Dayne Beams
V Brisbane Lions, R21 (lost by 67 points)
Beams was one of five Magpies injured in a horror night for Collingwood at the MCG. The dismal loss all but ended the club's finals chances and brought an end to Beams' six-year career at Collingwood. With Scott Pendlebury ruled out pre-game, Beams faced an uphill battle against a hungry Lions midfield. He gathered 14 touches, before teammate Ben Kennedy fell across his knee in an unfortunate third-quarter incident. Initially feared that Beams may have damaged his ACL, the diagnosis was thankfully downgraded to bone bruising. Still it kept the gun Pie on the sidelines for the rest of the season and it was a sad way for Beams to bid farewell to the Magpies faithful. – Ben Guthrie

Mitch Clark
DNP against Geelong last year
Clark played his first career game against Geelong when he was on the Brisbane Lions' list back in 2006. He kicked a goal and had eight disposals on debut. The high-marking forward also turned it on against the Cats when he made the trip down the highway in 2012, this time in Melbourne colours. On a blustery and chilly winter's day in Geelong, Clark was white-hot as he collected 21 disposals and booted four goals. He also hauled in eight marks (six contested), the best coming in the final term when he launched himself over the top of teammate Jeremy Howe to pluck a tremendous pack mark. It was unquestionably his best display for the Demons. – Ben Guthrie

Adam Cooney
V Essendon, R7 (lost by eight points); R18 (lost by seven points)
The former Dog was brilliant against the Bombers in round seven, and, along with Luke Dahlhaus, almost lifted his side over the line. Cooney gathered 26 touches and kicked a team-lifting goal in the first quarter to get the Dogs up and about early. However, Cooney was almost unsighted in the second match after starting in the substitute's vest. He was thrown into the action in the third quarter and mustered four touches in a little over a quarter of footy. The way in which he breaks the lines will be a crucial element for the Bombers this season. – Ben Guthrie

James Frawley
V Hawthorn, R20 (lost by 50 points)
If this was an audition for his new club, then James Frawley would have walked away comfortable with his performance. The 193cm big man didn't impose himself at the MCG, but playing up forward in a defensively-minded outfit against the reigning premiers is no mean feat. Frawley's chief opponent was Matt Spangher, the cult hero who could be under most pressure to hold his spot when the ex-Demon slots into Hawthorn's defence. Partnered with Chris Dawes in Melbourne's twin towers attack, Frawley worked hard for 14 touches, six marks – three inside 50 – and seven tackles. His return of 1.2 should have been better, but he sprayed a shot running into an open goal from 20m out in the third term, which would have been the Dees' third-straight goal during their mini-fightback. All things considered, it was a solid outing against his new teammates. – Travis King

Levi Greenwood
V Collingwood, R5 (lost by 35 points)
North's midfield offered up little resistance, as Collingwood ran rampant on a cool winter's day at the MCG. Greenwood gathered just 15 disposals – his second lowest tally for the year – and struggled to contend with the class of Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury. The hard-nosed midfielder did nail a consolation goal in the final term, but overall it was a day to forget. – Ben Guthrie

Ryan Griffen
V Greater Western Sydney, R4 (won by 27 points); R23 (lost by six points)
Running around with a target on his back is nothing new for Griffen, but he was squarely in the Giants' sights in both meetings last season. In round four, the ex-captain had 20 touches and booted a goal as the Dogs won in Canberra. Relatively speaking it was only a modest day out for the star midfielder. He was made to earn every kick by the young but physical Giants and copped a big hit from Jacob Townsend at a third-quarter stoppage. Townsend drove his body through Griffen in a bone-crunching but fair tackle, and a scuffle broke out as the Dogs skipper lay prone receiving treatment. The Giants once again tried to put Griffen off his game as they registered a thrilling victory at Etihad Stadium in the final round - but it didn't work. Griffen was clearly best on ground with 38 disposals – 16 contested – 13 clearances, 11 inside 50s and a goal. The final term was played at a frantic intensity after both sides erupted into an old-fashioned melee at three-quarter time – instigated by Tomas Bugg's swinging arm hitting Griffen as the siren blew. – Travis King

Ryan Griffen lays on the ground as a little scuffle breaks out. Picture: AFL Media

Shaun Higgins
V North Melbourne, R2 (lost by 29 points); R21 (lost by 50 points)
Quiet in a scrappy round two loss (12 disposals, five tackles) to North, Higgins showcased some of his best football for the season in a resounding defeat to the Kangaroos in round 21. The classy utility gathered 23 touches and pumped the ball inside 50 five times, despite North Melbourne having the bulk of the play. What had been a solid day out for the former Dog turned sour late in the match, when he was on the receiving end of a head-high bump from Daniel Wells. The star Roo's shoulder floored Higgins, who lay sprawled on his back until he was helped from the field by a trainer. It was Wells' first game back from a long-term foot injury and the incident – combined with a striking charge from the third quarter, also on Higgins – saw him sidelined through suspension for the next match. – Travis King

