The AFL pre-season has culminated and all eyes turn to a sensational slate of five games in Opening Round. Brace yourselves for FaceTimes and pile-ons; it's debut season.
While clubs weren't thrilled with the depth and talent of the 2025 AFL Draft, pre-season has proved otherwise. Top talent and mature-agers have put their names in lights through match simulation in a sign of the draft's underrated depth.
Through the draft, supplemental selection period and rookie list there are close to 30 debutants expected to roll out across Opening Round and Round 1 in the next fortnight, kicking off with the Swans hosting the Blues in a Charlie Curnow-sized grudge match at the SCG on Thursday.
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Sydney vs. Carlton
Blues supporters have been champing at the bit for Jagga Smith to be unleashed. An ACL rupture 12 months ago cruelled his rookie campaign but the gun junior has put it all behind him, notching up 37 disposals and a goal against the Cats to rubber-stamp his name in the Round 1 midfield.
We'll get a new-look backline with prized father-son Harry Dean ready to roll after being taken with the second overall pick. A lockdown tall with neat skills, Dean's reading of the ball in flight gives him every chance of succeeding against seasoned forwards. We may see former Giant Wade Derksen alongside him. The 24-year-old father of three is in the box seat to debut despite being added to the Blues' list just a week ago.
Carlton could name a fourth debutant with Talor Byrne delighting coaches as a strong-bodied small forward. His smarts and skill execution have been highlighted against AFL opposition already.
The Swans have consolidated an experienced side over the off-season, but will be keen to expose top pick Harry Kyle at some point in 2026 with his physicality matching the level already.
Gold Coast vs. Geelong
The Suns managed their draft hand superbly to land four academy stars in the first round. Expect Zeke Uwland to be first cab off the rank against the Cats, playing off a wing and halfback with his raking left leg a feature. Run and gun defender Dylan Patterson won't be far behind him but it's unlikely to come in Opening Round.
The Cats are keen to give Jay Polkinghorne opportunities this year, with the third tall showing off strong hands through pre-season. With Jeremy Cameron racing the clock his opportunity may come this week, while the ruck situation still isn't clear as WA youngster Mitch Edwards makes his case. Lenny Hofmann faces stiff competition to break into Geelong backline but is ready to go when called upon.
GWS vs. Hawthorn
GWS is undermanned heading into the season and will need youngsters to elevate if they play finals. Phoenix Gothard was the biggest bolter of the 2024 draft and will be given chances to cement a spot in the forward 50, while Ollie Hannaford can play at either end of the ground. Jack Ough is an option to replace Tom Green through the midfield and small defenders Harry Oliver and Oskar Taylor may be fighting for the same spot in the 23.
The Hawks didn't debut a player in 2025 and Sam Mitchell is cognisant of the need to inject youth into a lineup looking to go one step further. Talls at either end of the ground have been most impressive through pre-season with pick 23 Aidan Schubert likely to feature this year. At the other end Noah Mraz has steadily come on, and the lack of depth behind Tom Barrass and Josh Battle with the departure of Jai Serong will give the 20-year-old chances.
A midfield lacking some depth will have Ollie Greeves and Jack Dalton pushing for selection, with the ball magnets set to begin their careers in the VFL.
Brisbane vs. Western Bulldogs
The Lions have another top academy talent on their hands in the form of midfielder Dan Annable. The classy teen is on the fringe of Opening Round selection with competition for spots at a premium, while forward Luke Lloyd and utility Zane Zakostelsky are others eyeing a debut in 2026.
The Dogs have holes to fill in defence and three youngsters vying for those positions. Lachie Jaques is leading the way ahead of this weekend after looking the part all pre-season, but mid-season pickup Michael Sellwood impressed against Hawthorn and could steal that backline opening. Top pick out of the Swans academy Lachie Carmichael is returning from an ankle syndesmosis and may have been there in Opening Round with a full training block, and athletic tall Louis Emmett is tracking well in his first year.
St Kilda vs. Collingwood
Opening Round hits its crescendo with over 90,000 at the MCG for the Saints and Pies. Ross Lyon's team skirted the draft to attract ready-made talent, but Eagles father-son Charlie Banfield has done enough to warrant selection on Sunday night. The hard-running wing can clunk marks forward and is strong in the contest, impressing after West Coast chose not to match a bid at pick 41.
2026 could be full of regeneration at Collingwood with 10 players on its list yet to debut. Despite not featuring on the weekend against North Melbourne, Angus Anderson has put together an impressive block and is right in the frame for Sunday night. The mature-age midfielder does all the team-first things to endear himself to Craig McRae, and could find himself tagging at points this year.
