With the AFL 2024 season fast approaching, players are battling to get into their club's best 23.
Which players are likely to play Round 1?
The Sporting News looks at the predicted teams for the start of the AFL campaign.
MORE: AFL practice matches 2024: Fixture, schedule, dates, venues for pre-season Community Series
Adelaide Crows Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Brodie Smith | Jordon Butts | Chayce Jones |
| Half Back | Max Michalanney | Josh Worrell | Wayne Milera |
| Centre | Jake Soligo | Jordan Dawson | Mitch Hinge |
| Half Forward | Ben Keays | Darcy Fogarty | Josh Rachele |
| Full Forward | Luke Pedlar | Taylor Walker | Izak Rankine |
| Followers | Reilly O'Brien | Rory Laird | Matt Crouch |
| Interchange | Lachlan Murphy | Sam Berry | Daniel Curtin |
| Lachlan Sholl | Ned McHenry (sub) |
Sam Berry has likely played himself into the team in Round 1 with an impressive two-goal, 22 possession game against West Coast in pre-season.
With Riley Thilthorpe ruled out through injury, Luke Pedlar should come into the forward line, with Chris Burgess not figuring in pre-season senior matches.
Adelaide's defence is likely to be thin with both Mark Keane (concussion) and Nick Murray (knee) out injured.
Brisbane Lions Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Brandon Starcevich | Harris Andrews | Ryan Lester |
| Half Back | Conor McKenna | Jack Payne | Keidean Coleman |
| Centre | Zac Bailey | Josh Dunkley | Jarrod Berry |
| Half Forward | Dayne Zorko | Eric Hipwood | Cam Rayner |
| Full Forward | Charlie Cameron | Joe Daniher | Lincoln McCarthy |
| Followers | Oscar McInerney | Lachie Neale | Hugh McCluggage |
| Interchange | Deven Robertson | Darcy Wilmot | Callum Ah Chee |
| Jaspa Fletcher | Kai Lohmann (sub) |
Kai Lohmann impressed in a midfield role but is likely to be the sub for round one given his general forward craft.
Only Will Ashcroft and Tom Doedee will be missing through injury.
Conor McKenna is in doubt, with James Tunstil the likely replacement if the Irish doesn't get up.
Carlton Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Zac Williams | Mitch McGovern | Brodie Kemp |
| Half Back | Nic Newman | Lewis Young | Adam Saad |
| Centre | Blake Acres | Patrick Cripps | Oliver Hollands |
| Half Forward | Sam Docherty | Charlie Curnow | Jack Martin |
| Full Forward | Matt Owies | Harry McKay | Lachie Fogarty |
| Followers | Marc Pittonet | Adam Cerra | George Hewett |
| Interchange | Tom De Koning | Matthew Cottrell | Jordan Boyd |
| Matthew Kennedy | David Cuningham (sub) |
Injuries galore at Carlton with Sam Walsh, Jacob Weitering and Jesse Motlop ruled out for Round 1, while a swag of players are in doubt.
Opportunities will be given to the likes of Lewis Young, Lachie Fogarty, Jordan Boyd and David Cuningham.
Collingwood Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Isaac Quaynor | Darcy Moore | Jeremy Howe |
| Half Back | Brayden Maynard | Nathan Murphy | Scott Pendlebury |
| Centre | Steele Sidebottom | Jack Crisp | Josh Daicos |
| Half Forward | Bobby Hill | Mason Cox | Jamie Elliott |
| Full Forward | Lachie Schultz | Jordan De Goey | Beau McCreery |
| Followers | Darcy Cameron | Nick Daicos | Jordan De Goey |
| Interchange | Patrick Lipinski | Will Hoskin-Elliott | Tom Mitchell |
| John Noble | Oleg Markov (sub) |
Dan McStay's (ACL) position is up for grabs but not sure if Ash Johnson or Reef McInnes did enough to grab it.
Finlay Macrae is going to be right on the edge of selection.
