KEY SELECTIONS FOR WEEK ONE OF THE 2017 AFL PRE-SEASON COMPETITION
NEW RECRUITS:
Jordan Lewis (Melbourne) – The four-time premiership player will slot straight into the Demons’ midfield after making a shock switch from Hawthorn.
Jaeger O’Meara (Hawthorn) – Has not played in more than two years due to persistent knee injuries, but the 22-year-old has a chance to start afresh off the back of a solid pre-season.
Travis Cloke (Western Bulldogs) – The key forward takes another step to reviving his AFL career with the premiers after falling out of favour with Collingwood last year.
WHO’S BACK:
Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn) – The new captain is set to play his first game since 2015 having been declared cancer-free.
Banned Bombers – Some questions over how well returning present and former Essendon players respond to the rigours of competitive action after a year-long ban will be answered.
Bob Murphy (Western Bulldogs) – The beloved captain missed last year’s drought-breaking premiership after suffering a season-ending knee injury against Hawthorn in round three.
Jamie Elliott (Collingwood) – With hopes he will lift the Magpies’ underperforming attack, Elliott is set to return from a serious back injury which threatened to derail his career in 2016.
David Swallow (Gold Coast) – Knee troubles ruined the former No.1 draft pick’s 2016 season, but he’s been a strong performer at pre-season training.
TOP DRAFT PICKS:
Andrew McGrath (Essendon) – Described as ready-made for the AFL, the No.1 pick will have his first run through the Bombers’ midfield.
Tim Taranto (Greater Western Sydney) – Faces stiff competition for games in a talent-packed Giants midfield, but gets his first chance to impress with stars Dylan Shiel, Stephen Coniglio and Brett Deledio absent.
Hugh McLuggage (Brisbane) – Impressed in the intra-club hit-out. Needs to mature early to help the Lions’ struggling midfield.
NOTABLE ABSENTEES:
Sam Mitchell (West Coast) – The Eagles have resisted putting the 34-year-old champion through a full pre-season after his shock move from Hawthorn.
Lance Franklin (Sydney) – Recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, the Swans say he will make an appearance later in the pre-season comp.
Dayne Beams (Brisbane) – The midfield star is in good shape after last year’s knee troubles but the Lions are not willing to risk him.
