Your guide to the official AFL pre-season games

From a potential grand-final preview – yes, it’s fine to admit that even at this point of the season – to just how emerging youngsters, veteran stars and your team overall are tracking, there’s plenty on offer when the first, and only, round of official practice matches are held, beginning on Thursday night. Here’s your guide to the action. All times are AEDT.

Thursday, March 2

Hawthorn v Collingwood, UTAS Stadium, 5.10pm

Who we want to see: Nick Daicos has added muscle over the pre-season, and is ready for a greater midfield role. How Tom Mitchell fits into the midfield – against his former club – will also be intriguing. For the Hawks, it’s over to Jai Newcombe to lead a new-look on-ball brigade. James Worpel is intent on reviving his career.

What we want to see: For the Hawks, it’s better ball movement, and a greater understanding of the game plan. Sam Mitchell was a frustrated man against Geelong last week. For the Pies, let’s see if they rehearse their final-minute tactics, even if a goal is not needed to win this match. Can Taylor Adams become a goal-kicking mid?

Round one implications: The Magpies will want a fit Darcy Moore ready to handle Geelong’s tall timber. The Hawks need to prove they can score when facing Essendon on an opening afternoon, when they will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their 1983 flag over the Bombers.

Collingwood will hope skipper Darcy Moore is fully fit for the season opener against Geelong.Credit:Getty Images

Fremantle v Port Adelaide, Fremantle Oval, 7.10pm

Who we want to see: Nat Fyfe as a full-time forward. Injuries have derailed Fyfe’s career in recent times; he shapes as match-winner when fit. He booted three goals against the Crows last week. Power star Connor Rozee is ready to be among the league’s best 20 players, while it’s good to see Orazio Fantasia healthy.

What we want to see: Jason Horne-Francis build on an encouraging effort against the Eagles, and whether the Power are serious flag challengers. For the Dockers, it’s whether former Hawk Jaeger O’Meara can still deliver in the middle.

New Cat Ollie Henry will be keen to face the Magpies.Credit:Getty Images

Round one implications: The Dockers hope Luke Jackson (concussion) recovers in time to face St Kilda in a twilight Sunday clash at Marvel Stadium. The Power need a fast start otherwise coach Ken Hinkley’s future is bleak.

Brisbane v Geelong, Brighton Homes Arena, 8.10pm

Who we want to see: The Lions could not be more impressed with Will Ashcroft, the father-son prodigy ready to have an impact in the manner of Nick Daicos. Jack Gunston has added potency up forward. Will Cam Raynor remain in a new role at half-back? The Cats were superb against the Hawks last week. Keep an eye on former Giant Tanner Bruhn in the midfield. Can Esava Ratugolea make centre-half-back his own?

What we want to see: As odd as this is to say in February, but we could be looking at a grand-final preview. Will the two clubs hold back any positional moves?

Round one implications: Cats recruit Ollie Henry will want to rubber-stamp his spot ahead of a grudge match against his former club Collingwood. Lachie Neale (corked quad, dislocated finger) is likely to miss the practice match. The Lions are arguably flag favourites after their off-season recruiting. How they handle this spotlight, beginning against Port Adelaide, will be intriguing.

Friday, March 3

St Kilda v Essendon, RSEA Park, 4.10pm

Who we want to see: Saints draftee Mattaes Phillipou impressed with his contested marking against Melbourne last week. We want to see more of that from the 190-centimetre forward. Bomber Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti made a strong return from retirement against the Suns last week, but coach Brad Scott has much to ponder up forward. Archie Perkins hopes for midfield time.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is a favourite among Essendon supporters.Credit:AFL Photos / Getty Images

What we want to see: Track watchers say the Saints will look to move the ball more by hand than foot from half-back this season. Just what coach Ross Lyon has concocted will be must-watch viewing. The Saints have been hit hard by injuries up forward. Where will the goals come from?

Round one implications: The Bombers have several selection issues to address before facing the Hawks. Is former Blue Will Setterfield in their best team? The Saints need momentum, as Lyon prepares to face his former club.

Sydney v Carlton, Blacktown International Sports Park, 7.10pm

Who we want to see: Just how Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Tom De Koning fit in the same forward line has implications on several fronts, not the least De Koning’s contract negotiations. Skipper Patrick Cripps was cleared of a serious ankle injury but may be rested. Chad Warner was one of the few Swans to impress against Brisbane last week. He is elite. Recruit Aaron Francis was quiet last week.

