Swans to unleash debutant; Coleman medallist hurt in ‘toilet door’ mishap — AFL Team Tips

After a long summer, the 2025 AFL season is now just days away from gracing us, and there’s no shortage of intrigue surrounding the make-up of the now-just-four teams partaking in Opening Round.

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Last year’s Coleman medallist has suffered an unfortunate setback on the eve of the season, breaking his thumb after accidentally slamming it in a door following GWS’ Community Series loss to Carlton.

Elsewhere, a Hawthorn speedster was ruled out of Friday night’s season-opener against Sydney at the SCG.

Get the latest selection and injury news ahead of Opening Round with AFL Team Tips!

OPENING ROUND TEAM TIPS AND FIXTURE (all times AEST)

BRISBANE vs. GEELONG — POSTPONED

This match will no longer take place on Thursday March 6, 7:50pm at the Gabba. The rescheduled date is currently unknown.

Lions’ predicted team:

B: N. Answerth, H. Andrews, R. Lester

HB: D. Zorko, J. Payne, D. Wilmot

C: J. Fletcher, W. Ashcroft, H. McCluggage

HF: C. Rayner, L. Morris, J. Berry

F: C. Cameron, E. Hipwood, Z. Bailey

FOLL: O. McInerney, L. Neale, J. Dunkley

I/C: K. Lohmann, C. Ah Chee, C.McKenna, S. Day, L. Ashcroft

EMG: L.McCarthy, T.Gallop, B.Reville

Cats’ predicted team:

B: Z.Guthrie, J.Henry, J.Kolodjashnij

HB: L.Humphries, C.O’Sullivan, T.Stewart

C: G.Miers, B.Smith, O.Dempsey

HF: P.Dangerfield, J.Cameron, B.Close

F: T.Stengle, S.Neale, O.Henry

FOLL: S.De Koning, M.Knevitt, M.Holmes

I/C: T.Atkins, S.Mannagh, T.Bruhn, M.Blicavs, J.Bowes

EMG: M.Duncan, J.Clark, R.Stanley

SYDNEY vs. HAWTHORN

Friday March 7, 7:40pm at the SCG

Swans’ predicted Opening Round team:

B: D.Rampe, L.Melican, A.Francis

HB: M.Roberts, N.Blakey, O.Florent

C: Co.Warner, Ch.Warner, J.Jordon

HF: T.Papley, T.McCartin, A.Sheldrick

F: B.Campbell, J.Amartey, W.Hayward

FOLL: B.Grundy, I.Heeney, J.Rowbottom

I/C: T.Adams, J.Lloyd, J.McInerney, S.Wicks, B.Paton

EMG: H.McLean, R.Bice, T.Hanily

Team Tips: The Swans are reportedly set to name a debutant on Friday night, with Nine’s Tom Morris reporting mid-season draftee Tom Hanily is expected to play his first AFL game against Hawthorn. New coach Dean Cox mentioned on AFL 360 this week Hanily, a 179 midfielder/forward, had been an impressive pre-season trainer. Assuming their stars under injury clouds all get up, Ben Paton or Sam Wicks might be the unlucky ones to miss out. Undoubtedly the biggest news of late for the Swans, and arguably any team playing in Opening Round, is the absence of Errol Gulden — who fractured his ankle against Gold Coast in last Friday’s Community Series tune-up. The superstar underwent surgery on Sunday, and will be in a cast for two weeks before a follow-up appointment with his surgeon in five weeks’ time, when a return date can be determined. He is unlikely to be back for at least a couple of months. Callum Mills is about a month away. Angus Sheldrick might be the player who gets his opportunity off the back of Gulden’s injury, after two very impressive outings in pre-season against GWS and the Suns. Uncertainty still surrounds Brodie Grundy, as the two-time All-Australian races against the clock to recover from a knock to his right knee. He is a test, according to Fox Sports News’ Drew Jones. Should he not pull up well enough, reserve tall Peter Ladhams will instead suit up as the main ruck. Veteran defender Harry Cunningham is around 4-5 weeks away after ligament damage in his ankle was revealed during match simulation against the Giants, which could have given an opportunity for Robbie Fox, but he suffered a calf strain recurrence in the VFL hitout and needs another six weeks on the sidelines. Does Aaron Francis get the call-up? A low-grade ankle sprain kept Tom Papley out of last week’s match against Suns, and Jones reports he is ‘touch and go’ to play Hawthorn. Jake Lloyd got through the aforementioned match great after bone bruising concerns and looks likely to line up again on a wing. The quartet of Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, Dane Rampe and Lewis Melican were all rested against the Suns and will slot straight back into Cox’s best 23 for Friday night. Mature-age recruit Riley Bice is a chance to make his league debut come Friday night but may just miss out in favour of others more established.

