Players from Richmond and Collingwood get their chance to force their way in for Round 1.The Herald Sun’s identified the most compelling positional battles at each club. Watch every match of the 2021 AAMI Community Series LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >RICHMOND v COLLINGWOODRICHMONDUP FORWARDJake Aarts missed out on the Tigers’ premiership after being dropped mid-finals. He made his case for the season opener with three goals in last week’s practice match against Melbourne. Aarts’ problem is Daniel Rioli (ankle) didn’t play but is fit again, and that Jason Castagna and Shai Bolton – even though he increasingly goes through the centre – are still around. Mabior Chol is trying to stake his claim as the back-up ruckman, given Ivan Soldo (knee) is out for the season, but needs to prove he can perform in attack. Otherwise, Callum Coleman-Jones, who can’t play until Round 5 because of last year’s COVID-19 breach, will be ready to pounce. Josh Caddy is eyeing off a spot as well, whether up forward or as a winger. THE MIDFIELDThe leading on-ball spots look sewn up between Dustin Martin, Dion Prestia and Trent Cotchin, with a healthy dose of Kane Lambert, Shane Edwards, Shai Bolton and Jack Graham. Kamdyn McIntosh should assume one wing. Hugo Ralphsmith spent time there when he wasn’t at half-back against the Demons, while Marlion Pickett – a premiership wingman – is learning the backline ropes and played in the reserves last week. Caddy’s best position is the wing, and Graham played there at times in 2020. Jack Ross, Will Martyn, Riley Collier-Dawkins and Thomson Dow are among those hoping to make an impact. COLLINGWOODUP FORWARDThis is the area the Pies must get right. Brody Mihocek is reliable but not a star, and you never quite know what you’re going to get from Mason Cox. Will Hoskin-Elliott is another forward mainstay, while Josh Thomas will hope to reproduce his 2018 form. Jaidyn Stephenson is a Roo now, Ben Reid’s retired and Jamie Elliott and Jordan De Goey will mix their time between attack and the middle, so there are opportunities. Steele Sidebottom will get a look up forward as well. Young guns Will Kelly and Ollie Henry are creating the most excitement. Kelly was a track standout before a calf setback kept him out last week, while Henry’s shone in intraclub and practice games. Trey Ruscoe and Darcy Cameron will also be thereabouts. THE MIDFIELDAdam Treloar’s exit, plus Nathan Buckley’s want to get De Goey and Elliott involved more in the midfield rotation means Collingwood will look different. Taylor Adams had a career-best season last year, while skipper Scott Pendlebury remains in the game’s elite and Sidebottom will look to make amends for his disjointed 2020. It gets murky after this group. Brayden Sier will aim to inherit some of Treloar’s centre-square attendances, but Josh Daicos, the Browns – Callum and Tyler – and even Trent Bianco have received pre-season opportunities. John Noble is transitioning from half-back to a wing, and what role will utility Chris Mayne have? CARLTON v ST KILDACARLTONTHE MIDFIELDPaddy Dow’s blistering performance against Essendon last week creates a welcome headache for David Teague. The No. 3 pick in the 2017 draft could be ready to break out – but where does he fit? Ed Curnow looks set to be outside the first-choice centre-square combination this year, behind Patrick Cripps, Sam Walsh and star recruit Zac Williams. Marc Murphy is pegged for half-forward and Will Setterfield a wing, while Jack Martin will bounce between the centre and attack. Could Sam Petrevski-Seton come into the mix? Players such as Mick Gibbons, David Cuningham, Matt Kennedy and even Liam Stocker will also try to force their way in. Jack Newnes likely fills the other wing, with top-10 draft pick Lochie O’Brien still down the pecking order. Marc Pittonet gets an early leg-up on the No. 1 ruck role, given challenger Tom De Koning (back) isn’t ready to play.UP FORWARDSuper-veteran Eddie Betts might be the odd man out at stages with the Blues’ depth upfront. Zac Fisher’s emergence last year – after struggling to get a game initially – makes him a lock, while the likes of Jack Silvagni, Gibbons, newcomer Lachie Fogarty, Cuningham, Sam Philp and draftee Corey Durdin will jostle for spots inside 50. Martin’s silky skills will feature in attack when they’re not being used through the midfield. Harry McKay, Mitch McGovern and Levi Casboult form the tall timber, with Charlie Curnow (knee) still sidelined.ST KILDADOWN BACKIt’s a logjam for the Saints, who strengthened this area with the recruitment of ex-Hawk and Demon James Frawley and mature-age SANFL product Tom Highmore. Whether Frawley is a first-choice option or an insurance policy remains to be seen. They also have Dougal Howard, Callum Wilkie and Jake Carlisle. The Blues’ key forwards will offer a good chance for coach Brett Ratten to figure out which of his talls warrant round one selection. Ben Paton (double leg break) is out for the season, Jarryn Geary (fractured fibula) will be a late starter and Dylan Roberton is contemplating retirement. And what to do with Hunter Clark, who’s long been touted for a midfield move? Ben Long’s mixture of toughness and skill makes him a favourite, while Nick Coffield had a breakout campaign in 2020. Jimmy Webster and Daniel McKenzie will want to regain their places.UP FORWARDMax King is the budding superstar, while Tim Membrey is the reliable, undersized sidekick, then there’s gun small forward Dan Butler. There’s some unknowns beyond them, given Jade Gresham and Jack Billings both spend time in the midfield. Josh Battle will have designs on a spot, and newcomers Jack Higgins, Mason Wood and even Shaun McKernan could play a role, especially given the uncertainty around Rowan Marshall’s (foot) return. How much time Paddy Ryder can soak up in the ruck – as he prepares to turn 33 – may be a selection factor. Will Jack Lonie and Dean Kent still be regulars?



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