Advertisement

Chaplin out, ex-Crows in and young stars to debut in season opener

Carlton’s No.1 draft pick Jacob Weitering could lead some AFL history when he debuts in the season-opening match against Richmond at the MCG.

Mar 24, 2016, updated Mar 24, 2016
Number 1 draft pick Jacob Weitering. Photo: Tracey Nearmy, AAP.

Number 1 draft pick Jacob Weitering. Photo: Tracey Nearmy, AAP.

Weitering and Richmond’s first-round selection Daniel Rioli are the first-gamers in the Easter Thursday blockbuster.

It is understood that if all top-five picks from last November debut in round one, this will be an AFL first in the draft’s 30-year history.

Josh Schache (Brisbane), Callum Mills (Sydney), Clayton Oliver (Melbourne) and Darcy Parish (Essendon) are either confirmed selections over the Easter long weekend or are in strong contention.

Weitering and Rioli headed plenty of selection news around the Richmond-Carlton clash.

Richmond Tigers player Troy Chaplin possess the ball against the North Melbourne Kangaroos in round 23 of the AFL at Etihad Stadium, Friday, Sept. 4, 2015. (AAP Image/Julian Smith) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Troy Chaplin. Photo: Julian Smith, AAP.

As expected, the Tigers lost vice-captain Brett Deledio (quad), No.1 ruckman Ivan Maric (back) and fellow front-liner Shaun Grigg (thumb) to injury.

Former GWS player Jacob Townsend is the other new Richmond player as they try to develop more midfield muscle around captain Trent Cotchin.

But an interesting non-selection is key defender Troy Chaplin, who was named as an emergency. A former Port player, Chaplin has antagonised the Power faithful over the years, first sending an inflammatory text message to his former teammates on his departure and with later with a triumphal celebration after the Tigers rolled Port in 2014.

With Maric sidelined, Shaun Hampson will be Richmond’s main ruckman.

The Tigers picked Shane Edwards, despite his shoulder injury during the pre-season.

Weitering is among five newcomers for Carlton, who have had a much-publicised reset under new coach Brendon Bolton.

Former Adelaide pair Sam Kerridge and Matthew Wright and GWS recruits Andrew Phillips and Jed Lamb will also come into the team.

Captain Marc Murphy is back after off-season shoulder surgery meant he did not play in any NAB Challenge games.

-AAP

Local News Matters
Advertisement
Copyright © 2024 InDaily.
All rights reserved.