Hawks’ predicted Opening Round team:

B: J.Battle, T.Barrass, J.Scrimshaw

HB: J.Impey, J.Sicily, J.Weddle

C: K.Amon, W Day, M.D’Ambrosio

HF: D.Moore, M.Chol, N.Watson

F: B.Hardwick, J.Gunston, J.Ginnivan

FOLL: L.Meek, J. Newcombe, J.Worpel

I/C: C.Macdonald, C.Mackenzie, C.Nash, F.Maginness, H.Morrison

EMG: L.Breust, J.Ward, S.Frost

Team Tips: At the Hawks, Jarman Impey and Blake Hardwick were both rested in the club’s final pre-season hit out but will be back to travel to Sydney later this week — in what is now the 2025 season-opener. Not joining them, however, will be speedy rebounder Changkuoth Jiath, whose hip flared up days before the Hawks’ clash against the Bulldogs in Launceston. Coach Sam Mitchell officially ruled out the running defender during Wednesday’s press conference. Luke Breust lined up for Box Hill on Friday night and remains a chance to hold his place in the starting 23, should his experience be called upon. His teammate Finn Maginness has had an excellent pre-season that has shone through during practice games this summer and is deserving of a spot in Hawthorn’s forward half. At the other end of the ground, Sam Frost may end up the unlucky man squeezed out of the side despite a solid game against the Bulldogs in Tasmania — with new defensive combination Tom Barrass and Josh Battle in full flight. Their newfound combination leaves intrigue over James Sicily and where he’ll line up for Opening Round, with the skipper able to have a strong impact at both ends of the ground. Cam Mackenziehas completed a top-tier pre-season and looks primed for greater opportunity beginning this Friday night.

GOLD COAST vs. ESSENDON — POSTPONED

This match will no longer take place on Saturday March 8, 5:15pm at People First Stadium. The rescheduled date is currently unknown.

Suns’ predicted team:

B: M.Andrew, S.Collins, B.Uwland

HB: D.Rioli, C.Ballard, J.Noble

C: S.Clohesy, N.Anderson, L.Weller

HF: B.Ainsworth, E.Read, B.Humphrey

F: B.Long, B.King, J.Rogers

FOLL: J.Witts, M.Rowell, T.Miller

I/C: W.Graham, T.Berry, C.Budarick, W.Powell, J.Jeffrey

EMG: E. Himmelberg, N.Moyle, A.Davies

Bombers’ predicted team:

B: A.McGrath, B. McKay, J.Ridley

HB: M.Redman, Z. Reid, D.Shiel

C: X. Duursma, Z. Merrett, N.Martin

HF: J.Gresham, H.Jones, A.Perkins

F: I. Kako, N.Caddy, K.Langford

FOLL: N.Bryan, J.Caldwell, S. Durham

I/C: S.Draper, A.Roberts, E.Tsatas, B.Hobbs, J.Prior

EMG: S. El-Hawli, W.Setterfield, T.Edwards

GWS GIANTS vs. COLLINGWOOD

Sunday March 9, 3:20pm at ENGIE Stadium

Giants’ predicted Opening Round team:

