Do you agree? Who's missing? Who's got a game a shouldn't? Give us your alternative round 1 team.
Mock teams: Your club's best 22 for round one
Staff writers
Mar 15, 2019 6:05AM
Matt Thompson and Mitch Cleary with the latest news
WITH the first bounce of the 2019 AFL season just days away, our tireless reporters predict who will be appearing for your team when round one blasts off next Thursday night.
So who gets the nod? Who's on the bench? Who misses out? Take a look.
ROUND ONE FIXTURE Who are you playing?
B: Rory Laird, Daniel Talia, Alex Keath
HB: Brodie Smith, Tom Doedee, Wayne Milera
C: Bryce Gibbs, Rory Sloane, Paul Seedsman
HF: Tom Lynch, Taylor Walker, Richard Douglas
F: Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins, Riley Knight
Foll: Sam Jacobs, Brad Crouch, Matt Crouch
I/C: Rory Atkins, Hugh Greenwood, Chayce Jones, Jake Kelly
EMERG: Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Darcy Fogarty, David Mackay, Reilly O'Brien
NEW: Chayce Jones
UNAVAILABLE: Luke Brown (ankle)
NOTES: Small forward Lachlan Murphy can consider himself unlucky to miss out, but I had to find room for 19-year-old Tasmanian Chayce Jones. Last year's No.9 draft pick impressed with his tackle pressure and decision-making in the JLT Community Series win against Greater Western Sydney. The Crows are at full strength apart from defender Luke Brown, who should return in about round six from ankle surgery. Jake Kelly takes his place. Alex Keath gets the nod ahead of Kyle Hartigan due to better pre-season form. Hugh Greenwood had a strong game in a SANFL trial last Friday night to show he's overcome an abdominal injury. - Lee Gaskin
B: Darcy Gardiner, Harris Andrews, Alex Witherden
HB: Luke Hodge, Josh Walker, Daniel Rich
C: Hugh McCluggage, Dayne Zorko, Jarrod Berry
HF: Cam Rayner, Dan McStay, Lincoln McCarthy
FF: Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood, Oscar McInerney
Foll: Archie Smith, Lachie Neale, Jarryd Lyons
I/C: Zac Bailey, Rhys Mathieson, Mitch Robinson, Lewy Taylor
EMERG: Allen Christensen, Ryan Lester, Tom Cutler, Connor Ballenden
NEW: Jarryd Lyons, Lincoln McCarthy, Lachie Neale
UNAVAILABLE: Marcus Adams (knee)
NOTES: A very difficult team to pick after a strong pre-season and almost full list to pick from. The main area of contention is the ruck with nothing between the rapidly-improving Archie Smith and reliable high-performer Stefan Martin. Smith offers a slight advantage at the centre bounce, while Martin is superior around the ground. Either player would do a fine job. Darcy Gardiner (knee) is under an injury cloud and touch-and-go to play, with Ryan Lester a nice like-for-like replacement if he doesn't get up. Allen Christensen and Tom Cutler are desperately unlucky to not make the 22 but Zac Bailey and Rhys Mathieson have had stronger pre-seasons and deserve their chance. - Michael Whiting
FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game
B: Lachie Plowman, Jacob Weitering, Nic Newman
HB: Kade Simpson, Liam Jones, Dale Thomas
C: Marc Murphy, Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh
HF: Paddy Dow, Charlie Curnow, David Cuningham
F: Mitch McGovern, Harry McKay, Alex Fasolo
FOLL: Andrew Phillips, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Zac Fisher
I/C: Michael Gibbons, Ed Curnow, Jarrod Garlett, Will Setterfield
EMERG: Jack Silvagni, Lochie O'Brien, Matthew Kennedy, Cam Polson
NEW: Mitch McGovern, Sam Walsh, Nic Newman, Alex Fasolo, Will Setterfield, Michael Gibbons
UNAVAILABLE: Matthew Kreuzer (knee), Sam Docherty (knee), Darcy Lang (foot), Caleb Marchbank (back), Harrison Macreadie (back), Tom Williamson (back), Jarrod Pickett (knee)
