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For the second time in the history of the AFL there will be a round dubbed Opening Round, which will have just two games, thanks to the remaining two fixtures being postponed due to Cyclone Alfred.
We’re taking a look at three players from the four teams that will need to make a difference.
Sydney
Angus Sheldrick is a player with plenty of upside. All that he needs is a clean bill of health and an opportunity, which is what the 21-year-old showed in Sydney’s pre-season hit out against Gold Coast. Sheldrick has an opportunity to build on that display and take his opportunity to cement a spot in Sydney’s best 22, with Luke Parker being traded to North Melbourne, along with the injuries suffered in preseason by Errol Gulden and Callum Mills.
Tom McCartin has taken to his move from key defender to key forward like a duck to water, given the former defender kicked four goals in Sydney’s 21-point win over Gold Coast in the pre-season game.
It will be a tough task for him being up against one of the best defences in the competition, in Hawthorn, and he will need to bring the ball to ground so Tom Papley and Will Hayward can go to work. There’s the option of swinging McCartin back to defence if he’s needed there.
Matt Roberts looked impressive in the pre-season game where Sydney beat Gold Coast. The half-back-flanker’s weapon is his left-foot; Roberts amassed 27 disposals, using the ball at 88.9 per cent disposal efficiency. The 21-year-old finished the game with eight intercept possessions and three score involvements.
James Worpel of the Hawks breaks a tackle. (Photo by Simon Sturzaker/Getty Images)
Hawthorn
Blake Hardwick was sorely missed in Hawthorn’s pre-season hit out against Western Bulldogs, which Hawthorn lost. It will be interesting to see if Sam Mitchell plays him forward at times when Hawthorn takes on Sydney. The 2024 Grand Final loss against Brisbane exposed Sydney’s defence with Callum Ah Chee and Kai Lohmann kicking four goals each. Alternatively, Hardwick can play in defence and match up on either Tom Papley or Will Hayward.
Mabior Chol may benefit from Mitch Lewis and Calsher Dear being injured and Jack Gunston nearing the end of his career. Hawthorn needs him to have contests so Nick Watson and Jack Ginnivan can do what they do best when they take on Sydney. What Sam Mitchell needs from Chol is to be more consistent, which will ensure that he is a permanent part of Hawthorn’s best 22.
James Worpel looks primed for a good start to the season following an impressive performance in Hawthorn’s narrow loss to Western Bulldogs in pre-season, finishing the game with a game-high ten clearances. The midfielder will be looking to carry on from where he left off in season 2024.
The 26-year-old played every game and averaged the second most clearances per game of any Hawthorn player with 5.28 and must attack the ball with the same ferocity against a star-studded Sydney midfield comprising of Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner and the ever-reliable James Rowbottom.
GWS
Aaron Cadman will need to be at his best in the absence of Jesse Hogan through injury and Jake Riccardi who is suspended until Round 3, when GWS takes on Collingwood. What Cadman needs to hit the scoreboard and bring the ball to ground so Toby Greene, Brent Daniels and Darcy Jones can do what they do best.
Sam Taylor is a crucial part of the GWS; the 2022 AFL All-Australian needs to get back to his best. The 25-year-old is a player that is a key asset for GWS as he averaged the most intercepts per game of any player in the competition in season 2024, with 8.56 per game.
The key defender will face a tough task up against a Collingwood forward line that looked sharp in their pre-season game against Richmond.
Toby Greene. (Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images)
Toby Greene needs to improve on what he produced in season 2024. Despite that, Greene still averaged the second most score involvements per game of any GWS player, with 6.58.
The Giants captain has plenty of work to do given the forward failed to kick a goal from four scoring shots against Carlton in pre-season. Greene has the perfect opportunity to get back to his best against Collingwood and make a statement.
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Collingwood
Bobby Hill is a player in good form as the small forward kicked four goals in the Indigenous All Stars game and another four for Collingwood in their preseason match against Richmond. The issue that GWS have is that Lachie Whitfield and Lachie Ash are attacking defenders and they lack a player that can stop Hill hitting the scoreboard.
Nick Daicos amassed 32 disposals in 59 per cent game time when Collingwood took on Richmond in their pre-season game. The reason why Daicos could prove to be important is that Jordan De Goey won’t play against a GWS team who are missing an important player, in Tom Green, due to injury.
It’s important that Collingwood get off to a good start and arguably the best player in the competition will be crucial.
Darcy Cameron is one of the elite ruckmen in the AFL. The ruckman finished second in the Collingwood best and fairest and should be too good for GWS ruckman Keiren Briggs.
It may prove, with all due respect, that Collingwood are a better team without Mason Cox in it.
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