A few weeks ago, we had a round that most were calling the best of the season. All top eight teams were playing each other, and there were some cracking games that looked set to not only shape the top eight, but the top four.
What we got from the hype was actually something of a letdown.
The Crows hammered the Eagles, Geelong battered the Bombers, Hawthorn underpinned a massive Collingwood collapse and Sydney stifled a plucky Saint Kilda outfit.
Not really what we want as a football community is it? Four epic games resulting in epic beltings. Mind you, Sydney only just beat the Saints by 29 points which, compared to the other three games, is barely even a win.
Really, I blame hype over the disappointment that followed this round. Rather than admiring the power of the Crows, Swans, Cats and Hawks, we were lamenting the lack of the tight and heavily contested round we all wanted.
And ultimately we were left disappointed.
That same hype is not evident this round, but it should be.
We have potentially two of the best games of the year ahead of ourselves this weekend, and I for one am more excited for Mondays fallout that I was two weeks ago.
And here’s why.
On Saturday, old friends become foes for the first ever game between the GWS Giants and Port Adelaide Power, as Chad Cornes, Dean Brogan, Jonathon Giles and Mark Williams battle it out against their old club.
All of these men have a reason to want to beat their old team. Brogan and Cornes, after being told they were no longer required by the Power after stellar careers, first retired, and then used as bargaining chips by the Power when they revealed they were to join GWS.
Imagine being forced to retire, then being told you were still required, just so the mob retiring you could use you as trade bait. Yeah, nice send off Port.
And these two warriors will remember that.
Giles has spent the last year proving to the AFL world he has, and always has had, what it takes to compete. He’s been demonstrating this to his former coach who never gave him a run, even at a time in the clubs history when ruckmen were thin on the ground. Now he gets to show the old firm who sacked him.
He comes up against a much younger, much leaner ruck brigade, and will no doubt dominate the centre circle come Saturday.
Williams’ relationship with the Power is much more complicated: he brought the club their first and only premiership, and therefore will always hold a special place in their history.
Now, however, he is hell-bent on building a new piece of AFL history, and will use all of his inside knowledge and cunning to dismantle the club he built.
All of these factors, combined with Port’s lack of current form and distracting discussions over the futures of key players like Boak and Chaplin, could conspire to be the most costly boil over of the season.
Just imagine the ramifications for the power coaching staff, let alone the playing list, if the Giants get up. I would not want to be a fly on the wall at Alberton come Monday.
Even if the Giants lose, expect a thrilling contest, with all the history and side issues that make for an enthralling AFL match.
On Sunday, we head to the G where Melbourne takes on the travelling Suns.
I know, a clash of the titans, right?
Well, actually, this weekend, yes, it is.
Melbourne is once again surrounded by the ugly tanking controversy, thanks to former player Broc McLean admitting he left the club because of the issue.
Since McLean’s interview on Monday night, commentators have once again resumed their campaign for a change in drafting rules, as well as reheated the old issue over Melbourne’s credibility as a club and its culture.
Now I don’t care about the old clichés, I’m sure footballers have at least some idea of what is being said about them, and I’m certain they don’t always like it. Expect the Demons to respond this weekend.
That might not be all that easy with a plucky Suns team in the way.
Now, the Gold Coast was smashed last week by Sydney. Demoralised, even. That alone can often be inspiring for some players, especially the older ones.
But couple that with some strong performances over the last month against Richmond in Cairns and Brisbane at home, and the Suns will use last week’s game as an impetus to recreate that good form.
All this and I haven’t even mentioned the battle to avoid the wooden spoon!
