1. Dusty's dazzling start
The recruitment of Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy to Richmond's midfield looks likely to have an immediate impact in a way that some may not have foreseen: the freeing up of star teammate Dustin Martin. Martin was best afield in his team's 43-point win over Carlton on Thursday night as he put in a dominant display through the midfield and in attack. The Tigers hope to use Martin more as a goalkicking option this year thanks to their beefed-up midfield brigade, and the early signs are that the brilliant ball-winner will be hard to stop wherever he plays. Martin kicked four goals and his 33 disposals were damaging. Punters who have already backed Martin for this year's Brownlow Medal would have been pleased with his opening effort in what was surely a performance worthy of three votes. 

Full match report and stats

2. Fresh faces have a say

Despite the big occasion of the season-opening game, both clubs weren't afraid to blood fresh faces at the MCG. Carlton was particularly bold, bringing in three debutants – No.6 pick Sam Petrevski-Seton, former Giant Jarrod Pickett and defender Harrison Macreadie – to meet the Tigers. Macreadie was a late change, coming into the selected team to cover for Jed Lamb (knee). Petrevski-Seton was the most influential of the Carlton group, gathering 11 disposals in a smart display after an injury-interrupted pre-season. Richmond's first-gamer, Dan Butler, also had an impact on the game, collecting 18 disposals and booting two opening-quarter goals. He added some zip to their forward mix.

3. Dion's yellow and black debut
Richmond had to wait a long time to finally unveil big-name recruit Prestia, having been a strong chance to land his services right throughout the 2016 season. And he didn't fail to deliver in his first outing for the Tigers in the season proper. The former Gold Coast midfielder found 28 disposals for the Tigers and looked a class above Carlton's midfield. He also swept forward to kick a goal, and just added an important layer of polish to the Tigers' outfit. Fellow Richmond recruits Toby Nankervis and Josh Caddy also did their bit in the win as the Tigers showed off a more direct, attacking and exciting brand of football under coach Damien Hardwick.

4. Who will kick the Blues' goals?
That was one of several key questions surrounding the Blues heading into the season and although it wasn't exactly answered on Thursday night, we at least saw what their plan might be. Carlton coach Brendon Bolton used No.1 draft pick Jacob Weitering as their main forward option, and although quiet at times against All Australian defender Alex Rance, Weitering still kicked three goals despite being hobbled by a leg knock early into the game. It looks like being a young and inexperienced attack for Carlton throughout the season, but Jack Silvagni (two goals) showed some positive signs and Harry McKay will likely come into the side in coming weeks after a promising pre-season. If ruckman Matthew Kreuzer can chip in with two goals more often than not, like he did against Richmond, it will make things much easier on the Blues' batch of developing talls.

5. Carlton banner creates a stir
Carlton hasn't been the type of club over the past 18 months to foster too many big statements as it enters a long-term rebuild. Which made it perhaps more of a surprise to see that the Blues started their 2017 campaign with a cheeky message on their cheer squad banner. It read: 

Richmond's five year plan
has become a disaster
the vision impaired
like Dusty's barber

On FoxFooty's coverage of the game, former Sydney and Melbourne coach Paul Roos raised his eyebrows about the merits of a young team poking another with its banner. And in any case, if Martin did catch the pre-game message it didn't seem to concern him too much once the ball was bounced.