NOTES: It appears likely Andrew Phillips holds his spot in the ruck due to a combination of his impressive JLT form and Matthew Kreuzer's injury-interrupted summer. Alex Fasolo is tracking well to be fit, with Polson or Silvagni a chance to take his spot should he not be given the all-clear. Matthew Kennedy should be fit following a shoulder injury, but is unlikely to make the side after failing to feature in any JLT games. Sam Walsh has clearly done enough to earn a debut, while new recruits Michael Gibbons and Will Setterfield work their way into the team based on solid JLT form. Jarrod Garlett narrowly edges Lochie O'Brien for a place on the bench to provide some dash from half-back. - Riley Beveridge
No.1 pick Sam Walsh appears a lock for round one. Picture: AFL Photos
B: Tom Langdon, Jordan Roughead, Brayden Maynard
HB: Jeremy Howe, Darcy Moore, Jack Crisp
C: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips
HF: Jaidyn Stephenson, Brody Mihocek, Josh Thomas
F: Jamie Elliott, Mason Cox, Jordan De Goey
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Dayne Beams, Adam Treloar
I/C: Travis Varcoe, Brayden Sier, James Aish, Levi Greenwood
EMERG: Chris Mayne, Tyson Goldsack, Callum Brown, Ben Crocker
NEW: Jordan Roughead, Dayne Beams
UNAVAILABLE: Taylor Adams (finger), Lynden Dunn (knee), Will Hoskin-Elliott (knee), Ben Reid (quad), Matt Scharenberg (knee), Daniel Wells (foot)
NOTES: A few injuries made this a slightly easier task, although after much agonising I still couldn't find a spot for two players from the Magpies' 2018 Grand Final team – defensive runner Chris Mayne was a victim of team balance, while veteran Tyson Goldsack was overlooked for a defensive forward role against Geelong. The midfield make-up was critical, with Levi Greenwood likely to tag Cats skipper Joel Selwood, against whom he has a good record, while Brayden Sier has played just a VFL practice game since overcoming a minor niggle but was included because of the unavailability of fellow inside midfielder Taylor Adams. The big inclusions are returning champion Dayne Beams, gun small forward Jamie Elliott, exciting key defender Darcy Moore and ex-Bulldogs big man Jordan Roughead, while explosive forward duo Jordan De Goey (foot) and Jaidyn Stephenson (groin) are also expected to be fit. Top draftee Isaac Quaynor was unlucky not to be at least an emergency, but his time will come. - Ben Collins
WHO MAKES FINALS? Do the 2019 Ladder Predictor
B: Aaron Francis, Michael Hurley, Conor McKenna
HB: Jordan Ridley, Patrick Ambrose, Adam Saad
C: David Myers, Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell
HF: Orazio Fantasia, Mitch Brown, Devon Smith
F: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Joe Daniher, Jake Stringer
Foll: Tom Bellchambers, Andrew McGrath, Dylan Shiel
I/C: Kyle Langford, David Zaharakis, Shaun McKernan, Matt Guelfi
EMERG: Mark Baguley, Darcy Parish, Dylan Clarke, Sam Draper
NEW: Dylan Shiel
UNAVAILABLE: Josh Begley (knee), Matt Dea (knee), Cale Hooker (calf), Martin Gleeson (ankle), Kobe Mutch (ankle), Mason Redman (ankle)
NOTES: Cale Hooker is unavailable due to a calf injury, so Patrick Ambrose gets the nod as Michael Hurley's defensive partner. Youngster Jordan Ridley was impressive in the JLT Community Series and deserves his spot in Essendon's back six. Coach John Worsfold has flagged that Joe Daniher may be put on a minutes restriction for round one, so picking both Mitch Brown and Shaun McKernan becomes a must. McKernan can provide Tom Bellchambers a chop out in the ruck as well. Mark Baguley and Darcy Parish are unlucky not to be selected, with Matt Guelfi to provide defensive or midfield coverage if needed. - Ben Guthrie
Mock teams: Your club's best 22 for round one
Staff writers
Mar 15, 2019 6:05AM
Matt Thompson and Mitch Cleary with the latest news
WITH the first bounce of the 2019 AFL season just days away, our tireless reporters predict who will be appearing for your team when round one blasts off next Thursday night.
