From the hyped to the hopefuls, it was time for a brand new group of AFL debutants to hit the bottom operating as the brand new AFL season started.
Some gamers got here in carrying extra expectations than others, however the strain was on for all as soon as video games acquired underway.
As all the time, gamers had a wide range of roles and time on floor, relying on staff wants and different components.
From the primary bounce of the spherical to the final, let’s have a look again at how the first-gamers went.
Lachlan Cowan — Carlton
Cowan was a tactical substitution after three quarters of the sport on opening evening on the MCG — he had picked up eight touches and laid two tackles in defence for the Blues. He additionally confirmed good fingers, taking a few stable marks.
The younger defender was subbed out after taking part in 53 per cent of sport time. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see if or when Carlton give Alex Cincotta an opportunity — he and Cowan look to be the race in two because the everlasting alternative for the season for the injured Zac Williams off half-back.
Oliver Hollands — Carlton
The brother of the Suns’ Elijah, Hollands had a superb introduction to the AFL on the wing for the Blues.
He had 11 touches — 5 kicks and 6 handballs — took two marks and laid three tackles in his 81 per cent of sport time. Nevertheless it was greater than numbers that caught the attention.
His operating capacity stood out and his whole-hearted effort within the first quarter the place he discovered himself one towards two in defensive 50 — the 2 being Tom Lynch and Maurice Rioli.
Hollands closed in, received the ball and managed to clear his traces as Blues followers roared their approval. He didn’t look misplaced in one of many AFL’s marquee video games of the season.
Harry Sheezel — North Melbourne
The clear stand-out of the opening spherical — Sheezel had impressed in preseason outings, however not even essentially the most one-eyed of Kangaroos followers would have banked on his manufacturing towards West Coast.
He had 34 disposals, together with 9 contested possessions and 6 intercept possessions, three rating involvements and a purpose help, to not point out a monster 631 metres gained.
This all got here off half-back — Sheezel seemed like he had been taking part in at AFL stage for ages, and also you get the sensation he might be simply as harmful when he spends any vital time ahead. He is the sort of participant North might be constructing their aspect round for the following decade.
Noah Lengthy — West Coast
Lengthy performed his position within the Eagles comeback — which in the end failed — as a small mid-forward.
He had seven contested possessions out of 10 total, used the ball nicely when he had it and confirmed good tempo and depth to try to strain the Kangaroos.
He laid two tackles inside 50 and celebrated an necessary purpose when he was left alone on the finish of a sequence to kick one from the purpose sq. to maintain West Coast hopes alive late within the ultimate time period.
Reuben Ginbey — West Coast
In the identical sport, a brand new Eagles midfielder proved he was nicely on top of things. Ginbey was fierce, laying 12 tackles and successful seven contested possessions.
He discovered himself in amongst it, firing out 11 handballs to only 4 kicks — a Matt Priddis-like ratio — however he additionally confirmed he had the tempo to run into house and the kicks he did have confirmed his capacity to hit targets. His three rating involvements would not have harm both.
Campbell Chesser — West Coast
It was a quiet sport first-up for the Eagles’ first-gamer, however it was by no means in regards to the stats, extra the expertise after Chesser missed all of 2022 with a nasty ankle damage from a follow match.
He had 5 disposals from practically 70 per cent of sport time, however after the match coach Adam Simpson was eager to level out that for Chesser and quite a few others who had missed substantial intervals final yr it was about getting a sport below the belt. Time will inform.
Will Ashcroft — Brisbane
After all of the hype, there have been some considerations when the Lions’ star father-son choice took some time to get his first contact. However as soon as he did everybody was reminded why he was so widely-sought after.
His timing and his disposal have been wonderful — however actually, all you needed to see to know his potential was his purpose within the second quarter.
He ran in direction of a bouncing ball, took possession inside 50, calmly prevented being flattened by Darcy Byrne-Jones after which steadied, stepped inside and slotted an ideal right-foot shot from 35.
He’ll be simply fantastic, Brisbane followers. Greater than fantastic.