Essendon Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Andrew McGrath | Ben McKay | Jayden Laverde |
| Half Back | Mason Redman | Zach Reid | Nic Martin |
| Centre | Jye Caldwell | Darcy Parish | Xavier Duursma |
| Half Forward | Jade Gresham | Harrison Jones | Jake Stringer |
| Full Forward | Archie Perkins | Peter Wright | Kyle Langford |
| Followers | Todd Goldstein | Ben Hobbs | Zach Merrett |
| Interchange | Sam Durham | Nic Bryan | Elijah Tsatas |
| Will Setterfield | Matt Guelfi (sub) |
Jordan Ridley's quad injury locks in Zach Reid for only his ninth game since being drafted in 2020.
Elijah Tsatas has played his way into the pre-season team with a scintillating pre-season.
Sam Draper is not ready to play so you would expect Todd Goldstein and Nic Bryan to tag team in the ruck.
Fremantle Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Brennan Cox | Alex Pearce | Corey Wagner |
| Half Back | Jordan Clark | Luke Ryan | James Aish |
| Centre | Jeremy Sharp | Hayden Young | Nathan O'Driscoll |
| Half Forward | Sam Switkowski | Josh Treacy | Luke Jackson |
| Full Forward | Michael Frederick | Jye Amiss | Michael Walters |
| Followers | Sean Darcy | Caleb Serong | Andrew Brayshaw |
| Interchange | Jaeger O'Meara | Nat Fyfe | Neil Erasmus |
| Matthew Johnson | Sam Sturt (sub) |
Plenty of players still up in the air for Fremantle, including Luke Jackson (concussion), Brennan Cox (leg), Jye Amiss (knee) and Michael Frederick (hamstring).
Hayden Young has been super impressive through the midfield, while Nat Fyfe looks closer to his best football than we have seen in years.
Geelong Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Jake Koladjashnij | Sam De Koning | Jed Bews |
| Half Back | Jack Henry | Tom Stewart | Zach Guthrie |
| Centre | Max Holmes | Tanner Bruhn | Mark Blicavs |
| Half Forward | Gryan Miers | Jeremy Cameron | Brad Close |
| Full Forward | Tyson Stengle | Tom Hawkins | Oliver Henry |
| Followers | Rhys Stanley | Patrick Dangerfield | Tom Atkins |
| Interchange | Mitch Duncan | Jyhe Clark | Gary Rohan |
| Brandan Parfitt | Zac Tuohy (sub) |
Only Cam Guthrie (quad) will be out of their Round 1 team though injury.
Jhye Clark put his hand up for selection with 17 disposals and for clearances against Essendon
Gold Coast Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Charlie Ballard | Sam Collins | Connor Budarick |
| Half Back | Joel Jeffrey | Mac Andrew | Wil Powell |
| Centre | Brandon Ellis | Matt Rowell | Brayden Fiorini |
| Half Forward | Ben Ainsworth | Jack Lukosius | Bailey Humphrey |
| Full Forward | Nick Holman | Ben King | Malcolm Rosas |
| Followers | Jarrod Witts | Noah Anderson | Touk Miller |
| Interchange | Sam Flanders | Darcy Macpherson | Sean Lemmens |
| Alex Davies | Alex Sexton (sub) |
The Suns looked like a work in progress during pre-season as they get used to new coach Damien Hardwick.
Ben King played in the most recent practice match and should be ready to go.
Jed Walter (collarbone) is the only known injury currently.
GWS Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Jack Buckley | Sam Taylor | Connor Idun |
| Half Back | Lachie Ash | Harry Himmelberg | Lachie Whitfield |
| Centre | Finn Callaghan | Tom Green | Harry Perryman |
| Half Forward | Toby Bedford | Jake Riccardi | Brent Daniels |
| Full Forward | Callum Brown | Jesse Hogan | Toby Greene |
| Followers | Kieren Briggs | Josh Kelly | Stephen Coniglio |
| Interchange | Isaac Cumming | Callan Ward | Aaron Cadman |
| Xavier O'Halloran | Ryan Angwin (sub) |
Harry Perryman, Finn Callaghan and Isaac Cumming are all in doubt for Opening Round.
