Dons name three for AFL debuts
• The never-ending ballad of ‘Slim’ Dusty Fletcher
• Tania Hird accuses AFL boss of peptides tip-off
Essendon have named three debutants for Friday night’s round-one AFL match against fierce rivals North Melbourne.
Key position player Patrick Ambrose, utility Martin Gleeson and forward Zach Merrett will line up alongside Dustin Fletcher, who sets a club record of 379 games.
The Kangaroos also named father-son recruit Luke McDonald for his senior debut.
Reigning premiers Hawthorn will be without stars Brad Sewell, Cyril Rioli and Ben Stratton for Saturday’s game against Brisbane in Launceston.
Derick Wanganeen and Tim O’Brien were named for their AFL debuts and former St Kilda ruckman Ben McEvoy will also play his first game for the Hawks.
Highly-rated recruit James Aish, a two-time premiership player for Norwood in the SANFL, Lewis Taylor and Michael Close will all make their senior debuts for the Lions.
Injury-plagued St Kilda have named first gamers Luke Dunstan, Eli Templeton and Jack Billings for Saturday night’s Etihad Stadium clash against Melbourne.
Melbourne’s debutants are speedy small forward Jay Kennedy-Smith and Alex Georgiou.
Western Bulldogs utility Robert Murphy was named in their squad for Sunday’s clash in Perth against West Coast.
He has made a quick recovery from a pre-season elbow injury and is set to play his 250th senior game.
West Coast’s Dominic Sheed and Bulldog Mitch Honeychurch will make their AFL debuts if pick in the final teams.
