1. First 'Dangerwood', now 'Pritchell'?

Former Hawthorn midfielder Sam Mitchell wasted no time in making a point to the competition. He had 22 disposals to half-time and ended with 38, with a purple patch at the start of the second quarter helping introduce the League's newest two-punch midfield combination – 'Pritchell'. Mitchell and Matt Priddis ignited simultaneously and the result saw a three-goal burst that had the Eagles hit the front after they trailed by nine points at quarter-time. If they stay in form, they'll be a formidable twosome that's sure to cause many headaches this season. 



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2. Classy reception for a brave former Roo
Drew Petrie's reception to the same field as the Kangaroos was a far cry from the way Collingwood supporters treated Travis Cloke on Friday night. The veteran ran out for his first game as an Eagle after a pre-match video tribute to his 316 games as a Kangaroo was shown on the big screen. Petrie lined up at full forward against Lachie Hansen but lasted just five minutes before injuring his left hand. He returned later in the quarter to polite applause, but spent the rest of the game in and out of the ruck, positioning himself so he didn't have to use his hand. It was a brave effort in the end, and a classy way for the Arden Street favourite to be treated, especially when there were cheers from all around the stadium when he kicked a last-quarter goal.

3. Tale of two forward lines
West Coast sharpshooter Josh Kennedy made his case for a third consecutive Coleman Medal with a neat bag of 7.0 while his smaller compatriot Mark LeCras contributed with 4.1. Had the Kangaroos' forwards been as accurate, the result could have been much different. Jarrad Waite had a dirty day in front of goal with 1.7, while Lindsay Thomas missed three set shots to end with 0.2 after one sailed clear of the goals all together. While it was a disappointing result for the Roos, they will be heartened by the fact they at least had the opportunities to match it with the Eagles.

4. Little joy for little joeys
Ruckman Braydon Preuss was the most prolific of the new Roos in an encouraging pairing with Todd Goldstein, but the other debutants failed to stand out. Former Western Bulldog Nathan Hrovat had 14 disposals and kicked a goal, but the rest of the newbies were quiet. Ex-Magpie Marley Williams didn't do much across half-back, and 2015 draftees Declan Mountford (11 disposals) and Mitchell Hibberd (10) didn't set the world on fire. The Roos' top draft pick from last year Jy Simpkin won six contested possessions from his nine touches, but it was a low-key first up performance from the young small forward.

5. Eagles' clash strip looks the goods
The Eagles wore their gold clash strip for the first time in a home-and-away game since 1994 and it stood up well against the blue in North Melbourne's strip. It didn't hit a home run with fans when unveiled last year in a marketing photo shoot with injured ruckman Nic Naitanui, but seems to have grown on the supporters since. It will continue to be worn this season whenever the Eagles' royal blue away design clashes with their opponent's strip, after an effective and eye catching introduction on Sunday.