Footy returns for the first time in 2024 as Melbourne and Richmond square off in a match simulation showdown at Casey Fields on Sunday.
After a long summer of pre-season training and planning for the campaign ahead, the two clubs get their first real opportunity to test their prospects against real competition.
The clubs will play 7 periods, 4 x 20 minutes + time on with best 22, 3 x 20 minutes with no fixed bench.
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Clayton Oliver is set be eased into action in limited minutes with the Demons’ younger and VFL-listed players, while first-round draftees Caleb Windsor and Koltyn Tholstrup, as well as recruit Jack Billings, have also been named for Melbourne.
However Angus Brayshaw (illness) Tom McDonald (calf tightness), Lachie Hunter (calf tightness), Charlie Spargo (Achilles soreness), Harrison Petty (toe), Shae McAdam (calf), Daniel Turner (leg) and Taj Woewodin (concussion) were all unavailable for selection.
For Richmond, top-10 draftee Josh Gibcus will make his first appearance since late 2022 and recruit Jacob Koschitzke will also don the yellow and black for the first time.
However a host of key Tigers will be missing including Dylan Grimes, Dustin Martin, Tim Taranto and Toby Nankervis (all managed), Liam Baker (family reasons), Tom Lynch (building fitness), Dion Prestia and Jacob Bauer (both hamstring).
Sunday’s Melbourne-Richmond clash, as well as all AFL pre-season matches, can be watched live on Fox Footy, via Foxtel and Kayo Sports.
KEY UPDATES
In a great sight for Richmond fans, Gibcus took an intercept mark in the early minutes of the game to get busy in his first game at AFL level since late 2022.
The Demons were sharp early playing a direct brand where they looked dangerous whenever they went inside 50. Jacob van Vooyen dropped a potential screamer inside 50, but Christian Petracca followed it up soon after with a crafty goal running through traffic for the first goal of the day.
Bayley Fritsch kicked the next for Melbourne to continue its hot start before Kynan Brown kicked a highlight goal from the boundary line.
Van Rooyen made good on his next opportunity, taking a contested grab and converting the goal to extend the Demons’ lead to 24 points.
“(Bailey) Laurie and van Rooyen, these are the types of names Dees fans would be looking to develop and come on after three or four years in the system,” former Fremante star and North Melbourne head of development Michael Barlow said on Fox Sports.
“You can see there’s a player right there.”
Petracca kicked his second goal of the term with a long bomb from outside 50 in an ominous statement from the fast-starting Dees.
“They’re looking pretty sharp at the moment,” commentator Sam Hargreaves told Fox Sports.
FULL TEAMS
Demons
1. Steven May, 2. Jacob van Rooyen, 3. Christian Salem, 4. Judd McVee, 5. Christian Petracca, 6. Caleb Windsor, 7. Jack Viney, 8. Jake Lever, 11. Max Gawn, 13. Clayton Oliver, 14. Jack Billings, 15. Ed Langdon, 16. Bailey Laurie, 17. Jake Bowey, 19. Josh Schache, 20. Adam Tomlinson, 21. Matt Jefferson, 22. Blake Howes, 24. Trent Rivers, 26. Jed Adams, 27. Marty Hore, 28. Will Verrall, 30. Alex Neal-Bullen, 31. Bayley Fritsch, 32. Tom Sparrow, 36. Kysaiah Pickett, 37. Kade Chandler, 38. Oliver Sestan, 39. Koltyn Tholstrup, 41. Kynan Brown, 43. Kyah Farris-White
Tigers
1. Nick Vlastuin, 5. Jack Ross, 10. Maurice Rioli, 15. Jayden Short, 17. Daniel Rioli, 18. Josh Gibcus, 19. Mykelti Lefau, 20. Jacob Koschitzke, 21. Noah Balta, 22. Jacob Hopper, 24. Sam Naismith, 27. Thomson Dow, 28. Kane McAuliffe, 29. Shai Bolton, 30. Tom Brown, 31. Rhyan Mansell, 32. Samson Ryan, 33. Kamdyn McIntosh, 34. Jack Graham, 35. Nathan Broad, 36. James Trezise, 40. Tyler Sonsie, 41. Sam Banks, 44. Seth Campbell, 45. Tylar Young, 46. Ben Miller, 48. Steely Green, 50. Marlion Pickett
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Source Agencies