What we want to see: The Blues let the Magpies boot a handful of quick goals last week. That cannot be repeated if they want to be a top-four side. The Swans are without injured frontline ruckman Tom Hickey. Will Peter Ladhams (tendonitis issue) or Hayden McLean play?

Round one implications: The Blues have yet to confirm how they will juggle their ruck combination come round one. Is Jack Silvagni in their best team? For the Swans, is Lance Franklin still their No.1 forward focus? They begin with a road trip against the Suns.

West Coast v Adelaide, Mineral Resources Park,7.40pm

Who we want to see: The Eagles are hoping Jeremy McGovern can rebound from an injury-hit 2022. Travis Boak may argue McGovern will, after the Power great was flattened by a bone-crunching hit last weekend during match simulation. Izak Rankine led the Crows’ turnaround against Fremantle. The former Suns forward-midfielder shapes as box-office viewing.

What we want to see: The Eagles’ game plan. Will they finally move the ball quicker than their traditional kick-mark manner? The Eagles need to settle their forward line. The Crows have a promising midfield, led by Rory Laird. It’s time to step up.

Round one implications: The returning Oscar Allen began well last weekend, having missed 18 months because of a foot stress fracture. He will be nursed through, ahead of facing North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium. Rory Sloane’s return was good to see, and he now has a role on a wing, heading into the season-opener against the Giants.

Saturday, March 4

GWS v Gold Coast, Blacktown International Sports Park, 12.10pm

Who we want to see: Ball magnet Tom Green and newly recontracted Finn Callaghan are ready for strong seasons, while Harry Himmelberg, in a contract year, has begun as a forward. New standalone skipper Toby Greene is always must-watch viewing. For the Suns, it’s about the development of Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson. We also liked what we saw from No.6 pick Bailey Humphrey last weekend.

What we want to see: The Giants held an intra-club clash last weekend. Now we get to see the style of ball movement new coach Adam Kingsley has implemented. The Suns appear to have adopted a quicker pace, and have a midfield ready to inflict damage.

Round one implications: Has No.1 draft pick Aaron Cadman done enough to debut for the Giants, at home, against the Crows? He shapes as a major drawcard. The Suns say Ben King is on target for a round-one return, his 2022 campaign cruelled after he ruptured his ACL.

Western Bulldogs v North Melbourne, Ikon Park, 1.10pm

Who we want to see: Adam Treloar impressed in an intra-club clash last weekend, after a summer of ankle issues. But it’s the development of Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Sam Darcy that has Dogs supporters dreaming of a flag. For the Roos, slick No.3 pick draft pick Harry Sheezel booted three goals against the Tigers last week. He will challenge for the Rising Star award.

What we want to see: New coach Alastair Clarkson has emphasised greater ball movement, including an ability to run in numbers, while also demanding greater accountability at stoppages. Will this hold up? The Bulldogs have spoken of a more relaxed Luke Beveridge through the summer. Will that change if the Kangaroos take charge early?

Round one implications: The Kangaroos have a chance to make an early statement against the Eagles. To do that, they need to build momentum, which Cam Zurhaar and Luke Davies-Uniacke can deliver. Returning Bulldog Liam Jones has settled in well in defence, and will want to emerge unscathed, ahead of a Saturday night clash against Melbourne.

Melbourne v Richmond, Casey Fields, 4.10pm AEDT

Jacob Hopper is keen to leave an imprint on the Demons this weekend.Credit:Getty Images

Who we want to see: Let’s see how the Brodie Grundy-Max Gawn ruck combination works. The sell to former Magpie Grundy was that Gawn would spend 70 per cent of his time as a forward. Is that for real? The Tigers could not be happier with former Giants stars Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper, and they will reinforce why Damien Hardwick’s men remain in flag contention.

What we want to see: We know Dustin Martin can thrive predominantly as a forward. How will Trent Cotchin go there at this stage of his career? He has the tricks to get the job done. The Demons have worked over summer to improve their second-half performances, having squandered leads last season. They also want to be more direct when going inside 50. Let’s see if there is change.

Round one implications: Star Demon Kysaiah Pickett was electric up forward and in his new role through the midfield last week. He will want to build on this, heading into a clash against the Dogs’ blue-chip midfield brigade. The Tigers are keen for Jack Dyer medallist Tom Lynch to have a run – he has battled a plantar fasciitis issue. While Lynch trained strongly on Tuesday, the Tigers will take a cautious approach.

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