The Kangaroos were on deck on Friday for a match simulation training session out in Bundoora, putting each other to the test during a cooler Melbourne morning.

Draftees and recruits impressed while a host of experienced campaigners continued their push towards the Round 1 clash with the Giants.

George Wardlaw shone throughout all four quarters, displaying his bash-and-crash style coupled with some neat work in tight situations. A bone-crunching tackle from the midfielder in the opening minutes set the tone for the rest of the session.

The versatile Darcy Tucker was one of the best afield, kicking the first of his two goals to open the scoring after getting on the end of a composed play from Will Phillips. He spent plenty of time at half-forward where he also managed to force a few turnovers.

Phillips was a constant presence in midfield. The young onballer racked up the touches alongside Charlie Lazzaro, Harry Sheezel, and Tom Powell who all covered the midfield well. 

Star mids Luke Davies-Uniacke and Jy Simpkin linked up in the fourth quarter with the former pouncing on a turnover and using his trademark burst to stretch the defence before flicking it over to his co-captain who goaled to cap off an exciting play.

Robert Hansen jnr, in what is his first pre-season as an AFL footballer, used his agility beautifully to avoid being captured by a Miller Bergman tackle in the opening term. 

The small forward added to his highlight reel in the second quarter when he gathered the ball cleanly, used his quick step to evade a defender, and drove one home from distance.

He spent a bit of time up the ground, as did No.4 pick of the 2023 AFL Draft Zane Duursma, but it was inside attacking 50 where the exciting prospect impacted. He booted four goals and notched a couple of strong grabs.

Fellow forward Cooper Harvey proved tough to contain as well, kicking four of his own including one that saw the youngster weave and dodge his way out of traffic to slot a snap. The son of a gun managed three AFL games in his first year at the club and is already staking a claim for an early 2024 appearance.

Using his pace and left foot to dissect the opposition, Colby McKercher tallied the touches off half-back. Bailey Scott offered drive and stand-out skill execution out of defence, as did recruit Zac Fisher until he left the contest with a hamstring issue.

Nick Larkey and Jaidyn Stephenson kicked three goals and two goals respectively, while Kallan Dawson, who also hit the scoreboard, was impressive behind the ball.

Hugh Greenwood proved to be another threatening forward. The veteran tallied the score involvements, kicking two goals and claiming a couple of goal assists, one of which was a clever tap over the congestion to Duursma who converted from close range.

Rookie draftee Finnbar Maley got involved around the ground and finished with some strong grabs to his name.

Aidan Corr, Luke McDonald, Cam Zurhaar, Jackson Archer, Eddie Ford, Griffin Logue, Taylor Goad, Charlie Comben, Brayden George, Hamish Free, and Curtis Taylor went through their own respective fitness programs at La Trobe.

Absent from training were Liam Shiels (family wedding) and Tarryn Thomas who remains away from the club.

Starting teams

Players regularly switched between sides throughout the match sim. Both sides were supplemented by VFL players.

'Blue' (AFL-listed only): Pink, Bergman, W. Dawson, Fisher, Hardeman, Coleman-Jones, Larkey, Curtis, Stephenson, Wardlaw, Lazzaro, Xerri, Sheezel, Simpkin, Duursma, Stephens

'Yellow' (AFL-listed only): Tucker, Powell, Maley, Davies-Uniacke, Phillips, Goater, Nyuon, Hansen jnr, McKercher, Drury, Greenwood, Scott, Harvey, K. Dawson

Goalkickers: Duursma 4, Harvey 4, Larkey 3, Tucker 2, Stephenson 2, Greenwood 2, Hansen jnr, Drury, Stephens, K. Dawson, Simpkin, Sellers (VFL)