1. There’s always chatter about players who have enjoyed a strong pre-season, but it means nought unless that is converted into impact in games. Small forwards/midfielders Jamaine Jones and Jack Petruccelle did plenty of work on the track and looked set to find another level. Against the Suns they showed the benefit of the work, with Jones producing his best game for the club while Petruccelle was also a strong contributor. We are one game into 2022 but the signs are strong.

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Petch uses speed for a crumbing goal

Jack Petruccelle uses his speed in front of goals to get the opportunistic goal

2. Four club debutants in one game is unusual, even if only one of them was having his first taste of senior football. Brady Hough opened his account with a solid display at half-back while Carlton recruit Sam Petrevski-Seton was lively through the middle and up forward, Patrick Naish (ex-Richmond) did some good things on a wing and tall forward Hugh Dixon (ex-Fremantle) kicked a goal and competed strongly up forward.

3. The return of Willie Rioli was met with great excitement by Eagles fans, even if they were low on number by comparison to the pre-COVID attendances. Rioli gave them plenty to cheer about with an electric performance, doing everything he could to ignite his teammates. He kicked one perfectly executed goal from a set shot just outside the 50 metre arc and almost scored another, after a clever intercept. That attempt was touched on the line by a desperate Suns defence that rushed the ball across the goal line.

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Rioli clash leads to Dixon major

Willie Rioli has a big impact on his return game, after this assist and clash with Matt Rowell

4. Continuing on with Petrevski-Seton’s start as an Eagle, his ball use was a feature. He had 15 possessions and five marks and made them count. Playing most of his 94 games with Carlton in defence he also took some of those traits into his new role and appeared to relish the opportunity forward of centre. With Jones, Rioli, Zac Langdon and Petrucelle the small forwards applied plenty of forward 50 pressure.

5. The work of the defensive group as a unit was impressive, especially as the ball spent long periods in that part of the ground. The Suns won the inside 50 count 59 to 42 and it wasn’t until the dying stages of the match that weight of numbers eventually took their toll. While they all did their bit, the performances of younger players Luke Foley and Brady Hough would have been satisfying.