Darcy Jones could make his debut despite missing pre-season matches with a knee problem and tonsillitis.
Hawthorn Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Blake Hardwick | Sam Frost | James Sicily |
| Half Back | Jarman Impey | Josh Weddle | Jack Scrimshaw |
| Centre | Cam McKenzie | James Worpel | Karl Amon |
| Half Forward | Dylan Moore | Mabior Chol | Josh Ward |
| Full Forward | Jack Ginnivan | Mitch Lewis | Luke Breust |
| Followers | Ned Reeves | Jai Newcombe | Conor Nash |
| Interchange | Jack Gunston | Connor Macdonald | Massimo D'Ambrosio |
| Finn Maginness | Sam Butler (sub) |
Hawthorn will be missing three key position defensive options in James Blanck (ACL), Denver Grainger-Baras (toe) and Will McCabe (back).
Runners Will Day (foot) and Changkuoth Jiath (hamstring) will also be absent.
Cam McKenzie and Massimo D'Ambrosio put their hand up for starting 18 spots, while Sam Frost will play at full back instead of Blanck.
Melbourne Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Adam Tomlinson | Steven May | Judd McVee |
| Half Back | Jake Bowey | Jake Lever | Christian Salem |
| Centre | Trent Rivers | Clayton Oliver | Ed Langdon |
| Half Forward | Alex Neal-Bullen | Bailey Fritsch | Jack Billings |
| Full Forward | Kade Chandler | Jacob van Rooyen | Charlie Spargo |
| Followers | Max Gawn | Jack Viney | Tom Sparrow |
| Interchange | Josh Schache | Bailey Laurie | Blake Howes |
| Caleb Windsor | Koltyn Tholstrup(sub) |
Clayton Oliver is a confirmed Opening Round starter in a boost for the Demons.
The Demons team is tough to pick with Angus Brayshaw (retirement), Harrison Petty (toe), Shane McAdam (calf) and Lachie Hunter (calf) all out injured.
Kosi Pickett will miss through suspension also.
North Melbourne Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Aidan Corr | Toby Pink | Luke McDonald |
| Half Back | Darcy Tucker | Kallan Dawson | Harry Sheezel |
| Centre | Dylan Stephens | George Wardlaw | Bailey Scott |
| Half Forward | Charlie Lazzaro | Callum Coleman-Jones | Eddie Ford |
| Full Forward | Cam Zurhaar | Nick Larkey | Zac Fisher |
| Followers | Tristan Xerri | Luke Davies-Uniacke | Jy Simpkin |
| Interchange | Jaidyn Stephenson | Paul Curtis | Colby McKercher |
| Will Phillips | Tom Powell (sub) | ||
Jy Simpkin has entered concussion protocols but hasn't yet been ruled out for the first match.
Plenty of new talent to come into the North team and hard to tell who will be selected.
Port Adelaide Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Lachie Jones | Esava Ratugolea | Brandon Zerk-Thatcher |
| Half Back | Miles Bergman | Aliir Aliir | Dan Houston |
| Centre | Ollie Wines | Jason Horne-Francis | Willem Drew |
| Half Forward | Willie Rioli | Todd Marshall | Ryan Burton |
| Full Forward | Mitch Georgiades | Charlie Dixon | Sam Powell-Pepper |
| Followers | Ivan Soldo | Zak Butters | Connor Rozee |
| Interchange | Kane Farrell | Jeremy Finlayson | Travis Boak |
| Jed McEntee | Darcy Byrne-Jones (sub) |
Pretty much a full list for the Power to choose from.
Zac Butters was taken out of the recent practice match as a precaution but will be right for the first match.
