Bombers’ trade reality; superstar’s scary reminder: What we learned about every AFL club

After a long off-season, all 18 AFL clubs have completed their first practice match against rival clubs.

While still early, there are plenty of learnings to take into this week’s more official pre-season hit-outs and the season proper.

Foxfooty.com.au goes through a key learning for each club from their practice match clashes.

The only place to watch every game of the AFL Pre-Season live is Fox Footy, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

ADELAIDE CROWS

Tex may finally have company up forward

It’s been a while, but Taylor Walker may finally have some genuine support in the forward line if the pre-season Showdown is anything to go by. Riley Thilthorpe has been a slow burn as he grows into his frame, but the 21-year-old was in imposing touch against the Power, taking a number of big contested marks. If he’s able to perform at that level throughout the season, it will give Walker some much-needed help in the air, while at ground level the likes of Izak Rankine and Josh Rachele will feast on the second chance opportunities. Rankine could spend more time in the middle of the ground too, making for a more dynamic Crows side in 2024.

BRISBANE LIONS

Lions might be even better in 2024

The grand finalists looked like they hadn’t missed a beat since that epic decider and appear primed to challenge for the flag yet again. Yes, it’s only February, but the Lions might actually have scope to improve in 2024 with how dominant and confident they looked in patches against Gold Coast – particularly forward of centre – despite missing a host of stars including Lachie Neale, Jarrod Berry and Tom Doedee. Chris Fagan has some selection moves to ponder – or aces up his sleeve – with Cam Rayner and Callum Ah Chee both standouts in the midfield and Darcy Gardiner impressing up forward. A side that wants for nothing with incredible depth, there’s so much to like about Brisbane this year. “(The Lions have) just got to continue on their path, their system is really strong and stacks up in September. They were a kick away from potentially winning a premiership. They were really impressive in their first hitout against genuine opposition,” former Brisbane and Power star Tom Rockliff said on Fox Footy.

CARLTON

They’re still willing to experiment

The Blues got back to their contested ball winning ways in the backend of 2023, but they still look willing to try new things ahead of the 2024 season. Most recently against Geelong, the Blues looked intent on taking the game on and moving the ball quickly, something markedly different to the style of game that was on show for large parts of last season. It didn’t exactly pay off in spades, but it did signal Michael Voss is keen on seeing what the Blues are capable of adding to their game as they look to go a couple of steps further in 2024. Realistically we didn’t learn a heap about them, but that was worth noting.

COLLINGWOOD

McStay replacements impress … but no clear standout

Reef McInnes and Ash Johnson have been talked up over the summer as key contenders to fill the Dan McStay key forward void for the reigning premiers. Well, against North Melbourne, both players produced some big moments, but neither really emerged as a clear frontrunner. McInnes looked on early with several highlights, crashing packs and kicking two goals in the opening term. Conversely, Johnson started slow bot got better as the day went on. Based on reports out of Collingwood HQ over the pre-season, you sense McInnes might just be slightly ahead in the pecking order right now. But missing nine premiership stars against the Roos, this Magpies side, when healthy will be seriously tough to crack into. It’s clearly going to be an important role for Craig McRae’s side to fill in its bid to go back-to-back.

ESSENDON

The gloss of the trade period can only do so much

It was a pre-season game, but Essendon’s meek showing against St Kilda wasn’t exactly what Dons fans would’ve envisaged given all four of their marquee recruits were out on the park. To be fair, there were glimpses of potential, with Jade Gresham setting up some scores early and showing off his footy acumen. Still, they were picked apart on turnover and the addition of Ben McKay wasn’t enough to shore up a back six that gets let down by a lack of defence further up the ground. The Bombers could simply be dusting off cobwebs ahead of the season proper, but given the optimism that has accompanied their pre-season and new-found fitness levels, it was far from an ideal start to 2024.