So I say bring on round 19, and let the clash of the titans begin!
micka
Guest
Dear Andrew and NY, Ultimately your problem with the AFL seems to be that it is a business that is attempting to expand. Is that not what businesses do? Do you not understand that the reach of a sport is what drives it's development? And when you say the AFL might do a little better in western sydney if it pays a little respect to the other sports please go and have a look at what the other codes and their supporters say about the AFL and promptly shut up. If you honestly believe that league and football fans will pay the AFL any Kudos for even the most obvious pluses of the game you are just delusional. NY, how exactly do you propose that the AFL work with othe codes to develop recognition in the region. Your response will be as intriguing as it is entertaining. Should the AFL be financing League teams in their own heartlands? Running buses for league fans out to their grounds? Triple M in melbourne get in athletes from the other codes for interviews and talk up their games and say dates and where to get tickets etc (archie thompson, harry kewell, cameron smith, stirling mortlock, James Oconnor... .and thats is just from Billy and JB's Show). All you get from MG, M Johns and Gus worland at Triple M in sydney is accusations of elitism, rumour mongering about israel folau and other subtle as a sledge hammer, dare i say it, white anting. Have you ever listened to Craig Foster talk about the AFL in a positive light? Football is the world game yet its supporters begrudge AFL getting a bit of TV coverage in one small country. If these other codes are so powerful and popular world wide, why do we need them shoved down our throats here. Why should the AFL pander to codes that should be able to get off their own a**es considering how internationally powerful and popular their supporters say they are. So, NY, the question stands. What in the interest of cooperation will the League and A league be doing to cooperate with the AFL? You know, in the interests of "working with them" surely it should be a two way street... I thought not. Ultimately the AFL and related media is doing more for other codes in melbourne than other codes and their supporters anywhere else, in terms of respect and shared promotion. Then AFL fans have to hear absolute rubbish about how all the other codes are hard done by by the media. Absolute Horses**t.
Lux
Guest
Andrew my key message to NY, which applies as much to you, and to me, and to all ladies, gentlemen and bald-headed babies - be happy with whatever your preferences are. It's no biggie.
NY
Guest
You are right that every sport is boring in it's own sort of way. You mention the nil all draw, but what I actually love about my sport is that the goal or score is so sacred. It makes all the other aspects of the game such as the passing and lead up to an attack so vital, as any slip up can result in a severe punishment. This keeps you glued to the game and its twists and turns. If I was simply interested in the scoring aspect of a sport I suppose I would have chosen basketball or netball. But really in my opinion high scoring sports are far more boring to watch than low scoring sports. In terms of AFL identifying a gap. I am not sure which market they have captured and marketed themselves well to? The whole problem with the AFL is that they have a high'n'mighty attitude that doesn't go down well in Western Sydney. I don't think the team is hated so much. It is more the big corporate machine backing it. Show a little respect for the other sports in the area, and try to work with them instead of against them. This is the best approach to take and in the long run just might be GWS's saving grace.You might find more people will start getting behind them with this approach.
Andrew
Guest
Kyle yep I'm a dud I suspect there will be about 40000 duds, who are club members but don't bother going to the Bulldogs v North game, let alone the other games , Sorry I didn't realize I lived in the AFL governed country of Australia and my life had to revolve around it. Maybe the game of AFL has grown so exponentially in the last 150 years because of the wonderful attitude you have to towards others who don't believe it is the be all and end all
kyle
Guest
Your a dud mate, show a bit of passion you wet blanket
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Andrew, Actually. now is when you find out important things about your side - which of the players are casuals, and which will do anything to avoid losing. Yeah, the season is gone for Port. But do they have enough pride in the jumper to stop a GWS side that has played hard until they run out of legs ? Remember Gold Coast vs Port Adelaide - if GWS do it to them as well, it says their players have no heart or courage. Thats an important thing to find out, in my view, and theres half a dozen teams who are in that position.
