Swans’ glaring problem; Pies’ big selection issue: Every club’s predicted Round 1 side

Footy is nearly here, with club-vs-club match simulations on their way next week and the lone official pre-season matches the week after that.

They’ll be the final chances for players to try and force their ways into Round 1 sides – but already plenty of fresh faces have made their moves.

Foxfooty.com.au predicts every club’s 23-man squad for the opening round, taking into account injuries and suspensions.

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ADELAIDE CROWS

B: Will Hamill, Jordon Butts, Max Michalanney

HB: Brodie Smith, Tom Doedee, Nick Murray

C: Jordan Dawson, Rory Laird, Mitchell Hinge

HF: Izak Rankine, Darcy Fogarty, Riley Thilthorpe

F: Josh Rachele, Taylor Walker, Shane McAdam

FOLL: Reilly O’Brien, Ben Keays, Sam Berry

I/C: Rory Sloane, Jake Soligo, Harry Schoenberg, Chayce Jones, Josh Worrell

We say: Injecting Max Michalanney into the side straight away is a big call, but one the Crows may well back themselves in making given where they’re at and the emphasis on developing young talent to compliment the experienced core. Izak Rankine will slot straight into the side and Rory Sloane will return from an ACL injury and will get a good run at the top level to start the year. No luck for Matt Crouch, who has fallen out of favour in the senior side.

BRISBANE LIONS

B: Daniel Rich, Harris Andrews, Darcy Gardiner

HB: Keidean Coleman, Marcus Adams, Brandon Starcevich

C: Zac Bailey, Jarrod Berry, Hugh McCluggage

HF: Cam Rayner, Eric Hipwood, Jack Gunston

F: Charlie Cameron, Joe Daniher, Lincoln McCarthy

FOLL: Oscar McInerney, Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley

I/C: Will Ashcroft, Jarryd Lyons, Noah Answerth, Dayne Zorko, Deven Robertson

We say: Josh Dunkley, Jack Gunston and Will Ashcroft come straight into the side. Other additions Jaspa Fletcher and Conor McKenna may have to wait a bit longer for their spot in the senior side, but Jarryd Lyons will be up against it to stay in the best 22 if the end of last season was anything to go by. It’s an already relatively well settled side that has added at least three walk-up starters over the off-season.

CARLTON

B: Caleb Marchbank, Jacob Weitering, Lewis Young

HB: Adam Saad, Mitch McGovern, Nic Newman

C: Blake Acres, Patrick Cripps, Adam Cerra

HF: Jack Martin, Charlie Curnow, Jack Silvagni

F: Zac Fisher, Harry McKay, Jesse Motlop

FOLL: Marc Pittonet, Sam Docherty, George Hewett

I/C: Tom De Koning, Matt Kennedy, Matt Owies, Paddy Dow, Brodie Kemp

We say: Injuries to Sam Walsh and Zac Williams mean the best 22 at Carlton won’t be out on the park to start the year, but there’s still plenty of competition for spots. Oliver Hollands doesn’t look to have the frame to compete at the top level just yet and the Blues will take their time with the pick No.11. Sam Docherty is one who has been earmarked to fill the void left by Walsh’s absence, so he could get a run through the middle to start the season. Tom De Koning and Marc Pittonet may end up competing for the same spot, but Michael Voss looks set to give them both a run in the side at first.

COLLINGWOOD

B: Isaac Quaynor, Darcy Moore, Brayden Maynard

HB: Nick Daicos, Jeremy Howe, Scott Pendlebury

C: Josh Daicos, Jack Crisp, Steele Sidebottom

HF: Jamie Elliott, Dan McStay, Will Hoskin-Elliott

F: Jack Ginnivan, Brody Mihocek, Beau McCreery

FOLL: Darcy Cameron, Jordan De Goey, Tom Mitchell

I/C: Taylor Adams, Patrick Lipinski, Nathan Murphy, John Noble, Bobby Hill

We say: There are many new faces at Collingwood, so fitting them all in will be hard. Darcy Cameron should be all good to play in round one despite a hamstring setback at training, so the juggling act between he and Mason Cox looks set to continue. Adding to the competition for key position spots is Billy Frampton, but we can’t find room for him at the moment. Tom Mitchell and Dan McStay will come straight into the side and Bobby Hill should get a good run.

