Carlton will unleash seven new faces in a grudge match against Charlie Curnow and the Swans in the AFL’s season opener.
The Blues, who already confirmed Jagga Smith and Harry Dean would make their debuts, have also named five recruits including ex-Swans Will Hayward and Ollie Florent as well as Ben Ainsworth, Liam Reidy and Campbell Chesser.
Sydney, meanwhile, will unearth its pair of recruits, Jai Serong and Malcolm Rosas, in Curnow’s first game against his former side.
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The Swans will start the season without Braeden Campbell (shin) and Harry Cunningham, but Errol Gulden is good to go despite suffering a minor ankle injury in last week’s practice match against GWS.
The Blues, meanwhile, have opted for Mitch McGovern and Lewis Young ahead of pre-season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) signing Wade Derksen in a key defensive role to support Jacob Weitering, who overcame a rib issue sustained in the State of Origin game.
Though fellow SSP signing Elijah Hollands returns after a disrupted five-game 2025 season due to off-field drama.
Carlton is still without Francis Evans (knee), Nick Haynes (ankle), Adam Cerra (hamstring), Matt Cottrell (knee) and Jesse Motlop (ACL).
OPENING ROUND TEAMS AND FIXTURE (All times AEDT)
SYDNEY SWANS v CARLTON
Thursday March 5, 7:30pm at the SCG
SWANS
B: L.Melican, T.McCartin, D.Rampe
HB: C.Mills (c), N.Blakey, S.Wicks
C: J.Jordon, I.Heeney, M.Roberts
HF: M.Rosas, J.Rowbottom, T.Papley
F: J.Amartey, C.Curnow, L.McDonald
R: B.Grundy, E.Gulden, Ch.Warner
I/C: R.Bice, J.McInerney, J.Serong, J.Lloyd, A.Sheldrick
EMG: P.Ladhams, Co.Warner, H.McLean
BLUES
B: O.Florent, J.Weitering, L.Young
HB: H.Dean, M.McGovern, A.Saad
C: O.Hollands, P.Cripps (c), W.Hayward
HF: L.Fogarty, H.McKay, B.Ainsworth
F: J.Smith, B.Kemp, A.Moir
R: M.Pittonet, G.Hewett, S.Walsh
I/C: Z.Williams, L.Reidy, E.Hollands, C.Chesser, C.Lord
EMG: T.Byrne, H.O’Keeffe, J.Boyd
GOLD COAST SUNS v GEELONG
Friday March 6, 8:05pm at People First Stadium
SUNS
TBA Thursday evening
CATS
TBA Thursday evening
GWS GIANTS v HAWTHORN
Saturday March 7, 4:15pm at ENGIE Stadium
GIANTS
TBA Thursday evening
HAWKS
TBA Thursday evening
BRISBANE LIONS v WESTERN BULLDOGS
Saturday March 7, 7:35pm at the Gabba
LIONS
TBA Thursday evening
BULLDOGS
TBA Thursday evening
ST KILDA v COLLINGWOOD
Sunday March 8, 7:20pm at the MCG
SAINTS
TBA Thursday evening
MAGPIES
TBA Thursday evening