The AFL Season Starts Today – Here’s What to Expect From The First Two Matches

Footy’s back baby 🏉

It’s been 173 days since the Geelong Cats lifted up the Premiership Trophy after defeating the Sydney Swans and became the 2022 Premiers.

Thankfully, footy is back today.

So, without further ado, here’s what to expect out of the first two games on Thursday and Friday night.

All times are in AEDT.

Richmond vs Carlton, MCG, Melbourne, 7:20pm Thursday.

After Carlton missed finals by just a few points in the final round last year, and Richmond were knocked out of finals in the first round, both of these teams want more.

Richmond head into the game as the favourites, but with this one, and with Carlton, anything could happen.

Richmond will debut key talent they picked up in the trade period, including the former GWS mids Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto

But they’ll be without some key young talent in Josh Gibcus, Ivan Soldo and Robbie Tarrant.

Tom Lynch and Dion Prestia have overcome some injury concerns to play out in this huge clash.

Carlton is suffering a a ruck issue with Marc Pittonet’s omission, leaving Tom De Koning with the primary ruck duties.

Damian Barrett: “It’s around Tom De Koning. He’s going to be solo in the ruck vs Richmond, it might be a good thing because Carlton does want to keep him. There are 3 clubs very interested, Hawthorn & Sydney very keen, but the man who recruited him into the AFL system.”

— Carlton News & Stats (@UptheBaggers) March 15, 2023

Carlton will also be without some of their midfield talent in Sam Walsh, Paddy Dow, and Lochie O’Brien.

But I can’t say Carlton fans would be too worried.  

Four key players return from injury for this game, including Mitch McGovern, Jack Martin, Jesse Motlop, and the reigning Brownlow medallist, Patrick Cripps.

Blake Acres, the import from Fremantle, is also set to debut in the midfield.

Geelong vs Collingwood, MCG, Melbourne, 7:40pm Friday.

The reigning premiers will return against a side that saw some success in 2022, but that success is never guaranteed to continue.

Geelong are an undeniably strong side, and with some more silverware in the cabinet, they’re set to continue that trend.

With 90,000 fans expected to pack into the MCG, this one is going to be prime Friday night footy.

Teams aren’t yet out for this one, but we do know that Jack Henry, Jake Kolodjashnij and Sam Menegola have been ruled out from Geelong’s side.

There’s also a chance that Jeremy Cameron, one of Geelong’s best, might not play as his partner is due to give birth at any minute.

On Collingwood’s side, they’ll only be without Patrick Lipinski as he recovers from shoulder surgery, and Jack Ginnivan as he serves out his suspension for breaching the AFL’s Illicit Drugs policy.

There’s your first two games for you – watch this space as we tackle all the games set to take place on Saturday and Sunday.

Header image: AFL.