The six leading AFL debut chances for Opening Round/Round 1

AFL action officially returns this weekend, with fans keen to see some fresh faces press their case for senior spots by summer's end.

Opening Round and Round 1 are set to see debuts made across the competition, with 15 players featuring in their maiden matches across the opening two weeks of the 2024 season.

Several clubs have already been impressed by draftees or second-year assets, with some debut hopefuls beginning to stand out amongst the rest of the pack.

Here we name six of the best debut chances for the early stages of the 2025 season.

Joe Berry

The Power small forward has continued to earn the praise of his teammates and onlookers in his first pre-season at Alberton, with the cunning and crafty front-half threat able to fill a hole in Ken Hinkley's side to start the new season.

The Power addressed a need for more attacking output, with Berry and former Collingwood speedster Joe Richards landing at the club from Victoria over the off-season.

Both could slot straight into starting roles for the Power's Round 1 clash against the Magpies, with Berry turning heads as a high half-forward who uses the ball efficiently.

"Joe Berry in particular is a guy who, in my mind, will play straight up,” Port Adelaide assistant Chad Cornes said last month, per News Corp. 

"He's a really smart half-forward who's got great running ability and uses the ball well."

Berry will likely get a large look at top-flight football next Friday when the Power suit up against Adelaide at Mt Barker for their first hitout of the pre-season.

Jagga Smith

The Blues' Pick 3 selection has seemingly provided what was promised over the pre-season, offering immediate selection competition for the club's incumbents.

Smith was viewed as one of the more ready-made prospects from last year's class, having managed a mean of 27.3 disposals, 6.3 clearances and 4.7 score involvements from a trio of games for Richmond's VFL unit last year.

A Round 1 debut against the Tigers' senior side in mid-March has been the goal for Smith over the summer, with the teenager impressing his new teammates and coaches quickly.

"It's definitely an aim," he told media last month.

"I'll try and put my best foot forward for the coaches and try and impact for the team. At the moment I'm just focussing on taking it day by day.

"That's obviously a goal, but we'll see what happens."

Isaac Kako

The zippy Bombers NGA product is another that arrived via the AFL Draft as a prospect with the potential to have an immediate impact.

Essendon's need for a sharper attacking third and Kako's ability to cause headaches for the opposition on either side of possession are sure to factor heavily come Brad Scott's thinking for Opening Round.

With Matt Guelfi also sidelined for the coming months, the door is well and truly ajar for Kako to play against Gold Coast next month.

"He's excited and ready to go," Bombers list manager Matt Rosa said on draft night.

"He's certainly got some great capabilities. We're looking forward to getting him up and going, because he's an exciting prospect.

2024 Mid-Season Draft addition Saad El-Hawli is another debut chance at Tullamarine, having pushed his case late last year before being struck down by injury.

Sid Draper

Adelaide's draft star has already proven to have the ability to find the ball and leave his mark against senior opposition, having averaged 22.2 disposals, 3.7 inside 50s, 4.7 clearances, 4.5 score involvements and 6.2 tackles for South Adelaide in the SANFL last year.

Despite some injury setbacks, the local talent has continued to impress at West Lakes to position himself as a Round 1 chance.

"He's (Draper) a good chance (to play Round 1)," teammate Taylor Walker said on Triple M in January.

"He does some really, really amazing things on the field."

The Crows have games against Port Adelaide and Brisbane over the coming weeks, which will act as a window for Draper to secure his spot at selection for the club's first home and away game against the Saints.

Draper - along with Smith - is one of many midfielders who could break through for early debuts, with Brisbane's Levi Ashcroft, draft dux Sam Lalor, Roo Finn O'Sullivan and Demons duo Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay also worthy mentions.

Bo Allan

Allan looks set to offer new coach Andrew McQualter some flexibility as a dual position threat, having enjoyed a draft campaign that saw the Peel Thunder product flourish in the backline and midfield.

A spot in defence looks likely for the local young gun, who can shift up onto a wing or roll through the middle - an elasticity that was on show during his run in the WAFL finals in 2024.

His stint at senior level with the Thunder has him in a good spot for an early start with the Eagles, with Allan flagging his preparations ahead of the draft should work in his favour.

"Obviously (WAFL finals is) a step up in intensity and the bigger bodies as well, so it's put me in good stead for what is to come now," he said after being taken with Pick 16.

The Eagles will face Richmond and North Melbourne as part of their pre-season run, with Allan expected to be a large feature in the build-up to a Round 1 bout against the Suns.

Sam Davidson

The mature-aged recruit will continue the trend of Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal winners featuring at AFL level if he does get a debut, with the 17 recipients before him all getting a glimpse after breakout VFL seasons.

Davidson was set to be an early contender for a spot in Luke Beveridge's side from his first day as a Bulldog, but with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan seen as no certainty to play in Round 1, Davidson's chances have grown dramatically.

The mobile medium-sized forward can slot into an attacking role as a target option or be pushed up onto the wing to have an impact further up the field.