It was a long time coming and Round 1 delivered some huge surprises, incredible highlights, worrying lowlights and head-scratching moments. Here are the biggest heroes and villains from the opening round of AFL.
HEROES
Alastair Clarkson: Just about everyone had written off the Hawks in pre-season, particularly after star midfielder Tom Mitchell went down with a broken leg, but they didn't count on Alastair Clarkson rallying his troops and making a Round 1 statement. With no Chad Wingard, Tom Scully and of course Mitchell, the Hawks rolled into Adelaide and stunned the Crows, a team many expected to be challenging for a premiership in 2019. The four-time premiership coach's mob held the Crows to just 55 points, scoring 87 themselves and leaving everyone wondering if they can land back-to-back top four finishes.
Brisbane's recruiting: For all the talk about the 'go-home five', and the lack of appeal about plying one's trade in Brisbane, the Lions have absolutely nailed their recent acquisitions as they begin their journey up the ladder. Lachie Neale led the way for the new recruits in Brisbane's demolition of premiers West Coast with 29 disposals and a goal, former Cat Lincoln McCarthy snagged four majors from his 11 touches, Jarryd Lyons had 26 and six tackles, and last year's big trade Charlie Cameron kicked three from 13 - in addition to valuable contributions from their recent draftees. The Lions seem to be playing with a renewed passion and hardness that brings back memories of the Gabbatoir of old. They'll surprise a few this year.
Cam McCarthy: Lincoln wasn't the only McCarthy who had a day out with the kicking boots. Freo's Cam, with a slick new haircut, starred with five goals straight in the Dockers' 82-point spanking of a listless North Melbourne. Burdened with a larger load with new recruit Jesse Hogan out of the side, McCarthy looked a new man, getting involved early with four first half majors, while he help set up a couple of others. Importantly, he looked fit, happy and healthy, and could prove to be an interesting X-factor for the Dockers in 2019.
VILLAINS
Idiotic brawling supporters:
How many times have you turned to a friend at the footy and discussed how great it is that opposing fans can sit side by side in the stands and cheer their teams on vigorously without fear of violence erupting from those wearing different colours? Unfortunately, there seems to be a worrying increase in physical alterations between supporters attending AFL games in recent years, with an ugly brawl breaking out at Thursday night's season-opener between Carlton and Richmond at the MCG. AFL boss Gillon McLachlan labelled the incident "unacceptable" and a "disgrace" while flagging the league's intention to take action. Hopefully the league, police, MCG and/or clubs involved can do their utmost to take the strongest stand they can. Violent behaviour is unacceptable across any part of society, so why do some idiots think it's acceptable to swing punches at the footy?
The preseason "top four": So much for the top four being a lock in pre-season. Last year's prelim finalists Richmond, Collingwood, West Coast and Melbourne looked to be the standout sides heading into 2019 but at the close of Round 1, only one of them had tasted victory, and it wasn't all that convincing. The Tigers got over the Blues in the season-opener but they were made to work for it after coughing up an early 40-point lead. Only a fourth quarter burst saw them bank the four premiership points against last year's wooden spooners. Meanwhile, the reigning premiers were humiliated by the Lions at the Gabba, the Dees were rolled by Port Adelaide at the MCG and the Pies' Round 1 woes continued, going down to the Cats. If we've learned one thing from Week 1, it's that nothing is a lock.
Woeful Bombers: They lacked intensity, the lacked interest, the lacked the skills, and they lacked the organisation. Was that Essendon's worst loss in the Worsfold era (taking into account the circumstances and list they had in 2016)? The signs were there during an underwhelming JLT campaign, but Bombers fans' worst nightmares manifested into a 72-point shellacking on a hot Sunday afternoon at the newly-crowned Giants Stadium. Sure, they were without Joe Daniher and Cale Hooker, but the Giants were missing Josh Kelly and Callan Ward. For a side which had preseason expectations of possibly sneaking into the top four, they have a lot of work -- and soul-searching -- to do.