February.

Match simulation (live on Kayo): Sydney at Tramway Oval, 10am Thursday February 22

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): Gold Coast at Manuka Oval, 7:10pm Thursday February 29

HAWTHORN

Role changes: Given how young this group is, they’re still a work in progress, and Sam Mitchell appears to be spinning the magnets to find long-term roles for some very promising prospects. Fox Footy’s David King spotted Changkuoth Jiath moving from defence onto a wing last week – which he “loves”, saying the move “looks creative given his kicking skills” – while Connor Macdonald and Cam Mackenzie look in line to enjoy even more midfield time, with Bailey Macdonald shining at halfback. Defender Blake Hardwick has also spent time at half-forward across the pre-season and looks bound for a switch. “He will bring a completely different look to our forward line, I imagine more of a Toby Greene, Jamie Elliott type role,” Luke Breust said.

Who’s ‘tearing up the track’: There has been a lot of hype over Josh Weddle – Kane Cornes declared he “has the potential to be the game’s best player” – though King warned the halfback/wing needs a little more time. “Weddle’s run is terrific but just finds too many dead ends… still a work in progress,” King said. It’s the small/medium forward mix that looks the most dangerous with Jack Ginnivan and top draft pick Nick Watson adding to the likes of Luke Breust, Dylan Moore and Blake Hardwick. “Wouldn’t want to be an oppo defender denying loose ball gets – plus get your tackle technique right!!” King said.

Injury latest: You’d love Mitch Lewis to get a better crack at a full pre-season but hopefully the star forward should be ready for the practice matches after overcoming foot and ankle issues. The young gun they’re set to lose for the early stages of the season instead is Will Day, who remains in a moon boot after a foot stress fracture. Recruits Mabior Chol (knee) and Jack Ginnivan (corkie) are back to full training.

Match simulation (live on Kayo): Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval, 11am Friday February 23

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): Western Bulldogs at UTAS Stadium, 6:10pm Saturday March 2

MELBOURNE

Role changes: Expect Bailey Laurie to earn more opportunities in the midfield across the season, according to Fox Footy’s David King, after he was impressed by the forward’s work in a match simulation session last week.

Who’s ‘tearing up the track’: How good can Trent Rivers be? The 22-year-old had an excellent 2023 campaign across halfback with brief runs in the midfield and impressed King at Demons training last week, declaring Rivers “looks ready to take another leap”. He added the inclusion of ex-Crow Shane McAdam “certainly adds potency up forward”.

Injury latest: It hasn’t exactly been the cleanest pre-season for the Demons with recruit Tom Fullarton (hamstring) and Ben Brown (knee) to miss the opening rounds, Lachie Hunter (calf) in doubt for the opener and Jake Melksham (knee) still recovering from his ACL tear. Joel Smith is also absent after his provisional suspension for a positive cocaine test after a game last season. The biggest question isn’t a physical health issue, but a mental health one, with Clayton Oliver thankfully returning to training this past week. The concerns around Oliver have been well-documented, and the club even considered putting him on the trade table, but he’s just too good a player. Safe to say the Demons’ hopes in 2024 rely on Oliver starring on the field, but it’s just good for footy more broadly if he can get healthy.

Match simulation (live on Kayo): Richmond at Casey Fields, 10am Sunday February 18

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): Carlton at Ikon Park, 6:40pm Wednesday February 28

NORTH MELBOURNE

Role changes: With Ben McKay gone and Griffin Logue sidelined until at least mid-season, the Kangaroos may need to get creative to fill the key defensive positions. Charlie Comben has been managed over the summer but looks likely to move back, where he’ll compete with – or, given the lack of depth, line up alongside – new face Toby Pink and Kallan Dawson.

