Dates, schedule, timetable, how to watch on live stream, every club’s burning question – MASHAHER

We get our first taste of competitive AFL footy this weekend as match simulation week begins.

While there’s only so much we can take away from match simulation — and you wouldn’t expect clubs to fully show their hands — we’ll still learn plenty after a long off-season.

Below foxfooty.com.au has listed every club’s burning question for the upcoming match simulation games.

Watch AFL match simulations and pre-season games this February exclusively live on Fox Footy, via Foxtel and Kayo. New to Kayo? Start Your Free Trial Today >

MATCH SIMULATIONS (Kayo stream also shown on Fox Footy)

MELBOURNE V RICHMOND

Sunday, February 18, 10am (AEDT) at Casey Fields

(7 periods, 4 x 20 minutes + time on with best 22, 3 x 20 minutes with no fixed bench)

Demons’ burning question:How does Clayton Oliver look after eventful off-season?

Though the state of Melbourne’s undermanned forward line will also be a big watch, more importantly from an overall perspective, is how Oliver looks after a challenging 2023 campaign and eventful off-season. Oliver, who returned to the training track late last month, had been on light duties before taking part in some match simulation for the first time this week. Oliver is set to play on Sunday, although predominantly when the younger and VFL-listed players will run around during the back-end of the match. You already sensed he’d only participate in a portion of the session. But more important than anything would be seeing the star midfielder simply get through the session as he builds up to full fitness. Such an important piece in the Demons’ premiership hopes.

Tigers’ burning question:What changes does Adem Yze make?

There’s always fascination around a team with a new coach, particularly when it’s one of the biggest clubs in the competition not far removed from premiership success. And Sunday will mark the first time we see the Yze-led Tigers in action in some official capacity, with a new game style, role changes and moves otherwise on the radar. So aside from personnel, just how different will these Tigers look overall? Of course, despite coaching changes, Collingwood and GWS showed over the last two seasons that with enough top-end talent, it’s possible to bounce back quicker than expected, and Richmond fits that mould too.

NORTH MELBOURNE V COLLINGWOOD

Wednesday, February 21, 10am (AEDT) at AIA Centre

(4 x 25 minute periods plus 2 x 5 minute scenarios at conclusion)

Kangaroos’ burning question: Can this new-look key defensive set-up really match it with AFL forward lines?

The Roos’ defence will look vastly different in 2024. Following Ben McKay’s free agency departure to Essendon and Griffin Logue (ACL) being sidelined to start the season, the club will turn to the likes of recruit Toby Pink, Kallan Dawson and Charlie Comben to hold down its key backline posts, having appeared to settle on the trio in its intra-club match. The area of the ground where North appears most vulnerable, it’s new-look defence will get a mighty test first up (if only match simulation) against reigning premier Collingwood and its high-octane forward line. How both the Roos’ backs fare one-on-one, and how their system functions as a whole, will be an important watch.

Magpies’ burning question:Are the youngsters ready for more responsibility?

A few Collingwood younger players have put their hands up for more senior opportunities in 2024 as the reigning premiers consider turning to their next crop. So who’s ready for more responsibility? Finlay Macrae shined in the club’s intra-club match and would a veteran midfield with an injection of youth it may need from a long-term perspective. Meanwhile Dan McStay’s ACL injury has opened up a key-position spot, with Reef McInnes, who’s also impressed over the pre-season, and Ash Johnson considered to be in the mix. Such names will get their first real chance against proper competition to boost their prospects of a Round 1 berth.

SYDNEY SWANS v GWS GIANTS

Thursday, February 22, 10am (AEDT) at Tramway Oval

(4 x 30 minute periods [may reduce to 25 depending on weather])

Swans’ burning question:Who’s ready to fill Buddy void?

Even if he was hampered by injuries in recent years, Lance Franklin’s retirement has left big shoes to fill in the Swans’ forward line in 2024. So between Logan McDonald, Hayden McLean, Joel Amartey — or someone else entirely — which of their young key forwards is ready to take the next step up as the main reference point? We know the likes of Tom Papley, Isaac Heeney and Will Hayward will still do their thing, but there’s a clear pathway for one of those aforementioned names to take their games to another level. It looms as an important piece in the Swans’ puzzle as they look to get back to premiership contention and boosted by midfield additions Brodie Grundy and Taylor Adams.

Giants’ burning question:Can young forwards stake claim for Opening Round debut?

