The 2024 VFL premiership season got underway across the weekend, led by a clash between Sandringham and Collingwood on Friday.
The Pies came out on top, as did the Lions, Swans, Kangaroos, Tigers, Bulldogs and Hawks of the AFL-affiliate clubs.
Southport started their new season strongly with a drubbing over Port Melbourne, while Williamstown took down Frankston.
Werribee is looking to go one better than last year and a smashing of the Cats is a positive start.
Carlton had the weekend off due to a bye.
Here's a wrap-up of all the action from Round 1 of the VFL.
Sandringham (55) def. by Collingwood (83)
The Pies were too good against the Zebras, despite a slow start out of the gates.
AFL-listed players John Noble (29 disposals) and Lachie Sullivan (30) led the way for Josh Fraser's men, producing impressive performances to put their names up for selection.
Small forward Joe Richards slotted three goals while Ash Johnson struggled to find the ball, kicking one major from his six touches.
Josh Carmichael (20 and 1 goal) and Ed Allan (25 disposals and eight tackles) continue to impress in the reserves grade, giving Craig McRae something to consider.
As for the Zebras, Arie Schoenmaker was easily the best for them, amassing 33 possessions and 13 marks in a stand-out performance.
Veteran Tom Campbell is a perfect depth player while youngsters Isaac Keeler and Max Heath showed glimpses of brilliance.
Dan Butler (one goal) and Anthony Caminiti (two goals) hit the scoreboard.
Frankston (59) def. by Williamstown (80)
Two standalone clubs battled for early-season ascendency, with the Seagulls taking home the chocolates.
Former Giants ruckman Tom Downie was instrumental in the victory, recording 50 hitouts, putting the ball on a platter.
Ex-Tiger Riley Collier-Dawkins was the beneficiary of such dominance, gathering 26 disposals, seven tackles and a major.
Corey Ellison and Brodie McLaughlin bobbed up in the forward line for Williamstown, combining for five goals.
As for Frankston, they put up a fight at home but failed to meet the mark.
Noah Gown kicked three majors in a positive performance while Sebastian Quirk and George Grey were the leading possession-getters.
Former Blue and Saint Jack Newnes returned to the club in 2024 and showed some experience the Dolphins needed.
Gold Coast (53) def. by Richmond (76)
Led by Sam Naismith (24 touches, 31 hitouts, nine clearances and a goal) and a young midfield brigade, the Tigers got their season off to a flyer with a victory over the Suns, unlike their AFL peer.
Tyler Sonsie (30 disposals, five clearances and a goal) and Kane McAuliffe (31 touches, six clearances and a goal) were super impressive through the midfield, while Hugo Ralphsmith also dominated.
Depth forwards Noah Cumberland and Jacob Koschitzke hit the scoreboard, pressing for an AFL recall.
As for the Suns, James Tsitas was arguably their best, gathering 40 disposals, 10 marks, seven tackles and six clearances.
Tsitas was joined by Joel Jeffrey (34 touches and a goal), Oskar Faulkhead (32 touches and a goal) and Darcy McPherson (35 possessions and 12 marks), giving Damien Hardwick selection headaches.
Youngsters Ethan Read (two goals and 19 disposals) and Jake Rogers (20 touches and 12 tackles) look ready to explode onto the AFL scene.
Southport (97) def. Port Melbourne (51)
Boyd Woodcock's AFL dream is far from over as he started 2024 the way he finished off last year.
The former Port Adelaide player slotted two goals from 44 touches and 11 clearances.
Woodcock was joined by Jacob Dawson (41 touches and 15 clearances) and Jesse Joyce (31, eight marks and three tackles) among the Sharks' best.
Despite the efforts by captain Harvey Hooper, Port Melbourne struggled to get their hands on the ball and mount any real threat to the Sharks.
Matt Signorello slotted three goals while Jimmy Miller and Felix Flockhart were strong in the ruck.
Former Bulldog Roarke Smith showed his immense talent, gathering 23 touches, eight clearances and five tackles in a debut for the Borough.
Essendon (62) def. by Brisbane (99)
The Lions got their VFL season underway with a strong win, led by James Tunstill's two-goal and 33-possession performance.
