THE OPENING round of next year's Toyota AFL premiership season is more than four months away, but after a host of player moves during October, AFL.com.au's writers decided it was time to take a fresh look at how the teams might line up.

Essendon's side already looks stronger with Brendon Goddard in the midfield, while Hawthorn's defence has some extra strength with Brian Lake at full-back.

There are, of course, more changes to come, with former Adelaide forward Kurt Tippett yet to find a new club and the NAB AFL Draft yet to take place.

But we think we’ve kicked off a conversation that will last the entire pre-season.

What do you think of our potential Round 1 team? Have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the article

Friday, March 22
Adelaide v Essendon, AAMI Stadium

Adelaide
Brenton Sanderson's greatest test is to find cover for the loss of Kurt Tippett. Josh Jenkins gets first dibs at that job. Shaun McKernan is in the 22, but you get the feeling he will fight with Jenkins for a place in the side. Brad Crouch comes in after a solid season in the SANFL after being taken by the Crows in the 2011 mini draft from GWS. New recruit Angus Graham adds cover in the ruck but will have to fight for his place.
 - Harry Thring

Essendon
Essendon hasn't had much luck with injury in recent years so it seems hard to think it will have a full squad to pick from come round one. But if it does, its line-up is very impressive. Brendon Goddard will slot straight into the Bombers midfield, while star 18-year-old Joe Daniher is likely to hold down a spot in attack from day one. David Hille doesn't make the round one team if Tom Bellchambers and Paddy Ryder are fit, but will be very handy back-up throughout the season.
Edit: the writer mistakenly left out Stewart Crameri. Crameri would command a starting spot in round one.
 - Callum Twomey

Saturday, March 23
Fremantle v West Coast, Patersons Stadium

Fremantle
There is little doubt Anthony Morabito will be part of Fremantle's best midfield at some point in 2013, but after two years sidelined he will take time to work into the season. Kepler Bradley and Zac Clarke will be jockeying for the forward-ruckman role. Bradley gets the nod at this early stage based on experience, but he has a fight on his hands over pre-season. Port Adelaide recruit Danyle Pearce will add valuable pace in the midfield and across half-back. Pressure should come from Lachie Neale, Cameron Sutcliffe and Tom Sheridan.
 - Nathan Schmook

West Coast
The biggest change to West Coast's line-up next season will be in the forward line, with Quinten Lynch gone and Mark LeCras set to return. Jack Darling should take on more responsibility as a key target and ruckman Dean Cox will be a threat, named in a forward pocket (where he was selected in the 2012 All Australian team). Luke Shuey (19 goals in 2012) and Chris Masten (20) are named at half-forward but will continue to rotate heavily through the midfield. The challenge is ahead for Mark Nicoski (substitute), Jacob Brennan and Patrick McGinnity to fight their way into the Eagles' best team.
 - Nathan Schmook

Thursday, March 28
Carlton v Richmond, MCG

Carlton
Following a distinct lack of movement during the Gillette AFL Trade Period, Carlton will be looking to improvement from within. The Blues' backline appears solid enough and their midfield is star studded when fit. Their small forwards are nippy and dangerous, although the emergence of a key forward is necessary to help share the load with Jarrad Waite. Hence the selection of Luke Mitchell at full forward, who was a consistent performer at VFL level last year. The club's first 18 is talented, but players on the fringe need to lift if the Blues are to return to the finals under Mick Malthouse.
 - Ben Guthrie

Richmond
The Tigers were ruthlessly efficient during the Gillette AFL Free Agency Period. A key defender and an experienced midfielder were their clear targets and within 24 hours they had brought both Adelaide's Chris Knights and Port Adelaide's Troy Chaplin to the club. Knights can swing through the midfield and sneak forward, while Chaplin adds height, strength and experience to a backline that was probably the club's main weakness in 2012. The Tigers are putting together a strong side as they push for their first finals appearance in 12 years, and at this stage and at full strength, Robin Nahas and Jake King would battle to get a game.
 - Ashley Browne

Saturday, March 30
Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions, Etihad Stadium

Western Bulldogs
The inclusion of veteran Dale Morris (who hasn’t played since badly breaking his right leg in round 21, 2011) makes an enormous difference to the Bulldogs' line-up. The backline instantly looks more reliable and versatile, and with his ability to play as a key defender he also enables greater flexibility and unpredictability at either end. It's asking a lot of second-year teenager Michael Talia to hold down centre half-back, but he will one day so he should be given the chance to establish himself. Newcomers Koby Stevens (West Coast) and Tom Young (Collingwood) would also add hardness and depth to the Dogs' running brigade.
 - Ben Collins

Brisbane Lions
For the first time in a number of seasons, the Lions will have some genuine selection dilemmas ahead of round one. Matthew Leuenberger is a welcome return in the ruck after missing most of 2012 with an Achilles injury, while Melbourne recruit Brent Moloney will force his way straight into the midfield. Fellow former Demon Stefan Martin may have a fight on his hands though, playing a similar role to incumbent Jordan Lisle. Ryan Harwood will battle the returning Mitch Golby (foot) for a backline position, while James Polkinghorne, Jared Polec and Pat Karnezis are all right in the mix for the midfield/half forward rotations.
 - Michael Whiting

