Dom Barry (Port Adelaide)
The former Melbourne onballer quit football at the end of 2014 and has returned from the AFL wilderness keen to make up for lost time. Barry upstaged big-name recruits Jack Watts and Steven Motlop with an assured performance in his Port
Devon Smith
After arriving at Essendon in search of more midfield time, Devon Smith proved at the first opportunity that he was worthy of the new responsibilities. After two seasons interrupted by knee injuries at Greater Western Sydney, Smith looks an improved player in red and black and was his team's leading possession-winner with 26 against the premiers. He held his own at stoppages and also found space on the outside – something his teammates struggled with against the red-hot Richmond pressure. The midfield move looks a winner. - Nathan Schmook
Andrew Brayshaw
The No.2 overall pick from last year's draft looks ready-made for the elite level. He covers the ground beautifully and didn't look out of place against Adelaide. Brayshaw found plenty of the ball, used it well and didn't shy away from the contest. It's going to be hard to squeeze him out of the Dockers' best 22
Bayley Fritsch
Lock in the 21-year-old forward for a round one debut. Fritsch booted three goals and collected 11 disposals in an extremely encouraging first-up display. The spring-heeled forward worked well into dangerous space in attack, competed strongly for the footy in the air and followed his efforts up
Billy Hartung
The ex-Hawk was close to North Melbourne's best player in a 53-point loss to Melbourne on Saturday. Hartung changed the game in the first half and kept his side within striking distance at the major change. His ability to gut run from one end of the ground to the other yielded two goals, and his ability to finish at top speed was impressive. North is working with Hartung on his ability to win
Shai Bolton
The Tigers have been well aware of Bolton's speed and skill, but they have been waiting to see his defensive game reach a level that warrants consistent selection. His pressure efforts against Essendon didn't register on the stat sheet, but he was a menace in the forward line, making opponents nervous and swooping at the right time. He had a clear chemistry with Jack Riewoldt, despite having played only six games, and his three goals
Liam Ryan (West Coast)
It was a nearly-but-not-quite performance from the electrifying forward on his Eagles debut, but there was still plenty to get excited about. Ryan booted the game's opening goal from an athletic effort while he was falling to the ground and was lively throughout the contest, flying for his trademark screamers and working hard defensively. The Subiaco product missed a chance from 20m that he would normally swallow to put West Coast ahead in the last term but West Coast coach Adam Simpson saw more than enough from seven touches to believe he has
Cam Ellis-
You could excuse the big-bodied Crows midfielder for being a bit cautious, having torn his ACL in the first game of last year's pre-season competition. But Ellis-