So who gets the nod? Who's on the bench? Who misses out? Take a look.
ROUND ONE FIXTURE Who are you playing?
B: Rory Laird, Daniel Talia, Alex Keath
HB: Brodie Smith, Tom Doedee, Wayne Milera
C: Bryce Gibbs, Rory Sloane, Paul Seedsman
HF: Tom Lynch, Taylor Walker, Richard Douglas
F: Eddie Betts, Josh Jenkins, Riley Knight
Foll: Sam Jacobs, Brad Crouch, Matt Crouch
I/C: Rory Atkins, Hugh Greenwood, Chayce Jones, Jake Kelly
EMERG: Cam Ellis-Yolmen, Darcy Fogarty, David Mackay, Reilly O'Brien
NEW: Chayce Jones
UNAVAILABLE: Luke Brown (ankle)
NOTES: Small forward Lachlan Murphy can consider himself unlucky to miss out, but I had to find room for 19-year-old Tasmanian Chayce Jones. Last year's No.9 draft pick impressed with his tackle pressure and decision-making in the JLT Community Series win against Greater Western Sydney. The Crows are at full strength apart from defender Luke Brown, who should return in about round six from ankle surgery. Jake Kelly takes his place. Alex Keath gets the nod ahead of Kyle Hartigan due to better pre-season form. Hugh Greenwood had a strong game in a SANFL trial last Friday night to show he's overcome an abdominal injury. - Lee Gaskin
B: Darcy Gardiner, Harris Andrews, Alex Witherden
HB: Luke Hodge, Josh Walker, Daniel Rich
C: Hugh McCluggage, Dayne Zorko, Jarrod Berry
HF: Cam Rayner, Dan McStay, Lincoln McCarthy
FF: Charlie Cameron, Eric Hipwood, Oscar McInerney
Foll: Archie Smith, Lachie Neale, Jarryd Lyons
I/C: Zac Bailey, Rhys Mathieson, Mitch Robinson, Lewy Taylor
EMERG: Allen Christensen, Ryan Lester, Tom Cutler, Connor Ballenden
NEW: Jarryd Lyons, Lincoln McCarthy, Lachie Neale
UNAVAILABLE: Marcus Adams (knee)
NOTES: A very difficult team to pick after a strong pre-season and almost full list to pick from. The main area of contention is the ruck with nothing between the rapidly-improving Archie Smith and reliable high-performer Stefan Martin. Smith offers a slight advantage at the centre bounce, while Martin is superior around the ground. Either player would do a fine job. Darcy Gardiner (knee) is under an injury cloud and touch-and-go to play, with Ryan Lester a nice like-for-like replacement if he doesn't get up. Allen Christensen and Tom Cutler are desperately unlucky to not make the 22 but Zac Bailey and Rhys Mathieson have had stronger pre-seasons and deserve their chance. - Michael Whiting
FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game
B: Lachie Plowman, Jacob Weitering, Nic Newman
HB: Kade Simpson, Liam Jones, Dale Thomas
C: Marc Murphy, Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh
HF: Paddy Dow, Charlie Curnow, David Cuningham
F: Mitch McGovern, Harry McKay, Alex Fasolo
FOLL: Andrew Phillips, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Zac Fisher
I/C: Michael Gibbons, Ed Curnow, Jarrod Garlett, Will Setterfield
EMERG: Jack Silvagni, Lochie O'Brien, Matthew Kennedy, Cam Polson
NEW: Mitch McGovern, Sam Walsh, Nic Newman, Alex Fasolo, Will Setterfield, Michael Gibbons
UNAVAILABLE: Matthew Kreuzer (knee), Sam Docherty (knee), Darcy Lang (foot), Caleb Marchbank (back), Harrison Macreadie (back), Tom Williamson (back), Jarrod Pickett (knee)