Andrew
Guest
Hi Lux "One thing is for sure, here in Australia, a sizeable majority has made their preference known loud and clear" Hmmm....... Then here in Australia we have the majority of Australians that have no interest in AFL If , as Andy D say there are millions of AFL fans in Australia I think he said 6 or 7 million , then the majority of the other 23 million odd people in OZ have no interest , and as 53% of the population live in QLD and NSW and the propaganda machine in those states has done extremely well in being anti AFL then I suspect over 50% see it as a alien game that they don't want. On the Swans , there crowds are ok but in a town of 7.5 million as the only AFL team for 25 odd years , they are still predominantly supported by ex southerners. I suspect the TV ratings in Sydney are a better indication of the love Sydney have for the swans. Anyway I chose to read this article to see if there was any way to gain any interest in the lower part of the AFL ladder , but there isn't, just like the NRL or A league, why as a fan would you care if your team finishes last and all they get is the so called wooden spoon. All this article has reinforced for me , is that if Carlton loose tomorrow it is another wasted year and they are better having lost an earlier game and not having wasted the last few weeks but blooded kids and finished last for better draft picks. Before all you hardcore fans that have no life outside AFL start abusing me saying I am not a real fan remember this of the 6 to 7 million AFL fans , only about 700 000 odd are members of their clubs the rest, not all like me, but maybe little similar go to about 4 to 5 games a year , depending on other activities. I have a life that does in no way revolve around AFL but I do like it. I also go to Melbourne Heart and Victory games , when they play Sydney or Adelaide or if there is some extra aspect to the game, like a Harry Kewell. I have a family and we have many interests why would I waste my time and money on a team that is continually failing like Melbourne for example, when there are so many other entertainment choices, I bet Melbourne will have another 5 year plan coming out soon , telling their fans to give them time. If Carlton was continuously failing I wouldn't give them any of my time or money. This years saving grace has been watching us beat Collingwood twice, but as for me throwing good money after bad on a team like Melbourne , Bulldogs Port etc that will never win another flag in my lifetime or North who may not even be there in 10 years you have to be joking , and to expect any interest for clubs like this , I think you are fighting a losing battle , and as soon as Carlton have no chance in making the 8 , AFL for me is over till 2013. I would prefer they lose the reaming games and fall to 13th /14th if possible for a better draft pick as there is no chance of finishing last. Sorry Damo , your article in now way made me care anymore about the battle for the spoon. The relationships raised are irrelevant to me as a fan. If Port could get relegated by losing the game and disappear for a year I would cheer GWS and show some interest as I dislike Port, but as there are no consequences but only benefits to finishing last , unless you are the premier. It is irrelevant.
Lux
Guest
NY you, and all of your mates, are strongly encouraged to stick with what you know and love best. Honestly, it is no skin off anyone else's nose. People should feel happy with their preferences, you are free to put your money wherever you please. Last time I looked, for a city the size of Sydney, attendances for pretty much all sports were pretty low by any standard you care to mention. My guess is that the AFL has looked at that and wondered to themselves whether a second AFL team in Sydney could attract average Sydney crowds, seeing an obvious gap in the Sydney sporting market. To date, you would have to conclude that they have successfully identified a gap, and have marketed themselves well to that gap. The evidence, from the very healthy Swans attendances and memberships, certainly much healthier than any rugby or soccer club in Sydney, is that there is a sufficient number of Sydneysiders happy to choose "squabbling over a ball for 3 hours" over, say, I don't know, a nil-all draw or a line of blokes falling into each other over and over and over. And in no way is that intended to show disrespect to any sport, as I'm sure you had no intention to show disrespect to Australian Football. The truth is, the majority of sports the world over are pretty boring - just look at the Olympics. One thing is for sure, here in Australia, a sizeable majority has made their preference known loud and clear.
NY
Guest
I just don't see how AFL will break into West Sydney. It's either rugby league or football here. I am a football man and find that AFL lacks the flow and skill that I love seeing so much in a football match. I think you'll find the league guys find AFL too soft. At the end of the day peole don't want to watch guys squabbling over a ball for 3 hours (no matter how athletic they are). The AFL needs to find a way to make the game flow a bit more. Perhaps take a couple of players of the field to take away the congestion. Also stop stopping the clock every time the ball goes out. Not all of us have time to watch a 3 hour match. If the game went for under 2 hours I might just end up watching a game or two!
Cameron
Guest
Can we please focus on the top of the ladder. There is where the interest should be. Cats pip Hawks after the siren .