Adelaide
How did they go?
The Crows smashed cross-town rivals Port Adelaide to the tune of 10 goals in their NAB Challenge opener. They were never troubled as they booted five goals to none in the first term.
Any injuries?
Jason Porplyzia was subbed off during the third quarter, but it was nothing more than precautionary. The Crows did suffer a major blow though with scans confirming utility Ricky Henderson will miss most of the season with a broken fibula suffered in training.
Who played well?
Former Blue Eddie Betts made the perfect impression at this new club with the first two goals of the match on his way to five for the night. Matthew Wright was another to impress 36 touches, while David Mackay had 27.
What about the youngsters?
Brad Crouch's younger brother Matt looks like another gun in the making as he helped himself to 24 quality possessions and also laid a game-high seven tackles. Cameron Ellis-Yolman also looked a decent prospect with 18 polished touches.
Brisbane
How did they go?
There were several frontliners out but getting obliterated by 131 points by Hawthorn is hardly a good way to start what's effectively a new era at the club following the dramas of late last season.
Any injuries?
No injuries beyond their pride.
Who played well?
Despite the fact the Lions only scored three goals for the match – they went just on three quarters without scoring one the Hawks did what they pleased – Ryan Lester could still hold his head up high. The third-year player could be one of Brisbane's emerging stars this year as he posted 24 possessions in this encounter, with 12 of those being contested. He also picked up seven clearances and is something of a ray of sunshine for Brisbane as the club looks to put the nasty departures of several players and a tumultuous trade week behind thm.
What about the youngsters?
Jordon Bourke – the son of former Geelong and Brisbane Bears ruckman Damian – picked up 16 touches and six marks and may be in line for a big second year in the competition. Although he's still a little light, Bourke is definitely showing some promise as a key forward although filling Jono Brown's boots is no easy task. Sam Mayes also picked up 21 possessions to be among the Lions' best, a fair effort considering he started the pre-season in re-hab after overcoming an Achilles issue.
Carlton
How did they go?
Missing a host of senior players, the Blues looked on track for a big win against the Kangaroos when they led by as many as 37 points in the third term. They withstood a spirited fightback from North to hold on for a seven-point win.
Any injuries?
The Blues got through their opening hit-out unscathed, but still have major injury worry heading into the regular season. Veteran Chris Judd has had surgery on his Achilles and will definitely miss the first two matches, although given the injury it could be longer.
Who played well?
New recruit Andrejs Everitt made a fantastic start to his career in the navy blue. He floated across the half-back and half-forward lines to finish with three goals and 17 touches. Brock McLean and Andrew Walker won plenty of the ball to continue their fine form from last year.
What about the youngsters?
Draftee Patrick Cripps, a solidly built midfielder, looks ready for senior football this year as he picked up 12 touches in a good first-up effort. Troy Menzel kicked two goals and will certainly get more senior games in his second season at the club.
Collingwood
How did they go?
The Pies played Geelong in the opening match of the competition and the two sides produced a stunning contest that was fit of a regular season match. Collingwood looked on course for victory until the final minute when the Cats snagged a late goal to win by two points.
Any injuries?
Youngsters Tim Broomhead and Nathan Freeman will both be sidelined for a month. Broomhead broke a bone in his hand, while Freeman injured his hamstring. Clinton Young copped a knock to the face, but suffered no serious damage.
Who played well?
New recruit Taylor Adams looked at home in the black and white as he helped himself to 31 touches, while usual suspects Dayne Beams and Steele Sidebottom were also prolific with 60 possessions between them. Another new face in former Swan Jesse White was super impressive with five goals.
What about the youngsters?
Jackson Ramsay looked accomplished with 17 touches off the half back line, as well as laying seven tackles. Peter Yagmoor wasn't so flash, while Jack Frost was solid without being spectacular.
Essendon
How did they go?
The Bombers looked on track for victory against the Suns on the Gold Coast, but fell away in the last quarter as a Gary Ablett bomb on the siren sealed a one-point victory.
Any injuries?
Alex Browne was subbed off late in the first quarter with a knee injury after he twisted it in a tackle on Tim Sumner. Scans confirmed damage to his anterior cruciate ligament and he will miss the entire season.
Who played well?
David Zaharakis dominated the midfield with 43 possessions in a best-on-ground performance, while Michael Hibberd and Brent Stanton were also strong contributors. Swingman Jake Carlisle spent the majority of his time up forward and that paid dividends as he finished with three majors.