Jaxon Prior was skilful across hal- back while recent draftee Logan Morris kicked four goals.
Defender Jack Payne was deployed up forward, hitting the scoreboard with two majors as Adelaide recruit Tom Doedee's return was a success, despite not racking up his usual numbers.
Pick 54 in the 2023 AFL Draft Archie Roberts showed why he may be a diamond in the rough for Essendon, gathering 25 touches and a goal in his first outing at the level.
Former Crow Jackson Hately was strong in the contest, laying seven tackles and seven clearances with his 22 possessions.
Top 10 Pick Nate Caddy was impressive, hitting the scoreboard and being a presence up forward for the Bombers.
Geelong (50) def. by Werribee (103)
Werribee began 2024 in formidable fashion, with a host of strong performances across the board.
Hudson Garoni led the goalkickers with four, while Dom Brew and Jack Henderson were instrumental through the middle.
Kye Declase joined the party while Sam Conway was competitive in the ruck.
As for the Cats, there wasn't a heap to like.
Emerson Jeka showed why the club picked him up in the Rookie Draft.
Toby Conway was the dominant big man on the day with 37 hitouts and six clearances to go along with his 17 touches.
Mitch Knevitt got a second look despite playing less than half a quarter in the AFL when replacing Patrick Dangerfield in the final term.
Jed Bews is another who will be looking to press his case for senior selection.
North Melbourne (81) def. Northern Bullants (42)
A host of Kangaroos players have put their hand up for an AFL recall following impressive performances.
Experienced duo Liam Shiels (33 touches and nine clearances) and Hugh Greenwood (13 disposals, 14 tackles and a goal) provide depth while Will Phillips is knocking on the door.
Tyler Sellers could be looking to debut after slotting six majors in the reserves as Charlie Comben continues to build consistently.
Patrick Fairlie led the charge for the Bullants, with feasibly the best performance of the weekend, kicking two goals from 46 touches, seven clearances, six tackles and 14 marks.
Jean-Luc Velissaris wasn't far behind, gathering 37 possessions, nine clearances and nine marks.
Sydney (82) def. Coburg (41)
Peter Ladhams is pushing his case for an AFL recall following a four-goal 19-possession performance in the VFL.
Ladhams - who is rivalling Hayden McLean and Joel Amartey for a spot - will need to start hitting the scoreboard more often if he has any chance of joining the senior side.
Depth defenders Aaron Francis and Joel Hamling were impressive in the victory while Caleb Mitchell was arguably the best on ground for the Swans.
The Lions struggled against a much stronger outfit, despite Joel Trudgeon's efforts.
Gathering 30 disposals, eight tackles, eight marks and six clearances, Trudgeon led from the front.
Rhys Galvin was impressive while Max Kennedy, Lachlan Walker and Hugo Bromell found plenty of the ball.
Western Bulldogs (98) def. GWS Giants (81)
Out-of-favour Bulldog Jack Macrae is in line for a senior recall, while Riley Garcia and Rory Lobb push their cases.
Macrae was dominant through the midfield (47 disposals and 17 clearances), while Garcia (two goals and 41 possessions) and Lobb (four goals) did their chances no harm.
Taylor Duryea poses as an option to replace Ed Richards and Nick Coffield while Alex Keath could be sent to the AFL side to bolster the backline.
As for the Giants, Josh Fahey was impressive, amassing 30 disposals, eight marks and five tackles.
Marc Sheather and Nick Madden were also noted performers.
Casey Demons (46) def. by Box Hill (87)
Sam Mitchell will have his hands full at the selection table, with a host of reserve players making a case for a recall.
Harry Morrison (28 touches and 10 marks), Sam Butler (three goals and 21 disposals) and Henry Hustwaite (24 possessions, nine tackles and eight marks) all produced stirring performances.
SSP selection Ethan Phillips won't be far away from his AFL debut while Lloyd Meek could be brought in to help Ned Reeves.
As for the Demons, they are likely to make some changes in the backline following injuries to Jake Lever and Steven May.
Adam Tomlinson is the expected replacement and his performance says so (25 touches and six marks).
Draftee Koltyn Tholstrup is another new face who is bound for an AFL debut but will need to bide his time.
