Geelong left out captain Cameron Ling and added some selection intrigue for their Friday night AFL season-opener against grand finalists St Kilda.

Ling (hamstring) and Paul Chapman (groin) were always doubtful starters because of their pre-season injuries.

The skipper did not feature in their line-up, but Chapman was named as an emergency, suggesting a potential late change.

Geelong also named defender Cameron Guthrie for his AFL debut.

Ling - and perhaps Chapman - are among several big names who will sit out the opening round because of the interrupted pre-seasons.

Fellow captains Luke Hodge and Nick Maxwell also won't play.

As expected, the Saints left out ruck-forward Justin Koschitzke for the Friday night blockbuster at the MCG.

But ex-Cat Ryan Gamble's St Kilda debut will come against his old club.

While Hodge was given an extra week to prepare in the wake of his pre-season Achilles tendon injury, the Hawks named former Melbourne utility Cameron Bruce and ex-North Melbourne ruckman David Hale for Saturday night's away match against Adelaide.

Adelaide's line-up will feature former Richmond midfielder Richard Tambling and first-gamer Brodie Smith as key forward Kurt Tippett was left out.

Maxwell was no chance for Collingwood's Etihad Stadium match on Saturday against Port Adelaide after he suffered kidney damage from a heavy blow during the pre-season semi-final against West Coast.

The premiers brought in prominent recruits Andrew Krakouer and Chris Tarrant, while former Melbourne player Simon Buckley will also make his Magpies debut after a strong pre-season.

Port Adelaide named Chad Cornes as an emergency and named three AFL first-gamers - Jasper Pittard, Jarrod Irons and Cameron O'Shea.

Brisbane recalled captain Jonathan Brown for Saturday night's home game against Fremantle and promoted Rohan Bewick and Ryan Lester for their senior debuts.

The Dockers' line-up will feature AFL debutant Jayden Pitt and Nick Lower, the former Port Adelaide defender who is back in the AFL after a year with SANFL side Norwood.

Sunday's squads also feature a number of big selections, with highly-rated Essendon newcomer Dyson Heppell set to make his debut against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

The Bombers have also promoted rookie Stewart Crameri to their senior list and brought David Hille into the 25, but Alwyn Davey (arm) must wait another week.

The Bulldogs' squad featured father-son recruits Mitch Wallis and Tom Liberatore, along with fellow first-gamer Lucas Markovic.

Justin Sherman (Brisbane), Nathan Djerrkura (Geelong) and Ed Barlow (Sydney) are new Bulldogs also in line for selection.

North Melbourne will give Shaun Atley, Cameron Richardson and Cameron Pedersen their senior debuts on Sunday against West Coast.

Former Eagle Ben McKinley will also make his Kangaroos debut, while West Coast have newcomers Andrew Gaff and Jack Darling in their squad.

After a year at Melbourne, Luke Tapscott will make his senior debut on Sunday against Sydney, whose squad features former Bulldog Andrejs Everitt and first-gamer Byron Sumner.

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