North Melbourne Vs Port Adelaide headlines the Kangaroos’ season opener selection news, with debuts confirmed for Tom Blamires and Lachy Dovaston and Colby McKercher named in the extended squad for the Marvel Stadium clash.
North Melbourne Vs Port Adelaide: Debuts, Lineup Spots and Questions
Tom Blamires and Lachy Dovaston will make their AFL debuts in the Round 1 match against the Power. Blamires, recruited as a pre-season supplementary signing two weeks ago, is named on a half-back flank alongside second-year player Finn O’Sullivan. Dovaston, the club’s No. 16 pick from last November’s Telstra AFL Draft, is named on the forward line together with new club captain Nick Larkey.
Corey Jones and Drew Petrie returned to the North Melbourne rooms to hand Blamires and Dovaston their first guernseys. The selection raises the recurring question for fans: can North Melbourne overcome Port Adelaide for the first time since 2019?
Injury Updates: McKercher, McDonald and Bench Notes
Colby McKercher remains in contention to play after being named in the Kangaroos’ eight-man extended bench. McKercher underwent minor finger surgery last month but is included in the extended squad for Sunday’s match at Marvel Stadium. Veteran defender Luke McDonald has been named on the bench as well, returning after a wrist injury that kept him out until last weekend’s VFL practice match against Geelong.
Matchday Arrangements and Final Team Confirmation
The Kangaroos will finalise their selected team of 23 players at 5pm on Friday. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats from 12. 45pm on Sunday to see the club reveal its 2026 goal ends and to enjoy pre-game entertainment, which includes the chance to win a CHiQ TV. The opening bounce at Marvel Stadium is listed at 1. 10pm AEDT.
Senior coach Alastair Clarkson and Head of Football Todd Viney named the club’s newest debutants and confirmed the matchday plans ahead of the season opener against Port Adelaide.