Taylor Hunt
V Richmond, R7 (won by five points)
Hunt only played seven games last season, but he made this clash against Richmond count. From 14 possessions he kicked two crucial goals as the Cats snuck home for their 10^th-straight win over Richmond on a cold and wet afternoon at the MCG. His first major came in the second quarter, when Tigers star Brett Deledio went to ground in a contest as Hunt picked up the ball and snapped truly from 30m. That moment led to some push and shove between the teams, but Deledio got one back when he goaled on the run from 55m later in the quarter. With their finals hopes slipping away, the Tigers charged home late in the match. They booted the final three goals, but Hunt's second major at the 16-minute mark was crucial as the Cats clung on to a five-point win. – Travis King

Liam Jones
V Carlton, R5 (lost by 28 points)
This one will go down as the Chris Judd 'hamstring game' and less about the Dogs forward who struggled to find a way into the game. Judd, who returned to the Blues' line-up (albeit in the lime green substitute's vest) for the first time in 2014, lasted just six minutes in his comeback game before he pinged his hamstring. Although Stewart Crameri booted four goals, Jones struggled to have an impact, finishing with a single behind to his name. It was one of five times the Dogs forward went goalless in 2014. – Ben Guthrie

Nick Malceski
V Gold Coast, R12 (won by 35 points)
Malceski was one of nine Swans to top the 20-disposal mark, as they won their seventh-straight game. Malceski had 24 disposals (20 uncontested) as he roamed around and did as he pleased. The Swans defender had four rebound 50s and travelled at 79 per cent disposal efficiency throughout the day. Distribution off half-back has been a problem for Gold Coast in its early years, so the inclusion of Malceski bodes well for the club's expected rise up the ladder.  – Ben Guthrie

Mitch Robinson
V Brisbane Lions, R11 (lost by seven points)
Greasy conditions greeted the Blues at the Gabba for their Saturday night clash against the Brisbane Lions. They were the sort of conditions that would suit Robinson, but he struggled to impose himself throughou the game. The hard-nosed midfielder finished with just 12 touches, but to his credit laid six tackles (an equal-team high). Robinson's aggressive approach appears well-suited to the Lions' midfield, who now have Daniel Rich, Dayne Beams and Allen Christensen to finish off the grunt work. – Ben Guthrie

Patrick Ryder
V Port Adelaide, R16 (won by two points)
In terms of possessions, Ryder had much better returns last season. But his overall performance of nine disposals, 27 hit-outs and a goal helped the Bombers win in an arm-wrestle against the wobbling Power. Essendon surged to a four-goal lead at half-time, with Ryder nailing an important six-pointer late in the second term when he outmarked his new ruck partner Matthew Lobbe and kicked truly from 50m on a tight angle. It was a crucial goal – the Bombers only kicked two more for the game as they held-off a Power outfit struggling to reignite their campaign. How Port coach Ken Hinkley must be rubbing his hands together in anticipation of watching Ryder and Lobbe work in tandem in 2015 and beyond. – Travis King

Paddy Ryder competes with new teammate Matthew Lobbe. Picture: AFL Media

Travis Varcoe
V Collingwood, R3 (won by 11 points)
When you think of Travis Varcoe's memorable moments at Geelong, it is hard to go past his special goal in the 2011 Grand Final. The Cats also happened to be playing Collingwood that day, with Varcoe playing a key part in Geelong's third flag in five years. The speed machine was not quite as influential when the teams met last season, gathering just the 13 touches. However, he did kick an important snap goal early in the game. Given Varcoe's strong performance in the 2011 Grand Final, it will be interesting to see how he is received down at the Westpac Centre this year. – Ben Guthrie

Jarrad Waite
V North Melbourne, R18 (won by 23 points)
With his career at Carlton appearing to fizzle out, Jarrad Waite reminded everyone of his ability in a match-turning four-goal display at Etihad Stadium. Recalled by Mick Malthouse after two weeks running around in the VFL and a week sidelined by a calf injury, the veteran showed the workrate and desire that was often the knock on his time at Visy Park. The 31-year-old took 11 marks – six contested - leading up hard to the wings and crashing packs deep in attack. He also laid six tackles, gathered 19 touches and displayed a freakish understanding with a resurgent Chris Judd in the upset win. Lachie Henderson booted six goals, but it was Waite who stole the show. His best moment came at the 18-minute mark of the final term when he repelled the Roos with a towering defensive mark and then sprinted through the centre to receive a pass and kick the match-sealer. – Travis King

Allen Christensen was absent for the Cats' two clashes with the Brisbane Lions last season, with his lingering back issues – both at the start (round two) and the end (round 23) of the year – keeping him from taking the field. Kyle Cheney lost his place in Hawthorn's side after his side's battle with Carlton in round 13, so was back in the VFL when the Hawks faced off against Adelaide in round 17. Rhys Stanley also did not suit up against Geelong when his Saints were annihilated by the Cats by 96 points.

Heritier Lumumba (19 disposals in 33-point win over Melbourne in round 12), Joel Patfull (13d in 45-point loss to Greater Western Sydney in round 13) and Kane Lucas (19d in three-point win against West Coast in round six) played their new clubs once each last season. Jeff Garlett was omitted before Carlton lost to the Demons by 23 points in round four.