Melbourne’s stark revitalisation as an AFL force has been laid bare, with Paul Roos handing seven players their first match for the club.
Great goalkicking hope Jesse Hogan will make his long-awaited debut for the Demons against Gold Coast on Saturday at the MCG, with Aaron Vandenberg and No.3 draft pick Angus Brayshaw.
Heritier Lumumba, in his 200th AFL game, joins Sam Frost, Jeff Garlett and Ben Newton to play their first match for the red and blue against the Suns, who have named Gary Ablett as expected.
Exciting Sydney academy product Isaac Heeney has forced his way into the Swans’ 22 to play Essendon, while Western Bulldogs will field Tom Boyd against West Coast on Saturday night.
Dayne Beams will face off against his former Collingwood teammates in his first match for Brisbane.
In all, 16 players are set to make league debuts and 23 others will turn out for new AFL clubs for the first time.