St Kilda v Port Adelaide

Luke Dunstan (St Kilda)
It was a tough off-season for the rugged onballer. He spent plenty of time running laps as he recovered from a shoulder reconstruction while an off-field incident saw him detained by police after a drunken night out last December. Dunstan showed why the Saints rate him so highly, picking up 20 disposals and 10 contested possessions in an effort that cast aside any doubts about his readiness for the home and away season. St Kilda might have beefed up its midfield unit with Jack Steele and Koby Stevens in the off-season, but Dunstan showed he was not prepared to give up his spot in the centre square without a fight.

Dan Houston (Port Adelaide)
The 19-year-old rookie did not play a game last year in his first season, but based on Thursday night's performance, that could change in 2017. He showed composure despite the immense pressure St Kilda brought in the first half especially, and unlike many of his teammates who struggled to hit a target, Houston showed his kicking skills when he drilled Paddy Ryder on the lead in the second quarter to set up a shot at goal. With an ability to play at either end of the ground, Houston looms as an option for coach Ken Hinkley to call upon if required later in the year. - Dinny Navaratnam

Richmond v Adelaide

Jason Castagna (Richmond)
Most eyes might have been on Richmond's high profile recruits on Friday night, but the efforts of the rookie-listed Castagna should not have gone overlooked. The 20-year-old chipped in with three goals in the Tigers' win over the Crows, showing good goal sense and speed around the forward 50. He might have only had eight disposals across the game, but his ability to pounce on his opportunities should see him come into calculations for AFL selection this year if a senior list position opens up. 

Harrison Wigg (Adelaide)
The Crows would have been pleased with the performance of Wigg in their opening JLT Community Series clash and may have found another player to deliver the ball off half-back. The smart and composed 20-year-old has yet to debut at the top level after being drafted at the end of 2014, but he has a weapon in his left foot: he can pinpoint passes and is trusted with the ball in his hands. On Friday night's evidence (he had 23 disposals against the Tigers) he might form a nice partnership with fellow rebounding half-back Rory Laird. - Callum Twomey

Jason Castagna impressed in yellow and black. Picture: AFL Photos

Melbourne v Carlton

Caleb Marchbank (Carlton)
The former GWS defender showed why the Blues pursued him so aggressively at the end of last season, slotting in against Melbourne and leading an undermanned and under siege back six by example. After a scratchy start and a few skill errors, Marchbank found his rhythm and particularly impressed in the air, running back with the flight of the ball and taking important intercept marks to finish with 10 grabs. The 20-year-old also showed the ability to rebound out of defence and get free in attacking positions, making him an asset for coach Brendon Bolton. 

Christian Salem (Melbourne)
Slated for more midfield time after a strong pre-season, Salem showed against Carlton he can push even further up the ground and wreak havoc. Having made his name as a half-back, Salem was a regular in the midfield rotation on Saturday and also drifted forward to kick two first-half goals. His first was an opportunistic goal off the ground in tight, and for his second he got free and converted a 40m set shot on an angle. With competition for spots red-hot at Melbourne this year, Salem has versatility on his side and looks certain to take a big step after an interrupted 2016. - Nathan Schmook

Caleb Marchbank didn't look out of place as a Blue. Picture: AFL Photos

West Coast v Fremantle

Mark LeCras (West Coast)
After being asked to push up the ground last season to support a struggling midfield brigade, LeCras will play more as a stay-at-home forward in 2017 – and the veteran was back to his best against the Dockers in Geraldton. He worked brilliantly in tandem with spearhead Josh Kennedy, booting 3.2 from 22 touches and taking 13 marks. It was the LeCras of old. He not only looked threatening every time the ball went near him, but his ability to make those around him better with his silky skills was obvious. He looms as a key player this year. 

Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)
It's the obvious choice, but it was tremendous for all football supporters to see the new Dockers skipper back on the park and immediately having an impact. Fyfe toiled away against the dominant West Coast engine room in Geraldton, finishing with a team-high 22 touches upon his return from nearly a year out with a broken leg. The 2015 Brownlow medallist needs significantly more midfield support than he got against the Eagles, but at least showed he is on track to vie for the crown as the AFL's best player again this season. - Travis King

North Melbourne v Hawthorn

Nathan Hrovat (North Melbourne)

The former Western Bulldog looks tailor-made to help fill the huge hole left across the Kangaroos' forward line by Brent Harvey's retirement. Hrovat had a hand in North's first two goals against Hawthorn, kicking the first himself and setting up the second with a pinpoint pass to Trent Dumont. He added another major late in the third term, and finished the match with 18 possessions and two goal assists. Aside from his ability to hit the scoreboard, Hrovat works hard up the ground, delivers the ball well inside 50 and plays with an energy that seems to lift his teammates. Following his two-goal return in the Roos' round one JLT victory over Sydney, Hrovat looks a safe bet to make his club debut in round one against West Coast. More importantly, with a bit of luck on the injury front, the 22-year-old seems well placed to forge a successful career at his second club.

Ty Vickery (Hawthorn)
The former Tiger polarised people during his time at Punt Road and many Hawthorn supporters I know were underwhelmed when he lobbed at Waverley in last year's free agency period. But Vickery's form against North suggested the Hawks might just have found the player who can fill the forward/ruck spot left vacant since David Hale retired at the end of 2015. Vickery provided a strong target against the Roos, kicking two goals and taking a team-high six marks, two of them contested, including a strong pack mark midway through the third term. At 200cm, he is also a handy relief ruckman, and looms as the mostly likely support for Ben McEvoy in 2017 while Jonathon Ceglar recovers from a knee reconstruction. At 26, Vickery might also be ready to deliver on the talent that saw him taken with pick No.8 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft. - Nick Bowen

Ex-Tiger Ty Vickery was impressive for the Hawks against the Kangas. Picture: AFL Photos

Gold Coast v Essendon

Ben Ainsworth (Gold Coast)
The No.4 draft pick played well against the Lions last week, but he went up a gear against the Bombers. Coach Rodney Eade has repeatedly said the Victorian is a virtual lock for round one, but Ainsworth is taking no chances. Against Essendon he finished with 13 disposals (at a terrific 92 per cent efficiency), kicked two goals and gave off another. The 18-year-old is ready-made to play senior footy with his strong physique and poise beyond his years. A second-quarter snap from 40m and a third-quarter chip pass to Brandon Matera when the goals beckoned showed you all you needed to know about his quality. 

Josh Begley (Essendon)
Hard to not be impressed by the Eastern Ranges product after kicking four goals in his first match in the red and black. At 188cm, Begley is a powerful medium-sized forward who quickly showed he was dangerous with the ball on the ground and in the air. He snapped a brilliant first goal after picking the ball off his bootlaces, got another on the lead, and then showed he has a great second effort by bouncing back to his feet quickest after halving a one-on-one contest. The Bombers have some talent to come back into their team, but the 18-year-old showed he could mix it at the top level. - Michael Whiting 

Josh Begley lays a heavy tackle on Gold Coast's Matt Shaw. Picture: AFL Photos