It felt a little like getting to the school formal late. Everyone else fully tuned in and engaged while Jets fans and players watched on hoping to get into the swing of things as soon as possible.
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The Mariners away at Gosford on Saturday night should help harness the necessary focus quickly enough.
I have to admit, I wasn't quite sure whether the team that had the bye was awarded maximum points, as has been the case in other codes at times, or the more familiar or standard zero.
It is the latter, as a quick glance at the table in Monday's newspaper affirms, with the Jets sitting cozily in seventh place.
Yes, that's correct. It seems incongruous that you can leapfrog three teams by sitting on your, ehh, couch at home. But there they sit.
Of course, it got me thinking that a team could conceivably make the play-offs by having a bye in the final round and jumping over a similarly placed rival who loses in round 29.
Hmm. Unlikely, but possible. So just out of curiosity I took a sneaky peek ahead.
Wouldn't you know it, the Jets' fan's best friends Melbourne Victory have the weekend off and one of the fixtures is Melbourne City v Sydney FC.
Could one of the league's heavyweights miss out on a home final to a team that doesn't play on the last weekend? Could Victory have to watch on helplessly as City and Sydney play out a result that suits both?
I acknowledge that much has to happen for this scenario to occur, and I love a conspiracy theory, but it's not totally unfeasible, is it?
However, what ifs and long-range predictions aside, what did we glean from round one?
Sydney FC will be right there again. They are well organised, structured and have four or five individuals who can provide an answer if the team rhythm is disrupted or misfiring.
Adelaide will be a competitive unit, but may lack the firepower of some. Genuine top-six contender.
Both Melbourne clubs have enough quality to trouble any side, but realistically you can't have the turnover in personnel and coaching staff they've had in the off-season and expect all to go smoothly straight away. You would anticipate both featuring in the play-offs but I dare say there will be periods of angst and concern along the journey.
Last season's minor premiers Perth Glory were denied an opening-round win in the 94th minute by a courageous and resilient Brisbane Roar, who delighted their new boss Robbie Fowler with their unwavering belief and commitment.
Perth were good in the first half but fell away. Perhaps partially due to fitness concerns over a number of key players, but more likely to a more aggressive and proactive Roar team that won the ball back far more effectively after the break.
The Glory will score goals but don't seem to have the same presence and authority in wide areas at this stage in comparison to the threat and control their wing backs provided last season. That can be rectified and after long injury lay offs Messrs Fornaroli and Ikonomidis will be much better for the game time.
Brisbane look more competitive and resilient than last campaign, have splashes of quality in their ranks and more legs to get around the pitch. I doubt they will be a pushover for anyone.
It's a little harder to make an assessment of the Wanderers and new boys Western United, who both took three points from their opening matches. Mainly because their opponents are widely expected to struggle this season.
The Wanderers came from behind to beat the Mariners 2-1 and the positives stood out like beacons. Captain Mitch Duke scored twice, they have a fantastic new home after their recent nomadic campaigns and, most importantly, they have their crowd back. Drawing 17,000 against the Mariners augurs well for the atmosphere at potentially more important and attractive fixtures during the season.
Western United took the long, and sometimes difficult, trip to Wellington and did enough to claim victory over a side decimated by the departure of a coach and numerous key players in the off season. No surprises that Besart Berisha notched the club's inaugural goal, and from a range of about six yards. A good start, but much bigger tests ahead.
As promised, I will analyse the Jets' prospects for the season in a lift out devoted to just that purpose in this Saturday's Herald.
I imagine the Mariners will be difficult opponents and despite some high-scoring clashes in recent history I can't envisage a glut this weekend. Despite missing some key players, the Jets do have the pace and power to hurt teams. Mariners coach Alen Stajcic won't have forgotten how well a deep defensive line helped his team upset the Jets in Newcastle in his first game in charge last season.
Jets up 2-1 in a tight encounter.
Finally, if I may, I'd like to acknowledge the passing of Geoff "Tas" Taylor. A fine coach and mentor to young footballers of my generation. An excellent educator and one of nature's gentlemen. Condolences to his family and many friends.
