Since Brad Ottens retired at the end of 2011 the Cats have struggled to find a consistent ruckman to fill the void. After round one there is reason for hope that situation might be about to change. Hamish McIntosh and Dawson Simpson were excellent against Adelaide, kicking a goal each and competing hard. More importantly the Cats won the centre clearances - a weakness in recent seasons – and the stoppages. Simpson was then subbed off just before three-quarter time and replaced by running ruckman Mark Blicavs. Hawthorn won a premiership with Max Bailey operating for three-quarters of a game. Perhaps the Cats could manage their duo similarly in their pursuit of success. - Peter Ryan
2. It's not all doom and gloom for St Kilda
In the wake of the release of the Saints' long-term rebuilding plan, supporters could have been forgiven for thinking this season was over before it began. Against Melbourne on Saturday night, coach Alan Richardson bravely blooded three youngsters, threw in a raft of others and entered the game without three top-line midfielders. The 17-point win that eventuated wasn't the best part of the night for Richardson; Luke Dunstan was a revelation, Eli Templeton did some nice things and Josh Saunders and Tom Curren were prolific. With Nick Riewoldt in vintage touch and Leigh Montagna, Lenny Hayes, Jack Steven and Sam Fisher to filter back into the team over the next month, things might not be so bad after all this year. - Jennifer Phelan
3. Essendon deserves some on-field focus
For all of the off-field dramas Essendon has been a part of over the past year, one thing has been pushed out of the limelight: the fact the Bombers are becoming a very good footy side. Against North Melbourne on Friday night, the Bombers were far too good, too strong, too clinical. Jobe Watson leads a strong midfield, the backline is settled, and the forward line looked dangerous, particularly with the addition of Paul Chapman. This with three debutants (Patrick Ambrose, Zach Merrett and Martin Gleeson) who all acquitted themselves well. The summer was spent with lots of talk of North Melbourne as top-four contenders. Maybe Essendon was worthy of the same view. - Callum Twomey
4. Clarko has the cattle to go back-to-back
Missing seven 2013 premiership players was no problem for the Hawks as they steamrolled the Brisbane Lions in Launceston. In fact, such is the depth and adaptability of Alastair Clarkson's list, the Hawks won with just one key defender in Josh Gibson and used the likes of Kyle Cheney as a stop-gap tall down back. Clarkson said he'd be bringing Cyril Rioli back in next week - and that the superstar small forward would likely spend time through the middle and off half-back as the premiers search for further flexibility. With new recruit Ben McEvoy bolstering the ruck division and 10 players combining for 21 goals against the Lions, the Hawks will be a truly scary prospect when they eventually get their best 22 on the paddock in 2014. - Stu Warren
5. West Coast is better - and quicker - than last year
John Worsfold's team finished 13th last year despite most experts predicting they would finish in the top four and give the premiership a real shake. But the West Coast of 2013 was a pale imitation of Adam Simpson's side that turned out against the Western Bulldogs. And, while the addition of Xavier Ellis, Jamie Bennell, Elliot Yeo and Dom Sheed appeared to add plenty of pace, it was the old brigade who added much of the extra run against a visiting side that would have fancied its chances of running the Eagles off their feet. Importantly, even defenders like Darren Glass, Shannon Hurn and Eric Mackenzie delivered the ball inside the 50m arc with regular monotony. Look out for the running West Coast side of 2014. - Sean Cowan
And in case you missed it, here's what we learned from the first half of round one:
6. The Dockers have found an attacking edge
We're only one round into the season but Fremantle's shellacking of Collingwood suggests it can find the extra two goals a game coach Ross Lyon is after. Lyon's coaching trademark is – and will always be – unrelenting defence, but Freo broke the game open on Friday night with fast, pin-point ball movement, showing a new willingness to go directly through the middle of the ground. The foot skills of Stephen Hill and Danyle Pearce, in particular, were outstanding. It will be fascinating to see if the Dockers take the same attacking intent into their round three clash with their Grand Final conqueror Hawthorn. - Nick Bowen
7. Justin Westhoff is no one-season wonder
After an excellent 2013 season that saw the talented tall finally realise his potential, Westhoff appears primed to kick on this year. On the back foot against Carlton on Sunday night, it took a star turn from the 27-year-old to get Port Adelaide back in the game. Carlton had no answer for Westhoff in the second quarter as he ran rampant to rack up 10 possession (five contested), six marks and four goals. He started as a loose man in defence and could still play that role at times this year, but expect plenty more big hauls from 'The Hoff'. - Nathan Schmook
8. It's looking like second time lucky for Giants
Greater Western Sydney hasn’t always got things spot on in regards to building its young list. Ahead of its first season in 2012, the Giants added veterans Chad Cornes, Dean Brogan, James McDonald and Luke Power, with varying degrees of success. All made a contribution in terms of demonstrating to the young Giants what it takes to make it at the top level. But none was able to have the on-field impact that Gary Ablett, for example, has had and will continue to have for years to come on the Gold Coast. So GWS had to get it right the second time around and the early signs are very good. The efforts of veteran recruits Shane Mumford, Heath Shaw, Josh Hunt and Dylan Addison leading up to and during the round one upset of the Swans indicated this list might just be ready to challenge a number of sides in 2014. - James Dampney
9. The Suns are no longer a one-man band
Gary Ablett still starred in Saturday night's win over Richmond with 41 disposals and two goals, but it was far from a lone hand. Young midfielders David Swallow (27 touches) and Dion Prestia (28) were hugely instrumental andarguably had more influence than Ablett in staving off a fourth-quarter Tigers fightback. While Ablett will deservedly continue to draw the opposition's best tagger, his maturing teammates are now starting to make them pay the price.- Michael Whiting