FREMANTLE DOCKERS

Believe the Fyfe hype

Justin Longmuir said earlier this month Fyfe is the fittest he’s seen him in his time at the club so far, but it would be easy to dismiss it as another bold pre-season statement. Fyfe’s performance against West Coast during Saturday’s practice match, however, is cause for optimism. The dual Brownlow Medal winner was back in his natural habitat in the midfield, but more importantly looked confident in his body, with the results impressive. He set up a couple of goals early and looked assured with virtually all of his possessions, of which there were many on the night. Fyfe looks ready to recapture some of his best form in the twilight of his career and it adds a distinct edge to the Dockers’ midfield brigade, which looks fierce with him in it. What it means for fellow contested beasts like Will Brodie remains to be seen, but the competition for spots can only mean good things for Fremantle.

GEELONG CATS

Holmes’ halfback move an early winner

It’s not a bad idea to expand your repertoire in a contract year, which is exactly what Max Holmes looked poised to do. Holmes was played primarily as a halfback against Carlton, having spent time forward of centre and on the ball in previous years. There were very good signs from the 21-year-old, who could come into his own with Tom Stewart slated to spend more time in the middle of the ground. Geelong looks set to tinker slightly with their existing mix and Holmes looms large as a player they’ll be desperate to keep given his age, ability and versatility. How he performs this season is set to play a part in how high his price tag soars.

GOLD COAST SUNS

Veteran forward still has plenty to offer

There’s been a lot made of Gold Coast’s potential changes under Damien Hardwick this year and where he can take the budding list. But one of the Suns’ less talked about senior players – Levi Casboult – showed he still has plenty to offer in a brilliant five-goal performance against Brisbane. Though Casboult did most of his work against the Lions’ younger/VFL players later in the seven-period game – to potentially signal where he stands in the pecking order – the 33-year old looked fit and powerful, and perhaps most importantly for him, consistently nailed his set shots, which has been an issue over the years. With Casboult regressing from a career-best 35 goals in 2022 – when Gold Coast was without Ben King – to 24 goals last season, there’s question marks on whether ex-Blue would still be a regular in the Suns’ best 23 this year as the club centres its forward line around King and Jack Lukosius. A new coach brings a fresh slate for everyone though, and Casboult couldn’t have done much more to impress Hardwick.

GWS GIANTS

Last year wasn’t a fluke

The Giants may’ve lost to Sydney in the hitout, but last week proved there was a lot to be bullish about for 2024. They look to be going nicely ahead of the season and there doesn’t look to be any drop off at all from the likes of Tom Green and Jesse Hogan, who are improving on already-stellar 2023 campaigns. Aaron Cadman will be 20 when the season gets underway but is already showing signs of a marked uptick this year as he grows into his frame, which spells trouble for opposition clubs. It took the competition by storm at the backend of last season, but the orange tsunami isn’t going anywhere in 2024.

HAWTHORN

The Hardwick experiment is here to stay

Blake Hardwick has been moved forward this pre-season and it looks to be working a treat, with the career defender booting a couple of goals in the first term and looking lively in the forward 50. Small forward Luke Breust has likened Hardwick’s running patterns to Toby Greene and Jamie Elliott, which is cause for optimism among Hawks fans. With significant injury concerns heading into the season, Hawthorn needs to use the assets it has and Hardwick’s ability to play forward suggests the side’s coaching department isn’t sitting idly ahead of the season proper.

MELBOURNE

It won’t take long for Oliver to get back to his best

It’s been a turbulent 12 months for Clayton Oliver, particularly off the field. But against Richmond, he reminded the footy world what he can do the on the field. Having been slowly ramped up at training after a disrupted pre-season, Oliver could’ve been forgiven for looking an off the boil against the Tigers upon coming into the game in the fifth period with the less experienced/VFL players. But the superstar midfielder was his usual explosive self, instantly racking up a heap of the ball with a dominant presence and even kicking a highlight left-footed goal from the boundary line. While he was only competing against lesser names, Oliver most importantly passed the eye test and got through the session unscathed as he continues to build towards the season proper in a critical year for the under-fire Dees.

