ROSS Lyon wants Fremantle to "engage, entertain and win" and the Dockers coach was thrilled his line-up kicked-off a new era at Optus Stadium with a stirring 16-point triumph over Essendon on Saturday night.
The Dockers topped 100 points for the first time in 17 matches on a marquee night for the club at their new home ground, showcasing a slick brand of football that was a vast improvement on their turnover-laden round one loss to Port Adelaide.
With three of their next four games at home, the Dockers made a promising start in turning Optus Stadium into a formidable venue for travelling teams to visit.
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"There was (nearly) 50,000 here and we averaged 34,000 at the previous stadium," Lyon said post-match.
"Members and fans are hard to find and when they turn up you want to show the respect by giving great effort and I thought we did that tonight.
"We want to engage, entertain and win, and I thought we did all three tonight."
Lyon was "really pleased" with the performance after his side learnt quickly from the Power defeat, saving special praise for his leaders.
Talking points: Fremantle v Essendon
Skipper Nat Fyfe (29 disposals, one goal), veteran David Mundy (21, two), Lachie Neale (28), Stephen Hill (26, one), Michael Walters (26, one) and recruit Nathan Wilson (23) were outstanding, showing the way for the four draftees in the side.
"If they didn’t stand up tonight it would've been really difficult for those younger guys," Lyon said.
"They set the tone and the intent and everyone jumps in, so it's critical.
"They did it last year when we had a lot of young players and they did it again."
In his second game, rookie Bailey Banfield quelled Zach Merrett's influence, while debutant Adam Cerra (two goals) showed plenty of poise.
WATCH: Ross Lyon's full-post match press conference
Andrew Brayshaw was unflustered gathering 16 touches and delivering six inside 50s, while Mitch Crowden showed some good signs in his first game.
Matt Taberner slotted four goals in another sign he is ready to take a step up this season after 55 career games, with his role made easier by better delivery, and Alex Pearce kept Joe Daniher goalless.
"I think it just continues in the same vein of what he's (Taberner) producing. It takes a long time to produce big key forwards," Lyon said.
"Even last year when there was a bit of doubt (if he was going to stay) we said 'we want you and the best place is here', and he said 'I don't want to play anywhere else', so that's a win-win isn't it?
"Over a challenging summer he worked hard and he's starting to get some reward for effort.
WATCH: Matt Taberner gets off to fast start
"Daniher – he's going to be a superstar of the game we know that – but I thought he lowered his colours to Alex tonight.
"I thought Joel Hamling came in and played how we want him to play, so that's a template for Joel, but I thought Michael Johnson was superb tonight.
"But the three kickers of (Luke) Ryan, (Nathan) Wilson and (Connor) Blakely were very good as well.
"But at the end of the day it's won and lost in the midfield and I thought our midfield clearly won the battle."
While Lyon admitted Bradley Hill's apparent left knee issue didn't look good during the final term, the Doig medallist returned and played the match out strongly and the Dockers otherwise got through unscathed.
