Ben Ainsworth celebrates a critical goal in the Suns’ first ever win in Perth against West Coast. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

MELBOURNE 14.13 (97) d WESTERN BULLDOGS 11.5 (71)
Major themes from last year’s grand final were hard to miss on repeat in the re-match as momentum swings defined the latest instalment of this growing rivalry in the season opener. Norm Smith Medal winner Christian Petracca continued giving the Bulldogs nightmares as he played chief destroyer again, racking up 38 disposals and two goals. Opposing spearheads Ben Brown (three) and Aaron Naughton (four) stood tall for the respective sides as the Demons again proved too strong in the end. Unfortunately, there was an ugly aftermath that overshadowed an entertaining contest as Luke Beveridge publicly berated journalist Tom Morris during the post-match press conference. A series of late-night crisis meetings between AFL and club staff led to an apology from Beveridge the following day.

CARLTON 14.17 (101) d RICHMOND 11.10 (76)
Not even a batch of COVID-19 infections discovered the following day could dampen Carlton’s spirits after their first round-one win in a decade. New coach Michael Voss demanded the Blues show fight and he got it in spades as his charges twice recovered from 20 points down to overrun Richmond, who many experts expect to return to premiership contention this year. Patrick Cripps brilliantly led a new-look midfield – boosted by much-improved Matt Kennedy and new recruits George Hewett and Adam Cerra – that dominated the final quarter to set up the win. Sam Docherty’s second-quarter goal led to an emotional celebration and will be hard to top as a feel-good moment this season. Richmond lost Dion Prestia to another hamstring injury and Jack Riewoldt fractured a thumb on a tough night for the Tigers.

ST KILDA 12.13 (85) lost to COLLINGWOOD 15.12 (102)
The grin on Craig McRae’s face as he exchanged high-fives with jubilant Magpies fans in the crowd told the story at Marvel Stadium. A new era began for the competition’s most famous club and it did so in positive fashion as Collingwood resisted a fast and furious St Kilda fightback to steady in the final term. Oliver Henry and Jack Ginnivan kicked important last-quarter goals, as did Jordan de Goey, who was one of the Pies’ best with 27 disposals and two goals on his return after a turbulent off-season. Nick Daicos made one of the most highly-anticipated debuts in recent memory and delivered on the huge expectation that sits on his young shoulders. The son of club legend Peter – and brother of teammate Josh – had 27 disposals in a slick display. Mature-age debutant Jack Hayes also looked right at home for the Saints, kicking three goals.

GEELONG 20.18 (138) defeated ESSENDON 11.6 (72)
Nic Martin’s five-goal debut was a sight to behold for Bombers fans but was unfortunately one of few wins they had in a heavy reality check as Geelong ran riot. Tom Hawkins (four goals) and Patrick Dangerfield (31 disposals) were at the heart of the Cats’ dominance, and Tyson Stengle’s first outing in blue-and-white hoops pleased Chris Scott most. Given a career lifeline by the Cats after being dumped by Adelaide over off-field indiscretions, Stengle booted four goals in a sign his new club’s investment could pay off. There was a sour note for Geelong when Jeremy Cameron was left struggling to breathe after a big collision and was taken to hospital. The spearhead was later cleared of internal damage but has a hip pointer injury that puts him in doubt for round two. Essendon lost Kyle Langford to an early hamstring injury and trailed by 60 points at half-time.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 13.14 (92) lost to SYDNEY 17.10 (112)
Lance Franklin fell short of the 1000-goal milestone this week, kicking just one of the five goals required. But while there was huge external hype around Buddy’s individual pursuit, it was never going to be the Swans’ main focus. Winning one of the game’s hottest on-field rivalries was, and they did it in style as Accor Stadium’s massive new screens put Gillon McLachlan’s “sexy” video boards at Docklands to shame. Luke Parker registered five goals, a fourth Brett Kirk Medal and most likely three Brownlow Medal votes in a match-winning display. A run of seven straight goals straddling three-quarter time broke the game open for Sydney as Isaac Heeney and Oliver Florent got in on the act. Franklin was again well held by veteran GWS defender Phil Davis, while emerging star Tom Green (31 disposals, two goals) stood tall for the Giants.

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BRISBANE 11.14 (80) defeated PORT ADELAIDE 10.9 (69)
It was ugly footy, not exactly befitting of two sides that should be in the premiership mix again, but Brisbane won’t be too fussed after fighting back from four goals down during the third term to claim a gutsy victory as the Gabba rocked again. Joe Daniher kicked four goals and could only laugh when he handballed after a huge mark at the top of the goal square as the half-time siren sounded, costing the Lions a certain goal. Lachie Neale starred for the Lions and Noah Answerth made a welcome return after a 2021 campaign ruined by groin issues. Dan Houston (36 disposals and two goals) was brilliant for the Power, who lost Xavier Duursma (collarbone) and Trent McKenzie (knee) to injury. Brisbane hard nut Mitch Robinson was reported over the collision that led to Duursma’s injury.

HAWTHORN 11.12 (78) defeated NORTH MELBOURNE 8.10 (58)
Sam Mitchell added his name to the list of new coaches enjoying first-up successes, following in the footsteps of Michael Voss and Craig McRae earlier in the round. Mitch Lewis and Jack Gunston kicked three goals each for the Hawks and James Sicily was important on return from injury. No.1 draft pick Jason Horne-Francis showed glimpses of his potential on debut for North Melbourne and kicked a classy second-quarter goal as the Kangaroos surged 21 points clear. But they couldn’t sustain the performance as they were overrun after the main break. Chad Wingard caught the eye in long sleeves – something not seen during the Alastair Clarkson era at Hawthorn.

ADELAIDE 12.10 (82) lost to FREMANTLE 11.17 (83)
Fremantle had Heath Chapman to thank as it scraped home by the barest of margins in a see-sawing contest. It was the young defender’s right hand, outstretched over a scrambling Nick Murray on the goal line, that denied Ben Keays what would’ve been the match-winning major in a frantic final few seconds. Josh Rachele’s stunning five-goal debut threatened to get the Crows home as seven straight goals to the home side overturned a 26-point half-time deficit. A horridly inaccurate Fremantle went almost 50 minutes without a goal in the second half, but fought back very late in the piece, kicking the final three majors to snatch victory. Lachie Schultz (three goals) nailed the go-ahead goal on the run from 50m before Chapman’s last-gasp heroics. New recruits Will Brodie and Jordan Clark were important contributors for Fremantle as Rachele and Keays (37 disposals) shone for Adelaide. Matt Crouch had 30 disposals in a strong return for the Crows, playing his first game since 2020.

WEST COAST 12.8 (80) lost to GOLD COAST 16.11 (107)
Gold Coast took full advantage of an undermanned West Coast to register its first win over the Eagles in Perth from 10 attempts. Izak Rankine booted four goals and new recruits Mabior Chol and Levi Casboult kicked two apiece for the Suns. Matt Rowell (33 disposals) did plenty of damage through the middle alongside Touk Miller (29). Eagles forward Willie Rioli was involved in a huge collision with Rowell and kicked one goal in his first game back from his two-year ban, while star defender Tom Barrass marked his 100th game with his first career goal. West Coast was missing six of its top 10 from last year’s best-and-fairest, with injuries and COVID-19 protocols ravaging the squad.