NORTH MELBOURNE

Future bright as new generation shines

Having loaded up on young talent through the draft in recent years, many have been bullish about North Melbourne’s future. That bright future was very much on show last week as the next generation of Kangaroos shined in a promising 34-point win over reigning premier Collingwood, albeit an undermanned Magpies side. Reigning Rising Star winner Harry Sheezel picked up right where he left off last year – seemingly everywhere you looked in a masterful performance across halfback, well supported by recruit Zac Fisher and top draftee Colby McKercher. Tristan Xerri, Tom Powell and George Wardlaw were both standouts in the midfield, while Paul Curtis was dangerous all day in attack with four goals. Indeed, there was a lot to like for Roos fans even before you get to their senior guns that played well. “They’ve been really impressive – playing really well-connected footy and it’s probably got something to do with Alastair Clarkson, just being around that little bit longer now and having a really solid pre-season under him,” Melbourne AFLW premiership star Lily Mithen told Fox Footy.

PORT ADELAIDE

New mix will take time to settle

That goes for the existing players as well as those added in the off-season. Trade-wise, the quartet of recruits all had a crack on Friday night and it looked like they were finding their way in their new side. Esava Ratugolea and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher will need some time to get used to each other in the back six, but having both out on the park ready to go is a plus. Mitch Georgiades is back after missing most of 2023 with an ACL tear and will add a fresh look to the forward line and give Charlie Dixon a chop out. In the middle of the ground, there are some decisions to be made about the best setup. Ollie Wines has returned to the engine room after a 2023 spent largely on a wing, while Xavier Duursma’s trade out means a new wing brigade is likely, with Miles Bergman one of those likely to take up the mantle there. It’s now about finding the best mix for Ken Hinkley and company.

RICHMOND

New-look forward line has potential

The forward line is an area with some uncertainty for Richmond beyond Tom Lynch – with some claiming the club has been Lynch or bust in recent years. But with the superstar forward missing against Melbourne – a top four side of the last two years renowned for its stout defence – the Tigers’ new-look attack sure looked good – 18 goals over four periods good. Shai Bolton, who’s expected to play permanently forward in 2024, led the way with four goals and Noah Balta kicked three majors in a successful first appearance in attack. Plus recruit Jacob Koschitzke fired early with two goals in the first quarter and Steely Green and Tyler Sonsie had some bright moments too with two goals apiece. While there’s only so much you can read into pre-season, new coach Adem Yze would’ve liked what he saw.

ST KILDA

There’s no plan on slowing down

Many have predicted the Saints to slide out of the top eight in 2024, with some surprised they even qualified in 2023. Judging by their win over Essendon, there’s no signs of a let-down in 2024. Even without back-to-back club champion Jack Sinclair and several others, the Saints ran amok against Essendon last week, with contributors across every line. Ross Lyon was effectively coaching with a hand tied behind his back last year given the injury woes that befell the forward line, but despite a decent-sized injury list this year things are looking more positive for the squad.

SYDNEY SWANS

Brodie is back

The former Collingwood and Melbourne ruckman did enough against GWS to prove he will be back to somewhere near his best as a full-time ruck in 2024. His ruckwork was solid up against Kieren Briggs, but his follow-up work is where he has stood out across his career and he showed that in spades against the Giants. It couldn’t be more timely with the retirement of Tom Hickey and the Swans’ desire to surge back up the ladder this season. There was also a bit to like up forward with the side scoring freely despite the retirement of Lance Franklin.

WEST COAST EAGLES

Harley Reid doesn’t fix everything

OK maybe that’s a bit unfair since Harley Reid hasn’t claimed to able to fix everything, but the hype surrounding the teenager has been and remains considerable. Ultimately, however, he’s just one of many on the field and he is going to take some time to come into his own at AFL level. He tried a couple of fendoffs that would’ve worked at lower levels but backfired at AFL level and that could likely be said of many aspects of his game as he finds his way around a senior side. There are some talented young kids for the Eagles but they were comfortably beaten by Fremantle, albeit with goalkicking inaccuracy partially to blame too. Reid coming down with a bad case of cramp late in the match was just another reminder there’s still a lot of improvement ahead for the prodigious talent, much as there is for the Eagles.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Ryley Sanders is ready to roll

With the first clearance of the match and a silky smooth finish from 50 later in the opening quarter, Ryley Sanders made good on the hype that has accompanied his pre-season. Last year’s pick No. 6 looks ready to roll whenever the Dogs slot him in, which could be immediately given the promise he showed last week. He looked to combine brilliantly with the likes of Tom Liberatore in the middle and had no trouble finding the footy. It’s very early, but he has all the potential to be footy’s latest first-year sensation.