Who’s ‘tearing up the track’: An excellent 2023 VFL campaign has Charlie Lazzaro pushing for a Round 1 spot while draftee Riley Hardeman has looked solid in defensive roles, where he could earn a quick debut given the Roos’ personnel flaws. Colby McKercher is as close to a lock for a Round 1 debut as you can get, likely to begin his career at halfback like fellow top pick Harry Sheezel, while Zane Duursma is surely too talented to miss a role across half-forward.

Injury latest: Not exactly a great start to the year here. Scans initially revealed ex-Blue Zac Fisher had avoided a hamstring strain, but a few days ago it was revealed Fisher had indeed suffered the injury. No.1 ruck Tristan Xerri needed facial surgery after copping a blow at training while co-captain Luke McDonald (hamstring), Aidan Corr (ankle), Eddie Ford (ankle) and Jackson Archer (groin) remain on modified training loads. Griffin Logue (ACL) could be back by Round 10 if everything goes right. Thankfully Brayden George, after an ACL wiped out his 2023 plus an elbow dislocation in the gym last October, is finally back in full training and pushing for an AFL debut. Tarryn Thomas’ future is unclear over his latest domestic violence allegations, and he’s also battling a groin complaint.

Match simulation (live on Kayo): Collingwood at Arden Street, 10am Wednesday February 21

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): St Kilda at RSEA Park, 2:10pm Sunday March 3

PORT ADELAIDE

Role changes: Having replenished their key defensive stocks through the trade period the Power will shift Tom Clurey to a wing, in a last-ditch bid to find him a spot at senior level. That would allow Ollie Wines to move back into the midfield, attending just 50 per cent of centre bounces in 2023 after being there for 74 per cent in his 2021 Brownlow season. Travis Boak will claim one wing with Josh Sinn, Jase Burgoyne, Jackson Mead, Hugh Jackson and Clurey fighting for the other spot (though Sinn has also spent time at halfback). “We thought we’d give Tom the time to try out the wing and see if it works for him and he’s doing some good stuff up there,” Tyson Goldsack explained in January.“If he was just to be a tall defender, we’re probably starving him of opportunities where he could otherwise get a game. If Ollie has to chop out on a wing, then he’ll do that but we’re prioritising inside mid.”

Who’s ‘tearing up the track’: Port’s new No.7 Jase Burgoyne has added 5kg to his frame and impressed with some solid gut running while being placed in the stronger team during a January match simulation, on the opposing wing to Travis Boak. That same probables-type side notably featured Ollie Wines, not Willem Drew, in the midfield quarter alongide Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Jason Horne-Francis.

Injury latest: It looks like Mitch Georgiades is well on the path back, joining the main training group on Wednesday though he was designated for no contact. Ivan Soldo got his first match simulation hitout as he recovers from a second finger surgery since the season ended. Charlie Dixon remains on the sidelines, literally, kicking and running on the fringes of the ground and hoping for a return to drills on Friday amid an adductor issue.

Match simulation (live on Kayo): Adelaide at Alberton Oval, 5:30pm Friday February 23

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): Fremantle at Alberton Oval, 8pm Friday March 1

RICHMOND

Role changes: The main change spotted by Fox Footy’s David King at match simulation on Wednesday was their game style, with Adem Yze having the Tigers prioritising longer kicking over the use of the handball. It’s quite the shift, given they effectively took over the AFL in 2017 when they avoided use by foot and embraced imperfection with aggressive, forward ball-movement. “Are they good enough by foot to play that way?” King asked. In terms of players, Noah Balta featured at full-forward during drills earlier this week alongside Jacob Koschitzke, with the defender looming as Yze’s top choice to fill the Tom Lynch void if the superstar forward isn’t fit for Round 1. Train-on players and forwards Mykelti Lefau and Mitch Schofield are also in the mix.

Who’s ‘tearing up the track’: King was impressed by Thomson Dow on Wednesday – “brilliant handball from Inside traffic to outside runners, generally #4, who was awesome as per usual” – along with mid-season draftee James Trezise. “Something there at half back – started well in the main team,” King wrote.

