Carlton will unleash seven new faces in a grudge match against Charlie Curnow and the Swans in the AFL’s season opener.
The Blues, who already confirmed Jagga Smith and Harry Dean would make their debuts, have also named five recruits including ex-Swans Will Hayward and Ollie Florent as well as Ben Ainsworth, Liam Reidy and Campbell Chesser as the club kickstarts a new era.
Sydney, meanwhile, will unearth its trio of recruits, Jai Serong, Malcolm Rosas and Curnow, in the ex-Blue’s first game against his former side in Thursday night’s SCG clash.
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The Swans will start the season without Braeden Campbell (shin) and Harry Cunningham, but Errol Gulden is good to go despite suffering a minor ankle niggle in last week’s practice match against GWS.
Carlton has opted for Mitch McGovern and Lewis Young ahead of pre-season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) signing Wade Derksen in defence to support Jacob Weitering, who overcame a rib issue sustained in the State of Origin game.
Fellow SSP signing Elijah Hollands returns after a disrupted five-game 2025 season due to off-field drama.
Carlton is still without Francis Evans (knee), Nick Haynes (ankle), Adam Cerra (hamstring), Matt Cottrell (knee), Nic Newman (suspended) and Jesse Motlop (ACL).
OPENING ROUND TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEDT)
SYDNEY SWANS v CARLTON
Thursday March 5, 7:30pm at the SCG
SWANS
B: L.Melican, T.McCartin, D.Rampe
HB: C.Mills (c), N.Blakey, S.Wicks
C: J.Jordon, I.Heeney, M.Roberts
HF: M.Rosas, J.Rowbottom, T.Papley
F: J.Amartey, C.Curnow, L.McDonald
R: B.Grundy, E.Gulden, Ch.Warner
I/C: R.Bice, J.McInerney, J.Serong, J.Lloyd, A.Sheldrick
EMG: P.Ladhams, Co.Warner, H.McLean
BLUES
B: O.Florent, J.Weitering, L.Young
HB: H.Dean, M.McGovern, A.Saad
C: O.Hollands, P.Cripps (c), W.Hayward
HF: L.Fogarty, H.McKay, B.Ainsworth
F: J.Smith, B.Kemp, A.Moir
R: M.Pittonet, G.Hewett, S.Walsh
I/C: Z.Williams, L.Reidy, E.Hollands, C.Chesser, C.Lord
EMG: T.Byrne, H.O’Keeffe, J.Boyd
GOLD COAST SUNS v GEELONG
Friday March 6, 8:05pm at People First Stadium
SUNS
TBA Thursday evening
CATS
TBA Thursday evening
GWS GIANTS v HAWTHORN
Saturday March 7, 4:15pm at ENGIE Stadium
GIANTS
TBA Thursday evening
HAWKS
TBA Thursday evening
BRISBANE LIONS v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Saturday March 7, 7:35pm at the Gabba
LIONS
TBA Thursday evening
BULLDOGS
TBA Thursday evening
ST KILDA v COLLINGWOOD
Sunday March 8, 7:20pm at the MCG
SAINTS
TBA Thursday evening
MAGPIES
TBA Thursday evening
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