Player ratings: Sydney Swans vs West Coast Eagles, Round 1 2018

What a way to kick off the season with a win, not only against one-time arch nemesis the Eagles, but at their shiny, spectacular new stadium.

After a bitter battle with Fremantle to host the first game rights, they dug in like a tick and held on grimly, but the Swans shook them in the end.

Superstar forward Lance Franklin booted 8, while Parker was arguably best on ground, and may well win the Goal of the year with a kick over his head horizontal to the ground.

I couldn't think of a better way to send that dastardly lot off on their first home game at Perth Stadium, terrific.

B: Nick Smith, Heath Grundy, Lewis Melican
HB: Callum Mills, Dane Rampe, Harry Cunningham
C: Zak Jones, Josh P. Kennedy, Jake Lloyd
HF: George Hewett, Robbie Fox, Will Hayward
F: Tom Papley, Lance Franklin, Kieren Jack
FOL: Callum Sinclair, Luke Parker, Isaac Heeney
I/C: Jarrad McVeigh, Oliver Florent, Dean Towers, Nic Newman

	3: Jarrad McVeigh	7.5	He's never been quick, but what he does with the ball with no pre-season is uncanny.
	5: Isaac Heeney	8	Stellar first half, right up there with Franklin in the best. Faded a bit in the second, but still effective with the ball
	7: Harry Cunningham	7	Did what he had to do with no fuss, no frills, and finished with 6 tackles
	10: Zak Jones	7.5	He might make the best list on the AFL, but apart from that goal, butchered it something shocking. Went at just 60% DE with 6 inside 50s.
	13: Oliver Florent	6.5	He's showing a bit more this year, still seems to be a bit off the pace but it didn't stop him from getting stuck in.
	12: Josh Kennedy	8.5	Excellent game, certainly among the best after half time, especially with that clutch goal deep in the 4th quarter. Another lazy 10 clearances.
	9: Will Hayward	7.5	Finished with a lazy 21, made 6 clangers and had 2 goals in the last quarter to keep his average up. Spent more time in the midfield, but went under 50% DE.
	14: Callum Mills	8	Took some clutch marks deep in defence and was pretty good overall. Loves the hard stuff.
	15: Kieren Jack	8	Would back the clock with this performance. 19 disposals and 7 inside 50s, just that every week pleas.e
	18: Callum Sinclair	8	Lost the hit out count against Nic Nat, was always going to, but did so much when the ball hit the ground. 21 disposals, 12 contested, 7 clearances, 5 of them from the centre.
	22: Dean Towers	7	He's going to be a bits player this year, and he played a lot of bits tonight. Snagged himself a goal and acquitted himself in the ruck.
	23: Lance Franklin	9.5	Eight goals, 6 at half-time, they had to double and triple team him, and he still won those contests. When you've shifted Schofield to him, you know he's torched them.
	24: Dane Rampe	7	Did what he usually does and did it OK. Had a few clangers and turn overs and not real solid in possession, but continued to crack in.
	26: Luke Parker	9.5	32 disposals, 18 contested, a ridiculous goal, 9 tackles, 2 rebound 50s, 7 clearances, 2 goal assists. Tom Mitchell can take his 50+ disposal games and stick it in the bin.
	28: Nic Newman	7	Did well, had his moments.
	29: George Hewett	7.5	Had a pretty solid game overall, his 2nd and 3rd quarters in particular were really good. Finally kicked a goal in the last when we really needed it after fluffing his previous two chances.
	39: Heath Grundy	7.5	Rock solid, caught out of position a few times, but rarely beaten
	40: Nick Smith	8.5	Whoever he played on may as well have just sat in the stands. Should have put him on Nic Nat when he drifted forward.
	11: Tom Papley	7.5	Finished with 17 disposals, 8 contested, looked really fiesty at times and a step short at others. Will build into the season.
	42: Robbie Fox (R)	7	Did well in his first AFL game since round 4 last year. Some shady moments, some ripping moments.
	43: Lewis Melican	7	Did a lot of little things and pressed in hard, but some of the same issues from last season keep cropping up. He's still developing.
	44: Jake Lloyd	8.5	"The Metronome"

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