Scott Burns must wait another week to lead Collingwood in the AFL, with the Magpies resting him for Saturday's round-one game against Fremantle.

The new captain suffered a knock last weekend when playing for Collingwood's VFL side, but football manager Geoff Walsh said the midfielder would have another run at that level this weekend.

Collingwood will welcome former Brisbane ruckman Cameron Wood and newcomer Nathan Brown, who is being groomed as a key defender.

Bolstering the backlines is one of Collingwood's priorities at the start of this season, with James Clement retired and Simon Prestigiacomo struggling to overcome injury.

Former Essendon premiership player Mark Johnson is Fremantle's newcomer on Saturday at the MCG.

St Kilda will bring two premiership players into their lineup for Saturday night's match against Sydney at Telstra Dome.

Former Geelong ruckman Steven King famously played in three premierships within five matches when he helped the Saints win the pre-season title.

King also played in the Cats' VFL and AFL flag-winning teams before joining St Kilda.

Former Sydney premiership forward Adam Schneider will make his Saints debut against his old club.

After a year out with a foot injury, former West Coast ruckman Michael Gardiner finally plays his first game for the Saints.

Another former Cat, Charlie Gardiner, is also set to make his St Kilda debut and Jarryn Geary, who was promoted from the club's rookie list at the end of last year, will play his first AFL match.

Sydney midfielder Craig Bird will also make his senior debut on Saturday night and former Adelaide onballer Martin Mattner will play his first regular-season game as a Swan.

Brisbane welcome back a big name and another will make his debut with the Lions on Saturday night in Perth when they play West Coast.

The Lions have eagerly awaited the return of Daniel Bradshaw to ease some of the pressure on key forward Jonathan Brown.

Former Melbourne onballer Travis Johnstone was one of the biggest transfers at the end of last season and he will add class to the Lions' midfield.

West Coast's team features no newcomers after star midfielder Daniel Kerr proved his fitness during the week.

In other selection news:

* Former Adelaide players Scott Welsh and Ben Hudson are set to play their first game for the Western Bulldogs against their old side this Sunday at Telstra Dome.

The Bulldogs also named first-gamer Brennan Stack in their initial squad.

* The Adelaide squad features newcomers Kurt Tippett, David Mackay and former Port Adelaide player Brad Symes.

* Hawthorn's squad for the Sunday match against Melbourne features five players who will play their first games for the Hawks if picked: former Port Adelaide premiership forward Stuart Dew and potential debutants Cyril Rioli, Josh Kennedy, Jarryd Morton and Cameron Stokes.

* Newcomers Isaac Weetra and Cale Morton are in Melbourne's squad of 25.

* North Melbourne's initial squad for the Easter Monday game against Essendon features former Western Bulldogs utility Same Power and first-gamers Ben Ross and Scott Thompson.

* The Bombers named Matthew Lloyd and Dustin Fletcher after their interrupted pre-seasons, but no newcomers.

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