A pair of young Giants have reportedly impressed over the pre-season to throw their names into the mix for a Round 1 debut. Darcy Jones, a 2022 first-round draftee whose debut season was wiped by injury, and Phoenix Gothard, their surprise first pick in last year’s draft after being projected to go later in the first round, have generated buzz over the summer for their form on the track. It’s made the small forwards legitimate options to debut in the club’s Opening Round clash against Collingwood, particularly given the forward half is probably where the Giants are the least settled on the ground. You sense there might only be room for one in the senior team though, so they get the chance to make a statement and stake their claim.

CARLTON v GEELONG CATS

Thursday, February 22, 11.30am (AEDT) at Ikon Park

(4 x 20 minute periods)

Blues’ burning question:Are they vulnerable down back without Jacob Weitering?

Weitering’s calf injury is a big blow to the Blues in a season where they should rightfully have premiership ambitions. The key staple that holds Carlton’s defence together, it’ll need to get by, at least for the first few rounds, without its star defender, forcing the likes of Caleb Marchbank and Lewis Young into more important roles. They’ll get a big test first up against Cats power forwards Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron, where, even if it’s only a practice match, we’ll get a fair indication of how capable the rest of the Blues defence is as a whole without its all-important leader.

Cats’ burning question: Can anyone raise the ceiling of their midfield?

The Cats’ midfield has been somewhat a weak point in recent times, particularly after Joel Selwood’s retirement. They can no longer rely on their usual wise heads who have consistently carried them to finals campaign after finals campaign over the last decade. Chris Scott would be desperate for others — such as Max Holmes, Tanner Bruhn and Brandon Parfitt — to show they’re ready to support the likes of Patrick Dangerfield and Cam Guthrie in bigger roles — and are capable of taking the baton as cornerstones to lead the club’s on-ball group into the future. Doing so could really raise the Cats’ ceiling in the midfield — having ranked 12th in contested possessions and 13th in clearances last year. It should also open the door for Pick 8 draft pick Jhye Clark and draft slider George Stevens to get an opportunity at some stage, so there’s multiple Cats that will look prove themselves in match simulation.

BRISBANE LIONS v GOLD COAST SUNS

Thursday, February 22, 5pm (AEDT) at Brighton Homes Arena

(6 x 20 minute periods + time on)

Lions’ burning question:Is Eric Hipwood ready to explode?

There’s probably no forward line with more firepower then Brisbane’s, with the combination of star talls Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood and smalls including Charlie Cameron, Zac Bailey and Lincoln McCarthy. A forward group that’s largely been led by Daniher and Cameron in recent years, is 2024 the year Hipwood explodes and really announce himself as a bona fide top-liner? Coming off a career-best 41 goals and now in his prime at 26 years of age — but being held goalless in the Grand Final — Hipwood going to another level could seriously propel the Lions further in a scary prospect for the rest of the AFL. We’ll get our first look on Thursday.

Suns’ burning question: How quickly can Dimma make his mark?

Damien Hardwick’s high-profile move to the Suns has arguably created more hope for the club than ever before in its history. With the club looking to make finals for the first time since entering the AFL in 2011, next Thursday’s clash with Brisbane is technically the start of the Hardwick era, making Gold Coast one of the most fascinating teams to watch in match simulation. While we can only read so much into practice games, we’ll get an impression of how much of an impact the three-time premiership coach has made during his short time at the club — from the style and intensity the Suns play, to how committed players are to their roles — whether new or refined.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v HAWTHORN

Friday, February 23, 11am (AEDT) at Whitten Oval

(4 x 30 minute periods)

Bulldogs’ burning question: Is Ryley Sanders as good as advertised?

There’s been ample hype surrounding the club’s Pick 6 draftee Ryley Sanders over the pre-season, considered a near lock to debut Round 1. North Smith medallist Jason Johannisen only added to it recently on RSN, comparing Sanders to a young Tom Liberatore and praising the new Bulldog’s “unbelievable” training standards. We’ll see Sanders in action for the first time against the Hawks, and if he’s as good advertised in an exciting moment for Dogs fans. Sanders over the pre-season will likely get extra opportunities through the midfield too, where he can command a bigger role come the season proper.

Hawks’ burning question:Which Hawks, if any, are ready to take Will Day’s midfield minutes?

After a breakout 2023 season, Will Day’s foot injury opens up a key void in Hawthorn’s engine room. Sam Mitchell has no shortage of options that can run through the midfield, with the likes of Cam McKenzie, Josh Ward and Connor Macdonald all in line to spend more time on the ball. It comes as the Hawks battle an injury crisis, with Changkuoth Jiath (hamstring) and James Blank (ACL), suffering long-term setbacks at an intra-club match this week and Dylan Moore battling glandular fever. So even beyond the Day injury, there’s spots up for grabs in Sam Mitchell’s side, making the practice matches all the more important for the club.