Injury latest: The biggest question, literally and figuratively, is Tom Lynch. He hasn’t played since Round 4 last year and his recovery from foot issues has been incredibly difficult, but he’s back running and there remain hopes he can play in the season opener against Damien Hardwick’s Suns. “We all want to get Tom out there and into the footy drills as soon as possible, but we need to understand that he had a really long period off, he had eight months without running,” Tigers physical performance manager Luke Meehan said. “He’s going to work his tail off to get back as soon as he can, but we need to be really smart and have Tom available for as long as possible this year.” Another big name was added to the injury list on Wednesday evening with Dion Prestia leaving an intra-club hitout with hamstring awareness, requiring scans. Nick Vlastuin remains in concussion protocols. Dustin Martin has overcome a minor ankle tweak while Josh Gibcus (hamstring), Shai Bolton (ankle) and Dylan Grimes (calf) are all looking likely for the Opening Round, Grimes being the only real question mark.

Match simulation (live on Kayo): Melbourne at Casey Fields, 10am Sunday February 18

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): Collingwood at Ikon Park, 6:40pm Wednesday February 28

ST KILDA

Role changes: He looked the goods in his first season but can the Saints find a way to get Mattaes Phillipou more of the footy in 2024? The 2022 top-10 pick proved a crucial mid-forward link player during training this week in a potential sign of him moving higher up the ground.

Who’s ‘tearing up the track’: How good can Liam Henry be in his first season over east? The ex-Docker has impressed those at Moorabbin and looks bound for a spot on the wing in Ross Lyon’s Round 1 side, with Fox Footy’s David King backing him to join Bradley Hill and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera as a “feature of the upcoming St Kilda season. So good to watch! All class, all high speed!” First-round draftee Darcy Wilson has joined a fleet of excellent Saints runners and looks likely to push for an early debut, while King also likes the looks of Max Heath and Isaac Keeler.

Injury latest: Ex-Carlton midfielder Paddy Dow has suffered a knee injury, though thankfully it’s not an ACL as first feared, with bone bruising to cost him around a month of training. Dan Butler (ankle surgery, Achilles) is behind schedule and was stuck doing light jogging and resistance training on Wednesday, meaning he’s likely to miss the opening rounds. Zac Jones trained away from the main group and is being carefully managed given his spotty history while Anthony Caminiti is back training fully after a hamstring issue. Max King appears to have no issues thankfully as he recovers from left shoulder surgery while Dougal Howard, Tim Membrey and Brad Crouch (despite heavy knee strapping) were back after light duties a week ago.

Match simulation (live on Kayo): Essendon at RSEA Park, 2pm Friday February 23

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): North Melbourne at RSEA Park, 2:10pm Sunday March 3

SYDNEY SWANS

Role changes: A standout across the pre-season, third-year player Matt Roberts has impressed across halfback, including during a key match simulation session on Wednesday where assistant coach Dean Cox declared he had been “phenomenal”. In a match simulation session last week Isaac Heeney appeared to spend more time in the midfield, perhaps flagging a move to get him more involved in the play after a down 2023 as a forward.

Who’s ‘tearing up the track’: He was on the undercard of Sydney’s blockbuster trade period but James Jordon gained praise from observers for his work at training a couple of weeks ago, standing out in the midfield and even leaving teammates “coming to the sidelines talking about how damaging ‘JJ’ was in the match simulation”, according to The Daily Telegraph. Errol Gulden and Chad Warner stood out in the midfield during the same session while first-round pick Will Green has already bulked up to an impressive degree. Brodie Grundy looked like living up to his All-Australian pedigree on Wednesday with assistant Dean Cox declaring he had been “unbelievable” since arriving in the Harbour City while Sam Wicks stood out thanks to his workrate.

Injury latest: Don’t expect Callum Mills (shoulder) back until midseason after rupturing his rotator cuff while wrestling with teammate Jacob Konstanty on Mad Monday, with the Swans star beginning modified training in recent weeks. Ruck Lachlan McAndrew (wrist) had post-season surgery and should allowed back into contact training in early February.

