New season, new beginning. The AFL’s most recent premiership team, the 2024 Brisbane Lions, are guaranteed to never play again as one unit after Joe Daniher’s retirement. In fact, every AFL team is managing change. On the eve of a new season, catch up on all the positional moves with our club-by-club guide.
Adelaide
Rory Laird was a two-time All-Australian back pocket who moved to the midfield as the Crows needed him there, replicating the move older readers will remember Brett Ratten making at the Blues in the 1990s. Izak Rankine must play in the midfield regularly despite the numbers showing his presence in the centre makes Adelaide more vulnerable to opposition scores. Damn the numbers, get him in the middle.
One change they should make: Jordan Dawson has been a brilliant addition to the midfield since joining the Crows but if Wayne Milera gets fit, Dawson could use his lethal Luke Hodge-like left foot to attack while Milera can break the lines both behind and forward of the football. – Peter Ryan
Brisbane Lions
Chris Fagan will have to get creative to fill the huge void left by the retired Joe Daniher. There is no ready-made, like-for-like replacement. Eric Hipwood needs to become more physical to be the No.1 forward, Logan Morris will improve, but neither are at Daniher’s level. A small-ball forward line of Charlie Cameron, Cam Rayner, Kai Lohmann, Callum Ah Chee and Lincoln McCarthy may be the way to go.
Joe Daniher has bid farewell to the Brisbane Lions.Credit: Eddie Jim
One change they should make: The reigning premiers don’t need to reinvent the wheel, but a few tweaks of roles might give them the improvement they need to stay on top. Rayner out of the goal square would be a nightmare scenario for the defender marking him. – Andrew Wu
Carlton
After nine years as a forward/ruck, Jack Silvagni has been moved into defence, where competition is strong to support Jacob Weitering. Brodie Kemp swings forward as the third marking target to support Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay. Ollie Hollands has moved from a wing to become a rebounding half-back, a role vacated by injured veteran Nic Newman.
One change they should make: Curnow should be given the license to roam a la Jeremy Cameron. Like Cameron, Curnow has the agility and engine to play higher up the ground, and the kicking skills to set up players inside 50 and score from long range on the run. A few minutes a quarter of this would create huge disruption for defences. His interrupted summer makes this move unlikely for now. – Andrew Wu
Collingwood
The arrival of Dan Houston coincides with the decision to return Josh Daicos to half-back to have two elite kicks distributing from defence. The Magpies are bullish about the prospect of Reef McInnes as a key defender after a summer training there. Recruit Harry Perryman adds to the midfield while Jack Crisp will move out to a wing.
Collingwood recruited Dan Houston from Port Adelaide.
One change they should make: The large number of veterans should not stand in the way of getting games into Ed Allan, who showed a lot of promise in his last game. – Michael Gleeson
Essendon
The big move at Tullamarine is Dylan Shiel shifting to half-back, which should present more midfield opportunities for the club’s youth. Shiel looked good there in match simulation against Western Bulldogs, with his acceleration and kicking skills a plus. Bombers assistant coach Daniel Giansiracusa was impressed with Shiel. “He read the play really well, playing on some dangerous forwards for the opposition, and looked good in the one-on-one contests he was in.” Ruckman Sam Draper will spend time forward as he did late last year, while Harry Jones could bounce between the forward line and a wing.
Essendon’s Dylan Shiel.Credit: Getty Images
One change they should make: Nic Martin is a weapon wherever he plays – and managed to still kick goals from his defensive role last year – but it would be good to see him in a midfield-forward role. – Marc McGowan
Fremantle
Track watchers and club staff say there haven’t been any significant moves over summer. Triple Richmond premiership recruit Shai Bolton has battled a calf issue, and just how he is used by coach Justin Longmuir will be interesting. He is expected to spend most of his time forward, but on-ball bursts would be a treat.
