The losers were crushed. Despite the optimism of the defeated, round one is never irrelevant. Four points lost must be gained. Pride must be regained and fear expunged.
The opening round would’ve been underwhelming if not for the upset of the decade. Somehow, GWS kicked six goals in the final quarter to defeat Sydney by 32-points.
The AFL industry wasn’t prepared for the record win in front of a record crowd. Sydney wasn’t prepared to play football. They would be embarrassed.
It seems that losing their cost of living allowance has hit the Swans hard. That extra 10 percent made all the difference. Without the allowance, the players are no longer earning enough money to perform.
A club coterie has set up a charity aimed at paying the player’s rent through these tough times.
To make a donation, visit www.itisn’tfair-wehatetheafl.com
Through victory, GWS become the target. They will be hunted. There will be no mercy. In that they are not unique, all teams are hunted. What is unique is their win and the men involved.
Already the talk is exceptional. Experts are suggesting their list is one of the best in the AFL and improvement will be rapid.
Despite names like Patton, Cameron, Smith, Scully and Whitfield, it all seems premature hype. GWS picked off a languid opponent, albeit one expected to play finals.
It’s a fair bet GWS will be watching rather than competing in September. Right now they are March champions, and they have to prove they can do it.
Sydney has to prove they can do it, again.
On Sunday night, Carlton lost badly to Port Adelaide. The margin, 33-points, could’ve been more. Malthouse didn’t seem too worried. Losing round one didn’t seem to matter.
Besides, his team wasn’t fit enough to play a full game. The Blues, in the last quarter, couldn’t run, as Malthouse said, to get out of their own way.
But Malthouse seemed to think round one was expendable. ‘I wouldn’t like to draw a line through sides who lose in the first round,’ he said.
A coach will say that.
Collingwood was the biggest loser in the split round. They were dreadful. Every possession was hard-earned. Shots at goal were sprayed horribly by experienced players. Inaccuracy was unforgivable, but in the end, it wasn’t inaccuracy that cost the Magpies the game.
There was no pressure. They couldn’t move the ball. When Fremantle gained possession, the ball shifted ends rapidly.
The Dockers seem destined for a strong year. They remain defensive, but they monstered the Magpies. Goals silenced the crowd. The scoreboard killed the game early.
A 70-point loss isn’t easy to write off as an aberration.
Magpie coach Nathan Buckley must be worried. On Friday night, Collingwood fielded 12 premiership players. Buckley might want his own era, but it remains half Malthouse’s era.
Buckley should be commended for the guts it took to get rid of a bevy of premiership players. A list is in a constant state of flux, and clubs are always moving forwards. Men like Darren Jolly, Alan Didak and Ben Johnson had to go.
But getting rid of Heath Shaw smacked of spite. Buckley traded a very good footballer in hope of securing one. The deal, of course, may pay off. Shaw is every chance at succeeding with GWS. His replacement, Taylor Adams, has to build his career.
Buckley, as legend has it, murdered the rat-pack. This is the team he wanted. This is what he gets.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick doesn’t want to play Gold Coast anymore. That the Tigers lost was hardly surprising. Richmond barely gave a yelp, playing without spark or inspiration.
The Suns, who match up well with the Tigers, played with simplicity. When it mattered in the last quarter, Gold Coast hit targets, took pack marks and kicked important goals.
The game was frustratingly tedious for three quarters and predictable in the last. Gold Coast might not be able to play better. Richmond must, if they want to build on last year.
Let’s hope both clubs play a better brand of football. Entertainment would be good.
Round one is never irrelevant or expendable. Some clubs might be underdone, but that is not the fault of the draw or the split round.
This isn’t the pre-season competition. Every club should be ready. There are no excuses.
And the AFL circle keeps turning, eyes, thoughts and emotions to round two.
For ten other clubs, round one remains empty, games to be played. Five clubs are going to be criticised, because there are no excuses…
