The name Sam Walsh was on everyone's lips after Thursday night's JLT Community Series opener between Carlton and Essendon.
8215 turned up in the heat at Ikon Park, and watched Carlton's top draft park zip around the park to provide insight into the Blues' future midfield smarts alongside Patrick Cripps.
Carlton won the game by nine points as Essendon also welcomed - and welcomed back - some big names.
However, with 28 disposals and eight inside 50s, teenager Walsh illustrated early signs of proving the hype as Carlton snuck home a 15.10 (100) to 14.7 (91) win.
JLT COMMUNITY SERIES: Fixtures, tickets and how to watch the AFL pre-season
It was a very hot night - 36 degrees at the opening siren - but the heat didn't get to 18-year-old Walsh, who was a ball magnet from start to finish.
Cripps also bagged a game-high 33 disposals to put smiles on Blues fans dials, with the newly-minted skipper marking a satisfying start to 2019 for last season's league wooden-spooners.
Oh Patty!
— AFL (@AFL) February 28, 2019
Super stuff in traffic from Cripps.#JLTSeries pic.twitter.com/hWjukx5rtr
Dale Thomas and Paddy Dow both had 26 touches, while young gun Zac Fisher (19) and former skipper Marc Murphy (22) also got a good look at the footy.
Recruits Mitch McGovern (Adelaide), Will Setterfield (GWS) and Nic Newman (Sydney) also impressed, while David Cuningham kicked three goals.
Former VFL star Michael Gibbons - finally picked up after being overlooked in six drafts - also began his Carlton career in fine fettle, booting his side's first two goals. He finished equal with Cuningham on a team-high three goals.
What a start for Michael Gibbons!
— AFL (@AFL) February 28, 2019
The new Blue has kicked Carlton's first two goals.#JLTSeries pic.twitter.com/SNQnxmnRVK
For Essendon, new recuit Dylan Shiel - who came across from Greater Western Sydney - finished up with 15 touches before he copped a cork to his knee.
Carlton led by as many as 37 points, but the Bombers came back to force the issue, with another former No. 1 pick - Andrew McGrath - getting busy in the middle.
McGrath, with 25 disposals and two goals, emerged as one of the best for his side as he repeatedly burst out of the middle.
Andy McGrath! Broke the tackle and snapped truly! #JLTSeries pic.twitter.com/kj78QqyqNb
— AFL (@AFL) February 28, 2019
Essendon needed him - skipper Dyson Heppell (hamstring), Zach Merrett (ankle) and Devon Smith (bicep) didn't play a whole game.
The only major concern for the Bombers is for Tom Jok, who will be assessed after picking up a head knock.
A major promise, though, was the return of Joe Daniher, who featured on a footy field for the first time in 10 months after overcoming a battle with osteitis pubis.
Daniher kicked the game's first goal, but the Bombers withdrew him at three-quarter time to keep his comeback on a safe and steady tangent.
The opening goal of the #JLTSeries goes to Joe Daniher! pic.twitter.com/944uMQDba4
— AFL (@AFL) February 28, 2019
