Michael Barlow (Fremantle)
Set a new record for disposals by a debutant in the time that Champion Data have been keeping the stats (1992) with 33. The 22-year-old starred, beating a series of opponents through the middle and kicked the game-sealing goal.
Carl Peterson (Hawthorn)
His debut was a long time coming after a false start at Richmond and he responded in style, gathering 17 possessions. Kicked a goal as well and will play plenty of footy for the Hawks this year.
Ryan Bastinac (North Melbourne)
Worked into the game after a slow start - like many of his more experienced teammates - and was one of the architects of the North revival with hard-running and clean disposal in the wet conditions.
Lewis Jetta (Sydney Swans)
Announced his arrival on the AFL scene with a leaping one-handed mark early on against the Saints. The Swans crowd got excited every time he went near it. Though still light, he is more than capable already at the elite level.
Ben Howlett (Essendon)
Started on the bench but within minutes he was straight in the middle lined up on Joel Selwood. Kicked a handy goal and knew how to win his own ball against the tough Geelong midfield.
Tom Scully (Melbourne)
There is always pressure on a No.1 NAB AFL Draft pick in his first game, but Scully handled it well, winning a significant amount of contested ball. Was the first player to arrive at the ground. Came on after 6 minutes and impressed with his speed and willingness to take the game on.
Jack Trengove (Melbourne)
Making your debut in a side that gets comprehensively flogged is an undoubted challenge, but the No.2 pick from 2009 started on the ground, opposed to Grant Birchall on a wing, and acquitted himself well.
Todd Banfield
It wasn't just that he found the footy (17 possessions, six marks, a goal), but his speed and attack on the ball were highlights. Banfield kicked a goal at the end of the first quarter to keep his side in touch and, along with some of his high profile teammates, got tough when the game was in the balance to help the Lions forge ahead.
Dustin Martin (Richmond)
Worked hard to get the ball although he didn't have a huge influence, but that is more down to the team he plays for than anything. Has good vision and used it well.
Cameron Hitchcock (Port Adelaide)
Nailed a tough goal to kick off his career and was a consistent performer for the Power all day against North Melbourne.
Luke Shuey (West Coast)
Highly touted over summer, Shuey didn't disappoint in his first official hit-out for the club, kicking a couple of goals, including one with his first kick in AFL footy.
Other players to debut: Ben Nason (Richmond), Relton Roberts (Richmond), Mitch Duncan (Geelong), James Strauss (Melbourne), Jarrod Kayler-Thomson (Hawthorn)
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily of the clubs or the AFL.