B: H.Himmelberg, S.Taylor, C.Idun

HB: L.Whitfield, J.Buckley, L.Ash

C: T.Bedford, F.Callaghan, X.O’Halloran

HF: B.Daniels, A.Cadman, T.Greene

F: D.Jones, M.Gruzewski, C.Stone

FOLL: K.Briggs, S.Coniglio, J.Kelly

I/C: C.Ward, J.Leake, C.Angove, L.Keeffe, P.Gothard

EMG: L.Aleer, J.Wehr, H.Rowston

Team Tips: Reigning Coleman medallist Jesse Hogan will miss two-to-three weeks with a broken thumb, after accidentally “jamming his thumb in a door following the AAMI Community Series loss to Carlton”. Seven’s Mitch Cleary revealed, in fact, that Hogan slammed it in ‘the toilet door of the bus’ as the Giants travelled back to Sydney from Canberra. We expect Max Gruzewski to take the spearhead’s spot in GWS’ side to begin the season alongside Aaron Cadman, with Leek Aleer shifting into the emergencies list. Star on-baller Tom Green will miss the start of the season after straining his calf at training, while Callum Brown (hamstring) and Ryan Angwin (ankle) are also sidelined. We’ve named Kieren Briggs in the side despite some doubt over both players’ availability but have now ruled out Jake Stringer after reports of a low-grade hamstring strain Nine’s Tom Morris reported early on Tuesday morning that the club’s new recruit suffered the set back during a VFL practice match last Saturday. Stringer had already missed both Giants pre-season games due to illness, while Briggs was a late withdrawal from the AAMI Community Series match against Carlton; instead completing a lengthy training session last Friday. First-round draftee Phoenix Gothard (ankle sprain) is another who should be fit for selection and could replace Stringer, but missing the Blues game may mean the Giants hold off unleashing him. But it seems they’re more likely to name 2024 draft bolter Cody Angove for a debut after an impressive pre-season. The winger was excellent in match simulation against Sydney, made the most of his second-half AAMI Series chances against Carlton then starred in the VFL practice match. The other debutant could be 2023 first-round pick James Leake, who showed against Carlton he’s ready for AFL action with 18 disposals and a team-high six clearances. Leake, Conor Stone and Lachie Keeffe get in on the bench – Keeffe and Briggs worked well together in the ruck in the finals – but Gruzewski had a great look against the Blues to put himself in the mix, along with Jacob Wehr. A two-week suspension for his off-field indiscretions will cost Harvey Thomas the chance to compete for a spot early in the season, while Jake Riccardi will spend the opening fortnight on the sidelines too as a result of his ban. Other suspended players include Josh Fahey, Toby McMullin and Joe Fonti.

Magpies’ predicted Opening Round team:

B: B.Maynard, D.Moore, R.McInnes

HB: I.Quaynor, J.Howe, J.Daicos

C: S.Sidebottom, H.Perryman, J.Crisp

HF: L.Schultz, B. Mihocek, J.Elliott

F: B.Hill, D.McStay, B.McCreery

FOLL: D.Cameron, N.Daicos, S.Pendlebury

I/C: P.Lipinski, E.Allan, W.Hoskin-Elliott, T.Membrey, O.Markov

EMG: N.Long, F. Macrae, W.Parker

Team Tips: Just a reminder that we haven’t snubbed Dan Houston – he’ll just miss Opening Round due to suspension. Star midfielder Jordan De Goey will also miss Saturday’s clash as a result of his knee bruising injury, which ‘required a de-load period’, per the Magpies. We’ve snuck Oleg Markov and Ed Allan onto the bench, but those two might be the most vulnerable when De Goey and Houston are cleared to return. The Pies, however, expect Brayden Maynard to play, despite missing the Community Series match against Richmond. With De Goey out, we’ve moved Harry Perryman into the starting midfield after his impressive on-ball outing against the Tigers (one goal, 20 disposals, 10 tackles, six inside 50s and four clearances). Tim Membrey gets an Opening Round gig after he kicked four goals against Richmond in their pre-season hit out. After news dropped this week that Mason Cox will only return to contract training from a finger injury in two to three weeks, it looks like Membrey will play as the third tall forward alongside Brody Mihocek and Dan McStay, with the latter to provide back-up ruck support for Darcy Cameron. Speaking of whom, Seven reports Cameron was sent for scans after copping a knock to his hip at training on Monday, but they showed no damage, and he looks set to play. Former Hawk Ned Long is another name to keep in mind, likewise Finlay Macrae — but the latter will be unavailable for selection due to a shoulder issue. Reef McInnes looked comfortable in defence for the Pies during the pre-season and looks likely to play a part for Craig McRae’s side in the back half to start 2025. Jeremy Howe told AFL 360 he doesn’t expect to miss the game due to the birth of his second child, but it’s a watch.