ESSENDON

B: Jordan Ridley, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Jayden Laverde

HB: Andy McGrath, Jake Kelly, Mason Redman

C: Nic Martin, Dylan Shiel, Dyson Heppell

HF: Archie Perkins, Sam Weideman, Matt Guelfi

F: Jake Stringer, Peter Wright, Kyle Langford

FOLL: Sam Draper, Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish

I/C: Will Setterfield, Jye Caldwell, Harrison Jones, Nick Hind, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti

We say: Do the Bombers thrown Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti straight back into the senior side? It would be tempting, but perhaps the sub role could be perfect for him in round one at least. The midfield core will be added to by Will Setterfield in the early stages of the season, while Nic Martin has done more than enough to cement himself in the side. Elijah Tsatas is recovering from a knee injury and there’ll be no rush on the teenager. Sam Weideman has impressed so far in pre-season at his new club and looks to be the go-to target rather than Harrison Jones at the moment, but how that works will be found out as the season progresses.

FREMANTLE

B: Luke Ryan, Brennan Cox, Heath Chapman

HB: Hayden Young, Alex Pearce, Jordan Clark

C: Nathan O’Driscoll, Andrew Brayshaw, Liam Henry

HF: Nat Fyfe, Luke Jackson, Michael Frederick

F: Lachie Schultz, Matt Taberner, Michael Walters

FOLL: Sean Darcy, Caleb Serong, Jaeger O’Meara

I/C: Jye Amiss, Will Brodie, Brandon Walker, Sam Switkowski, Nathan O’Driscoll

We say: They lost a few players in the off-season, but the additions of Luke Jackson and Jaeger O’Meara are tantalising for the Dockers. Liam Henry has shown his capability on a wing, as has Nathan O’Driscoll, so the spots are there in the absence of Blake Acres. It’s surprising given his 2022 season, but Will Brodie faces a tough task locking down a spot in the midfield purely because of the sheer weight of numbers there and the fact many boast more variety and a bigger tank than him.

GEELONG CATS

B: Jake Kolodjashnij, Jack Henry, Sam De Koning

HB: Zach Tuohy, Tom Stewart, Jed Bews

C: Mitch Duncan, Patrick Dangerfield, Max Holmes

HF: Isaac Smith, Jeremy Cameron, Brad Close

F: Tyson Stengle, Esava Ratugolea, Gary Rohan

FOLL: Rhys Stanley, Cam Guthrie, Mark Blicavs

I/C: Zach Guthrie, Tom Atkins, Mark O’Connor, Brandon Parfitt, Tanner Bruhn

We say: Tom Hawkins won’t be out there for the opening rounds of the season as he recovers from injury, so the time is now if Esava Ratugolea wants to finally realise his potential, even though he has been played largely in defence recently. Chris Scott could pull a surprise and swap him with Jack Henry, who has been training as a forward in recent weeks. Elsewhere, it’s hard to drop anyone on form given last year’s final game resulted in a premiership. Tanner Bruhn could get a run in the substitute role and Ollie Henry could try and push for a forward spot while Hawkins is out, but it’s a tough, tough side to crack into.

