1. The Bombers are back – in a big way
Essendon's self-proclaimed 'Comeback Story' began amid emotional scenes, with 15,000 fans joining the 'Comeback March to the 'G' from Birrarung Marr. The reassembled Bombers line-up ran through a guard of honour formed by club greats as their long-suffering fans roared and mimicked former coach Kevin Sheedy by waving scarves and jackets above their heads in a choreographed show of support. Of the 10 Dons eligible to return after serving season-long doping suspensions, six took on the Hawks – new captain Dyson Heppell, former skipper Jobe Watson, Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley, Travis Colyer and Brent Stanton. As a collective they contributed strongly to a remarkably slick, assured performance for a team that hadn't played together for so long.

Full match report and stats

2. Roughy's return
Another man who made a long-awaited, emotional return to footy was Jarryd Roughead. After missing the entire 2016 season with a knee injury before dealing with a second bout of cancer, the 30-year-old slotted back in seamlessly in a midfield/forward role in a contest that doubled as his first game as captain. Roughead's big moment came early in the third term when he claimed a contested mark and converted, prompting every teammate to congratulate him. He later snapped a second major. Roughead and Heppell are among just a handful of instances of opposing captains hailing from the same town in country Victoria, making their small Gippsland hometown of Leongatha proud.

3. Cyril's thigh niggle
In the first term Hawk genius Cyril Rioli sustained a thigh problem, possibly a corked quad, which had to be managed throughout the night. Rioli left the field early in the second quarter and returned with strapping on his dominant left leg. Though hindered, the injury appeared to pose mere nuisance value given the left-footer was still damaging at times, though far quieter than usual, particularly in a second half dominated by the Bombers. Rioli wasn't the Hawks' only concern, with defender James Frawley landing heavily on his head after a marking contest early in the second quarter. Appearing slightly dazed, he was assessed for concussion down in the changerooms but soon re-entered the fray to play out the game.

4. Hawks 'replacements' impress against the tide
Talented midfielders in ex-Sun Jaeger O'Meara and ex-Swan Tom Mitchell could scarcely have started their new careers at Hawthorn under much more pressure, perceived as the virtual replacements for departed four-time premiership heroes Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis. In the first game in almost 15 years that the Hawks had been without at least one of Mitchell, Lewis or the suspended Luke Hodge, Mitchell amassed an equal game-high 37 possessions while O'Meara, in his first game in more than two years after overcoming knee issues, was workmanlike with 23. Former Tiger Ty Vickery worked hard in his first game in the brown and gold but failed to convert, while ex-Crow Ricky Henderson was solid.

5. Debut of the Dons' draft dynamo
Essendon's first No.1 draft pick Andrew McGrath couldn't have scripted a better night to make his AFL debut, on a night that will forever be remembered by the Bomber faithful. The 18-year-old adapted well to the finals-like atmosphere to collect 22 disposals off half-back, showcasing the composure and decision-making that made him the hottest young property in the last year's draft. Ex-Lions forward Josh Green was also a handy contributor in his first game with the Bombers.