The teams are in for Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s Round 1 games as teams look to earn their first wins of a new campaign.
While there’s been plenty of speculation about how each team would line-up in their respective season-openers, there’s still been a few selection shocks arise and a number of debutants named.
Check out the notable ins, outs and new faces for each game here:
All times AEDT
St Kilda v Collingwood
Friday - 7:50pm - Marvel Stadium
Collingwood confirmed mid-week that father-son phenom Nick Daicos would make his debut and recruit Patrick Lipinski would run out for his first game in black and white. The duo have been named at half back flank and in the followers respectively.
Will Hoskin-Elliott is an out for the Pies as a result of COVID protocols, while Jack Madgen has been named in the back six with both Charlie Dean and Jordan Roughead out.
For the Saints, SANFL recruit Jack Hayes has been named in the forward line, while Academy selection Mitch Owens has bolted to be named on the bench.
Geelong v Essendon
Saturday - 2:10pm - MCG
Jack Henry has recovered from injury to be named for the Cats, while young defender Sam De Koning has earned his chance after a strong pre-season.
Joining them is SANFL recruit Tyson Stengle, with the ex-Tiger and Crow to play his first game in the hoops.
For the Dons, Will Snelling misses with injury, joining a raft of his forward half teammates on the sidelines, giving the likes of Kaine Baldwin and Nic Martin the opportunity to debut.
Dylan Shiel has also been named after missing the club’s AAMI Community Series fixture.
GWS Giants v Sydney
Saturday - 5:10pm - Accor Stadium
The Giants are almost at full strength for their Round 1 showing, minus the losses of Toby Greene and Braydon Preuss to suspension. Matt Flynn will take the ruck duties with Preuss on the sidelines, while Jarrod Brander makes his club debut.
For the Swans, Paddy McCartin has been named to make his club debut, while fans will be glad to see draftee Angus Sheldrick named with the ready-made midfielder picked on the bench.
Brisbane v Port Adelaide
Saturday - 8:10pm - Gabba
The Lions welcome back Dayne Zorko and Eric Hipwood after the pair missed the club’s AAMI Community Series game, while recruit Darcy Fort has been named to offer ruck assistance.
For the Power, recruit Jeremy Finlayson has been picked in a forward pocket while father-son Jackson Mead will make his debut finally after being drafted in 2019.
Hawthorn v North Melbourne
Sunday - 1:10pm - MCG
No. 1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis will make his highly-anticipated debut for North Melbourne as a forward pocket, while Ben McKay returns after missing the club’s AAMI Community Series clash.
Recruit Callum Coleman-Jones has also been named on an extended bench.
Hawks fans will also be excited to see their new young stars, with early draft picks Josh Ward and Connor Macdonald named to make Round 1 debuts.
Jaeger O’Meara will captain the side in the absence of Ben McEvoy, with recruit Max Lynch filling his role in the ruck.
Adelaide v Fremantle
Sunday - 4:10pm - Adelaide Oval
Crows fans will be thrilled to see Josh Rachele named in the forward line, while recruit Jordan Dawson has been named on a wing.
Wayne Milera could also play his first game since 2020 after being named on the extended bench.
For Fremantle Nathan Fyfe misses as a result of a shoulder infection, giving the opportunity to recruit Will Brodie in the midfield.
Jordan Clark has been named on a half back flank while top 10 pick Neil Erasmus has been picked in the extended bench.
West Coast v Gold Coast
Sunday - 7:40pm - Optus Stadium
With a raft of star players missing, the Eagles have turned to former Docker Hugh Dixon up forward while Jack Williams, Callum Jamieson, Brady Hough and Patrick Naish could play their first games for the club after being named on the extended bench.
Recruit Sam Petrevski-Seton has been named on a wing, while Willie Rioli makes his long awaited return up forward.
Ruckman Jarrod Witts has fought back to be named for the Suns, while Gold Coast fans will also get a look at a new look forward line that includes recruits Mabior Chol and Levi Casboult.