How good is having footy back? The opening round has come and gone and we've identified the standout performers from the weekend in our Zero Hanger Team of the Week.
Check out our Team of the Week below!
Jake Lever (Melbourne)
Lever dominated the airways in tandem with Steven May. The Demons duo kept Fremantle at bay all afternoon and helped launch attacks for Melbourne from defence. Lever had four contested marks and gained 496 metres which is huge for a key back. He also collected 12 intercept possessions.
Darcy Moore (Collingwood)
Moore single handily kept Collingwood as close to the Western Bulldogs as they were on Friday nigh. He repelled as much as he could and was good with ball in hand and racked up six contested marks and four score involvements. He was simply immense.
Steven May (Melbourne)
May was the immoveable object in Fremantle's way on Saturday - as the Dockers butchered the footy, May was the main beneficiary of their poor ball use. Eight marks was supported by a massive 578 metres gained as May paired with Lever to lead Melbourne to a 1-0 start.
Harry Perryman (GWS)
Perryman was great in defence on the weekend, showing his versatility after he opened last season with four goals. Perryman collected 26 disposals and had three score involvements from half back. He had a massive 12 intercept possessions and showed his ability to defend a man as well.
Jacob Weitering (Carlton)
Weitering shut down Tom Lynch completely. Lynch bagged just one goal and it was Weitering wasn't playing on him. The Carlton best and fairest for last season racked up 14 disposals in a great lockdown display, managing 409 metres gained as well and went at 85% for disposal efficiency.
Jack Bowes (Gold Coast)
Games don't come much more efficient then this - Bowes had 30 disposals at 100%! He gained 607 metres as well and was clinical with ball in hand. It's fair to say teams will be paying him more attention going forward but he had the coolest head at Optus Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Sam Walsh
Walsh was so good on Thursday night he even drew praise from Kane Cornes, who has famously not been a fan of the former number one draft pick. Walsh had 31 disposals playing as a genuine midfielder, winning ball both on the inside and outside. He went at 87% with ball in hand and had 22 pressure acts showing his willingness to defend and attack.
Jack Graham (Richmond)
Described as an "aerobic beast" post-game by Damien Hardwick, Graham was immense through the middle of the ground for the Tigers. He amassed 33 disposals in a more attacking role then we are used to seeing him in. He still had 26 pressure acts and 11 inside 50's while gaining a game-high 836 metres.
Bailey Smith (Western Bulldogs)
He played arguably the perfect game, being squeezed onto a wing due to the size of the Dogs midfield group. However, Smith used his incredible running ability to out work and out class his opponents. He had 36 touches and booted two goals in a B.O.G performance, adding a team-high seven inside 50's.
Isaac Heeney (Sydney)
Playing mainly as a forward, Heeney was terrific, booting three goals to lead the young Swans forward line as a key cog in their upset win over Brisbane. He had 10 score involvements and a massive four goals assists.
Taylor Walker (Adelaide)
Tex was back to his best, particularly in the first half. He had four goals to half time and two of them were from range. He was moving with a lot more ease then he did last season and looked a reliable target for the young Crows. He led the game in score involvements (11) and was able to keep Geelong's key defender occupied.
Orazio Fantasia (Port Adelaide)
Bombers fans look away. Fantasia was back to his absolute best, booting four goals in his Port Adelaide debut. He was everywhere up forward and was an ever-present danger for the North Melbourne defenders.
Dustin Martin (Richmond)
When the whips were cracking the three-time Norm Smith Medalist stood tall and carried his team home. Martin was good all night but his last quarter was the stuff of champions. 31 disposals to go with two goals and 12 score involvements reads well, but his impact on the game goes far beyond the stat line.
Jack Riewoldt (Richmond)Â
The veteran managed to make the most of some difficult opportunities and ended up with four goals to his name. What he did very well was keep Liam Jones from intercept marking and made him focus on defence first.
Oscar Allen (West Coast)
Allen bagged a career best four goals against the Suns in a big display to start the season. He managed seven score involvements as well playing as a pure forward. With Nathan Vardy in, Allen was able to play forward and cashed-in.
Stefan Martin (Western Bulldogs)
Matin looms as the recruit of the season. He was able to allow Tim English to play forward and gave the Dogs another point of attack deep. He also curbed the influence of Brody Grundy, who has tormented the Dogs in recent times.
Jack Macrae (Western Bulldogs)
The man is a football magnet who attracts the ball like nobody else and has the ability to find time and space once he wins it. 35 disposals at 77% is a night out by anybody's standards. Macrae also also laid seven tackles in a complete display.
Rory Laird (Adelaide)
Laird is now a genuine star midfielder. He is a natural ball winner but is hard as they come. He was a key in the Crows upset win over Geelong and was a pressure beats with 28 pressure acts. He is a two-way machine.
Errol Gulden (Sydney)
Three snags on debut to go with a cheeky 19 disposals, Gulden showed class and he used the ball well when he got it. Seven inside 50's and nine score involvements on debut isn't bad either. He showed poise and composure beyond his years as well. Lots to like.
Callum Mills (Sydney)
A terrific display from a man who has been desperate for more midfield time. Mills got his opportunity and took it with both hands. He went at 86% for his 29 disposals and hit the scoreboard with two majors.
Andrew McGrath (Essendon)
McGrath was the standout player on the ground Saturday night. A performance made all the more impressive considering he had some concussion issues leading into round one. 33 disposals and eight score involvements showed his class and importance to this Essendon team.
Adam Saad (Carlton)
Saad showed his willingness to defend when needed but also showed his want to attack and take the game on. He had 25 disposals and used the ball as well as ever but also defended incredibly well. Looks a good recruit.