GOLD COAST SUNS

B: Sean Lemmens, Sam Collins, Ben Long

HB: Charlie Ballard, Caleb Graham, Jy Farrar

C: Brandon Ellis, Touk Miller, Elijah Hollands

HF: Joel Jeffrey, Mabior Chol, Ben Ainsworth

F: Malcolm Rosas, Ben King, Nick Holman

FOLL: Jarrod Witts, Matt Rowell, Noah Anderson

I/C: David Swallow, Jack Lukosius, Sam Flanders, Lachie Weller, Charlie Constable

We say: Bailey Humphrey was dealing with a knee issue over the pre-season, but may miss out of an abundance of caution from the Suns. Lachie Weller has barely put a foot wrong in his recovery from an ACL injury and could well be in the frame for a round one return. Charlie Constable found it difficult to break into the senior side but heading into 2023 he is playing a role in defence.

GWS GIANTS

B: Isaac Cumming, Sam Taylor, Connor Idun

HB: Lachie Whitfield, Phil Davis, Nick Haynes

C: Harry Perryman, Josh Kelly, Lachie Ash

HF: Brent Daniels, Harry Himmelberg, Daniel Lloyd

F: Toby Greene, Jesse Hogan, Toby Bedford

FOLL: Braydon Preuss, Stephen Coniglio, Tom Green

I/C: Finn Callaghan, Callan Ward, Jacob Wehr, Adam Kennedy, Jake Riccardi

We say: Harry Himmelberg looks set to play forward in 2023, so Phil Davis could slot back in seamlessly, although Leek Aleer has been looking good this pre-season. Jake Riccardi may have to settle for a sub role early and do more to solidify his spot in the senior side. The midfield core still looks virtually the same as last year despite the losses of Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper. Aaron Cadman won’t be rushed despite his immense talent.

HAWTHORN

B: Blake Hardwick, James Sicily, James Blanck

HB: Changkuoth Jiath, Sam Frost, Will Day

C: Cameron Mackenzie, Josh Ward, Karl Amon

HF: Dylan Moore, Jacob Koschitzke, Connor Macdonald

F: Luke Breust, Lloyd Meek, Fergus Greene

FOLL: Ned Reeves, Jai Newcombe, Chad Wingard

I/C: James Worpel, Jarman Impey, Jack Scrimshaw, Finn Maginness

We say: Hawthorn’s senior side is going to look drastically different in 2023 given the number of departures from the 2022 side. A lot of youngsters will get a run. There’s some intrigue in terms of key defensive roles, but Sam Frost and James Blanck look to be the choice defenders over the likes of Denver Grainger-Barrass. Mitch Lewis will miss a fair chunk of the season with a sprained ACL, while Karl Amon slots straight onto the wing.

MELBOURNE

B: Harrison Petty, Steven May, Michael Hibberd

HB: Angus Brayshaw, Jake Lever, Jake Bowey

C: Ed Langdon, Jack Viney, Lachie Hunter

HF: Alex Neal-Bullen, Tom McDonald, Kysaiah Pickett

F: Jacob Van Rooyen, Max Gawn, Bayley Fritsch

FOLL: Brodie Grundy, Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca

I/C: James Jordon, Charlie Spargo, Tom Sparrow, Trent Rivers, Kade Chandler

We say: And so the Gawn / Grundy combo begins. It’s probably between Trent Rivers and Jake Bowey for a spot in defence while Christian Salem gets himself right. There’s a lot of buzz around Jacob Van Rooyen and he could be the pick over Ben Brown. Lachie Hunter should slot in on the opposite wing to Ed Langdon, but other than that it’s a settled lineup.

