A finger injury to winger Paul Seedsman could all but secure Chayce Jones a round one debut against Hawthorn on Saturday. Jones – last year's No. 9 overall draft pick – played as a pressure forward during the JLT Community Series, but the 19-year-old Tasmanian can also roam higher up the ground. Jones is the only serious chance among the newcomers to force their way into an experienced round one side. Small forward Tyson Stengle – traded to the Crows from Richmond – was impressive in kicking four goals in a SANFL trial, but he's behind the under-rated Lachlan Murphy and Jones for a spot in the senior team. – Lee Gaskin

There's a lot of continuity with the Lions from 2018 but there'll be three new faces running out against West Coast on Saturday night. Lachie Neale (Fremantle), Jarryd Lyons (Gold Coast) and Lincoln McCarthy (Geelong) all came during the off-season and have fitted seamlessly into the best 22. The biggest question mark remains over reliable defender Darcy Gardiner, who did not play during the JLT Series. Gardiner hurt his PCL in January but has recovered well and is a strong chance to play. - Michael Whiting

Former Suns ball-winner Jarryd Lyons has slotted in seamlessly to the Lions' midfield. Picture: AFL Photos





The big selection conundrum for Carlton's new arrivals centres around Alex Fasolo. His fitness base is sound, as he has been able to do the entirety of the running drills across the summer, but he is yet to feature with his new teammates and only returned via a VFL practice match a fortnight ago. The Blues might be tempted by his X-factor, but could also be cautious given they already possess a relatively new-look forward line that is still trying to jell. Mitch McGovern and Michael Gibbons are two of the recruits set to be involved in that attack, while Sam Walsh and Will Setterfield will join a developing midfield group. Nic Newman has settled well after his move from Sydney and should play, but first-round draft pick Liam Stocker looks a fair way off as he builds his match fitness in an AFL system. - Riley Beveridge

Among the Pies newcomers are two certainties and an outside chance to face Geelong at the MCG on Friday. Champion midfielder Dayne Beams is back after four years in Brisbane and looks primed for a big season back in the engine room with old teammates Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom. Ex-Bulldogs big man Jordan Roughead hasn't put a foot wrong since joining the Pies as a bargain-basement buy and is a strong candidate to take on Cats spearhead Tom Hawkins. Meanwhile, gun draftee Isaac Quaynor is highly unlikely to force his way into a strong line-up despite an impressive pre-season in defence. – Ben Collins

Draftee Isaac Quaynor has made an impressive start to life as a Magpie. Picture: AFL Photos





Marquee recruit Dylan Shiel will make his debut for Essendon against his former side, Greater Western Sydney, on Sunday. Shiel was a standout across the pre-season and his pace and burst away from contests will make him an important addition. Tom Jok would have been a chance to play in round one but suffered a concussion against Carlton in the first JLT Community Series game, while SSP pick-up Zac Clarke could feature in the Bombers' side early in the season. Irving Mosquito, who the Bombers took with pick No.38 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, is developing well but still a while off being ready for senior footy. Late draft selection Brayden Ham could push for a debut at some stage this season. - Ben Guthrie

FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game

Three of Freo's four key off-season recruits are set to debut in purple when the Dockers host North Melbourne to close out round one this Sunday at Optus Stadium. With news that Jesse Hogan is unavailable due to clinical anxiety, ex-Giants big man Rory Lobb is set to lead the attack as Fremantle attempts to increase its firepower after three seasons among the bottom three sides for points scored. Former Essendon speedster Travis Colyer and ex-Richmond utility Reece Conca are expected to spend plenty of time running through a vulnerable midfield hit hard by injuries to Stephen Hill and Connor Blakely, and don't discount Williamstown products Brett Bewley and Lachie Schultz, who is a chance to debut after small forward Brandon Matera was suspended. – Travis King

Former Giant Rory Lobb adds firepower to the Dockers' forward line. Picture: AFL Photos