One change they should make: Rebounding half-back Luke Ryan claimed his second All-Australian blazer last year, breaking the club record for rebounds and kicks in a single season, but imagine the damage he could cause if given a licence to spend more time forward of centre. – Jon Pierik
Geelong
Patrick Dangerfield can pinch hit in the middle and steal goals inside 50. It’s always been an option for the Cats and one they might persist with as they transition the group while making the most of their ageing but still powerful champion. Tom Atkins has been in defence before and is a bull in the contest. Can struggle aerially but is a fighter who will be once again forced to adapt to hold his spot.
One change they should make: Geelong never die wondering, so most changes happen before others imagine them. But Shaun Mannagh could be an option as a running defender using his neat kicking and pace to create overlap run, taking over Mitch Duncan’s role. – Peter Ryan
Gold Coast
Recruits Daniel Rioli (Richmond) and John Noble (Collingwood) will be slotted into the 23 somehow, forcing immediate changes as the duo give Gold Coast good rebound run. The club’s academy graduate Leo Lombard will also push hard for a spot straight up, too. Jack Lukosius (now at Port Adelaide) lost his position late in the season.
One change they should make: What’s the right way to get the best bang for buck from Mac Andrew? It’s a key question. Get him to spend most of his time in a dangerous forward position. – Scott Spits
GWS
Adam Kingsley has forecast positional switches without naming names, but winger Jacob Wehr is one player slated to try to replace departed duo Isaac Cumming and Harry Perryman at half-back. Utility Conor Stone will also play as a defender in 2025. Elsewhere, ex-forward Toby Bedford’s tagging role from late last season will transition to a full-time midfield move, while Toby McMullin is also shifting from attack into the middle. Josh Fahey will play on the wing and through the midfield this year after previously being a defender. Recruit Jake Stringer is set to perform a similar role at the Giants as he played at Essendon, spending most of his time up forward but with centre-bounce cameos.
Dynamic Giant Toby Bedford.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
One change they should make: Finn Callaghan, who is out of contract at season’s end, is already a midfielder, but it would be great to see him receive more centre-bounce opportunities. – Marc McGowan
Hawthorn
The addition of Josh Battle and Tom Barrass means James Sicily is shaping to spend more time up forward, particularly with Mitch Lewis (ACL) still on the mend and Calsher Dear (back stress fractures) hurt. Sicily is arguably the Hawks’ most talented forward – his creativity is best served inside attacking 50.
One change they should make: Josh Weddle has been superb at half-back and in stints in the ruck and up forward, but we would like to see his tank best used on a wing, where his long goals would be a highlight. – Jon Pierik
Melbourne
After an underwhelming 2024 as a forward, Harry Petty will start this year in his best position in defence, though Simon Goodwin has left the door open for him to push forward when required. This leaves veteran Tom McDonald in a tricky spot. A revelation when moved into the midfield last year, Trent Rivers is set for more time on the ball. Expect young gun Caleb Windsor to play more behind the ball.
One change they should make: Christian Petracca is Melbourne’s best midfielder. He could also be their best forward. The Dees should try him as a forward who pushes into the midfield, rather than the other way around. The rise of Rivers as a midfielder and return of Clayton Oliver gives Melbourne that option. Yes, the Dees’ midfield won’t be as strong without Petracca full-time, but the loss will be more than covered by the gains inside 50. – Andrew Wu
North Melbourne
Jack Darling coming in eases pressure on Nick Larkey and makes the Roos look more potent. Luke Parker’s arrival adds depth and ballast across the field, most likely to be more mid than half-forward. Caleb Daniel slotting into half-back will improve distribution from defence.