Richmond Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Nick Vlastuin | Dylan Grimes | Nathan Broad |
| Half Back | Daniel Rioli | Tylar Young | Jayden Short |
| Centre | Thomson Dow | Tim Taranto | Jack Ross |
| Half Forward | Shai Bolton | Jacob Koschitzke | Liam Baker |
| Full Forward | Dustin Martin | Noah Balta | Maurice Rioli |
| Followers | Sam Naismith | Dion Prestia | Jacob Hopper |
| Interchange | Josh Gibcus | Kamdyn McIntosh | Marlion Pickett |
| Hugo Ralphsmith | Seth Campbell (sub) |
Jack Graham, Rhyan Mansell and Tom Lynch have been ruled out of the first match.
However, Dylan Grimes and Dion Prestia completed their practice match minutes after soft tissue injuries.
St Kilda Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Josh Battle | Zaine Cordy | Liam Stocker |
| Half Back | Riley Bonner | Callum Wilkie | Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera |
| Centre | Liam Henry | Brad Crouch | Mason Wood |
| Half Forward | Mitch Owens | Tim Membrey | Brad Hill |
| Full Forward | Darcy Wilson | Max King | Jack Higgins |
| Followers | Rowan Marshall | Jack Steele | Mattaes Phillipou |
| Interchange | Cooper Sharman | Ryan Byrnes | Arie Schoenmaker |
| Seb Ross | Hugo Garcia (sub) | ||
A few injuries worries for St Kilda with Dougal Howard, Jack Sinclair, Marcus Windhager and Dan Butler all likely to miss the first match.
Draftee Darcy Wilson is a certainty to play, while recruit Riley Bonner has made an impressive start to life as a Saint.
Sydney Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Robbie Fox | Tom McCartin | Dane Rampe |
| Half Back | Nick Blakey | Aaron Francis | Jake Lloyd |
| Centre | James Jordon | James Rowbottom | Justin McInerney |
| Half Forward | Tom Papley | Logan McDonald | Isaac Heeney |
| Full Forward | Joel Amartey | Hayden McLean | Will Hayward |
| Followers | Brodie Grundy | Chad Warner | Errol Gulden |
| Interchange | Ollie Florent | Angus Sheldrick | Braeden Campbell |
| Sam Wicks | Matt Roberts (sub) |
Experienced leaders Callum Mills and Luke Parker are both out of the early season matches.
As is new new recruit Taylor Adams.
The likes of James Jordon and Angus Sheldrick are likely to be used in midfield.
West Coast Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Josh Rotham | Tom Barass | Alex Witherden |
| Half Back | Liam Duggan | Jeremy McGovern | Tom Cole |
| Centre | Andrew Gaff | Tim Kelly | Jayden Hunt |
| Half Forward | Jamie Cripps | Jack Darling | Noah Long |
| Full Forward | Jack Petruccelle | Oscar Allen | Jake Waterman |
| Followers | Bailey J. Williams | Reuben Ginbey | Elliot Yeo |
| Interchange | Harley Reid | Brady Hough | Dom Sheed |
| Jamaine Jones | Tyler Brockman (sub) |
New ruckman Matt Flynn has suffered an injury blow, meaning Bailey Williams will do the bulk of the ruck work.
Dom Sheed is going to be touch-and-go for the first match.
Harley Reid is set to go and should be named.
Western Bulldogs Round 1 predicted team
| Full Back | Nick Coffield | Liam Jones | Bailey Dale |
| Half Back | Caleb Daniel | James O'Donnell | Ed Richards |
| Centre | Laitham Vandermeer | Marcus Bontempelli | Ryley Sanders |
| Half Forward | Rhylee West | Aaron Naughton | James Harmes |
| Full Forward | Cody Weightman | Jamarra Ugle-Hagan | Rory Lobb |
| Followers | Tim English | Adam Treloar | Tom Liberatore |
| Interchange | Bailey Williams | Anthony Scott | Jason Johannisen |
| Lachlan Bramble | Oskar Baker (sub) |
Ryley Sanders locked in a senior berth with impressive performances through pre-season.
Rory Lobb appears to have been given the early season nod over Sam Darcy.
