Less than a month away from the opening game of the 2024 AFL season, clubs are beginning to get a strong idea of how they'll line-up to start the new premiership race.
With the early stages of the season comes plenty of debuts, with top draftees, second-year talents and long-serving sidemen eager to get their first taste of AFL action.
Every club is likely to blood new names this year, with some expected and others to come from the clouds for what will be a memorable occasion in their careers.
We've looked at the first-year rookies and those still waiting for a debut at each club to identify which players have the best chance of playing their maiden AFL match in 2024.
North Melbourne
Rookies:Â Finnbar Maley, Taylor Goad, Riley Hardeman, Wil Dawson, Colby McKercher, Zane Duursma
Still waiting:Â Hamish Free, Brayden George, Toby Pink
Most likely to debut in 2024: Top five draft selections Colby McKercher and Zane Duursma are in strong consideration for Round 1 debuts against GWS, with the latter likely to slot into a more defensive role after a promising opening few months in the blue and white. Duursma, while less likely of the two, is a near certainty to at least get a senior appearance under his belt this year. A similar can be said of dashing defender Riley Hardeman, while forward Brayden George looks in great shape after a heavily interrupted first year at Arden Street and should get a look as Alastair Clarkson looks to blood more youth. Mature-aged pickup Hamish Free is another to consider, battling for second-string ruck duties behind Tristan Xerri.
