It was the sort of AFL weekend when even the losers were delighted.
With little on the line, the six winners and six losers across the opening round of the JLT Community Series are looking on the bright side of life.
And no side was happier than Essendon, who welcomed back a group of players, led by Jobe Watson, banned for their role in the club's doping scandal.
"They're looking forward to a saga-free year," Brendon Goddard said on Sunday, confirming high spirits at the club despite losing their opening contest by 11 points to Collingwood.
He said the returning Bombers faced a different challenge against the Magpies than they will through the season proper.
"Mentally (against Collingwood) it was more of a challenge for them ... they were anxious, most of them, and rightfully so," he said.
"(It was) Travis Collyer and David Myers' first game in two years.
"I've got no doubt they will be able to perform, it's just about their fitness.
"A lot of the unknowns about them are physically."
In Launceston on Friday, Jarryd Roughead joined the comeback kids and played his first match as Hawthorn's full-time captain in a four-point win over rivals Geelong.
It was Roughead's first contest since being declared cancer-free in December.
Gun recruit Jaeger O'Meara had eight contested touches in his first half of AFL football in two years.
The Cats were't too displeased with the result after turning a 41-point deficit into a lead through the third quarter.
Premiers Western Bulldogs lost their opener to Melbourne by six points but the sight of injured captain Bob Murphy back on the field was enough for Dogs fans.
Re-signed Demons forward Jesse Hogan kicked four goals, with Travis Cloke snagging two in his first match for the Bulldogs.
New Melbourne captain Jack Viney was full of praise for Hogan.
"We really set ourselves on being physical against the Western Bulldogs who lead the competition in that area," he said.
"I was really impressed with Jesse. Even when he was outnumbered he was still competing."
North Melbourne snagged a two-point come-from-behind win over Sydney on Sunday at Coffs Harbour.
Both sides fielded young lineups, with Swans teenager Callum Mills best afield in the 8.15 (63) to 9.11 (65) loss.
If there was a disappointed club it was Gold Coast, who defeated Brisbane 11.15 (81) to 1.7.6 (57) but saw important tall Sam Day stretchered off with a dislocated hip.
Club chairman Tony Cochrane said it was an astonishing injury.
"I mean, what do you say? I don't think I've ever seen a player come off with a hip out," he told Fox Sports.
Greater Western Sydney claimed a 10.10 (70) to 5.7 (37) win over West Coast to complete the round.
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