In this week's Nine things we learned, brought to you by Haier, the world’s No.1 appliance maker, we discover that a marquee Hawk recruit's still got it, Carlton's ex-Suns forward is worth the big bucks, and Bombers fans can't relax yet.
1. Essendon is still hard to trust
It's only round one, of course, but the Bombers have been consistent in their messaging for some time that they need to be consistent on the ground. It is something that has evaded the club for a decade, which across that time has included four losing finals appearances. Essendon is building a system to stand up no matter star factor nor player availability, but on Saturday it nearly blew a 28-point lead when it couldn't counter Fremantle's late charge. Truth be told, if not for shorter quarters and Andrew Brayshaw's costly miss late, the Bombers would probably have been overrun. Some experienced heads returning in coming weeks may help, but if the season is one which Essendon is hoping to brand itself as a consistent and reliable side, there are clearly steps to go. - Callum Twomey
2. Jack Martin will be the steal of the season
Yes, the Blues are paying Martin an estimated $700,000 per year over five seasons – including $1 million in a front-ended 2020 season alone. But he cost nothing at the trade table. After failing to secure a deal with Gold Coast on the last night of the NAB AFL Trade Period, Carlton landed Martin via the Pre-Season Draft. His physicality impressed David Teague early before being rewarded with four goals in the third term alone. At 25, Martin will be able to deliver on his immense potential for the next seven to eight years. – Mitch Cleary
3. Crows veteran failed first test in defence
The Bryce Gibbs experiment as a half-back flanker didn't work for the Crows in their three-point loss to Sydney on Saturday. The 31-year-old struggled to have an impact on the contest, finishing with just seven disposals. He was also badly exposed in a one-on-one contest in the goalsquare with Swans forward Tom Papley in the second quarter. Gibbs will likely be given time to grow into his new role. However, with the Crows embracing the youth movement, the likes of Will Hamill and Lachlan Sholl will be pushing their cases to be given an opportunity. - Lee Gaskin
4. The real Chad is standing up … as a midfielder
Alastair Clarkson sold dual All-Australian Chad Wingard as Cyril Rioli 2.0 on season eve last year. However, after staggering out of the blocks because of injury and a lack of impact as a small forward, Wingard caught fire in the final six weeks as an onballer. It was no coincidence his hot streak coincided with Hawthorn finally getting going, too. That period whetted the appetite for Hawks fans and he delivered another delicious dose in footy's (brief) return on Sunday. Wingard's always been silky skilled and creative and he was both of those things and more against Brisbane, winning 20 disposals (eight contested), kicking three goals among seven score involvements and amassing 538 metres gained. - Marc McGowan
5. Port's forward line is a tough cover
Although it was Port's midfield that laid the foundation for its easy victory, the forward line was as eye-catching as it was dynamic. Ken Hinkley's team was middle of the pack in 2019 for both wins and points scored, and although it was just the lowly Suns on Saturday night, their front seven showed enough to believe it would cause opposition defenders plenty of headaches this year. Even without injured spearhead Charlie Dixon, spring-heeled youngsters Todd Marshall and Mitch Georgiades held the fort as marking options, while the array of small options ran amok. Robbie Gray was regularly the deepest forward, isolated in the goalsquare, while second-year speedster Connor Rozee was a nightmare to defend running into space. Throw in Steven Motlop and bull Sam Powell-Pepper and it's a diverse mix that should generate scores in most conditions. - Michael Whiting
6. Cunnington can be a matchwinner … as a forward
Ben Cunnington is one of the game's great stoppage players, often the first link in scoring chains and very rarely the last. But at Marvel Stadium on Sunday the 28-year-old became the go-to man in attack at the death. After a quiet first half in which he had just eight touches as North slipped five goals behind St Kilda, Cunnington ignited with 11 possessions (seven contested) and two clearances in the third term, before injuries took their toll and he was being swung forward, kicking two of the last three goals of the game, both go-ahead efforts, to give North a gutsy victory. It was the first time he'd kicked multiple goals since round 15, 2018. – Ben Collins
7. Nic Nat's support can be scaled back
West Coast took a second ruckman into Sunday's match against Melbourne, despite the shortened quarters, but that tactic should change in the future. Nic Naitanui was dominant against Max Gawn, finishing with 23 hitouts to 18, and winning 13 possessions (10 contested) and six clearances. His sidekick, Tom Hickey, didn't have a possession to three-quarter time in 50 per cent game time. The best combination for the Eagles looks to be Naitanui with support from a key forward, which is where Oscar Allen is likely to factor when the season resumes. Naitanui is a "compromised athlete", according to Adam Simpson, but his game-time percentage should still increase in shorter quarters. It is a scary prospect for opponents. – Nathan Schmook
8. The Perryman can fix his price
Greater Western Sydney hard nut Harry Perryman is out of contract at the end of the season and is primed for a decent pay increase if round one is any indication of what he's ready to produce in 2020. The Collingullie kid has worked seriously hard on his tank in the past three years and his 20-possession, four-goal effort against Geelong from the wing was superb. The 21-year-old is much-loved by the Giants for his hardness and courage, and looks set to become more of an offensive threat this year, too. - Adam Curley
9. We are constantly guilty of underrating Taylor Adams
Perhaps lost among Brodie Grundy's third straight best afield performance against the Western Bulldogs on Friday night was Adams' magnificent midfield display. His reputation for not being a great kick too often overshadows the myriad of things he does very well. Not only did Adams win 26 possessions (14 contested) – Chris Mayne was the sole player to amass more of the Sherrin – but he also spent time defensively on big ball-winning Dogs Marcus Bontempelli and Josh Dunkley, who were well down on their usual output. The 26-year-old added 12 clearances, five tackles and a goal. Adams has been doing this stuff for years, too. - Marc McGowan