Match simulation (live on Kayo): GWS at Tramway Oval, 10am Thursday February 22

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): Brisbane at Blacktown International Sportspark, 4:10pm Thursday February 29

WEST COAST EAGLES

Role changes: Perhaps it doesn’t count because he’s never played an AFL game, but Harley Reid became one of the hottest draft prospects as a mid-forward, yet he’s tipped to feature at halfback to begin his West Coast career. Reid featured in the back six, along with Tom Barrass, Jeremy McGovern, Tom Cole, Jayden Hunt and Brady Hough, during a match simulation a week ago. Adam Simpson flagged a role similar to Nick Daicos or Harry Sheezel, starting in defence while also spending time in the midfield.

Who’s ‘tearing up the track’: Not too focus too much on Reid, but he has certainly impressed in his first AFL pre-season, including outmarking a ruckman in one match simulation moment. Former GWS ruck Matt Flynn was “the standout big man on the ground” in a match sim last week according to The West, while ex-Hawks small forward Tyler Brockman has shown flashes. Meanwhile former Eagles skipper turned assistant Luke Shuey backed the “underrated” Noah Long, who has taken his No.13, to earn more acknowledgment for his quality in 2024. “To see what he’s doing, his leadership and attention to detail, the care he has doing the little things on field – you just don’t see him make mistakes,” Shuey said.

Injury latest: Just when Eagles fans were hoping the nightmare run was over, their side copped three injuries in a week. Tim Kelly (minor hamstring strain) and Coby Burgiel (minor hamstring strain) should be fine for Round 1 but Liam Ryan (high-grade hamstring tear) will miss the opening rounds after requiring surgery. Dom Sheed (foot hot spot) has been on modified training and it’s hoped he’ll be fully fit by Round 1, while in troubling news the Eagles are sending Elijah Hewett (foot) east for specialist treatment to deal with sesamoiditis (inflammation in the ball of the foot and tendons beneath the big toe joint).

Match simulation (live on Kayo): Fremantle at Mineral Resources Park, 7:45pm Saturday February 24

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): Adelaide at Hisense Stadium, 3:10pm Saturday March 2

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Role changes: Fox Footy expert David King sighted Aaron Naughton being used “far higher up-field” than in previous years during a match simulation session on January 19, along with Ed Richards featuring “in the guts” after a terrific 2023 season at halfback, and Bailey Dale playing up forward. Caleb Daniel was also spotted in the middle.

Who’s ‘tearing up the track’: They gave up three first-round picks to move up to No.4 (which became No.6 on draft night), but so far Ryley Sanders has looked worth the move. Jason Johannisen declared the Tassie-born midfielder reminds him of “a young Libba” but with “the time and poise of Scott Pendlebury”, which sounds like a freakish mix of talents but also exactly what the group needs after a down 2023. Sam Darcy had six scoring shots during a match simulation session earlier this month, looking very solid up forward. A shout-out to Cody Weightman too, who says he’s feeling great in what’s his fifth AFL pre-season but his first without requiring off-season surgery.

Injury latest: It’s been a difficult summer with Bailey Smith to miss the 2024 season after tearing his ACL at training in mid-December, while Tim English has been a point of concern for over a month. After presenting with migraine-related symptoms the club treated him carefully, given past concussion issues, and he entered non-contact training across December and January until being cleared for full training this week. Alex Keath (sore knee) has been away from the main group but it’s hoped he’ll be ready for the pre-season games, while Riley Garcia (shoulder) should return to training soon and Lachie Bramble (shoulder) is close to full fitness.

Match simulation (live on Kayo): Hawthorn at Whitten Oval, 11am Friday February 23

Pre-season game (live on Fox Footy, Kayo): Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium, 6:10pm Saturday March 2