NOTES: It appears likely Andrew Phillips holds his spot in the ruck due to a combination of his impressive JLT form and Matthew Kreuzer's injury-interrupted summer. Alex Fasolo is tracking well to be fit, with Polson or Silvagni a chance to take his spot should he not be given the all-clear. Matthew Kennedy should be fit following a shoulder injury, but is unlikely to make the side after failing to feature in any JLT games. Sam Walsh has clearly done enough to earn a debut, while new recruits Michael Gibbons and Will Setterfield work their way into the team based on solid JLT form. Jarrod Garlett narrowly edges Lochie O'Brien for a place on the bench to provide some dash from half-back. - Riley Beveridge
No.1 pick Sam Walsh appears a lock for round one. Picture: AFL Photos
B: Tom Langdon, Jordan Roughead, Brayden Maynard
HB: Jeremy Howe, Darcy Moore, Jack Crisp
C: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Tom Phillips
HF: Jaidyn Stephenson, Brody Mihocek, Josh Thomas
F: Jamie Elliott, Mason Cox, Jordan De Goey
Foll: Brodie Grundy, Dayne Beams, Adam Treloar
I/C: Travis Varcoe, Brayden Sier, James Aish, Levi Greenwood
EMERG: Chris Mayne, Tyson Goldsack, Callum Brown, Ben Crocker
NEW: Jordan Roughead, Dayne Beams
UNAVAILABLE: Taylor Adams (finger), Lynden Dunn (knee), Will Hoskin-Elliott (knee), Ben Reid (quad), Matt Scharenberg (knee), Daniel Wells (foot)
NOTES: A few injuries made this a slightly easier task, although after much agonising I still couldn't find a spot for two players from the Magpies' 2018 Grand Final team – defensive runner Chris Mayne was a victim of team balance, while veteran Tyson Goldsack was overlooked for a defensive forward role against Geelong. The midfield make-up was critical, with Levi Greenwood likely to tag Cats skipper Joel Selwood, against whom he has a good record, while Brayden Sier has played just a VFL practice game since overcoming a minor niggle but was included because of the unavailability of fellow inside midfielder Taylor Adams. The big inclusions are returning champion Dayne Beams, gun small forward Jamie Elliott, exciting key defender Darcy Moore and ex-Bulldogs big man Jordan Roughead, while explosive forward duo Jordan De Goey (foot) and Jaidyn Stephenson (groin) are also expected to be fit. Top draftee Isaac Quaynor was unlucky not to be at least an emergency, but his time will come. - Ben Collins
WHO MAKES FINALS? Do the 2019 Ladder Predictor
B: Aaron Francis, Michael Hurley, Conor McKenna
HB: Jordan Ridley, Patrick Ambrose, Adam Saad
C: David Myers, Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell
HF: Orazio Fantasia, Mitch Brown, Devon Smith
F: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Joe Daniher, Jake Stringer
Foll: Tom Bellchambers, Andrew McGrath, Dylan Shiel
I/C: Kyle Langford, David Zaharakis, Shaun McKernan, Matt Guelfi
EMERG: Mark Baguley, Darcy Parish, Dylan Clarke, Sam Draper
NEW: Dylan Shiel
UNAVAILABLE: Josh Begley (knee), Matt Dea (knee), Cale Hooker (calf), Martin Gleeson (ankle), Kobe Mutch (ankle), Mason Redman (ankle)
NOTES: Cale Hooker is unavailable due to a calf injury, so Patrick Ambrose gets the nod as Michael Hurley's defensive partner. Youngster Jordan Ridley was impressive in the JLT Community Series and deserves his spot in Essendon's back six. Coach John Worsfold has flagged that Joe Daniher may be put on a minutes restriction for round one, so picking both Mitch Brown and Shaun McKernan becomes a must. McKernan can provide Tom Bellchambers a chop out in the ruck as well. Mark Baguley and Darcy Parish are unlucky not to be selected, with Matt Guelfi to provide defensive or midfield coverage if needed. - Ben Guthrie
Last edited: