The Magpies were without four of their grand final's finest JA Knight Medal winner Dean McInnes, VCFL medal winner and vice captain Michael Otto and forward Alister Woods were unavailable while assistant coach Chris Hilet missed due to a hamstring injury.

The Pumas took advantage of every opportunity kicking away early, 5.5 to 0.2 in the first term.

Coach Trent Fiscalini said although the Magpies were without key players they faced challenges of their own.

"It was a good start to the season, I think we stuck to our game plan, structures and it was good to see everyone gel together the way they did," he said.

Midfielder Aaron McKinnis' day came to a premature end after a heavy knock in a head clash with Nic Willox midway through the second term.

The team was then limited to one rotation after Clayton Mackley was yellow carded and reported for striking in the second term.

This didn't appear to hamper the Pumas as they cruised to a seven goal lead at half time.

"We just played good footy from the outset, I think it was our clean ball movement and pressure around the ball," Fiscalini said.

Former coach Daniel Guinane kicked six goals for the Pumas while Aidan Bell, Lachie Hamilton and John Vanderwaal each kicked three of their own.

"Guinane is one of our key centre half forwards, someone you can rely on to take a good mark and finish it off," Fiscalini said.

"Samuel Seres was also good in the contest on the wing, he created pressure and took some good marks.

Hamilton brothers Jacob and Lachie and Lynden Brewis were also named among the Pumas' best.

William Slattery was the only multiple goal scorer (2) for the Magpies with Sam Archer, Thomas Gibson, Lachlan Kelly, Jason Quinlivian, Leigh Perkins and Matthew Wilson in the best.

The final score line in stark contrast to last year's decider, Moyston Willaura 18.8 (116) to Wickliffe Lake Bolac 5.7 (37).

An injury depleted Great Western fell short of victory in its first round battle with Glenthompson/Dunkeld.

After a poor start the Lions pegged their way back into the contest to be two goals behind at half time and just three points down by three quarter time.

In a game where physicality was at its peak Great Western was pushed to its limits.

Bobby Garley was the first casualty, he required three stitches after receiving a heavy knock to the head.

Ryan Cullen had enjoyed a solid first half on the wing before he copped a corked shin and was forced to leave the field.

Leroy O'Brien who suffered a knock to the knee and a kick to the fingers also finished up before the final siren.

Fatigue became a factor in the latter stages of the match and the Lions were unable to sustain the intensity, the momentum all the Rams way in the final term.

Coach Nick Thomas said he was happy with how the team performed minus a few simple errors that he hoped would improve as the season progressed.

"We had planned to push up the ground but we just ran out of legs and couldn't get back into our forward 50," he said.

Rayne Salmon was effective for Great Western in his role as ruckman. Salmon looked to have won the majority of ruck contests helping team mates including Cody Virgona.

Lachlan Malloy, Benjamin Birch-Burton, Adam Taylor and John Gration were also named among the best for the Lions in their 11.1 (76) to 14.14 (98) loss.

Steven Butler booted 11 goals as Tatyoon asserted its dominance in a massive 146 point thrashing of Ararat.

The Hawks were on target early with seven first quarter goals compared with the Eagles' one.

Tatyoon extended its lead in the second term as missed opportunities around goal cost Ararat to the tune of five behinds.

Both teams scored multiple third quarter goals, but with a ratio of 4-1 Tatyoon’s lead blew out to in excess of 100 points.

Kye Chapple (7), Jake McCarthy (4) and Brodie Mines (3) were prolific on goal for Tatyoon as the team finished with 30 majors for the day, 30.11 (191) to 6.9 (45).

Butler’s goal haul helped him to best on ground honours while Sean, Andrew and Tim McDougall, Chapple and Damian Cameron were also recognised for their efforts.

For the Eagles Brent Bulger was the team’s only multiple goal scorer (2) as James Sutherland, Naish McRoberts, Jordan Thomas, Luke Foster, Josh Matthews and Ryan Turner also contributed.

It was a less than ideal start to the season for the SM&W Rovers as it lost out to Caramut by 16 points.

The Bulldogs were caught behind early as the Swans kicked five first quarter goals to lead by 19 points at quarter time.

Caramut extended its lead to four goals in the second term and maintained that hold on the front in

the third before a final quarter spark offered Bulldogs supporters some hope.

Samuel O’Brien kicked five of his team’s 12 goals to be awarded best on. John Forbes, Nicholas Byrne, Rhys Cahir, Benjamin Nankervis and Andrew Toan were also recognised for their efforts in the 12.1 (82) to 14.14 (98) loss.

Lismore/Derrinallum gave little away in its 101 point belting of Woorndoo/Mortlake.

It took until the final quarter for the Tigers to score their first major of the match, but by then the result was beyond doubt.

The Demons on song 17.19 (121) to 2.7 (19) at the final siren.

If not for poor conversion in front of goal Penshurst would have been a much clearer winner in its clash with Hawkesdale/Macarthur.

Instead the Bombers made hard work for themselves kicking 18 points from 25 shots on goal in their 7.18 (60) to 8.1 (58) win.

● In the reserves Great Western has started its 2014 season campaign in winning fashion with a 47 point defeat of Glenthompson/Dunkeld.

Craig Cooper kicked two goals in the 12.9 (81) to 5.4 (34) win to be declared best on ground.

- with GRACE BIBBY