Zero Hanger takes a look the top five season-opening clashes of the last ten years!
1. Fremantle (105) def. Geelong (101) - Pattersons Stadium, 2012
The high scoring affair was scintillating and had everything a classic should have. The reigning premiers Geelong came into the game as favourites with the Dockers' newly appointed coach, Ross Lyon coaching his first game. Hayden Ballantyne lit up the stage with two goals, but it was skipper Matthew Pavlich who provided the goods at the 27-minute mark of the fourth quarter. The Pav booted a soccer goal that put Fremantle up by 10 with just three minutes to go in the last. the Cats' made a small comeback with Jimmy Bartel sliding a shot through for a major with 40 seconds still on the clock. But it wasn't to be for the Cats, with the Dockers running out four-point victors in front of 34,000 at Subiaco Oval.