NORTH MELBOURNE

B: Josh Goater, Griffin Logue, Lachie Young

HB: Luke McDonald, Ben McKay, Jack Ziebell

C: Bailey Scott, Ben Cunnington, Liam Shiels

HF: Jaidyn Stephenson, Callum Coleman-Jones, Cam Zurhaar

F: Harry Sheezel, Nick Larkey, Paul Curtis

FOLL: Todd Goldstein, Jy Simpkin, Luke Davies-Uniacke

I/C: Tom Powell, Will Phillips, Curtis Taylor, Hugh Greenwood, Tristan Xerri

We say: Good luck picking a settled side with any certainty. Alastair Clarkson is sure to have some ideas about personnel and role changes; and you’d think he brought Liam Shiels and Dan Howe across from Hawthorn with a plan in mind. Jaidyn Stephenson is in this side but would want to perform early after middling performances throughout last season. Hugh Greenwood and Ben Cunnington are both in here, but whether they’re able to play consistently in the same side is a challenge Clarkson will face. Tristan Xerri and Todd Goldstein will likely share the ruck load again, but Goldstein should be the go-to option as long as he continues playing at the level he is. Pick 4 George Wardlaw won’t be ready for Round 1 and we’ve left Darcy Tucker and Aidan Corr out with the most recent reports saying they won’t be either.

PORT ADELAIDE

B: Darcy Byrne-Jones, Tom Clurey, Tom Jonas

HB: Dan Houston, Aliir Aliir, Ryan Burton

C: Kane Farrell, Ollie Wines, Miles Bergman

HF: Orazio Fantasia, Todd Marshall, Jason Horne-Francis

F: Junior Rioli, Charlie Dixon, Sam Powell-Pepper

FOLL: Scott Lycett, Zak Butters, Connor Rozee

I/C: Travis Boak, Riley Bonner, Willem Drew, Mitch Georgiades, Xavier Duursma

We say: Jason Horne-Francis and Junior Rioli come straight into the lineup, while up forward Jeremy Finlayson’s return will be delayed by a syndesmosis injury. Xavier Duursma has sub written all over him at the moment and it’s up to him to change that and get back into the best 22 to join Zak Butters and Connor Rozee, both of whom look set for permanent onballer roles. Trent McKenzie is unlucky to miss out but you suspect there’ll be openings throughout the season, while Kane Farrell and Riley Bonner may split the load on the wing to cover for the loss of Karl Amon.

RICHMOND

B: Dylan Grimes, Robbie Tarrant, Nathan Broad

HB: Nick Vlastuin, Noah Balta, Dan Rioli

C: Kamdyn McIntosh, Jacob Hopper, Marlion Pickett

HF: Tim Taranto, Jack Riewoldt, Shai Bolton

F: Noah Cumberland, Tom Lynch, Maurice Rioli Jr

FOLL: Toby Nankervis, Dion Prestia, Dustin Martin

I/C: Liam Baker, Jayden Short, Trent Cotchin, Tyler Sonsie, Hugo Ralphsmith

We say: That Richmond midfield all of a sudden has plenty of depth. In fact, the whole side looks to have a fair bit of selection pressure, with Josh Gibcus sure to challenge for a return once he overcomes a hamstring concern and Ivan Soldo waiting in the wings behind Toby Nankervis and Ben Miller. Judson Clarke isn’t in here but is another who should be pushing for a spot. Jack Graham’s job getting back into the senior side hasn’t been made any easier by the arrivals, ditto Jack Ross. Hugo Ralphsmith is a likely sub to start the season.

ST KILDA

B: Ben Paton, Dougal Howard, Callum Wilkie

HB: Jack Sinclair, Josh Battle, Hunter Clark

C: Dan McKenzie, Brad Crouch, Bradley Hill

HF: Marcus Windhager, Mitch Owens, Mason Wood

F: Dan Butler, Tim Membrey, Jack Higgins

FOLL: Rowan Marshall, Jack Steele, Jade Gresham

I/C: Zaine Cordy, Zac Jones, Seb Ross, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mattaes Phillipou

We say: Plenty for Ross Lyon to consider in his first year back at the club, with quite a few versatile magnets he could decide to spin, such as Bradley Hill, Hunter Clark and Mason Wood. But the most pressing issues are up forward where Jack Hayes won’t be ready until a few weeks into the season, while Max King will be out even longer with his reconstructed shoulder, while even backup options like Matt Allison and Josh Eyre (who was a contender to be signed this pre-season) went down hurt. Mitch Owens surprisingly has spent much of his 2023 as a near-permanent forward while Josh Battle is the other contender to swing into the front six, though he’s important down back – unless Zaine Cordy takes his spot there? Mattaes Phillipou has impressed this pre-season and looks likely to earn an early chance while Liam Stocker is in the mix for a backline spot.