Lock in Luke Dahlhaus and Gary Rohan for attack and 18-year-old Jordan Clark in defence after impressive performances through the JLT Community Series. Former Geelong VFL captain Tom Atkins is all but assured a role as a pressure forward, which may edge Quinton Narkle out of a spot. Second-year midfielder Charlie Constable is firmly in the frame for a debut and don't discount running machine Gryan Miers. With doubts around Esava Ratugolea's fitness, the Cats may be forced to reshuffle their tall stocks. If they lean to two rucks, mature-age big man Darcy Fort may be asked to partner Rhys Stanley. - Mitch Cleary

WHO MAKES FINALS? Do the 2019 Ladder Predictor

Do your homework before watching the Suns against St Kilda on Sunday because they'll have plenty of new faces after overhauling their list. Anthony Miles (Richmond), George Horlin-Smith (Geelong) and Jack Hombsch (Port Adelaide) would appear certain to play, while Jordan Murdoch (Geelong) is also a strong chance after coming to the club via trade. Sam Collins is a lock to play at full-back while Chris Burgess is also likely to get a start, with the pair both impressing after coming from state league systems. No.2 draft pick Jack Lukosius has also put his name in the frame after a strong performance against Sydney in the JLT Series. - Michael Whiting

Plucked from the state leagues, Sam Collins is a certainty to play in round one. Picture: AFL Photos





The Giants don't usually throw first-year players into the mix early in the season but highly rated draftees Jackson Hately and Jye Caldwell looked ready-made players when they arrived at the Giants and both enhanced their reputations during the JLT Community Series. Hately is probably closer to earning himself a round-one debut against Essendon on Sunday after two consistent performances, while Caldwell was quieter in his second outing. Former Docker Tommy Sheridan isn't likely to be considered after battling a minor calf issue, while draftees Kieren Briggs, Ian Hill and Xavier O'Halloran aren't ready for senior footy but will feature this year. – Adam Curley

The Hawks' highest-profile recruit Chad Wingard won't debut in round one following an injury interrupted pre-season. He resumes full training this week and will be a chance for round two. Ex-Sun Jack Scrimshaw is the most likely debutant for Hawthorn's opening game of the season against the Crows. He's had an excellent summer and gathered 12 touches against the Tigers in the first term of their JLT clash. He still has work to do in terms of conditioning but has shown enough to earn an early call-up. Dylan Moore, Ollie Hanrahan and Harrison Jones have also shown good signs during the JLT series and could be in the mix for a round one spot. - Nat Edwards

Former Sun Jack Scrimshaw could make his Hawks debut against the Crows. Picture: AFL Photos





Steven May will have to wait an extra week to play his first game in the red and blue after being suspended for one week. Former Suns teammate Kade Kolodjashnij will begin his Melbourne career in the VFL and try to find form after being hampered by a hamstring injury late in the pre-season. Ruckman Braydon Preuss injured his groin in a VFL practice match and it's unlikely he'll be ready to go in round one. Marty Hore, taken at pick No.56 last year, is a very realistic chance of playing in round one after impressing in the JLT Community Series, while top draftee Tom Sparrow (No.27) will play senior footy at some stage this season. - Ben Guthrie

FULL INJURY LIST Who's racing the clock for round one?

The Roos could quite reasonably field five newcomers against Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Sunday. Jared Polec, Dom Tyson, Aaron Hall and Jasper Pittard arrived at Arden St via last year's NAB AFL Trade Period and range from certain to likely round-one starters. Father-son selection Bailey Scott was a pre-season standout among North's fresh draftees, defying his slight frame to effectively demand an instant AFL debut. Ruck signing Tom Campbell is suspended, while top-10 draft pick Tarryn Thomas probably didn't do quite enough. Another draftee, Curtis Taylor, was an emergency for JLT2 and might be around the mark in the early rounds if his form continues. - Marc McGowan

Ex-Power defender Jasper Pittard is in line to run out with the Roos on Sunday. Picture: AFL Photos