Oscar Steene and Joel Cochran have shown flashes in key positions but remain behind veterans in their roles, while Harry Demattia's strong running off a wing and Tyan Prindable's craft as a high half forward will give them opportunities to debut as Fly manages his squad.
Carlton vs. Richmond
The traditional Thursday night clash against the Blues will be the occasion for Sam Grlj's debut, a livewire halfback boasting a wicked sidestep and healthy arrogance with ball in hand. He hasn't put a foot wrong in match simulation and adds much-needed bounce out of defence for the Tigers. Fellow top-10 pick Sam Cumming is sweating on scans after a shoulder injury in Ballarat. The tough on-baller had his 2025 curtailed due to a right shoulder injury, with his management opting against surgery. If deemed fit his magnet should be on the board.
Former Cat Patrick Retschko is fighting for a spot on the wing but it may not come in Round 1, while supporters will be eager to get a glimpse of Josh Smillie at AFL level after a first season wrecked by injury.
Essendon vs. Hawthorn
Essendon debuted a record 15 players last year, and it's poised to unleash another three draftees in Round 1 against Hawthorn. Hussien El Achkar adds firepower as a crafty small forward whose partnership with Isaac Kako is being talked up internally. Top-10 pick Jacob Farrow has shown off his lethal left foot and composure off a wing to give himself every chance of a Round 1 call-up, and Dyson Sharp will be there as a half forward pushing up to stoppages.
An interrupted lead-in will see Sullivan Robey begin in the VFL while Max Kondogiannis is a bolter that will push for opportunity early.
Geelong vs. Fremantle
The Dockers are hoping for a different small forward mix with Adam Sweid, Tobyn Murray and SSP signing Chris Scerri adding competition. Sweid was plucked out of the Essendon NGA with pick 25 as a half forward rolling up to stoppage, while mature-ager Murray is an excellent user going inside 50. Scerri is a more traditional small forward with tricks to create goals from tough spots and intent to tackle and pressure.
Collingwood vs. Adelaide
The Crows are undermanned to begin the year, and their midfield unit could introduce Charlie Edwards into the fold after two years of development on the list. The athletic halfback has moved inside this pre-season to put his name in contention.
Lachie McAndrew has gone ahead of Reilly O'Brien for the first choice ruck spot and could be supported by Toby Murray who offers strong hands as a key forward as well. Mitch Marsh has done enough to garner consideration early in the year and could even find himself in Dan Curtin's wing role while he's sidelined.
North Melbourne vs. Port Adelaide
North fans will be thrilled to see Lachy Dovaston kick three goals to cement his Round 1 spot. The small forward offers pressure, smarts and bravado in a much-needed area of the ground. He could be joined by SSP signing Tom Blamires who extended the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell streak with his AFL recruitment. Despite having not yet cleared his desk in Collingwood's commercial department, Blamires impressed against the Pies off halfback and would be unlucky to drop out of the Round 1 side despite potential returns of Colby McKercher and Riley Hardeman.
The uber-athletic Taylor Goad was tracking for a debut before injury hampered his pre-season, and it could be Luke Urquhart's chance to shine if the Roos need a defensive presence through the middle while George Wardlaw rehabs another hamstring.
The Power didn't touch the national draft but they may have found one in Jack Watkins, a tough midfielder who can play across halfback or half forward. He looked the part on-ball against West Coast and suspension to Ollie Wines gives him a look in for Round 1 if Josh Carr prefers him to Will Brodie.
Melbourne vs. St Kilda
It's a new era under Steven King and Xavier Taylor will play a big part in that, although the impressive defender wasn't quite first choice in match simulation. You can lock in Latrelle Pickett for his first guernsey after showing flashes of the brilliance that made him a first-round pick. Playing alongside his star cousin Kysaiah will give him every chance of succeeding at the next level.
Luker Kentfield suffered a knee injury early in Ballarat but he was on the cusp of selection as a tall forward, while Tom Matthews' power and selfless play in the forward half will earn him chances this year after being snared at pick 30.
Gold Coast vs. West Coast
The Eagles' top three picks in the draft should all roll out in Round 1. The No. 1 overall selection Willem Duursma has a spot on the wing sewn up where his power running and aerial presence is a feature, though he'd like to kick them sweeter than his hitout against Port Adelaide.
Cooper Duff-Tytler has already shown his incredible skill up forward and will pinch hit in the ruck, while Josh Lindsay is the best kick in the team and should find a lot of the ball off halfback this year.