OUT
Aiden Bonar (delisted), Ben Cunnington (retired), Jacob Edwards (delisted), Todd Goldstein (free agent, Essendon), Aaron Hall (retired), Daniel Howe (retired), Jack Mahony (delisted), Ben McKay (free agent, Essendon), Flynn Perez (delisted), Phoenix Spicer (delisted), Kayne Turner (delisted), Lachie Young (delisted), Jack Ziebell (retired)
Medical room
Co-captain Luke McDonald (hamstring) is back in training after going under the knife at the end of last season, while big man Tristan Xerri has also returned from cheekbone surgery. Zac Fisher (hamstring), Aidan Corr and Eddie Ford (both ankle) are regaining fitness, with Jackson Archer (groin) on light duties. Important wingman Bailey Scott suffered a calf scare, although it shouldn’t keep him sidelined for long as scans revealed it was a low-grade strain. Griffin Logue continues his ACL recovery, while the untried but much-hyped Brayden George finally looks set for an injury-free campaign.
Ben McKay left for Essendon and Griffin Logue (ACL) will miss much of the season, leaving the backline vulnerable. Aidan Corr is the only other key defender with considerable experience but is battling an injury-interrupted pre-season. Luckless forward Charlie Comben is on a mission to convert into an intercepting beast, while Kallan Dawson and recruits Toby Pink and Bigoa Nyoun are stopgap options. However, that quartet is alarmingly unseasoned with a combined games tally of just 15.
Who will stand up to lead League’s youngest list?
When Jack Ziebell, Ben Cunnington and Todd Goldstein all departed at the end of 2023, they took 833 games of experience with them and the Roos’ average games played is now less than 50. It heaps pressure on co-captains Luke McDonald and Jy Simpkin, as well as the likes of Nick Larkey, Cam Zurhaar and Luke Davies-Uniacke, who are now the team’s senior figures. Expect triple-premiership player and former Hawk Liam Shiels, 32, to step in and play a role at some stage as the young midfield finds its feet.
Can Will Phillips and Tom Powell deliver breakout seasons?
They’ve had four different head coaches since they were drafted at the end of 2020, so it is perhaps unfair to compare the development of Phillips and Powell with fellow first-round picks who have enjoyed stability at other clubs. But at some stage, it will be make or break. Both are out of contract at the end of 2024 and will be looking to deliver on their enormous promise this year.