One change they should make: Luke McDonald will get first crack at half-back out of respect, but pressure is now on for him to hang on to that spot. Josh Goater is making a strong case not to be left out. Eddie Ford always finds a way to get a game and to play well when he does. – Michael Gleeson
Port Adelaide
Darcy Byrne-Jones, who kicked 28 goals last season, won’t revert to half-back – the position for which he earned All-Australian selection in 2020 – despite Dan Houston’s trade to Collingwood. However, the Power will experiment in defence during the practice matches in the absence of Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (acute lumbar disc injury) and Esava Ratugolea (meniscus tear), who are set to miss the early rounds. Key forward Todd Marshall (ruptured Achilles tendon) is out for an extended period, leaving Mitch Georgiades, recruit Jack Lukosius, Ollie Lord and Jeremy Finlayson to pick up the slack. Some of that group will trial down back.
Jack Lukosius playing for the Suns.Credit: AFL Photos / Getty Images
One change they should make: Playing Finlayson as a defender. They need to find ways to get Lord in the senior side, and 195-centimetre Finlayson has defensive experience from his Giants days. – Marc McGowan
Richmond
Jacob Koschitzke, who has played as a marking forward through his career with the Hawks and Tigers, has spent time in defence over summer, and played on Eagles skipper Oscar Allen in a practice match. Tigers insiders say Rhyan Mansell has been one to watch on the training track this summer. He had a strong 2024, where he played mainly as a pressure forward with a knack for scoring goals. But there are hopes he can push more into the midfield this season. Seth Campbell spent time in the midfield against the Eagles.
One change they should make: Maurice Rioli jnr has the royal Richmond surname, and knows how to score a goal as an energetic small forward. But it would be great to see what he is capable of further afield, adding to the Tigers’ midfield depth. – Jon Pierik
St Kilda
Anthony Caminiti showed grit to play forward in his first season before he was ready and then backed up with a handy season in 2024. He is resilient and can take a mark, which makes a more permanent move to defence sensible as the Saints have gaps behind the ball with Dougal Howard injured and Josh Battle departing. Caminiti needs to become an expert at locking down dangerous opponents to cement his role.
Former Saint Josh Battle.Credit: Getty Images
One change they should make: Mattaes Phillipou has made a solid start to his career, proving his worth as an early pick playing mainly as a high half-forward. He has the capacity to change the momentum of games so must spend more time in the midfield as he builds his tank and matures. – Peter Ryan
Sydney
Sydney have an immediate gap on the half-forward line thanks to the departure of club stalwart Luke Parker to North Melbourne. It’s a cherished spot up for grabs in an accomplished line-up that took the Swans to the minor premiership and the grand final. Draftees Jesse Dattoli (midfielder) and Ned Bowman (forward) are immediate options to grab the spot, while defender and the club’s academy pick Riak Andrew is also in the mix.
One change they should make: It’s hard to quibble with a pretty effective structure, forgetting what happened on grand final day. Perhaps Nick Blakey could be rotated more through the forward line, adding to their scoring arsenal.– Scott Spits
West Coast
Liam Baker is the big inclusion for the Eagles. Baker is a quality player who can play in the midfielder, as he showed at the Tigers, but will probably be played off halfback to give the type of run and carry Andrew McQualter will want from his team. His old teammate Jack Graham is a workhorse on a wing with strong two-way running. Former Blue Matt Owies finds goals and will help in attack.
Liam Baker in Richmond colours.Credit: Getty Images
One change they should make: Given the injury profile of Oscar Allen, and regardless of his contract situation and leadership, the Eagles need to be sparing with when they use him. They should look to blood a second forward-ruck in Bailey Williams or the raw but promising Archer Reid. – Michael Gleeson
Western Bulldogs
Technically, Bailey Smith’s departure from the Dogs for Geelong doesn’t really open up a spot to be filled given the dynamic runner missed the entire 2024 season with his ACL injury. But there’ll be spots in the midfield up for grabs, thanks also to Jack Macrae’s switch to St Kilda. Where former Blue Matt Kennedy finds a spot will be fascinating.
One change they should make: Cody Weightman was added to the club’s injury list this week. With Adam Treloar and Weightman injured and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan unavailable in the short term, they should expose players to time in the forward line. – Scott Spits
