WHEN Shannon Grant nailed a trademark snap around the corner in the early stages of the last quarter on Saturday, it looked like the Roos were home.

And for roughly 90 per cent of the season opener against the Pies there was little cause to suggest this wouldn't be the case. Notwithstanding the boys' inability to convert a stack of chances in front of goal, it looked as if a first round win was on the cards.

The open and fast-paced style of footy promised over a long pre-season seemed to be working a treat, and the older Collingwood runners looked incapable of stopping the Roos' run.

But the football gods haven't been kind to the boys in blue and white lately and so it was to be on this otherwise delightful autumn day. As if anyone needs reminding, despite having led by 25 points at the last change, the Roos eventually lost by three in a game that was there to be won.

As much as it's never palatable to talk about umpiring decisions having a big say in the result of a game, it can't be denied that Shannon Grant's abbreviated 50-metre penalty was costly. Umpires boss Jeff Gieschen's subsequent admission that umpire Stuart Wenn got it wrong in the heat of a frenetic final term will offer Dean Laidley and his men little consolation.

And while Shagga should have still obviously converted from the top of the goal square, it's pretty hard to point the finger at a bloke who ran his opponent ragged over much of the day and was close to the Roos' best. It's also worth highlighting that his was one of 19 behinds for the day, which wouldn't have been bad if the side had combined for 20 goals instead of 10.

Despite the heart-breaking nature of the loss, there were a number of positives. Wayward kicking aside, the fact the boys could manage 29 shots at goal in the immediate wake of Nathan Thompson's absence was certainly encouraging. It's easy to forget that a pre-season's worth of planning had to be rejigged within the space of a fortnight after Thommo went down, so all credit must go to the way in which the forwards functioned in the absence of their talisman.

The fact that a side containing seven players with fewer than 20 games experience held sway for most of the day against a unit as experienced as that fielded by the Pies at the weekend was also obviously a plus.

Among those youngsters, first-gamer Lindsay Thomas, who had been so deadly around goal throughout the pre-season, was the major contributor to the lopsided behinds tally. But the fact that he was able to manufacture five shots at goal when he spent part of the day playing on perhaps the competition's premier defender in James Clement was a pleasing aspect.

However perhaps the biggest positive was the performance of ruckman Hamish McIntosh, playing in just his 19th game. The 22-year-old was clearly the dominant big man on the ground, collecting 18 possessions, five marks and 14 hit-outs while sharing ruck duties with David Hale. With Brad Moran waiting in the wings, the Roos ruck division is looking in pretty safe hands.

And so it's on to Port Adelaide next week. The Power looked mighty impressive in their surprise win over Fremantle at the weekend, but as we all know, our record has been outstanding against the boys from Alberton over the past decade.

If the lads can recreate their form from the first three quarters of the Collingwood game next week (and get their kicking boots on) there's no reason we can't be back on an even keel by the end of Round 2.