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The moment: Footy’s back and so is Jarrad Waite. The star Carlton wingman has been sorely missed since rupturing an ACL in round nine last season and with the first match of the season not a minute old, he stormed out on a strong lead, marked and kicked the first goal of the new campaign to get the Blues on their way.
2. Geelong 19.11 (125) d Essendon 13.16 (94) at the MCG
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The moment: The Bombers were up by four goals and looked set for an upset win when Jay Neagle marked 30m out from goal. To the bewilderment of most at the ground, Neagle played on with Harry Taylor right on his hammer. Taylor laid the tackle and won the free kick. Neagle hobbled off injured and the Cats kicked the next nine goals.
3. Hawthorn 17.15 (117) d Melbourne 8.13 (61) at the MCG
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The moment(s): Hawthorn’s appetite went missing for long stretches last year, but it was there for all to see against the Dees and no player embodied that hunger more than Campbell Brown. His ferocity scared first-gamer James Strauss into dropping the ball at his feet for one goal, and his desperation against Jack Grimes set up Jarryd Roughead for another.
4. St Kilda 15.6 (96) d Sydney Swans 13.10 (88) at ANZ Stadium
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The moment: Adam Goodes' volley on the stroke of half time would have made Didier Drogba proud. With the Swans nipping at St Kilda's heels, he connected with a rocket from 30 metres out and brought ANZ Stadium to its feet. Superb stuff from one of the game's greatest showmen.
5. Brisbane Lions 16.18 (114) d West Coast 12.10 (82) at the Gabba
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The moment: With scores locked five minutes into the final quarter, Mitch Clark handballed out of a pack to a speeding Jared Brennan. He strode to 55 metres out, slotting the goal with his left foot and bringing the 29,000-strong crowd to its feet. A seven-goal Lions avalanche followed - Brennan finishing with a game-high 31 disposals.
6. Port Adelaide 13.18 (96) d North Melbourne 12.10 (82) at AAMI Stadium
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The moment: After kicking Port's fifth goal, Matt Thomas - rightly pleased with his effort - ran off to celebrate. Encountering teammate Danyle Pearce, Thomas cleaned him up in similar style to the crunching bump he laid on Nathan Bassett in a Showdown two years ago. Unlike Bassett, Pearce was happy to accept his mate's affection.
7. Collingwood 19.15 (129) d Western Bulldogs 13.15 (93) at Etihad Stadium
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The moment: With the Dogs trailing by 20 points early in the final term, any thought of a comeback was halted when big man Will Minson ran across Travis Cloke's mark and gave away a 50m penalty. The key Pie rammed it through from the top of the goal square, condemning the Dogs to a morale-sapping opening defeat.
8. Fremantle v Adelaide at Subiaco Oval
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The moment: With
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
