After an off-season in which the AFL was in the news for all the wrong reasons, the on-field action in the premier competition in Australian Rules football started for 2007 in much the same way that it finished -- with a one-point victory for West Coast over Sydney.

The reigning premier Eagles have had an off-season from hell with the illicit drug culture in the club coming under close scrutiny and star midfielder Ben Cousins, currently in rehab in California to treat his substance abuse problems. The Eagles, without key playmakers in Cousins, Chad Fletcher, Andrew Embley and Dean Cox, decided to do all their talking on the field early in their clash against last year's vanquished foes, the Sydney Swans.

The Eagles were full of running against a flat Sydney side playing at home at the 2000 Olympic Stadium now known as Telstra Stadium. Chris Judd and Daniel Kerr were at their brilliant best, Beau Waters and Rowan Jones were winning plenty of the football and Brent Staker kept Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes quiet. The Eagles looked to have the Swans' measure with a 36-point lead at half-time but showed their renowned fight in the second half.

The Swans kept the Eagles goalless in the third quarter and were back in the game, trailing by 19 points at three-quarter time. A Goodes goal in the early minutes reduced the Eagles' lead to 13-points, only for Mark Seaby to restore the margin in the 11th minute. Three goals in four minutes by the Swans reduced the margin down to a point and the match was on a knife edge. Sydney continued to push for the match-winning goal but were thwarted at every attempt by a resolute Eagles defence, West Coast holding on to win 11.8 (74) to 10.13 (73).

The one-point margin mirrored the result between the two sides in last year's grand final and the total winning margin over their last six matches is only 13 points.

The Kangaroos and Collingwood fought out the other thriller of the weekend, the Kangaroos snatching defeat from the jaws of victory with the Magpies claiming a three-point victory 12.10 (82) to 10.19 (79). The Roos dominated for three quarters only to throw it away in the final quarter. The Kangaroos dominated in general play much more than the 25-point lead after three quarters would suggest, the Roos would be ruing their inaccurate kicking at goal in this time. Collingwood came storming home in the last quarter, kicking seven goals to two in the last quarter, finally hitting the lead with only four minutes left thanks to a Scott Burns goal.

Last year's wooden spoonists Carlton have given more hope to their beleaguered fans to their fortunes are about to change with a come-from-behind victory over Richmond. The pre-season champion Blues showed a level of spirit and tenacity not seen at the club for a number of years as they turned around a 27-point deficit early in the third quarter to run out 17-points victors by the final siren 15.25 (115) to 15.6 (98). Nick Stevens was the star for the Blues with 30-possessions and five goals.

Brad Johnson starred for the Western Bulldogs, who proved too good for Geelong, the Doggies claiming the win with a 20-point victory 17.11 (113) to 13.15 (93). The Bulldogs captain was unstoppable with eight goals, seeing off the Cats' best defenders in Matthew Scarlett and opposing captain Tom Harley in the process. Gun recruit of the off-season Jason Akermanis made a solid debut in Bulldogs colours and former captain Luke Darcy made a successful return to the field after two years out with injury.

Essendon produced the shock of round one, dominating the Adelaide Crows at AAMI Stadium in their 16.9.(105) to 10.14 (74) win. The Crows forward line, without key players from 2006 Trent Hantschel, Ken McGregor and Mark Ricciuto, looked rudderless in complete contrast to the Bombers who welcomed back Matthew Lloyd after spending most of last year on the sidelines and best on ground in Scott Lucas. What will please the Bombers, who finished second last in 2006, were the encouraging performances of some of their young recruits, including Alwyn Davies and Leeroy Jetta who made handy cameos.

Port Adelaide shocked Fremantle at Subiaco. The Dockers, considered by many experts as a genuine premiership contenders looked to be cruising with a lead of 34 points in the third quarter, only to take their foot off the accelerator to open the door for the Power to charge home to take the four premiership points 19.7 (121) to 16.9 (105). Dean Brogan provided the inspiration for the Port Adelaide comeback with 19 possessions and 14 clearances. Richmond reject David Rodan also made an impressive debut in Power colours with three goals.

Brisbane started their season on a winning note, getting the better of a disappointing Hawthorn at the Gabba in a match that could be best described as ugly. Both sides resorted to getting numbers back defence, with the Hawks looking to double team Lions centre half forward at every opportunity. After only one scoring shot in the opening quarter Hawthorn were never in the hunt with the Lions taking a 25-point victory in a low scoring game, 9.15 (69) to 6.8 (44).

Season 2007 kicked off under the lights of the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday night with St. Kilda surviving a good start from Melbourne to dominate the final three quarters to give coach Ross Lyon a victory on debut 13.15 (93) to 9.8 (62). Fraser Gehrig was impressive for the Saints, kicking four goals from centre half forward and Leigh Montagna led the possession count with 24 touches of the football. The Demons paid a heavy price for their loss, with key midfielder Brock McLean likely to miss up to six weeks with a foot fracture.

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