Noah Long may have tasted defeat in his introduction to the AFL, but it was a thrilling debut nonetheless as West Coast were pipped by North Melbourne on Saturday.
The Eagles were 12.15 (87) to 12.10 (82) losers to the Roos in their season opener at Marvel Stadium despite staging a dramatic late comeback, trailing by more than 30 points in the third quarter.
Long managed to hit the scoreboard in the Eagles’ blitz, running into an open goal in the 10th minute of the fourth quarter to draw West Coast back within eight points.
The young gun was swamped by teammates in response to his first league goal, but the Roos held steady in a frantic finish to claim their first win under new coach Alastair Clarkson.
Long finished with 10 disposals, three tackles and a goal.
Pre-game, Eagles’ defender Tom Barrass presented Long with the his debut jumper, with proud members of the Long family in attendance.
The 18-year-old was called up to the Eagles squad last Tuesday, earning his debut on the back of some solid pre-season form as one of the club’s burgeoning small forwards.
North Melbourne ran out winners courtesy of six goals to Nick Larkey and a starring performance from debutant Harry Sheezel who tallied 34 touches.
West Coast faces Gold Coast next Sunday, March 26, at Optus Stadium.
Another Echuca product was in the thick of the action in round one.
Ollie Wines kicked off his season in style, starring in Port Adelaide’s 54-point belting of Brisbane at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
Wines collected a game-high 29 disposals in the 18.18 (126) to 11.6 (72) win, adding a goal and nine marks to an impressive first hit-out.
Battling knee concerns through the pre-season after surgery following the 2022 season’s end, the 28-year-old showed no signs of any diminished impact with 11 contested possessions to his name.
Wines was well assisted by Deniliquin product Todd Marshall who booted four goals to get the tall forward’s account underway in fine fashion.
Wines and Port will make the journey to Melbourne this Saturday, March 25, to face Collingwood, with the Pies coming off a rousing 22-point win over reigning premier Geelong.