Eight ex-AFL players to feature in first weekend of O and M

After missing a year due to COVID, the league has a stack of profile players with Albury boasting four in its home twilight game against Yarrawonga on Saturday.

Daniel Cross, who turns 38 next Tuesday, will join Dean Polo and first-year players Anthony Miles and Jeff Garlett, while the Pigeons' Mark Wiley will make his coaching debut, alongside former fellow GWS player and good friend Sam Schulz.

Lavington is the only one of the four teams to not boast a player from the elite level, although veteran Adam Butler spent time on Fremantle's list.

The premiers will 'christen' their redeveloped home on Sunday against Wangaratta Rovers, with former Melbourne player Matt Jones joining ex-Collingwood defender Sam Murray.

Naturally after 552 days without any football, most of the teams have a host of new players, with Albury's Griffith connection of Jacob Conlan named at centre half-back, while his brother Lucas is an emergency.

Yarrawonga is missing six automatic selections, including ex-Williamstown star Willie Wheeler (foot surgery), although there's genuine excitement over his former team-mate Leigh Masters, who's been named at centre half-back.

Former VFL ruckman Lach Howe has also returned to the club.

The match starts at Albury Sportsground from 5pm.

Lavington retains the nucleus of the outfit which won the 2019 premiership, although Leeton Whitton's Sam Hopper is there, with the exciting Ben Ashley-Cooper named on an extended bench.

Rovers picked up three players from the Gold Coast area, but only one in Tyler Cornish has been named.

Todd Grayson and Tom Thynne haven't been included.

Former captain Tyson Hartwig is at centre half-forward after he was the league's best defender in his previous stint.

The Hawks have also named Tyler Roos with excitement machines in the lightning quick Jack Gerrish and forward Alex Marklew.

Raven Jolliffe will miss the first three matches after suffering a facial fracture against Yarrawonga in a pre-season game.

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The first full round will be played over the following Easter weekend.

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