Collingwood v Essendon

Tom Phillips (Collingwood)
The Magpies will place plenty of hope in their younger brigade this year and the early signs are that Phillips will play an important part of that. The hard-running midfielder was excellent against the Bombers on Thursday night, gathering a team-high 24 disposals. He works hard, carries the ball and makes smart decisions. The 20-year-old played six games in his debut season last year but should be in for plenty more given what he showed in the opening JLT Community Series game.

Josh Green (Essendon)
Green isn't necessarily a new face, given his 81-game career at the Brisbane Lions. But he's new to the red and black and showed signs against Collingwood he can add some spark and a different dimension to Essendon's forward half. Green is crafty, looks fitter than the end of his time at the Lions, and knows his way around a forward line to hit the scoreboard. The free agent could be a nice addition to Essendon's setup. - Callum Twomey

Hawthorn v Geelong

Kade Stewart (Hawthorn)
It was a straightforward decision for the Hawks to elevate the left-footed midfielder to the primary list after three promising appearances at senior level while a rookie last year. There are spots aplenty available in the Hawthorn midfield and Stewart staked a claim on Friday night with a solid 14-possession outing that included two goals including the match-winner on the final siren. He also led the Hawks with nine tackles and laid a key smother. There are elements of his game that are similar to the departed Jordan Lewis, in that he is equally comfortable inside and out and he is a dependable kick for goal. 

Zach Guthrie (Geelong)
The Cats' rookie put his head in the hole in the last quarter when things got tight on Friday night, when for a time the two clubs forgot it was just a pre-season game. Guthrie had 24 possessions - 20 were handballs - and also kicked a goal in the third term when Geelong went on a rampage. Importantly, he didn't look rattled after a torrid time on Cyril Rioli early on. Cam Guthrie is now one of the most important players at Geelong, but the bloodlines are impressive and younger brother Zac would appear to have the makings of a senior AFL player down the track. Playing or writing, the Guthries know their football. - Ashley Browne

Stewart kicks the match-winning goal for Hawthorn on Friday night. Picture: AFL Photos

Greater Western Sydney v West Coast

Lachlan Tiziani (Greater Western Sydney)
The small forward showed plenty of zip early and kicked the opening goal of the game after finding space to mark uncontested inside 50. Tiziani only picked up 12 disposals for the game but when he did get it, his pace and smarts showed he definitely has a bright future. It was a promising effort from the young man who was overlooked at the 2015 NAB AFL draft, and while his senior opportunities might be scarce this season, he might be one to keep an eye on.

Francis Watson (West Coast)
On a day when most of the Eagles' youngsters failed to have an impact on the game, Watson was a massive positive for Adam Simpson's side. The rookie-listed defender from the Kimberley region in the far north of Western Australia was prepared to back himself when he had the footy in his hands, and wasn't afraid to come off his man to help other teammates under pressure at a marking contest. Watson was creative across half back, gathered 15 touches, and took seven marks against the Giants. - Adam Curley

Lachlan Tiziani celebrates the opening goal against GWS. Picture: AFL Photos

Western Bulldogs v Melbourne

Travis Cloke (Western Bulldogs)
After 246 games with Collingwood, and just 13 senior appearances in the black and white last season, the questions were going to come: Is Travis Cloke a spent force? The power forward answered that query with a resounding 'no' in his first pre-season game for his new club on Saturday. Cloke booted a goal, a supergoal and took eight marks (three contested) with the 29-year-old looking zippy and in great condition ahead of his 13th AFL season. Cloke played up the ground at times and used his endurance to advantage as well. The fast-paced Bulldogs style looks set to suit him inside forward 50 in 2017. 

Sam Weideman (Melbourne)
Jesse Hogan did the damage on the scoreboard with four goals against the Bulldogs, but second-year forward Sam Weideman also impressed as he looks to establish his place in Melbourne's best 22. Weideman has put on four kilograms since the start of pre-season and has worked diligently on his leading patterns and contest work with offensive coordinator Troy Chaplin this pre-season. Weideman, 19, naturally complements the bash-and-crash style of Hogan, given his leaping ability and mobility inside the forward 50 arc. - Ben Guthrie

Sydney v North Melbourne

Sam Reid (Sydney)
It has been a long wait for the forward, not having played in almost 18 months after hamstring and calf issues. While he had only nine disposals, there were glimpses of the skills that made him an integral part of the 2012 premiership side. He worked up to the half-back flank at times, showing he will be able to use his tank to be a link-up option. Reid's absence has been felt at the Swans, with their attack looking too focused on Lance Franklin at times, especially since Kurt Tippett moved into the ruck. More game time in the JLT Community Series should allow Reid to keep improving ahead of the home and away season.

Braydon Preuss (North Melbourne)
The Roos' back-up big man came to the attention of the football world when he laid a spear tackle on former skipper Andrew Swallow in an intraclub match. That take-no-prisoners approach clearly wasn't a one-off, with his physicality obvious to all in the ruck. While's there's no doubt Todd Goldstein is the premier big man at the Roos, Preuss offers different qualities in the contest and showed enough to suggest he can be a capable stand-in if necessary. His aerial prowess was also on show when he took an impressive mark deep in defence with the clock ticking down in the second quarter.

Braydon Preuss contests the ruck against Sydney's Kurt Tippett. Picture: AFL Photos

Gold Coast v Brisbane Lions

Pearce Hanley (Gold Coast)
At his best, Hanley was always going to be a great addition for the Suns. However, after two average seasons marred by a hip operation in 2015 and poor form in 2016, the question was, would the 28-year-old get back to his game-breaking peak? On the evidence of one game, things look good. Stationed at half-back and through the midfield, the smooth-moving Irishman was all class against his former club, racking up 17 disposals. His baulk around former housemate Claye Beams and neat finish for goal in the third term was a highlight. If the Suns get the best version of Hanley, they could have one of the best recruits of the year.

Hugh McCluggage (Brisbane Lions)
There's always pressure on high draft picks walking into lowly clubs and that's no different for McCluggage. The No.3 pick from last year's crop started his Lions career in fine fashion. It was more the quality – rather than quantity – of disposals that caught the eye with the young Victorian. He finished with 14 touches and whether it was a deft handball out of trouble in defence in the opening half or a second effort to get the ball inside 50 later in the match, McCluggage had composure many players his senior would envy. The teenager will play a variety of roles this season, but based on Sunday's evidence, should get plenty of opportunities. - Michael Whiting

Pearce Hanley shakes hands with former teammate Tom Rockliff. Picture: AFL Photos