Sydney’s off-season recruiting spree sees it heading into the 2024 season opener with a new-look midfield, while Melbourne reveals its tweaks to overcome the forward flaws that cruelled its 2023 finals campaign.
The Swans will hand club debuts to ex-Demons pair Brodie Grundy and James Jordon, with third trade inclusion Taylor Adams still to miss several weeks due to a knee injury.
Callum Mills (shoulder) and Luke Parker (arm) are also unavailable with the likes of Matt Roberts (7 career games) and Sam Wicks selected instead.
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Meanwhile Melbourne is without the suspended Kozzie Pickett, plus ex-Crows forward Shane McAdam (calf), meaning Josh Schache has been named at centre-half forward where he’ll play as the second ruck behind captain Max Gawn.
It is a mildly surprising call with the Demons opting to go smaller, as Ben Brown was deemed available did not make the squad, while Tom McDonald and Tom Fullarton are both emergencies.
Top draftee Caleb Windsor and defender Blake Howes will make their AFL debuts while ex-Saint Jack Billings has also been named after just 11 games in his last two seasons at Moorabbin.
The teams for the rest of Opening Round’s games will be announced on Thursday evening.
OPENING ROUND TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEDT)
SYDNEY SWANS v MELBOURNE
Thursday March 7, 7:30pm at the SCG
SWANS
B: L.Melican, T.McCartin, D.Rampe
HB: N.Blakey, O.Florent, J.Lloyd
C: J.McInerney, Ch.Warner, E.Gulden
HF: I.Heeney, L.McDonald, J.Amartey
F: T.Papley, H.McLean, W.Hayward
FOLL: B.Grundy, J.Jordon, J.Rowbottom
I/C: B.Campbell, M.Roberts, H.Cunningham, S.Wicks, R.Fox
EMG: A.Sheldrick, P.Ladhams, Co.Warner
DEMONS
B: B.Howes, S.May, J.Lever
HB: J.McVee, A.Tomlinson, C.Salem
C: E.Langdon, C.Petracca, T.Rivers
HF: J.Viney, J.Schache, J.van Rooyen
F: A.Neal-Bullen, B.Fritsch, C.Spargo
FOLL: M.Gawn, T.Sparrow, C.Oliver
I/C: C.Windsor, J.Billings, B.Laurie, J.Bowey, K.Chandler
EMG: T.McDonald, T.Fullarton, T.Woewodin
BRISBANE LIONS v CARLTON
Friday March 8, 7:40pm at the Gabba
LIONS
tbc Thursday 6:20pm
BLUES
tbc Thursday 6:20pm
GOLD COAST SUNS v RICHMOND
Saturday March 9, 4:20pm at Heritage Bank Stadium
SUNS
tbc Thursday 6:20pm
TIGERS
tbc Thursday 6:20pm
GWS GIANTS v COLLINGWOOD
Saturday March 9, 7:30pm at Giants Stadium
GIANTS
tbc Thursday 6:20pm
MAGPIES
tbc Thursday 6:20pm
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