Round 1 lasted forever, and although the Hirds and the Essendon saga threatened to derail the second half of it, there was some excellent footy played.
The Bombers were one of the big winners, again putting a tumultuous 24 hours behind them to dominate a disappointing North Melbourne, who were flattered by the 39-point losing margin.
The Roos were flat and, frankly, terrible. How can you not be at your optimum for the opening round of the season, especially when you are touted as candidates for the eight and in some circles the top four? On Friday’s effort, they are no chance of achieving either.
North lacked effective defensive structures and measures and were more intent on playing front-running and attacking footy, which is attractive to watch, but the Bombers were awake to it and shut them down.
The Roos’ best inside midfielder, skipper Andrew Swallow, is still sidelined with that bad Achilles injury and no one has taken up the slack on a consistent basis, despite a couple of hard bodies in Jack Zeibell and Ben Cunnington being more than capable and experienced enough to do so.
Brent Harvey is approaching 36 and still remains one of their more dynamic players, which is a concern, and even though he is a class act, is former Saint star Nick Dal Santo what North really need?
Drew Petrie can’t afford another three-possession game, because their other key tall forward, Aaron Black, was also down and they lacked targets.
They get a chance to seek retribution this week against a team they have a recent good record against, the Western Bulldogs, who also struggled in Round 1, being thumped by a refreshed and very fit West Coast Eagles.
The Dogs were not predicted to win, but they were expected to put up a fight, with their contested ball skills – one of their strengths of the past 12 months – set to challenge the Eagles, but they were smashed in that department.
The Bulldogs also picked a side which lacked legitimate height in defence against a Land of the Giants forward line. Jordan Roughead was their only tall defender, but he is still learning that role. Dale Morris is extremely brave and was solid against Josh Kennedy, but is undersized. They needed Michael Talia and Tom Young.
Tom Liberatore found out what it’s like to be the hunted, being double-teamed by two of the best in Scott Selwood and Matt Priddis. He really missed the support of new captain Ryan Griffin, who normally beats the opposition’s best stoppers.
The forward line is not imposing and kicking enough goals could become a major problem in 2014. Stewart Crameri received a lucrative contract to move to the Dogs from Essendon, but at best is another of those floating and roaming half forwards.
In short, it’s a new season, but the same old problems face the Bulldogs. On the weekend’s display, they will be hard pressed to win any of the next six games, including Greater Western Sydney in Round 4, who have made tremendous strides.
That must place pressure on Brendan McCartney, who extended his contract at the end of last season. It’s risky for any club to do that, especially with a coach whose record stood at 13 games out of 44, but McCartney and the Dogs are trying to send a message that everyone is on the same page and it’s a slow build. Sunday’s performance suggested they have run out of bricks.
North generally is a good uncontested team, but clearly didn’t work hard enough against the Bombers. They will be hoping next week they can take the lead in contested footy.
North’s loss in Round 1 is more concerning as they were favourites, but the Bulldogs were expected to push the Eagles. The spotlight will be firmly on the loser of their encounter in Round 2.
GazzaW
Guest
What i don't get about the bulldogs is they seem to very good at running with their opponents but don't seem to able to peel off a player to create something going the other way or pressure a free running ball carrier. Their extreme emphasis on being one on one or contesting the ball means to me anyway that while around the packs they look good there nothing up the ground to go to once they have won the ball.
Rose
Guest
Dan, the doggies got licked by a better team, in hot conditions. I agree some of the match ups were wrong, but Macca rightly played those players who earned a game in the preseason. (Everyone used to grumble about Rocket giving the same players a game whether they played well or not). Ryan Griffin our best player was out an Libba as young and as talented as he is, cannot take two taggers this killed the momentum in the midfield. I am confident that this is just a small setback and we will improve on last year. It's a very young team, and needs the supporters to get behind them, not bag them out.
Bill
Guest
Lonergan, you wrote this crap last year about the dogs. Yeah you are right about the height thing and yes we probably will be in the bottom eight. But the dogs will be a better team this year for sure. Any team that travels to Perth no matter who they are will struggle to beat them. Hopefully the dogs will have another crack at the eagles in Melbourne and hopefully they will go ok, and then I will read how well they have improved when I read your article in the roar.
Gregor
Guest
Agree about the heat in Perth. The Eagles were slowing down by the last quarter too and the Doggies kicked 6 goals (to the Eagles' 8!) Melbourne will have 10 players over 190cm to contend with at the MCG. The Bulldogs couldn't. The forecast for Sunday is 24 and cloudy,just perfect
Axle an the guru
Guest
Id be very dissapointed if i was a pie fan, there where they belong. On the bottom -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Kevin
Guest
Top call!!!! LMAO
joe
Guest
I feel dans pain
Noel
Guest
To be fair on the Bulldogs, it was 35 degrees celius just before game time and the last month in WA has been extremely hot. The West Coast players were obviously used to the conditions, it was evident 15 minutes into the first quarter that Cooney, Libba and the other Bulldogs onballers had their tongues hanging out. I will reserve judgement on them until after the North game.
leonie
Guest
While Dan Lonergan continues to sprout his brand of negativity regarding the bulldogs, I will not read or listen to him. If his accolades for journalism are about his for versatility then they are equally matched by his dour negativity. Get over yourself Dan and your negativeity every time about the bulldogs
Brian
Guest
Why isn't Sydney on this list. North only played one game and people forget how good the Bombers are in the first half of each season before the drugs wear off.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I don't know why I fall for the Kangaroo Hype every year! They are nothing more than a mid range team. How they continue to miss the glare that the Tigers and Blues get I don't know! Brad Scott shouldn't be given another season. Surely his time is up!
TomC
Roar Guru
I didn’t watch the Eagles-Dogs game, although I caught most of it on radio. Western must’ve been really bad to be compared to the insipid Roos though. Enough has been said about North. I see the Dogs as being around the bottom handful of teams, not separated by much from the likes of Melbourne and St Kilda, although most seem to have them higher. Last year they had a handful of exciting wins, and some narrow losses, but even more pretty abject performances that I think might’ve slipped some people’s minds over the summer. Most notably a dismal loss to the Dees and very nearly becoming the Giants’ first victim of the year in Canberra. So in that context it really shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that they’re capable of turning out some very disappointing games. On their worst form last season, they wouldn’t have won a match all year, yet obviously they did. They’re a team we’ll need to watch for a couple of months before we figure out where they are.
Ash of Geelong
Guest
Its round 1 , the roos lost move on. I expect that loss to galvanise the group so watch out dogs, pies and who ever is next.
duncan
Guest
The roos match wasn't really much of a surprise as they don't seem to like playing hard contested footy. Not sure how they would have gone when grounds used to be mud heaps and gravel pits. Can't comment on the dogs match as I didn't watch it or any highlights. But was under the impression that they had some good young talent coming through the ranks