Questions to ponder ahead of Round 3: Can the Pies be re-heated, Are Port the real deal, Can Jezza's form last for the Cats?
Collingwood look far off the conquering team of 2023 and one aspect of real concern is their struggles in defence.
Far from being the AFL’s most prominent player, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson sees Lance Franklin as yesterday’s man.
The star forward returns to play Hawthorn for the first time on the MCG since a multi-million-dollar move north to Sydney in the off-season.
While Clarkson has moved on after nine seasons with Franklin under his wing, he had a sense the football public has not.
At his media conference on Friday, Clarkson knew what to expect.
“How many questions about Bud today, fellas?” Clarkson asked the large group of journalists waiting.
Asked how prominently the the two-time Hawthorn premiership player and Coleman medallist entered his thoughts, Clarkson was clear: life is going just fine without Franklin.
“He’s wearing a red and white jumper now so he’s a faceless man,” he said.
“We appreciate and respect everything he did for our footy club but we move on.”
He declined to buy into the idea Franklin was peaking at Sydney rather than Hawthorn.
“I’ve seen him for nine years and now it’s (Longmire’s) turn to make comment on Bud,” he said.
“We’re just interested in playing against 22 blokes and he’s just one of 22.”
While fellow two-club man Shaun Burgoyne called on Hawthorn fans to show respect to Franklin, Clarkson put out no such call.
“Supporters can do whatever they like,” he said.
“We can’t control that. All we can control is playing against 22 in the opposition and that’s what we’re going to be doing.”
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Collingwood look far off the conquering team of 2023 and one aspect of real concern is their struggles in defence.
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