Daniel Rioli has been named for his first game for Richmond. Picture: Colleen Petch

The Tigers have named the exciting draftee, cousin of Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli, for his first game, alongside trade acquisition Jacob Townsend in a young team that will be without captain Trent Cotchin, Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt and Brett Deledio.

As confirmed by coach Damien Hardwick on Wednesday, however, former Blue Chris Yarran won’t play and will be sidelined for at least the first third of the season due to a lingering calf injury.

Fremantle have named Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe for the hit-out despite the gun midfielder suffering a back injury during pre-season.

Carlton will unleash prized no. 1 draft pick Jacob Weitering in their NAB Challenge opener against Hawthorn after naming him in its 29-man squad.

The Blues have named nine news faces, including Weitering and fellow draftees Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay and former Crow Matthew Wright.

What to look for during the games plus SuperCoach watchlist.

HAWTHORN v CARLTON — Thursday, Aurora Stadium, 7.10pm (all times local)

SQUADS: HAWTHORN

3. Jordan Lewis 4. Billy Hartung 5. Sam Mitchell 6. Josh Gibson 7. Ben McEvoy 8. Taylor Duryea 10. Bradley Hill 11. Brendan Whitecross 13. Jonathan O’Rourke 14. Grant Birchall 15. Luke Hodge 16. Isaac Smith 17. Angus Litherland 20. Dallas Willsmore 21. James Sicily 22. Luke Breust 23. Tim O’Brien 24. Ben Stratton 25. Ryan Schoenmakers 28. Paul Puopolo 30. Kaiden Brand 31. Zac Webster 32. Jack Fitzpatrick 34. Kurt Heatherley 41. Daniel Howe 42. Teia Miles 43. Marc Pittonet 46. Lachlan Langford 47. Shem Tatupu

CARLTON

3. Marc Murphy, 4. Bryce Gibbs, 6. Kade Simpson, 8. Matthew Kreuzer, 10. Harry McKay, 11. Sam Kerridge, 12. Blaine Boekhorst, 13. Jed Lamb, 14. Liam Jones, 15. Sam Docherty, 17. Sam Rowe, 22. Jason Tutt, 23. Jacob Weitering, 24. Mark Whiley, 30. Charlie Curnow, 31. Matthew Dick, 32. Nick Graham, 33. Andrejs Everitt, 34. Andrew Phillips, 35. Ed Curnow, 37. Daniel Gorringe, 38. Ciaran Byrne, 39. Dale Thomas, 40. Michael Jamison, 41. Levi Casboult, 42. Zach Tuohy, 43. Simon White, 45. Andrew Gallucci, 46. Matthew Wright

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: We’ve heard all about the Carlton “re-set” and finally we’ll get to see what new coach Brendon Bolton and his Blues have been talking about. The new game plan will likely have a Hawthorn flavour with fresh faces putting it into action. Hopefully it won’t be a non-contest against the reigning premiers who will be trialling game plan tweaks aimed to stay ahead of the pack. Players will be trialled in different positions — last year we saw Cyril Rioli across half-back — look out for more midfield time for Paul Puopolo.

SUPERCOACH WATCH: All eyes will be on Carlton and the array of youngsters and new players to be given senior opportunities early. Where will the likes of Jacob Weitering, Charlie Curnow, Harry McKay and Sam Kerridge play and how many points can they rack up? Our cash cow success depends a lot on these new Blues. It’s time for them to show us what they’ve got and lock down a Round 1 spot. But let’s also not forget the Hawks and their search for a replacement for the injured Jarryd Roughead. Look out for former Demon Jack Fitzpatrick in particular. SuperCoach smoky.

Jacob Weitering has been named in Carlton’s opening NAB Challenge squad. Picture: David CroslingSource:News Corp Australia

FREMANTLE v RICHMOND — Friday, Rushton Park (Mandurah), 4.10pm

SQUADS: FREMANTLE

1. Hayden Ballantyne 2. Zac Dawson 5. Garrick Ibbotson 6. Danyle Pearce 7. Nat Fyfe 8. Nick Suban 9. Matt de Boer 10. Michael Walters 11. Tom Sheridan 12. Jon Griffin 13. Tendai Mzungu 14. Lachie Weller 16. David Mundy 18. Darcy Tucker 19. Connor Blakely 20. Matt Taberner 21. Michael Barlow 23. Chris Mayne 27. Lachie Neale 28. Brady Grey 29. Matthew Pavlich 31. Aaron Sandilands 32. Stephen Hill 33. Cam Sutcliffe 34. Lee Spurr 36. Alex Silvagni 38. Jack Hannath 40. Sam Collins 46. Clancee Pearce

RICHMOND

1. Nick Vlastuin 5. Brandon Ellis 6. Shaun Grigg 7. Ben Lennon 11. Jake Batchelor 12. David Astbury 17. Daniel Rioli 21. Jacob Townsend 23. Kane Lambert 24. Ben Griffiths 25. Troy Chaplin 27. Sam Lloyd 29. Tyrone Vickery 30. Reece Conca 31. Oleg Markov 32. Corey Ellis 33. Kamdyn McIntosh 34. Liam McBean 35. Nathan Broad 36. Callum Moore 37. Connor Menadue 38. Steven Morris 40. Daniel Butler 41. Mabior Chol 43. Todd Elton 44. Adam Marcon 45. Jayden Short 46. Jason Castagna 47. Ivan Soldo

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: More scoring power from the Dockers. Ultimately it was the side’s downfall when it counted last season and surely Ross Lyon has been working on a solution to make his side even more dangerous — and not just pushing Nat Fyfe forward.

