The West Coast Eagles needed a strong start to mix it with a Melbourne outfit that boasted 19 of its 2021 premiership team.

It could be argued they were every bit as strong as the drought-breaking combination, having added Brodie Grundy from Collingwood and Lachie Hunter from the Western Bulldogs, despite the absence of captain Max Gawn.

The Eagles needed to be with the Dees early and midfielder Tim Kelly did everything within his power to ensure that occurred. While down by 17 points at quarter-time the margin was not an accurate reflection of what had transpired in the 30-minute opening stanza.

Kelly had 12 of a match-high 36 possessions in the first term in another high calibre contribution to start the season.

Add eight score involvements, six marks, 16 contested possessions and 703 metres gained to those numbers and he was clearly the Eagles’ best.