SYDNEY SWANS

B: Dane Rampe, Tom McCartin, Robbie Fox

HB: Nick Blakey, Paddy McCartin, Jake Lloyd

C: Dylan Stephens, Callum Mills, Justin McInerney

HF: Isaac Heeney, Sam Reid, Will Hayward

F: Tom Papley, Lance Franklin, Ryan Clarke

FOLL: Tom Hickey, Chad Warner, Luke Parker

I/C: James Rowbottom, Logan McDonald, Oliver Florent, Errol Gulden, Peter Ladhams

We say: The major injury questions among best 23 candidates surround Nick Blakey, who may miss the Swans’ pre-season games with glandular fever, and Ryan Clarke, who suffered a hamstring strain three weeks ago, while Sam Reid, Lance Franklin and Tom Hickey are also working their ways back. We’ve named all five despite the concerns. Could top-20 pick Jacob Konstanty force his way into the Round 1 side? He models his game on Tom Papley and has impressed with his forward pressure across the pre-season. Otherwise this is a very stable group and the club’s confidence in its players is shown by how few changes they made across the off-season. Sam Reid’s impressive 2022 sees him hold his spot ahead of young Logan McDonald, though ideally for the future of the club the latter will force his way into the 18.

WEST COAST EAGLES

B: Shannon Hurn, Tom Barrass, Tom Cole

HB: Reuben Ginbey, Jeremy McGovern, Luke Shuey

C: Andrew Gaff, Tim Kelly, Jayden Hunt

HF: Elijah Hewett, Oscar Allen, Jamie Cripps

F: Liam Ryan, Jack Darling, Jake Waterman

FOLL: Nic Naitanui, Elliot Yeo, Dom Sheed

I/C: Jai Culley, Connor West, Alex Witherden, Bailey Williams, Sam Petrevski-Seton

We say: How young do they go? Reuben Ginbey, Elijah Hewett and Noah Long featured in the A side in last week’s match simulation with all three in the mix to play Round 1. Sam Petrevski-Seton is being trialled forward while Luke Shuey has spent plenty of time at halfback across the summer. Word from the west is Callum Jamieson is a legitimate chance to unseat Bailey Williams as the second ruck. Liam Duggan looks likely to be unavailable after off-season knee surgery but is a best-23 certainty when fit, while Jack Darling is listed here despite his pre-season ankle injury; the club is optimistic he’ll be ready for Round 1.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

B: Ed Richards, Liam Jones, Alex Keath

HB: Bailey Williams, Ryan Gardner, Bailey Dale

C: Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore, Bailey Smith

HF: Rhylee West, Rory Lobb, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan

F: Cody Weightman, Aaron Naughton, Laitham Vandermeer

FOLL: Tim English, Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar

I/C: Jason Johannisen, Sam Darcy, Caleb Daniel, Toby McLean, Taylor Duryea

We say: So many questions to be answered with the Bulldogs’ talls; they’ve gone from a severe deficit to a surplus. Liam Jones surely plays, and Josh Bruce has been training down back having been pushed out of the forward line; could Alex Keath be the one to miss out? We have him just ahead of Sam Darcy here but would totally understand Beveridge opting for the potential young superstar, who could realistically slot into Ugle-Hagan’s forward line spot as well – though the ex-No.1 pick has been working alongside Rory Lobb all pre-season and should partner him and Aaron Naughton. Oskar Baker is the potential wingman bolter, playing with the A side in match simulations and maybe forcing his way into the best 23 after being delisted by Melbourne – effectively meaning he was swapped for Lachie Hunter. Adam Treloar has been building up fitness after ankle surgery last September and should play some minutes in the pre-season clash with North Melbourne on March 4, with hopes he’s ready for Round 1.