ST KILDA v ESSENDON

Friday, February 23, 2pm (AEDT) at RSEA Park

(4 x 25 minute periods)

Saints’ burning question: Is Liam Henry capable of having a Bobby Hill-style impact?

One of the big moves of the off-season saw Liam Henry move to the Saints, where he’ll instantly become a key part of Ross Lyon’s side. It comes off the back of a breakout second half of 2023 for the talented winger as Henry will now look to ascend his game even further in red, white and black in 2024. Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton named Henry the trade recruit that fascinates him the most this season, saying on SEN: “He could be the value that Bobby Hill was for Collingwood in 2023.” A fair endorsement to compare him to a player who just won a Norm Smith Medal!

Bombers’ burning question:How do the recruits look?

On the theme of recruits, no club was busier in the trade period than Essendon, landing Ben McKay, Xavier Duursma, Jade Gresham and Todd Goldstein. While Bombers fans will be keen to see their next crop of players develop, they’d also love their new additions, who all address specific needs, make an instant impact. Looking at the success clubs like Collingwood and Geelong have had in recent years off the back of topping up via trade and free agency, it could make all the difference for Brad Scott and company as they look to improve on a promising 11-win season under their new senior coach.

PORT ADELAIDE v ADELAIDE CROWS

Friday, February 23, 5.30pm (AEDT) at Alberton Oval

(6 periods, 4 x 28 minutes and 2 x 20-25 minutes [TBC])

Power’s burning question:Do recruits help solve defensive woes?

Port Adelaide was very clear in targeting Esava Ratugolea and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher to bolster their defence — the only area of the ground it was really exploited last season, despite finishing in the top four and being right in the thick of the premiership race. With that in mind, if the Power can improve defensively in 2024, it could make them a real force and a step closing to winning that elusive premiership under Ken Hinkley. And so the impact of their new additions, both from an individual standpoint and how they improve the system as a whole, can’t be understated. “(Ratugolea) is actually growing in confidence in his time with us … he tends to spend his time second-guessing himself a bit,” Hinkley said at the Power’s Annual General Meeting. “He hasn’t quite established himself in AFL football so I think he is looking forward for that opportunity to really establish his own identity as a key back.”

Crows’ burning question:How does new-look defence hold up?

Another club with more focus on its defence after the departure of Tom Doedee and Nick Murray’s ACL injury. It leaves the Crows undermanned down back and the only area of the ground where there’s some level of uncertainty in 2024 in a season the club will have high hopes for. Pick 8 draftee Dan Curtin is in the mix to be an instant key member of that defence, while the likes of Jordon Butts, Josh Worrell, Mark Keane, Elliott Himmelberg and James Borlase will all be pushing for the same spot. So not only who features in a new-look defence, but how it all holds up will be a big pre-season watch.

WEST COAST EAGLES v FREMANTLE

Saturday, February 24, 7:45pm (AEDT) at Mineral Resources Park

(6 periods, 4 x 30 minutes, break, then 2 x 25-30 minutes with mostly WAFL players)

Eagles’ burning question:Can Harley Reid thrive like the past two Rising Star winners?

All eyes will be firmly on Harley Reid next Saturday when the No. 1 pick makes his unofficial debut for the Eagles. As exciting as it’ll be to simply see Reid in action for the first time, what role he plays will also be fascinating. By all accounts, the 18-year old is set to play a mix of half-back — like the past two Rising Star winners, Harry Sheezel and Nick Daicos — and midfield. It could see Reid seriously thrive, and as important as anything for the Eagles this year is Reid having a big year to build overall promise for both the player and club for the future.

Dockers’ burning question:How does the new midfield function?

Caleb Serong and Andrew Brayshaw have been two constants in the Dockers midfield in recent years, but it could have a few new (and technically, old?) additions this season. Hayden Young is set to play permanently on the ball, while Nat Fyfe has reportedly trained exclusively as a midfielder this season. While Freo probably has bigger issues in other parts of the ground, how the midfield dynamic looks — and operates — will be fascinating over the pre-season and have a big say on its overall prospects. Young, in particular, is primed for a breakout year and in line to become a genuine star of the competition, so his development could be key in lifting the Justin Longmuir’s side back into finals contention.