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Tigers, Blues unveil 8 new faces for AFL season opener
Befitting the dawn of a new season, Carlton and Richmond will unveil a combined eight fresh faces when they clash in Thursday night's season opener at the MCG.
Jon Pierik is a sports writer with The Age, focusing primarily on AFL football, cricket and basketball. He has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.
Befitting the dawn of a new season, Carlton and Richmond will unveil a combined eight fresh faces when they clash in Thursday night's season opener at the MCG.
Based out west, former North Melbourne great Drew Petrie says he has largely escaped the emotion likely to be felt when he lines up against the Kangaroos on Sunday.
Star Richmond recruit Dion Prestia has declared the Tigers are ready to unveil an attacking and aggressive style in Thursday night's season opener against Carlton.
North Melbourne defender Sam Wright will play his first match since midway through last season while Carlton have recalled several big names for the final round of practice matches on Friday night.
Craig Hutchison is so determined to succeed in his latest role he has shed 15 kilograms through cross training, weight training and boxing.
Having endured a bruising pre-season competition, the Western Bulldogs expect three major names to return this week, while their ruck stocks have also been given a boost.
Carlton coach Brendon Bolton says skipper Marc Murphy has enjoyed his most productive pre-season in years, and the Blues will look forward to his return in their final practice match.
Just how the Magpies handle Nathan Buckley's contract year will be one of the more intriguing aspects of season 2017.
Stand-in coach Matthew Knights was happy with the manner in which Geelong handled Hawthorn's pressure in the JLT series opener in Launceston, but the Cats have much to prove in this regard if they are to be a genuine premiership threat this year.
A push to hold a Senate inquiry into how the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and AFL conducted an investigation into the Essendon supplements saga appears dead.
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