First impressions: How your team’s recruits fared in round one

Some of the biggest movers of the off-season proved to be the biggest movers in the new season. Others, however, were not so good.

Tim Taranto was superb for the Tigers in the opening game of the year, while his former Giants teammate Jacob Hopper, who joined him in the move to Punt Road, was not so influential.

From the big names to the small, it was the first taste of players in new jumpers and they delivered mixed results. Jason Horne-Francis and Junior Rioli suggested they will make Port Adelaide a top-eight threat once more, while Tom Mitchell and Bobby Hill excelled, giving the Magpies a different feel.

Former All-Australian Magpies ruckman Brodie Grundy was serviceable first up for the Demons as he establishes his chemistry with Max Gawn in the ruck, while Luke Jackson and Rory Lobb were both thoroughly underwhelming in their debuts for their new clubs. Here we offer first impressions of players at their new clubs.

Carlton v Richmond

Blake Acres (Carlton), 5
The former Docker ran hard but had a quiet night on the wing. Spilled a late mark that could have led to a match-winning score.

Jacob Hopper (Richmond), 5
The former Giant had 18 touches and a clearance, but the contest didn’t suit his style of play, according to coach Damien Hardwick.

Tim Taranto (Richmond), 8
The former Giant had a standout first game, with 32 touches and five clearances. A key engine-room figure.

Collingwood v Geelong

Tom Mitchell (Collingwood), 9
The Brownlow medallist was superb. His numbers were elite – 10 clearances four tackles and two goals. He did everything Collingwood would have hoped for.

Bobby Hill (Collingwood), 8
Excellent debut from the former Giant. He booted three goals, laid a rundown tackle and made deep runs in transition from defence, also contributing pace in Collingwood’s forward line. Also almost took mark of the year (in fact if the umpire judging Junior Rioli’s mark had been officiating, it might have been paid).

Dan McStay (Collingwood), 5
Quiet start for the former Lions forward. He only had the six touches and three marks. He booted one goal but looked as though he was still getting to know where he should be in the Pies structure.

Ollie Henry (Geelong), 7.5
Very good first game for the Cats for Henry, playing his old team for the first time. Aside from being run down by Darcy Moore in the goal square, Henry had a very good night. He had 15 touches and two goals in front of a largely Magpie and hostile crowd.

Tanner Bruhn (Geelong), 6
Bruhn was serviceable for his new club and tried hard in the midfield.

North Melbourne v West Coast

Liam Shiels (North Melbourne), 7
The former Hawk was instrumental in the Kangaroos’ early drive, thriving on a wing with 19 touches.

Griffin Logue (North Melbourne), 6
The former Docker can now settle into a key defensive post, and handled the absence of new teammate Ben McKay well.

Jayden Hunt (West Coast), 5
Only the 12 touches for the hard-running former Demon. Lacked penetration in his runs from half-back.

Port Adelaide v Brisbane

Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide), 8.5
After a tumultuous year at North, the man known as the Hornet was brilliant. Began at the centre bounce and had 25 touches, with seven clearances.

Junior Rioli (Port Adelaide), 8
The former West Coast sharpshooter also had a fine afternoon, booting three goals in his 16 touches. Also took a brilliant mark.

Francis Evans (Port Adelaide), 3
Former Geelong forward only had the two touches, coming on as sub at three-quarter-time.

Jack Gunston (Brisbane Lions), 5
The former Hawks premiership player kicked two goals in a forward line – and team – that was badly beaten. He took four marks so was trying to offer himself as a target as the Lions struggled to get their chemistry right up forward.

Josh Dunkley (Brisbane Lions), 6
Fairly line-and-length game from Dunkley. Had 14 contested possessions but will have more damaging games for the Lions.

Conor McKenna (Brisbane Lions), 7
Good return match for the former Bomber who was back in Ireland last year playing Gaelic football. Had two touches and a nice, long-range goal.

Western Bulldogs v Melbourne

Liam Jones (Western Bulldogs), N/A
Was hurt in a collision with teammate Josh Bruce in a marking contest, and was subbed off at half-time. Has escaped a serious neck injury.

Rory Lobb (Western Bulldogs), 2
The former Dockers forward was seen as a game-changer for the Bulldogs, but he lacked intensity, and with just six touches and two marks, had no impact.

Oskar Baker (Western Bulldogs), 5
The former Demon had an impressive debut for the Dogs, working industriously for 13 touches and a goal.

Lachie Hunter (Melbourne), 6
The former Bulldog was recruited to provide outside drive. He did that but had only 12 touches.

Brodie Grundy (Melbourne), 7
The former Magpie worked hard and got better as the game went on. Allowed Gawn to flourish. Supplied a late goal. Only took one mark, which is the most obvious area he needs to improve on, but he also had seven score involvements. His enabling of Gawn as a forward will be his biggest contribution.

Gold Coast v Sydney

Ben Long (Gold Coast), 6
The former Saint had 13 touches, but 316 metres gained for the Suns, on what was disappointing day for the club.

GWS v Adelaide

Tyler Brown (Adelaide), 2
Hard to measure the former Magpie, who was the sub in his first game for the Crows and only came on late. Had just the one disposal.

Izak Rankine (Adelaide), 7
The former Sun arrived on a lucrative contract. He had 18 touches and 458 metres gained, but booted a wasteful two goals five.

Hawthorn v Essendon

Karl Amon (Hawthorn), 6.5
The former Power wingman had a solid start with 20 touches, including 18 uncontested.

Lloyd Meek (Hawthorn), 6
The former Dockers’ ruckman had 12 hitouts and nine touches in 71 per cent game time, working in tandem with Ned Reeves.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (Essendon), 5
It was a welcome return for the pressure forward playing his first game in 588 days. Used as the substitute, the crowd favourite came on in the final term and booted a goal that shook the ground with the crowd reaction. To borrow from the lyrics of his song, he proved that McDonald-Tipungwuti is still good at footy!

Sam Weideman (Essendon), 6
The former Demon took his place in a Bombers forward line that had lost Peter Wright. He seized his opportunity with a couple of goals in a quarter and started to look at home.

Will Setterfield (Essendon), 7.5
The former Blue – and Giant – had a good first-up game for the Bombers. Playing across half-back, he was among the Dons best. A tidy ball user, he makes smart decisions.

St Kilda v Fremantle

Luke Jackson (Fremantle), 2
A poor start for the ex-Melbourne premiership player. Didn’t take a mark, only had 12 touches and didn’t hit the scoreboard. Lacked impact. Had a set shot that went straight across goal.

Liam Stocker (St Kilda), 6
The former Blue had a solid first game for the Saints. Twenty touches was as much as could be hoped for from him playing across half-back. Proved he can hold a place in the team even when the Saints have a full list to choose from.

Zaine Cordy (St Kilda), 2
Ex-Bulldog had a bad game saved by the fact he kicked a goal in the last quarter. Played on Brennan Cox, who took 20 marks for the day.

Jaeger O’Meara (Fremantle), 5
Not prominent. Mediocre performance by his standards. Just the 19 touches playing midfield. Couldn’t assert himself.

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