There was the familiar roar as Daniel Motlop flew for a screamer; the gasps as a fighting fit Chad Cornes ran through yet another opponent; and the early-season scrambling for the Match Day Program – “who’s number 37?” – as rookies Wade Thompson and Glenn Dawson did some nice things.
And the players showed they meant business, with an all-in jostle in the opening minutes of the Sturt clash, deftly described by ground announcer Paul Rugala as the boys “practicing all facets of the game”.
There were young kids in Power jumpers of all sorts – merchandise did a roaring trade, with the ‘Live the Creed’ items the biggest movers – and the Vodafone Fan Cam ran hot with messages of support being recorded for the boys.
After channels Seven and Nine had done live crosses for their evening news and the fiveAA live commentary had closed down, Australian Idol Tom Williams entertained the crowd with a set.
The new players were then introduced to the crowd from centre stage, with perhaps the biggest cheer of the day reserved for returning premiership hero Josh Carr.
A signing session closed out the day – players signing more than 3,000 autographs – and a young supporter named Carl put his own mark on the day by presenting coach Mark Williams with a Bianco sun hat. Thanks Carl!
Yes, footy’s back – and don’t we love it.
