East Point had a productive off-season, welcoming four genuine A-Grade midfielders and retaining the core of its premiership group, but it raised one big question - just how would the Roos fit all their guns in?
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Despite going down by 18 points to Sebastopol, the Roos' season-opener offered some answers but didn't fully solve the reigning premier's midfield puzzle.
Waubra premiership player James Lukich, who signed on at the end of 2020, started the match at centre-half-forward and immediately caused headaches for the Burra.
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The Roos' big-bodied midfield, led by Mickitja Rotumah-Onus on the inside and recruits Jack Ganley and Harry Ganley on the wings, dominated the centre bounces and found Lukich on the lead within the first three minutes.
An opening goal followed, but Lukich's time upfront was soon over, dropping back into the midfield.
Lukich thrived in what's become known in footy circles as the "Dusty role" - offering grunt in the contest before moving forward to become the last man up top.
WATCH LUKICH KICK ONE OF HIS THREE GOALS
"That (role) is exactly what we'd like. What he did yesterday is what we hope to get out of him all year," East Point football manager Dean Hetherington said.
"(Playing) 50 per cent midfield and 50 per cent forward, and if he can kick three goals every week, we'd be rapt.
"If we get that out of him every week, we'd be very, very happy."
It's worth noting Lukich spent the majority of the third quarter at full forward when the Burra put on a 44-point onslaught that ultimately delivered them the win.
Whether his presence around the contest would have proved a difference is speculative, though Lukich did perform well when he was stationed in the middle.
A sweep of injuries almost forced East Point into debuting its new-look midfield.
Aden Nestor was a late withdrawal after tweaking a hamstring at training on Thursday night, while speedster Jake McQueen faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a broken wrist.
There's teething problems, no doubt, but the Roos' midfield shapes as a scary force.
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