Essendon have the lead, but it was hardly champagne football from either side.
Dean Solomon, one of the two interim coaches with the reins tonight, has started Zach Merrett at half back and continued with the experiment of playing Ben McKay forward.
Both have paid dividends so far with McKay kicking a goal and having two set shots while Merrett picked up 10 disposals in the first quarter.
Sam Durham is the most dominant midfielder on the ground. His battle against Sam Walsh and Jagga Smith will be interesting.
McKay kicked the third goal of his career. It is his first goal in Victoria.