SUPERCOACH WATCH: Richmond debuted Kamdyn McIntosh in Round 1 last year, will they do the same with mature-age recruit Nathan Broad in 2016? The versatile defender has impressed over the summer and is considered ready-made. For Fremantle we might get a look at former Box Hill Hawks defender Sam Collins who was picked up by the Dockers in the national draft and is expected to slot straight into Lyon’s defence. Will he be an attacking backman like Michael Johnson who can score big or defend and not do much else? Also look out for second-year midfielders Lachie Weller, Ed Langdon and Connor Blakely.

Daniel Rioli has been named for his first game for Richmond. Picture: Hamish BlairSource:News Corp Australia

ST KILDA v NORTH MELBOURNE — Saturday, Norm Minns Oval (Wangaratta), 2.05pm

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: It’s all systems go at Arden St this pre-season and this is just another opportunity for North Melbourne players to crack in hard for a spot in the best 22. The competition for spots is immense this season with recruit Jed Anderson and veteran Daniel Wells looking to stake their claims ahead of the season proper. Suspect Jack Billings, the standout for St Kilda in last week’s intra-club, might be a handful through the midfield and it wouldn’t surprise to see his best mate, Roos father-son Luke McDonald, give the job to stop the Saints yet.

Jed Anderson looks down field for an option. Picture: GettySource:Getty Images

SUPERCOACH WATCH: Not to sound like a broken record but Anderson and Wells will be all the rage among shrewd SuperCoach players. They’ve come from the clouds to make Wells ($243,900 fwd/mid) the 10th most popular player in SuperCoach after the Roos star slotted four first-half goals in North’s full scale intra-club. Saint Blake Acres is flying under the radar and with the prospect of more midfield minutes must be considered at $256,700 price tag.

Isaac Heeney and Lance Franklin combined for a goal. Picture: GettySource:Getty Images

SYDNEY SWANS v PORT ADELAIDE — Saturday, Blacktown International Sportspark, 4.40pm

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Isaac Heeney showed signs of his best despite the Swans wrapping the wunderkind in cotton wool throughout the pre-season. Heeney kicked two goals in the Swans intra-club playing on All Australian defender Nick Smith. Lance Franklin turned plenty of heads and should only get better with more games under his belt.

SUPERCOACH WATCH: Exciting draftee Callum Mills has not put a foot wrong in his first AFL pre-season and is certainly on my watchlist. Harry Cunningham is mid-priced but boasts dual position status. If he spends more time in the middle certainly consider. Jared Polec was the standout for Port and if his body holds up must be considered.

Rory Sloane will likely need to carry more midfield load following the departure of Patrick Dangerfield. Picture: Stephen LafferSource:News Corp Australia

ADELAIDE v WEST COAST — Sunday, Unley Oval (Adelaide), 1.35pm

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: How will the Crows cope without superstar midfielder Patrick Dangerfield? New coach Don Pyke says all spots in the 22 are up for grabs, so it should be an intense Adelaide throughout the NAB Challenge series with the likes of Troy Menzel, Paul Seedsman and Dean Gore keen to impress at their new club. For the Eagles, how will Adam Simpson’s team back up from grand final disappointment? We might see a new defensive structure following the return of Eric McKenzie and Mitch Brown from serious knee injuries and how will Jeremy McGovern be used?

SUPERCOACH WATCH: Crow Brad Crouch is one of the most picked (and talked about) mid-price midfielders heading into 2016 but can he live up to the hype? He’s expected to fill the Dangerfield void but he’s been unlucky with injury. Set to play against the Eagles and all SuperCoach eyes will be on him. Other players of interest at Adelaide include defender Brodie Smith, who could get more midfield time and former Magpie Seedsman. At West Coast we’re keen to see youngster Luke Partington who has earned a contract extension already despite joining the club at November’s national draft. Impressive.

Jarrod Garlett in action during Suns intra-club. Picture: Tim MarsdenSource:News Corp Australia

BRISBANE v GOLD COAST — Sunday, Moreton Bay Sports Complex, 3.40pm

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: How will Lions recruits Tom Bell and Ryan Bastinac fit into the midfield and what impact they’ll have on usual suspects Tom Rockliff and Dayne Beams. Gary Ablett is already ruled out for the match but Dion Prestia, Jack Martin and Adam Saad take their places after missing last week’s intra-club game. Martin was all the rage two years ago but has yet to live up to expectation. Is this his year?

SUPERCOACH WATCH:Eric Hipwood comes highly rated and delivered in spades kicking two goals in his first intra-club. Suns Callum Ah Chee and Jarrod Garlett starred in the intra-club but would like to see them both — Garlett especially — repeat the dose against real AFL opposition.