AFL JLT wrap: Lions roar past Hawks; Tigers withstand Dees;

Players who have to undergo off-season surgery generally take longer to get into the swing of things, Clayton Oliver isn’t like most players.

AFL. JLT. Round 1. Richmond v Melbourne at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton. Melbourne's Clayton Oliver runs through the middle . Pic: Michael Klein

Clayton Oliver had to undergo double shoulder reconstruction surgery in the off-season, but Melbourne’s superstar midfielder showed no effects of the procedure.

Oliver is set to enter his fourth season in the AFL and the 60 game player is looking like he’s ready to take over the league.

After a stellar 2018 season that saw him amass the third most disposals, Oliver was on fire from the opening bounce.

He quickly reminded everyone just how damaging he can be by collecting 11 first quarter possessions as Melbourne jumped out to a big early lead.

Double shoulder operation hasn't hindered Clayton Oliver - 11 disposals, 6 contested possessions, 4 clearances, 49 #SuperCoach and 48 #AFLFantasy points in the opening term. #JLTSeries #AFL

— Fantasy Freako (@FantasyFreako) March 3, 2019

While Oliver continued to dominate through the middle of the ground, it was Richmond who took control of the match in the second and third quarter.

The 2017 premiers kicked 10 goals to four as they went into the final term holding an 18-point advantage.

Bachar Houli surged the Tigers forward and their dash all over the field proved too much for the Demons to handle.

Melbourne bounced back in the final term, but Richmond was able to hold sway and claim the 16.17 (113) to 16.5 (101) victory.

But the talk out of the contest was the incredible work of dynamic Melbourne duo Oliver and Angus Brayshaw.

After a surprise third placed finish in the 2018 Brownlow Medal, Brayshaw and Oliver combined for a staggering 59 disposals.

Top SuperCoach scorers from the game

Clayton Oliver — 127

Bachar Houli — 112

Angus Brayshaw — 111

Alex Rance — 110

Christian Salem — 103

Noah Balta — 104

Clayton Oliver and Angus Brayshaw have combined for 59 disposals, nine tackles and 215 @AFLFantasy points so far.#JLTSeries

— AFL (@AFL) March 3, 2019

NEW LIONS SHOW THEIR TEETH

Star recruit Lachie Neale has put in a strong display in Brisbane’s 42-point AFL pre-season win over Hawthorn.

The ex-Fremantle midfielder picked up a game-high 31 disposals as the Lions claimed a comfortable 15.12 (102) to 8.12 (60) win over an inexperienced Hawthorn line-up on Sunday.

Fellow newcomers Jarryd Lyons and Lincoln McCarthy also put in good shifts for the Lions in humid conditions at the Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex in Burpengary.

Ex-Geelong forward McCarthy kicked two goals while Lyons kicked a goal and had 26 disposals.

Interesting comment from ex-Dockers star Lachie Neale after his first game in Brisbane’s midfield:

“There's not one bloke trying to run the show and be the man in there.”

— Travis King (@TravisKing) March 3, 2019

Pacy forward Charlie Cameron, in just his second match back from the serious foot injury which sidelined him for over 200 days, failed to finish after tweaking his right hamstring in the third quarter.

The ex-Crow didn’t put ice on his leg which would suggest his omission was more precautionary than anything serious.

Others to impress for the near full-strength Lions were skipper Dayne Zorko and Daniel Rich, while young gun Cam Rayner booted three goals.

Daniel McStay had two goals for the hosts.

The steamy conditions forced the AFL to enact its heat policy, ensuring extra breaks after each quarter.

Lachie Neale had the ball on a string against the Hawks.

Hawthorn headed north with several leading players remaining in Melbourne. James Sicily had two majors for the Hawks but also kicked four behinds in a mixed performance, while Irishman Conor Nash kicked two goals.

James Cousins led the disposals for Hawthorn with 29 touches. Brisbane’s second pre-season fixture is on March 9 against Melbourne in Cranbrook while Hawthorn tackle Richmond in Launceston on the same day.

Top SuperCoach scorers from the game

Lachie Neale — 136

Rhys Mathieson — 114

Jarryd Lyons — 110

Cameron Rayner — 105

Lincoln McCarthy — 105

Jonathon Ceglar — 104

— with AAP