What about the youngsters?
The Bombers will have plenty of depth this year with a host of the younger brigade puting in impressive performances. Zac Merrett, younger brother of Jackson, was very good with 17 touches, while Jason Ashby, Martin Gleeson and Fraser Thurlow all showed enough to suggest they will be pushing for senior selection this year. Key forward Joe Daniher started brightly with two goals, but faded as the match wore on.
Fremantle
How did they go?
The Dockers looked underdone and lethargic in their 84-point hiding against West Coast. Veterans Matthew Pavlich and Luke McPharlin hardly played and recruits Colin Sylvia and Scott Gumbleton hardly touched the footy.
Any injuries?
Tall timber Zac Clarke and Jonathon Griffin as well as defenders Kepley Bradley and Alex Silvagni will all miss the start of the season with knee injuries. Tagger Ryan Crowley and forward Chris Mayne are yet to appear this season but the Dockers promise they are not injured.
Who played well?
Aaron Sandilands, David Mundy, Michael Barlow and Nat Fyfe dominated the centre clearances 23-11. But that was the only positive on a night Fremantle realised they were a long way behind in their preparation.
What about the youngsters?
On-baller Sam Menegola was the best of the young Dockers on Tuesday, collecting 20 possessions but faces an uphill battle to win a place in the senior team during the season.
Geelong
How did they go?
The Cats played out a thriller against the Magpies, eventually winning a tight tussle by two points thanks to Jordan Schroder's late goal.
Any injuries?
George Burbury copped a nasty hit from Nick Maxwell that left him with a shattered jaw and an extended period on the sidelines. Jesse Stringer suffered hamstring soreness in the warm-up and wasn't used at all. The Cats have also been hit hard on the injury front with Allen Christensen undergoing back surgery that will see him miss the start of the regular season and Steven Motlop expected to miss the opening few weeks due to ongoing knee issues.
Who played well?
Veterans Mathew Stokes and Corey Enright were the leading ball-winners with 39 and 36 touches respectively. Bulked-up Josh Caddy was also impressive, as well as Cameron Guthrie who was instrumental in the final quarter. Tom Hawkins appears to be over the back issues that plagued him in 2013 and finished with four majors.
What about the youngsters?
Burbury was lively early on with a goal before his day was ruined when he collided with Maxwell's knee. Substitute Schroder, who came on for Burbury, kicked two goals including the match-winner in an encouraging performance. George Horlin-Smith was industrious through the midfield and should see more first-team action this year.
Gold Coast
How did they go?
The Suns produced a great final-quarter fightback to pip the Bombers by a single point courtesy of Gary Ablett's long bomb on the siren.
Any injuries?
First-year player Sean Lemmens copped a knock to his AC joint in the second quarter and was substituted at half-time. Other than that the Suns had a clean bill of health.
Who played well?
Ablett was typically industrious with 31 touches and engineered the comeback with a supergoal as well as booting the aforementioned winning-behind on the siren. Matthew Shaw finished with two goals and 20 touches in a great four-quarter performance, while Danny Stanley was also a strong contributor.
What about the youngsters?
The much-hyped Jack Martin had his first official senior run and it was easy to see why he has been rated so highly. He may have only had 14 touches, but he showed more than enough to suggest that he is set for a long and successful career. Andrew Boston will surely feature more in the first team this year, while Lemmens started very brightly before suffering his injury.
Hawthorn
How did they go?
It hardly seemed like there had been a pre-season as Hawthorn clicked into gear with ominous ease on their way to a 131-point pounding of an admittedly very undermanned Brisbane. Sam Mitchell was gunning it, Jarryd Roughead was gunning it and Jack Gunston picked up where he left off from the Grand Final with another five goals.
Any injuries?
None.
Who played well?
Who didn't? It was pretty much the usual suspects. Sam Mitchell 33 possessions, Liam Shiels 28, Isaac Smith 28, Luke Breust 27. Ben McEvoy must pinch himself every day he pulls on that Hawks jumper as he slotted in nicely with a lazy 24 hit-outs.
What about the youngsters?
He's already got a premiership medal in his kit bag but Bradley Hill is still a youngster. Yet with 26 possessions to his name last Thursday, the younger Hill could even be set to step it up once again. In terms of other youngsters, gun draftee Billy Hartung only managed the four possessions and was upstaged by emerging defender Angus Litherland, who posted 15 touches and nine marks.