There are plenty of things that should transpire in Round 1 that will give fans hope, even those teams that are touted as being in a rebuilding stage.
Check out what could come to fruition in Round 1.
Adelaide Crows
Reilly O’Brien has a chance to be in the AFL All Australian squad of 40 in season 2022. He couldn’t get a much sterner test than competing against another quality ruckman vying for that spot in the AFL All Australian squad, the Dockers’ ruckman Sean Darcy.
Brisbane Lions
Cam Rayner’s return should boost the Lions. There’s no doubt that it will make them more unpredictable as he has the ability to play forward and in the midfield.
Carlton Blues
The Blues will cope without Sam Walsh, despite the fact that he is irreplaceable. There are other players that will get an opportunity to have a chance to play in the midfield, most notably George Hewett, who may be an option to tag Dustin Martin.
Collingwood Magpies
There’s little doubt that barring any injury, Nick Daicos will be regarded highly, as he is a player that will bring youthful exuberance and be a success story.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Essendon Bombers
The Bombers will need to find other avenues to goal, given Harrison Jones is injured, unfortunately. Despite that, the likes of Devon Smith and the midfielders will need to hit the scoreboard for the Bombers to prove that Mick Malthouse’s prophecy of them winning the premiership will make him Nostradamus.
Fremantle Dockers
Matt Taberner has the opportunity to kick at least 50 goals in season 2022. It’s games like this against the Crows that should tell the story. He averaged the tenth most goals of any forward in the AFL in season 2021 with an average of 2.31 goals per game.
Geelong Cats
Tyson Stengle looks certain to add some excitement to the Cats’ forward line.
Gold Coast Suns
Jack Lukosius should spend plenty of time forward, which will benefit the Suns, possibly only due to Ben King suffering a serious injury that will mean King is out for the entire season. Lukosius proved that he is capable of filling the void as he kicked three goals against the Cats in the AAMI Community Series.
GWS Giants
Matt Flynn will be given the opportunity to prove that he deserves to be the Giants’ number one ruckman in the Sydney derby, given Braydon Preuss is unavailable due to suspension.
Hawthorn
Sam Mitchell won’t be afraid to play the kids. The likes of Josh Ward, Mitch Lewis and Jacob Koschitzke should prove that Hawthorn shouldn’t be underestimated in season 2022.
(Photo by Cameron Grimes/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Melbourne Demons
The Demons will benefit from winning the premiership. They should embrace the pressure and expectation of being the reigning premiers, win, lose or draw against the Bulldogs.
North Melbourne Kangaroos
The Kangaroos have three options to choose from in the ruck, with Todd Goldstein and Tristan Xerri vying for the number one ruck spot. Callum Coleman-Jones is likely to play forward.
Port Adelaide Power
The Power have plenty of options to play in the middle of the ground. Expect Zak Butters, Connor Rozee and Karl Amon to have a chance to amass some midfield minutes against the Lions.
Richmond Tigers
The addition of Noah Balta as the third tall forward should take the pressure off Tom Lynch and make him more formidable and mean that he hits the scoreboard against a new-look Blues defence, with Mitch McGovern and Oscar McDonald being new additions.
St Kilda Saints
Rowan Marshall should flourish, as he should be the Saints’ main ruckman, with Paddy Ryder suffering an injury.
(Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Sydney Swans
The story of the day will hopefully be Lance Franklin as he is just five goals short of 1000 AFL goals.
West Coast Eagles
A few youngsters should get a game given that they have a few players unavailable due injury and suspension. It will be interesting to see their new recruits Sam Petrevski-Seton and Patrick Naish, who could play a part.
Western Bulldogs
The opportunity to play the reigning premiers in Round 1 is great. It should motivate the Bulldogs to prove their capitulation in the grand final in season 2021 was an aberration.