THE OPENING matches of the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership are just days away and time is running out for players racing to the round one starting line.
Our reporters have run their eyes over every club ahead of round one, providing the latest injury updates and identifying the players most likely to don their team's colours for the first time this week.
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Check it out below and make sure you're round-one ready.
Injury watch
Recruit Jordan Dawson (calf soreness) trained on Monday and looks very likely to line up against Fremantle despite missing all pre-season matches, initially because of health and safety protocols. He will be an important inclusion following a broken right hand for club champion Rory Laird, who will be sidelined for another three to five weeks. Young midfielder Luke Pedlar is pushing to play in round one after a minor hamstring complaint that threatened to interrupt his impressive pre-season. Lachlan Murphy is progressing after neck surgery in December. Important wingman Paul Seedsman remains sidelined with lingering concussion symptoms.
Fresh faces
Draftee Josh Rachele has long shaped as a round one inclusion after making an instant impact at West Lakes and then shining in the practice games as a dangerous small forward. Fellow draftee Jake Soligo is also pushing for an early debut against the Dockers, while Dawson looks certain to play if he gets through training this week. – Nathan Schmook
Josh Rachele at the Crows' pre-season photo day. Picture: Getty Images
Injury watch
All eyes will be on skipper Dayne Zorko this week as he continues his return from a small achilles procedure last month. Zorko has been running the past fortnight and completed a strong session last Friday and is expected to be available to play Port Adelaide on Saturday night. Young defender Keidean Coleman (hamstring) will miss the first six to eight weeks of the season, while key forward Eric Hipwood (knee) has ramped up his training, including some small drills in the main group, and is on track for a return in late May.
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Fresh faces
Geelong recruit Darcy Fort is almost certain to play his first game in Lions colours on Saturday night. The towering ruckman has formed a good combination with Oscar McInerney during the pre-season and will likely split time between the ruck and forward line. - Michael Whiting
Darcy Fort takes on Marcus Bontempelli in the 2022 AAMI Community Series. Picture: Getty Images
Injury watch
Inspirational leader Sam Docherty will play on Thursday night, marking a stunning return from a secondary reoccurrence of testicular cancer. He should be joined by Jack Silvagni, who was cleared of any significant shoulder damage from a knock in the AAMI Community Series, while key forward duo Charlie Curnow (knee) and Harry McKay (foot) are also available. There are no concerns over Jacob Weitering, who has battled soreness. Sam Walsh has never been in contention to play round one due to a syndesmosis injury, while time will run out for Liam Stocker (syndesmosis) to prove his fitness. Corey Durdin (calf) barely trained last week and will face a fitness test on Wednesday, while Josh Honey (knee), Caleb Marchbank (knee) and David Cuningham (knee) are longer-term prospects.
Fresh faces
The club will hand Carlton debuts to midfield duo Adam Cerra and George Hewett, who joined the Blues during last year's trade and free agency period. However, it looks as though Oscar McDonald will pip fellow new recruit Lewis Young to the final spot in the side's backline. - Riley Beveridge
Adam Cerra at Carlton pre-season training 2022. Picture: AFL Photos
Injury watch
Will Hoskin-Elliott sent a scare through the Magpies when he hobbled off the track on Monday morning, but the club believes he has escaped serious injury and is still in contention for round one after tweaking his hip and groin. Patrick Lipinski is available for selection after overcoming the rolled ankle that ended his AAMI Community Series. Jeremy Howe (groin) and Taylor Adams (hamstring) are good to go after missing that trip to western Sydney. Nathan Murphy isn't available after scans confirmed last week he required surgery to repair the ankle he dislocated against Greater Western Sydney. Young backman Isaac Quaynor is set to play on Friday night after suffering a concussion against Hawthorn in Morwell.
Collingwood's Patrick Lipinski attacks the ball in the 2022 AAMI Community Series. Picture: Getty Images
Fresh faces
Father-son recruit Nick Daicos is set to be unveiled on Friday night after a dazzling pre-season from the No. 4 pick. The Pies are also expected to select off-season acquisition Patrick Lipinski. The former Western Bulldogs midfielder has recovered from a rolled ankle and is available for selection. - Josh Gabelich
Injury watch
The Bombers had an injury setback last week with key forward Harrison Jones rolling his ankle at training. The club has been checking the severity of the problem after an interrupted pre-season for the tall goalkicker. Jake Stringer is expected to play after working through a groin injury in recent weeks, while Jake Kelly suffered a delayed concussion ahead of the season. Aaron Francis has been nursing a knee injury since the Bombers' pre-season clash with the Western Bulldogs. Michael Hurley (hip), Zach Reid (foot) and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (personal) will all be unavailable for the clash against Geelong on Saturday.
Essendon's Jake Stringer celebrates a goal in round 14, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos
Fresh faces
Former Crow Kelly will be a part of Essendon's first-choice defence if he can be given the all-clear from his concussion symptoms, having also had a concussion in round one last year for Adelaide. Forward Kaine Baldwin is in the mix to make his AFL debut after a strong pre-season, while pre-season rookie signing Nick Martin has also pressed his claims as a possible debutant after impressive displays on the wing. - Callum Twomey
Injury watch
Key forward Matt Taberner has suffered a hamstring injury on the eve of the season, ruling him out for at least round one. The club's leading goalkicker looks likely to miss the opening two rounds following the setback, which comes after a season compromised by ankle surgery at the end of the 2021 campaign. Defender Nathan Wilson (shoulder) will also miss the season opener against Adelaide, while the Dockers are sweating on the availability of important forward/ruck Rory Lobb (chest). Captain Nat Fyfe has overcome a long battle following shoulder surgery but will need to be declared ready physically to face the Crows, with Darcy Tucker (hamstring) also touch and go to recover from a hamstring injury in time to play. Draftee Matt Johnson remains sidelined with a foot injury.
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Fresh faces
Former Geelong half-back and wingman Jordan Clark is certain to make his club debut after a scintillating pre-season adding important speed out of defence. Midfielder Will Brodie is tipped to also play his first game for the Dockers, adding depth as an inside midfielder. – Nathan Schmook
Jordan Clark shows his speed in Fremantle's 2022 practice match against West Coast. Picture: AFL Photos
Injury watch
Young defender Jack Henry looks to return from a foot injury for Saturday's season opener against Essendon at the MCG. Henry played a full practice match for the VFL side last Thursday night and pulled up well to put his hand up for round one. Irishman Mark O'Connor has battled knee tendinitis in recent weeks but returned to running last week. He will need to train fully on Thursday to be considered. Sam Menegola has had no trouble building his tank back up after undergoing off-season knee surgery, but the club doesn’t expect him to play senior football this weekend and will look to get some match practice into him before he returns to Chris Scott's team. Jed Bews is expected to play against the Bombers after suffering a concussion in the AAMI Community Series loss to Gold Coast. Mitch Duncan is expected to play at some level this weekend, but could build some minutes in the VFL after overcoming a calf strain. Gary Rohan has experienced some nerve issues with his hip and back and won’t be available for selection.
Fresh faces
Former Adelaide and Richmond small forward Tyson Stengle is set to be rewarded for an impressive pre-season with a spot inside 50, working at the feet of Coleman Medal winners Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron. - Josh Gabelich
Tyson Stengle in action during the 2022 pre-season. Picture: Getty Images