The Power could have up to six newcomers for their season-opener against Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday. Former West Coast ruckman Scott Lycett and ex-Hawthorn defender Ryan Burton have adjusted well to their new surroundings. Third-year midfielder Willem Drew is almost certain to make his AFL debut. He's looked comfortable stepping up in the absence of injured co-captain Ollie Wines. The biggest question is whether the Power plays all three of their first-round draftees from 2018 – Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma. Butters and Duursma have had the most impact in the JLT Community Series, but Rozee has an X-factor in attack that will be hard to overlook. – Lee Gaskin

Star recruit Tom Lynch remains touch and go for round one, even suggesting at the club's season launch last Friday night he may make his Tigers debut in the VFL. Former St Kilda small forward Mav Weller is a chance to play against Carlton, having played both JLT matches and with Josh Caddy and Jason Castagna missing (both ankle injuries). Inside midfielder Jack Ross is the best-placed of the draftees to make his debut but may struggle to crack a well-established Tiger engine room. Versatile big man Noah Balta, who is in his second year at the club, is also in line for his debut. - Sarah Black

Draftee Jack Ross played well in JLT but may find it hard to crack it for a round one spot. Picture: AFL Photos





A couple of defenders in Jonathon Marsh and Sam Rowe were recruited late last week under the pre-season supplemental selection period rule to help cover the loss of Dylan Roberton (heart) and Jake Carlisle (back). Marsh would be closer to selection than Rowe, having been training with Richmond's VFL side rather than Eastern Football League team Doncaster East. Rookie Callum Wilkie will be considered to replace Roberton, since they're similar types. Dan Hannebery is continuing his conditioning block after persistent hamstring issues so won't appear in round one, but mature-age draftees Matthew Parker and Nick Hind are huge chances to make their debuts against Gold Coast on Sunday at Marvel Stadium, with Parker the more likely. Former Melbourne forward Dean Kent will probably play his first game in Saints colours. Four-time best and fairest Jack Steven has been battling a mental health issue, but if he's declared right will be named. - Dinny Navaratnam

RULES WASH-UP How your team adjusted in pre-season

The Swans will likely have at least three new faces in the side when they face the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night. Ryan Clarke (North Melbourne) and Jackson Thurlow (Geelong) have fitted into the Swans beautifully and both were impressive during the JLT Community Series. Clarke fills the hole left by Dan Hannebery through the midfield, while Thurlow looked at home in defence. Boom Academy graduate and gifted forward Nick Blakey should debut against the Dogs, especially with Lance Franklin and Dan Menzel set to miss, while fellow draftees Justin McInerney and James Rowbottom probably won't make the cut this week but won't be far away. – Adam Curley

Ryan Clarke has impressed for the Swans since being traded from the Kangaroos. Picture: AFL Photos





The Eagles rolled with their preferred two-ruckman line-up during the JLT Community Series and it's almost certain that former Gold Coast and St Kilda big man Tom Hickey will be in the side to take on Brisbane at the Gabba to replace Scott Lycett (Port Adelaide). How coach Adam Simpson juggles Hickey and Nathan Vardy, who is the more accomplished forward, will be intriguing, especially if star spearhead Josh Kennedy isn't available after foot problems. The only Eagles draftee to feature during pre-season was small forward Jarrod Cameron, who is down the pecking order, while ex-Collingwood utility Josh Smith is in the wings if injuries strike through midfield as the campaign progresses. – Travis King

There is some buzz about No.7 pick Bailey Smith, but in a largely healthy midfield group, the highly touted draftee might find himself on the emergency list, having played only one half in both JLT Series games. Father-son Rhylee West is in a similar boat after featuring at VFL level rather than either JLT fixture. The absence of first-choice running defender Jason Johannisen with an ankle issue opens the door for former Hawk Taylor Duryea, while Sam Lloyd kicked three goals in the Dogs' loss to St Kilda and is a likely forward option. Injured new faces Ben Cavarra (quad) and Laitham Vandermeer (hamstring) are unavailable for selection. - Paul Bastin

Top-10 pick Bailey Smith is an outside chance to play this week. Picture: AFL Photos



