Carlton has dropped two players including a new recruit following its Opening Round shellacking, as Richmond confirms a debut for a top-10 pick. Round 1 teams below!
The Blues have axed Ashton Moir and Liam Reidy while Adam Saad misses after a hamstring strain suffered in last week’s loss to Sydney.
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Lachie Cowan and Matt Carroll return to the senior side after successful hitouts in a VFL practice match while Hudson O’Keeffe is preferred to Reidy – who they added from Fremantle in last year’s trade period – as the second ruck.
The Tigers will hand an AFL debut to 2025’s Pick 8 Sam Grlj, and Noah Balta will play after a minor hamstring complaint, but Nick Vlastuin is unavailable after a limited pre-season due to ankle issues.
Tom Brown and Luke Trainor are somewhat surprising omissions, both named as emergencies.
The rest of the Round 1 teams will be announced at 6:20pm on Thursday.
See this week’s selection whispers for the other 16 clubs in Team Tips.
ROUND 1 TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEDT)
CARLTON v RICHMOND
Thursday March 12, 7:30pm at the MCG
BLUES
B: L.Cowan, J.Weitering, H.Dean
HB: M.McGovern, L.Young, O.Florent
C: C.Chesser, P.Cripps – C, O.Hollands
HF: W.Hayward, H.McKay, B.Ainsworth
F: J.Smith, B.Kemp, L.Fogarty
FOLL: M.Pittonet, G.Hewett, S.Walsh
I/C: Z.Williams, C.Lord, E.Hollands, M.Carroll, H.O’Keeffe
EMG: T.Byrne, J.Boyd, A.Moir
In: L.Cowan, M.Carroll, H.O’Keeffe
Out: A.Saad (Injured), A.Moir (Omitted), L.Reidy (Omitted)
TIGERS
B: N.Balta, B.Miller, N.Broad
HB: S.Banks, S.Grlj, J.Short
C: H.Ralphsmith, S.Lalor, K.McAuliffe
HF: S.Campbell, M.Rioli, R.Mansell
F: J.Faull, T.Lynch, H.Armstrong
FOLL: T.Nankervis – C, T.Taranto, J.Ross
I/C: J.Trezise, J.Gibcus, J.Hopper, S.Green, C.Gray
EMG: T.Brown, L.Trainor, T.Sonsie
ESSENDON v HAWTHORN
Friday March 13, 7:40pm at the MCG
BOMBERS
TBA Thursday evening
HAWKS
TBA Thursday evening
WESTERN BULLDOGS v GWS GIANTS
Saturday March 14, 1:15pm at Marvel Stadium
BULLDOGS
TBA Thursday evening
GIANTS
TBA Thursday evening
GEELONG v FREMANTLE
Saturday March 14, 4:15pm at GMHBA Stadium
CATS
TBA Thursday evening
DOCKERS
TBA Thursday evening
SYDNEY SWANS v BRISBANE LIONS
Saturday March 14, 7:10pm at the SCG
SWANS
TBA Thursday evening
LIONS
TBA Thursday evening
COLLINGWOOD v ADELAIDE CROWS
Saturday March 14, 7:35pm at the MCG
MAGPIES
TBA Thursday evening
CROWS
TBA Thursday evening
NORTH MELBOURNE v PORT ADELAIDE
Sunday March 15, 1:10pm at Marvel Stadium
KANGAROOS
TBA Thursday evening
POWER
TBA Thursday evening
MELBOURNE v ST KILDA
Sunday March 15, 3:15pm at the MCG
DEMONS
TBA Thursday evening
SAINTS
TBA Thursday evening
GOLD COAST SUNS v WEST COAST EAGLES
Sunday March 15, 6:10pm at People First Stadium
SUNS
TBA Thursday evening
EAGLES
TBA Thursday evening