Hrovat was in excellent touch as a half-forward at Arden St, contributing three of his goals in the third term, and finishing with 17 touches while Jarrad Waite also booted three for the match as the Roos posted a strong win over VFL side Werribee.

Veteran midfielder Shaun Higgins was also impressive with 28 disposals and two goals, Jamie Macmillan had 27 possessions and former Collingwood defender Marley Williams looked assured across half-back.

Hrovat was overlooked for selection in the Dogs' premiership side and is determined to contribute for his new club through the middle and up forward. He said the pain of missing selection for the biggest day on the AFL calendar still hurt.

"I'd be lying if I said [it didn't burn inside], especially as I have great mates at the Bulldogs and seeing them do so well was great for them," he said.

"To be able to win a premiership and seeing that first-hand now what it means, it'd be super-exciting to win one here and I think we've got the list to be able to do it."

The Roos have insisted over summer they won't tumble this season despite losing veterans Brent Harvey, Nick Dal Santo, Michael Firrito and Drew Petrie.

"It was good to get the first scratch match out of the way and I was lucky enough to get on the end of a few," Hrovat said.

"The team's travelling well and we've had a really good pre-season, so it's nice to get into some games now.

"Hopefully, I can fill the void of a few of the older guys who have left and help 'Higgo' [teammate Shaun Higgins] and a few of the experienced mid-forwards in that position.

"We've got a lot of young guys coming through as well who will get plenty of opportunities so if everyone can put their hand up at selection that spot might be under a bit of fire which would be nice."

Senior players Ben Brown, Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Scott Thompson and Lindsay Thomas did not take part on Saturday while Sam Gibson finished with a hamstring complaint.

The Roos hope 200-centimetre Ben McKay, taken in the 2015 national draft, can step up inside attacking 50, with Petrie no longer there. The signs were promising, and he booted three goals. If not for inaccurate kicking, he could have finished with seven.

"Big Benny is just starting to move around really well now and I think he came off an operation. He's a big presence for us up there and he's going to be really important for us," Hrovat said.