CARLTON V RICHMOND
In what’s become a traditional clash in Melbourne to start the season, Carlton took on Richmond in front of a crowd of 83,881 at the MCG to open Round 1, although there had been four games in the northern states over the previous weekend.
Seen as contenders in 2023, the Blues were eight points down at lemons, but came home to win by five points, although the general consensus was they should have won by a couple more goals.
In the 12.14 (86) to 12.9 (81) win captain Patrick Cripps led the way, while Mitch McGovern in defence, Harry McKay up forward with three goals, and the hard running Adam Saad all had an impact. George Hewett was strong around the stoppages.
For the Richmond Tigers, Nick Vlastuin was a rock in defence.
Jacob Hopper, Noah Balta with three goals, Toby Nankervis and Tim Taranto all had their moments.
The Tigers has their injury issues with Dion Prestia (hamstring), Josh Gibcus (season ending ACL) and Tylar Young (concussion) all going down during the game.
COLLINGWOOD V SYDNEY
Sydney impressed for a second week in a row, in their Friday night game dispatching reigning premiers Collingwood to the tune of 33 points, controlling the contest from quarter time and winning 15.12 (102) to 10.9 (69).
For the Swans the class of Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner (three goals) and Eric Gulden stood out, with Logan McDonald a key focal point in attack with four goals.
James Rowbottom and backman Tom McCartin were also influential.
On a night they unfurled the ’23 Premiership flag in front of 78,933 fans at the MCG. Nick Daicos was Collingwood’s best followed by Darcy Cameron, Brayden Maynard and veteran Scott Pendlebury.
ESSENDON V HAWTHORN
Purposeful for longer, Essendon kicked five goals in the final quarter and were far more accurate than Hawthorn winning its season opener by four goals, despite having six less shots at goal.
In the Bombers 17.5 (107) to 11.17 (83) win Jake Stringer was a game breaker with four goals, while Archie Perkins found plenty of the ball in a scintillating displace.
Big man Peter Wright, Ben McKay in his first game in the black and red, Andrew McGrath and Zach Merrett all were pivotal. Kyle Langford chimed in for three goals as well.
Josh Weddle and James Worpel, along with Massimo D’Ambrosio, playing against his former club in his first outing for the Hawks, and were their best.
High profile recruit Jack Ginnivan kicked a pair of goals, with Dylan Moore finishing with three for the Hawks. There was again a bumper Crowd of 73,805 at the MCG for this clash.
GWS GIANTS V NORTH MELBOURNE
With 10 first half goals at the new Engie Stadium, Adam Kingsley’s GWS Giants cruised to a comfortable 39-point triumph, 17.19 (121) to 13.4 (82).
The stars of the show were big bodied midfielder Tom Green and goal kicking ace Jessie Hogan.
Green had a game high 37 disposals and six clearances, while journeyman Hogan kicked a bag of six goals.
Smooth mover Lachie Whitfield, Stephen Coniglio and Josh Kelly all were productive, while Finn Callaghan and Jake Riccardi, who slotted through three goals both, were telling.
As expected for North Melbourne Nick Larkey was their chief target with three goals.
Others who could hold their heads up included Luke Davies-Uniacke, Harry Sheezel and Tim Powell. Zac Fisher and Colby McKercher had their moments as well.
GEELONG V ST KILDA
Although held goal-less in the third term Geelong won their first game of the season against St Kilda in a close affair by eight points, 10.16 (76) to 9.14 (68) at GMHBA Stadium.
For Geelong, Max Holmes and veteran Patrick Dangerfield played significant roles, while Oliver Dempsey in his ninth senior game kicked three important majors.
Defensive general Tom Stewart, Jeremy Cameron for a yield of 2.3 from 21 disposals, and Mitch Duncan had roles to play in the win.
For the St Kilda side classy running Indigenous defender Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Jack Steele and big man Rowan Marshall were the standouts.
Tim Membrey with three goals up forward, running defender Riley Bonner, with a match high 29 disposals in his first game in Saints colours and Max King with eight marks and two goals were important.
GOLD COAST V ADELAIDE
Gold Coast survived a five-goal last quarter charge to defeat the Crows by six points, in the Saturday night feature game at their People First Stadium, getting home 8.12 (60) to 8.6 (54).
Matt Rowell and Touk Miller led the way around the ball, with Sam Flanders, Wil Powell and Noah Anderson (equal game-high 35 disposals and game-high 759 metres gained) all important.
Both Ben Ainsworth and Malcolm Rosas junior kicked two goals for the winners.
Adelaide’s best was former Sun Izak Rankine with a pair of goals, followed by Matt Crouch and skipper Josh Dawson.
Adelaide’s emerging talent, Josh Rachele, kicked three goals as well, with Rory Laird and second year player Max Michalanney having their moments.
MELBOURNE V WESTERN BULLDOGS
Bouncing back from a round one loss, Melbourne displayed too much class for the Western Bulldogs, winning by 45 points.
Captain Max Gawn and Clayton Oliver with 35 disposals were the Demons’ best while both Kade Chandler and Jacob Van Rooyen kicked three goals each in the 16.13 (109) to 9.10 (64) win.
Christian Pettraca, full back Steven May and new Dees recruit Jake Billings, also excelled.
For Western Bulldogs Marcus Bontempelli was their best, followed by Tim Liberatore, Adam Treloar and Trent English. Jamara Ugle-Hagan was the Doggies only multiple goal kicker, with a brace.
PORT ADELAIDE V WEST COAST
It took a quarter for Port Adelaide to get on top of expected cellar dwellers West Coast in hot and humid conditions at Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon.
In the end the Power had double the scoring shots of the Eagles and won the game by a 50-point margin, kicking 16.24 (120) to 10.10 (70).
New leader at Port Adelaide, Connor Rozee, was outstanding around the ball along with fellow young gun, Zak Butters,
Jason Horne-Francis, Miles Bergman and Dan Houston were all strong contributors, while Charlie Dixon was a big target in attack with three majors.
New ruck Ivan Soldo had a presence, while the Power backline functioned well against the modest opposition.
For the Eagles, who are expected to have a long year, the speedy Jack Petruccelle kicked three goals while Jacob Waterman chimed in with two.
Elliott Yeo, emerging tall Bailey Williams and veteran Jeremy McGovern in defence were their best.
Number one draft pick Harley Reid showed signs and Jamie Cripps worked hard.
FREMANTLE V BRISBANE
It took until the last game of the round to see the upset of the weekend when Fremantle conceded the first four goals of the match but still defeated Brisbane by 23 points, getting up 14.9 (93) to 10.10 (70).
Caleb Serong had a club record 46 possessions in the middle for the Dockers while Jy Amiss (four) and Josh Treacy (three) kicked seven goals as twin targets in attack.
Luke Jackson produced a fine all round game with 18 touches, to go with 30 hit outs and two goals, while Luke Ryan, skipper Alex Pearce and Andrew Brayshaw were all in the thick of the action.
For the Lions, who kicked nearly half their score in the final term, after the game was decided, their best Joe Daniher and Epic Hipwood both three three goals, while Josh Dunkley, Zac Bailey and Hugh McCluggage all worked manfully.
The only negative from the game, Dockers endured their share of injuries with Oscar McDonald (knee), Karl Worner (concussion) and Brennan Cox (hamstring) all leaving the ground.
