Here's a good primer on what AFL footy is for anyone overseas who's unfamiliar with the game.

"THE WESTERN Bulldogs will be without Adam Treloar and Jason Johannisen for Saturday night's clash against St Kilda, Melbourne will welcome back a trio of injured stars for its match against Brisbane, while Jake Stringer will play VFL for Essendon this weekend as he continues his return from injury."

Despite having one of the most experienced teams in the competition, the problems run deep at West Coast...

At the end of last season, the Hawks traded out a number of experienced players, including the likes of Jack Gunston, Tom Mitchell, and Jaeger O'Meara, in a bid to rebuild their list with youth. But did they go too far?

Errol Gulden from the Sydney Swans, Sam Switkowski from Fremantle, or Chad Wingard for Hawthorn: who do you think scored the most impressive goal this round?

Harry Himmelberg goes flying for Greater Western Sydney...

Young Harry Sheezel is earning some high praise at the moment. Can the young North recruit continue living up to the hype?

"When Essendon was courting Brad Scott, the ex-North Melbourne coach only took on the challenge because the club hierarchy recognised how far the Bombers had to travel to be back in premiership contention. "Scott bluntly told president David Barham and his board that if they believed they were close to a turnaround in on-field results, they shouldn’t hire him."

"A NINE-GOAL blitz either side of half-time saw Essendon deliver Brad Scott a big win in his first game in charge, downing Hawthorn 19.10 (124) to 9.11 (65) at the MCG on Sunday afternoon. "The young Hawks looked exciting early as they slotted four goals on the trot to lead midway through the second quarter, but things took a turn as the Bombers piled on the majors."

"IF SYDNEY has any lingering effects from last year's Grand Final hammering, it didn't show it on Saturday night, thumping Gold Coast by 49 points at Heritage Bank Stadium. "The Swans could hardly have been more impressive in the 16.14 (110) to 9.7 (61) triumph, kicking the game's first five goals and completely shutting the Suns out of the match."

"PRIZE recruit Jason Horne-Francis led Port Adelaide's remarkable second-half turnaround on his club debut as the Power smashed Brisbane by 54 points at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. "Port piled on eight goals to one in a dominant third term after trailing by 18 points late in the first half, with 2021 No.1 pick Horne-Francis, who joined Port from North Melbourne in the off-season, dominating with 10 disposals including three clearances and five inside 50s for the quarter."

Sure it's only round one, but still, few would have tipped North to be above Geelong on the ladder at any stage of this season...

"Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch has kicked a crucial goal with less than a minute left to snatch a thrilling draw for Richmond in the AFL season opener against old rivals Carlton. "Lynch stood tallest to take a towering grab and slot his third goal for the Tigers, tying the scores at 8.10 (58) apiece at the MCG on Thursday night."

Hawthorn is set to unleash a trio of talented recruits this Sunday, with Karl Amon, Fergus Greene and Lloyd Meek named to make their club debuts against Essendon at the MCG.

ABC Sport has crunched the numbers before the upcoming season, and have (foolishly) predicted where your side might finish and their biggest question heading into the year. (And, controversially, Hawthorn isn't last!)

"THE ACCESS clubs have to Next Generation Academy players in the draft is part of the wide review of the program being undertaken by the AFL. "Clubs have provided feedback about finding the balance between them investing in the NGA, which was designed to increase Indigenous and multicultural representation at the top level, and also having greater access to players in the draft. There has been a push to return to a smaller protected band of the draft, with a view the top-40 means too many players are off-limits."

ST KILDA could expose two new faces they recruited at either end of the pre-season – Mattaes Phillipou and Anthony Caminiti – when Ross Lyon starts his second chapter against his old side Fremantle at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

Some huge outs for Melbourne, via SEN: Melbourne premiership trio Jack Viney, Bayley Fritsch and Christian Salem have all been ruled out of their season opener against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night. Demons coach Simon Goodwin confirmed the news on Wednesday morning, with the premiership trio failing to overcome pre-season niggles.

The AFL, clubs and club doctors are finding themselves in an invidious position, and it’s only going to get worse – unless a no-fault, multimillion-dollar concussion insurance fund is established for players who are impacted post career.

From the ABC: "Former Geelong player Max Rooke, the lead plaintiff in the new AFL concussion class action, was concussed up to 30 times in his career and lost consciousness at least twice, according to court documents."