In a replay of the 2019 grand final, Osborne lived up to the hype of starting the season as the raging flag favourite with an emphatic 20.15 (135) to 10.4 (64) demolition of the Saints.

The Tigers look set to boast an even stronger list than in 2019 after signing dual Morris medallist Joel Mackie as coach.

They have also added further class after signing Ainslie triple premiership full-forward Armstrong alongside former North Wagga assistant coach Ward and Jed Griffin.

In a further bonus, Azzi medallist Jamie Parr also played his first match since rupturing his ACL mid-way through 2019.

The league heavyweight flexed its muscle early in the contest to open up a match-winning 10-goal lead by half-time.

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Mackie alongside Izaac McDonnell racked-up plenty of possessions in the midfield and provided ample opportunities for Armstrong and Ward in attack.

Armstrong provided a strong marking option from the goal square while Ward is a clever mid-sized forward who made the most of his opportunities.

In contrast the Saints fell down badly in attack without star recruit Damian Cupido who was forced to watch the clash from the sidelines.

Cupido remains in a clearance wrangle with Corowa-Rutherglen which looks likely to be resolved by a national permit committee hearing this week.

Mackie was fully aware the Saints will be a much tougher proposition when the pair clash again later in the season.

"It was just good to be back playing football again," Mackie said.

"We started really well which proved to be the difference as the match wore on.

"I felt their pressure definitely lifted after quarter time as they tried to wrestle back the momentum.

"Hayden Armstrong was menacing in attack and finished with 7.4 in an impressive debut.

"But I'm not getting too carried away and I expect Brock-Burrum will be a lot tougher to beat next time around.

"They are a proud club and after a loss like that, I feel it will only spark them into action and Cupido will have a big impact."

Some of the gloss was taken off the win after versatile tall Duncan McMaster hobbled off with an ankle injury.

Midfielder-forward Bill Alexander also strained a hamstring late in the clash.

Mackie said the pair would both miss this week's home clash against Rand-Walbundrie-Walla.

McMaster will have scans during the week with Mackie fearful that McMaster may have fractured his ankle and could be set for an extended stint on the sidelines.

In other matches, CDHBU notched a 44-point away win against Lockhart while Holbrook also overame a challenging trip to Oaklands by beating Billabong Crows by 67-points.

Rand-Walbundrie-Walla opened its season with a 21-point victory over Howlong while Culcairn held off a fast-finishing Jindera to win by eight points in the closest match of the round.

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