Judd McVee — Melbourne
The Demons went into their opener towards the Western Bulldogs with massive expectations, however they did not want the late withdrawal of Steven Could on the coronary heart of their defence.
WA draftee Judd McVee got here into the aspect and was greater than serviceable towards the Bulldogs’ ahead line.
At 185cm he wasn’t there for his massive marking, though he had 4 intercept possessions (14 total), together with a stable operating mark to chop off one Canines’ assault.
Extra spectacular was his cool disposal, serving to the Dees going ahead out of defensive 50. One for the longer term.
Bailey Laurie — Melbourne
Additionally making his debut for the Demons was former Oakleigh Chargers operating mid-forward Bailey Laurie. Given the choices at his staff’s disposal, Laurie had much less alternative and was subbed after 47 per cent of sport time.
However all the things he did do was spot on — from his deal with on Ed Richards that arrange a purpose for Ben Brown, to his coolness post-turnover to seek out Kyle Chandler near purpose to arrange one other main.
Bodhi Uwland — Gold Coast
Suns’ Academy participant Bohdi Uwland had a veritable AFL baptism of fireplace, developing towards the shedding grand finalists with a degree to show on a sauna of an evening at Carrara.
He did nicely, albeit there have been occasions the place he seemed a little bit overwhelmed (like lots of his teammates) towards the rampaging Swans.
He had 20 disposals together with 9 intercept possessions, one clearance and two inside 50s — a greater than stable outing — however additional alternatives could also be restricted with Lachie Weller and Wil Powell on the verge of a return.
Max Michalanney — Adelaide
The Crows’ father-son choice debuted in Adelaide’s loss to the Giants.
His numbers weren’t enormous off half-back — 12 disposals, three marks, one deal with from 79 per cent sport time. However there have been good indicators.
He out-marked Jake Ricciardi on the final line of defence at one level, positioned himself nicely, and was a clear kick who wasn’t afraid to take probabilities, both with the ball or selecting targets.
Cam Mackenzie — Hawthorn
Like the remainder of his staff, Mackenzie light a bit within the second half because the Bombers ran over the Hawks. However his 18 touches have been a robust begin, and he will certainly be one to look at in the course of the season.
Mackenzie confirmed nice consciousness, with the ability to be the place he wanted to be to arrange assaults, and had velocity to go. Much more spectacular for the first-gamer was his capacity to hit a wide range of kicks, and to know the precise kick for the precise event.
Simply ask Chad Wingard, whose early purpose of the yr contender was arrange by Mackenzie’s fast burst and stable supply — though Wingard needed to do it the exhausting method after getting the ball half-spoiled.
Alwyn Davey Jr — Essendon
He drifted at occasions, however the Bombers’ father-son decide confirmed he might be a precious addition. Davey confirmed he was prepared to work exhausting on a wing or up ahead.
He confirmed eye-popping velocity and a capability to shut down opponents that put the Hawks below the pump.
His purpose earlier than half-time was an ideal little cameo — a well-timed leap to outpoint a Hawks defender, good fingers to take the mark after which kicking really earlier than a little bit of prime-time celebration.
Mattaes Phillipou — St Kilda
This South Australian draftee — who won’t flip 19 till two days after Christmas Day — got here in and seemed very comfy towards Fremantle.
He has a very good head on his shoulders, in sport one he by no means rushed his choices however let opponents commit earlier than making his transfer.
Six rating involvements together with one purpose help was a nicer stat line than the 16 touches, and his mark and purpose late within the first half confirmed composure. He might have had a second after taking a pack mark deep inside 50, however benefit led to a Saints purpose anyway. A powerful begin.
Anthony Caminiti — St Kilda
The Saints’ damage woes meant that 19-year-old Caminiti, who went undrafted in 2021, acquired his probability towards Freo.
He answered the decision. At near 2m tall he presents a stable goal — he took two marks, one contested, however Ross Lyon would have been pleased with the way in which he introduced regardless of an absence of possessions.
He has a robust kick — a giant roost from exterior 50 might have given him his first purpose however it sprayed vast.
