The first Saturday game this AFL season is Melbourne (who have only three current top 100 game players) against Port Adelaide who – because of the much lower ‘bar’ – have 17.
The traditional milestone highlight of the game will be Robbie Gray’s 200th match. He becomes the ninth player to achieve this milestone at the club, but will not improve his ranking this year, whereas at Melbourne, Nathan Jones will not only pass Jim Stynes to become the outright fourth-most game player for the Demons, but would be hoping he is able to play enough games to finish the year in second position.
One goal would also see him climb above Stynes in the goal kicking stakes, albeit much lower down the list. Melbourne’s two other top 100 game players (Tom McDonald and Neville Jetta) will both move significantly up the list as will nine of the possible 17 Power players.
Adelaide, if they all play against Hawthorn, could have even more top 100 game players on the field: 19.
According to the expert’s best 22s, 15 of them should play next Saturday. Hawthorn should have eight of their ten top 100 players on the park, plus two new Hawks.
The Western Bulldogs received the shattering news that their most senior player, Dale Morris has an uncertain future after an ACL injury, as does the second most senior player, Liam Picken, which leaves them with just four top 100 game players at this stage with the highest ranked one (Easton Wood) being just inside the top 70.
Their opponents next Saturday, Sydney, should have six of their eight top 100’s on the field with Dane Rampe and Sam Reid improving their ranking.
The Brisbane-West Coast game will see the first new top 100 game player at any club in 2019 when Ben Keays runs out and matches the game totals of Craig Bolton (who went on to have a stellar career at Sydney), Gaelic footballer Colm Begley and Indigenous All Stars player Albert Proud.
The highlight for the Eagles will be the club’s no.1 all-time goal scorer, Josh Kennedy, playing his 200th game for the club after being part of the swap with Carlton for Chris Judd.
Eighteen of last year’s victorious premiership team should appear in Round 1, and 14 of these are part of the 18 top 100 game players still at the club.
On Sunday, the decimated St Kilda side – who already have 10 players unavailable for selection – are likely to play only three of the four current top 100 game players on their list.
The Saints leading current game player, Jarryn Geary, will claim a big scalp when he passes champion full forward Tony Lockett’s total of 183 games for the club. Five club debutants should boost the Gold Coast Suns, where Peter Wright will play his 50th game.
Essendon will be without Cale Hooker, while Ben Brown will play his 100th game for the Kangaroos and Cam McCarthy is an outside chance to become a top 100 player at Fremantle, joining Brendon Fewster and Dylan Robinson in equal 99th place on the Dockers list, having played 37 games.
Meanwhile, back at Geelong, Zach Tuohy’s current leading consecutive run of 138 games will end.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
There's an old saying that you should never argue with an idiot, because they'll drag you down to their level and then beat you…
The ball hit the boundary umpire's leg and rebounded back into play, leading to debate over whether a throw-in should have been called for.
Poor Jacob Hopper just can't catch a break.
The Dees will be hoping it doesn't prove costly!
Spicy stuff at the MCG!