Greater Western Sydney v Sydney Swans, ANZ Stadium

Greater Western Sydney
With 36 Giants making their AFL debuts in 2012, alongside the likes of Callan Ward, Tom Scully and Phil Davis, picking a best 22 is no easy task. Many had outstanding first seasons, with Toby Greene, Jeremy Cameron, Steve Coniglio, Dylan Shiel and Adam Treloar among those to impress. Players such as Matthew Buntine, Tim Mohr, Shaun Edwards, Nathan Wilson, Adam Tomlinson and Sam Frost were unlucky not to make it and will certainly see some senior football in 2013.
 - James Dampney

Sydney Swans
The Swans were fortunate on Grand Final day that they were able to call on their best possible side, with the exception of Ben McGlynn. But McGlynn will be fully fit by the start of the 2013 campaign and is certainly in John Longmire's best 22, missing just one game through suspension last season before his hamstring injury in the opening week of the finals. Mitch Morton is the unlucky man to miss out. His heroics during the finals, however, mean he should be right in the mix during the season.
 - James Dampney

Gold Coast v St Kilda, Metricon Stadium

Gold Coast
With some off-season acquisitions and the return of a host of injured players, Gold Coast will assemble a highly competitive outfit in 2013. Bringing in Tom Murphy (Hawthorn) and Greg Broughton (Fremantle) solidifies a backline that is likely to be missing regulars Nathan Bock (leg) and Seb Tape (knee) for the early part of the season. The Suns will unleash exciting West Australian Jaeger O'Meara, while David Swallow, Dion Prestia and Karmichael Hunt are among those who will play after missing the end of 2012. The big questions come up forward, where Charlie Dixon looks a ready-made forward/ruck option, leaving Tom Lynch, Sam Day and Steven May to fight for two spots.
 - Michael Whiting

St Kilda
Gone from last year's team are Brendon Goddard and Jason Gram, while Leigh Montagna has a one-game suspension to serve. The Saints are loaded with tall forward options and Rhys Stanley and Tom Lee are sure to be pushing for selection early in the season. The defensive stocks don't run deep and Arryn Siposs could be used as a swingman after he was tried at both ends last year, while Tom Curren should be close to a senior debut after an impressive season in the VFL last year.
 - Luke Holmesby

Sunday, March 31
Melbourne v Port Adelaide, MCG

Melbourne
Big changes to the playing list add depth to a line-up that has been anchored near the bottom for far too long. The forward line suddenly has presence with the addition of the big bodies of Chris Dawes and Cameron Pedersen. Shannon Byrnes adds some smarts and tackling power. Father-son selection Jack Viney goes straight into the middle but the midfield needs a few players to emerge from a pack of similarly capable players. Of those not included, Lynden Dunn and Neville Jetta are unlucky while a fit Aaron Davey is clearly in the club's best 22.
 - Peter Ryan

Port Adelaide
Providing all players are at peak form, the Power's best 22 looks reasonably competitive. With Schulz and Butcher providing targets up forward, Daniel Stewart is able to use his running power and work up the ground. Westhoff can link from defence and sneak forward to hit the scoreboard, while Ebert provides grunt through the middle. Plenty of run off half-back through Heath and Pittard and, although it's a tall full back line, having Jacobs and Stewart on the bench offers coach Ken Hinkley smaller defensive options. Aaron Young provides clean hands and good skills as the sub.
 - Harry Thring

North Melbourne v Collingwood, Etihad Stadium

North Melbourne
Former skipper Brent Harvey will be sorely missed as he sits out the first six weeks of next season through suspension. But Harvey's absence will give Kieran Harper the chance to step up as a high half-forward in his third season, while it should also mean North can find a spot in its 22 for 2011 first-round draftee Brad McKenzie. Leigh Adams should be a welcome return after having successful post-season shoulder surgery. The Roos will be keen to get games into highly promising young talls Aaron Black, Cameron Delaney and Ayden Kennedy in 2013, but their opportunities might come later in the season.
 - Nick Bowen

Collingwood
The strength of Collingwood's list becomes apparent when naming its best 22 as Alex Fasolo, Jamie Elliott, Brent Macaffer, Ben Sinclair and Martin Clarke remain on the sidelines in round one. All five would walk into most other teams while Jarrod Witts will be putting pressure on the ruck position during the year. Lachlan Keeffe is left out because he is returning from a knee reconstruction and the date of his return remains uncertain but the sorely missed Luke Ball should be right to go. Jordan Russell should get a chance early but it's hard to pop him straight in the line-up on exposed form.
 - Peter Ryan

Monday, April 1
Hawthorn vs. Geelong Cats MCG

Hawthorn
Big-name recruit Brian Lake slots straight in at full-back to play on Geelong spearhead Tom Hawkins. Ryan Schoenmakers gets the job on James Podsiadly, releasing Josh Gibson to play as a 'third man up'. Brent Guerra is back from injury, and resumes his place at half-back. From the 2012 Grand Final team, Clinton Young is gone, and Xavier Ellis has been squeezed out for now. It's a line-up full of experience and class, with several talented youngsters, led by Bradley Hill, waiting in the wings.
 - Mark Macgugan

Geelong
Geelong's decision to recruit Jared Rivers, Hamish McIntosh and Josh Caddy has made it really tough to pick its best 22. All three new boys appear in this team, which has resulted in premiership ruckman Trent West and two-time flag winning forward Mathew Stokes being squeezed out. Veterans Joel Corey and Paul Chapman are clinging to their spots, with young guns Billie Smedts, Jordan Murdoch, Cameron Guthrie, George Horlin-Smith and Jesse Stringer waiting in the wings. Geelong insists that super-talented half-forward Daniel Menzel, who is on the comeback trail from his second knee reconstruction, will be fit by round one. But you would expect him to begin his comeback in the VFL.  
 - Adam McNicol