AFL premier Geelong has picked star midfielder Joel Corey for the round-one clash against Essendon at the MCG on Friday night.
The two-time premiership player has made a quick recovery from preseason knee surgery as the Cats made three changes to the team that beat St Kilda in last year’s epic grand final.
Tom Harley has retired, while Travis Varcoe and Max Rooke are injured.
Josh Hunt returns from his year out with a knee reconstruction, Mitch Duncan is set for his AFL debut and Tom Lonergan also comes into the side.
The Bombers welcome back ruckman David Hille and their main key forward hope, Scott Gumbleton, from long-term injuries.
They have also named rookie elevation Ben Howlett for his first AFL game and former Hawthorn forward Mark Williams will debut for the Bombers.
Saints vice-captain Lenny Hayes is in their side for the Saturday night clash against Sydney at the Olympic stadium.
Hayes missed the preseason cup final loss to the Western Bulldogs through injury.
Of last year’s grand final side, Michael Gardiner, Raphael Clarke and Sam Fisher are injured, Luke Ball has gone to Collingwood and Sean Dempster is out of the line-up.
Former Fremantle onballer Brett Peake makes his St Kilda debut and James Gwilt, Ben McEvoy and Jarryn Geary come into the senior team.
Sydney’s revamped team will feature six new players, with Lewis Jetta to play his first AFL game.
The Swans were busy in trading, with Daniel Bradshaw (Brisbane), Josh Kennedy (Hawthorn), Ben McGlynn (Hawthorn), Shane Mumford (Geelong) and Mark Seaby (West Coast) to play against the Saints.
Melbourne and Hawthorn have four newcomers apiece for Saturday’s MCG clash.
Tom Scully and Jack Trengove, the two top picks in last year’s national draft, have impressed during Melbourne’s preseason, while James Strauss will also make his AFL debut.
Former Brisbane defender Joel McDonald will play his first game for the Demons.
Like Melbourne, injuries have hit Hawthorn hard during the preseason.
Rookies Carl Peterson and Jarryd Kayler-Thomson will make their senior debuts after strong preseason form.
Former North Melbourne Josh Gibson and Brisbane small forward Rhan Hooper were picked for their first games with the Hawks.
Brisbane, like Sydney, traded heavily and will also feature six first-gamers for their Saturday night home clash against West Coast.
Midfielder Todd Banfield will play his first AFL game, while Brendan Fevola (Carlton), Brent Staker (West Coast), Andrew Raines (Richmond), Amon Buchanan (Sydney) and Matt Maguire (St Kilda) have come from other clubs.
West Coast will feature one player making his AFL debut, with Luke Shuey coming into the side.
In the Sunday squads, Port Adelaide could have six first-gamers – Mitchell Banner, Scott Harding (Brisbane), Cameron Hitchcock, Andrew Moore, Jay Schulz (Richmond) and Jackson Trengove.
The Western Bulldogs-Collingwood match will feature three of this year’s biggest recruits, with Barry Hall (Sydney) starring so far for the Dogs and Darren Jolly (Sydney) and Ball set to make big impacts for the Magpies.
-AAP