Geelong captain Melissa Hickey has failed to recover from injury in time for their historic first AFLW match.
She was not named in their side for Saturday night’s home clash with Collingwood, which is tipped to attract about 20,000 fans.
The former Melbourne star is returning from a knee reconstruction and also did not play in their pre-season match.
Hickey said at Wednesday’s AFLW season launch that she still had to tick boxes at Thursday training ahead of the Magpies clash.
But Carlton captain Brianna Davey, who also needed a knee reconstruction last season, will make her return in Sunday’s Hobart match against newcomers North Melbourne.
The Cats, who have also lost Rochelle Cranston to suspension, named Bec Goring as captain for their round-one match.
No.1 draft pick Nina Morrison will make her AFLW debut.
The Magpies side features former Australian netballers Ash Brazill and Sharni Layton, who have switched sports.
GWS speedster Haneen Zreika will race into the AFLW history books, with the teen to become the first Muslim to play in the women’s competition.
Giants women’s team coach Alan McConnell confirmed on Thursday that the 19-year-old would make her debut in Sunday’s opening-round clash against Brisbane at Moreton Bay.