Carlton suffered a 24-point loss to Hawthorn in their practice match at Ikon Park but Blues fans will be buoyed by the performance of top draft pick Sam Walsh.
Carlton's Abbie McKay will be the first father-daughter draft pick to play in the AFLW when she debuts on Saturday against Geelong.
Ollie Wines and Tom Jonas have been appointed as co-captains of AFL club Port Adelaide.
Richmond forward Tom Lynch remains at least a fortnight away from full training and appears in doubt for their round-one AFL clash with Carlton.
AFLX skippers Patrick Dangerfield and Nat Fyfe say the exhibition is aimed at the younger generation and critics should keep an open mind.
Dom Sheed, who booted the West Coast Eagles to their 2018 grand final victory, has extended his contract to keep him at the club until at the end of 2021.
Melbourne's Tom McDonald and GWS star Jeremy Cameron have joined the growing number of players to pull out of the AFLX tournament.
Geelong superstar Gary Ablett didn't play in the Cats' practice match against North Melbourne.
More midfield time is on the agenda this season for Sydney AFL star Callum Mills, who returns to action on Friday after missing much of last season.
West Coast's premiership winger Lewis Jetta says he only celebrated the flag win for a couple of weeks before re-setting for the next AFL challenge.
He's one of Brisbane's best defenders, but Harris Andrews says he'd be excited about potentially moving to the forward line in the 2019 AFL season.
Comeback star Shane Mumford will make his return to football for GWS in their practice match against Sydney on Friday.
West Coast midfielder Elliot Yeo is confident he'll be fit for the start of the season despite undergoing toe surgery during the summer.
West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern says even he wasn't sure whether he would be medically cleared to play in last year's grand final win over Collingwood.
Hawthorn duo Luke Breust and Isaac Smith have joined teammate Chad Wingard in withdrawing from this year's AFLX tournament.
Veteran Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs says winning centre-bounce ruck contests will be vital under new AFL rules.
Key forward Joe Daniher is a key to Essendon's AFL prospects and he could be set to return in the pre-season after a long absence due to a groin injury.
Brianna Moyes' AFLW debut turned into a nightmare, with the Fremantle rookie suffering a season-ending knee injury against the Magpies.