We all knew the Swans couldn’t be as poor as they’ve looked with a new $10 million player, that the Giants are improved and that Melbourne in 2014 still harbour recent demons. But some of the things we learned this round are far more interesting.
For the second week in succession, North won a game they could easily have lost in previous seasons, Port Adelaide showed all the ingredients to become a very good side, Geelong knew how to get the job done, and the Gold Coast were the best team in Queensland.
These were the things we mostly already knew, but just wanted confirmed this round. Some other questions were far less obvious, though.
Are St Kilda better than we all anticipated? Narrow wins over Melbourne and GWS left most wondering where they sat, but to go to Perth and match it with a team that has been dominant in 2014 was impressive. They now look a team that will finish closer to 8th than 18th.
As for the Eagles, while the bandwagon started to fill in the first two rounds, a few might be wondering how long the ride will be. They are undefeated, but are they really the calibre of the top sides? We’ll find out this week when they head to the Cattery.
Just how the Bombers would go in 2014 was a query, but Mark Thompson has managed to instil something significant in this Essendon side. The way they dismantled Carlton was beyond impressive. They are slick, tough, and reminded me at times of the great Geelong sides that Bomber coached. Next week’s clash in Perth with Freo is tantalising.
For the Blues… What can you say? Woeful, awful, disappointing, inept – take your pick. Something is definitely wrong. If he wasn’t Mick Malthouse, would the coach at Carlton still have a job this morning?
The optimistic supporters will point to the fact they also lost three straight to start 2013, but went on to make the finals, albeit courtesy of Essendon’s expulsion. But last year they were losses with merit – to Richmond by 5, Collingwood by 17 and Geelong by 16.
This year again it was close against the Tigers – two goals – but what about the 33-point loss to Port, and last night’s abysmal 81-point thrashing by Essendon.
Nobody would be happier than Malthouse to see the Blues have Melbourne this week, but even with a massive win against the Dees, the pressure on the man brought in to take the club to the next level will intensify in coming weeks.
Last but possibly most significant was Hawthorn’s demolition of their 2013 grand final opponent, Fremantle.
While some premiers fumble their way through the early rounds after winning a flag, that hasn’t been the case for the Hawks. They were amazing on Friday night, and testament to that was how awful they made Fremantle look.
They tore the Dockers apart without Luke Hodge, Ben Stratton, Brad Sewell, Brian Lake or Ben McEvoy. I know Fremantle were without stars such as Michael Barlow, Nat Fyfe and Zac Dawson, but Freo could have had an extra five players and still not got near the Hawks.
There is no complacency in 2014, and they certainly aren’t missing Buddy Franklin. The hunger the Hawthorn players have in their eyes, a hunger which comes out in the way they play the game, is that of men who have experienced the ultimate success and desperately want to return to the top of the mountain again.
I for one am not going to suggest they can’t.
As for Fremantle, their fans, their coach, and the players themselves will hope it was an aberration. Like many teams though, we will find out a little more about the 2014 Dockers – the pick of many to go one better than last year – in the coming weeks when they meet Essendon, Sydney, North, then have their derby against the Eagles.
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
I hope your thoughts bring you comfort Michael, because I'm not sure they have much basis in reality. Your assessments of Pavlich, Walters, Ballantyne and Mayne are based on....what? Some stereotyped idea I'd guess, formed by watching a very limited number (if any) of Freo games through not well formed, but very entrenched biased opinions. As for Freo not thrashing highly rated opponents, didn't Freo crush Sydney in a prelim last year? Did they not also thrash a team that then buttered up and knocked over the Swans the following week this year?
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
Oh and we shouldn't forget the "Matty Lloyd Special" Ryder used on McPharlin to concuss him out of the match in the first quarter too.
Dalgety Carrington
Guest
I would like to nominate that win by the Bombres last year against Freo as one of the luckiest of all time. They could easily have been 10 or 12 goals down at half time. Started pulling out some of the flukiest goals in the third. In the last Freo had about 4 or 5 of the last scoring shots, including one from the goal square that hit the inside back portion of the goal post in the dying seconds that would've put them in front.
pope paul v11
Guest
I was that guy too Stav, see how the long run suits them
clarion
Guest
Not a lot of debate about Collingwood who will likely finish amongst the bottom six during 2014, only to be saddled with inept wanabee FIGJAM for two more seasons.
Michael huston
Guest
Jack, not sure if you were referring to my comment or not. If so, I wasn't implying that Geelong hadn't yet defeated a top team, I just meant that both Sydney and Geelong - two teams everyone knows are the elite - have yet to really flex their muscles and win in style like the Hawks have (sorry my Swans, one massive quarter against Adelaide doesn't count)
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Doesn't mean they cannot recover. Like I have said about WCE in other articles remains the same here, wait awhile for the teams to settle down and get sorted. Hell Western Bulldogs could continue their form from last season if they were to get their act together and push for top 8. Adelaide could as well. Much is possible in football and too much is taken from first few rounds.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Can't mark? Are you kidding me? Reid's asset is his marking ability. His accuracy has been improving as well. Longmire has also said Reid will predominantly play in the forward line this season. Derixkx isn't that hopeless at rucking but he can't do anything else (from what we have seen). When Tippett comes back I am sure he will be worth it.
AR
Guest
ASADA has given itself a 15 April deadline.
Winston
Guest
Well I've seen their 3 games this year and have to disagree with you. It doesn't matter whose "fault" it is that Tippett is injured. The fact is, we pay him loads, and he's not playing, therefore dud deal. It's that simple in relation to him. Yes I have seen Reid this year and still think he sucks. I think they'll have to move him to defence on the basis that he can't mark and can't kick straight. You're probably right that Laidler and Derickx are interim options, but they're so bad it's like giving the opposition a 19th and 20th player. If I was the opponent and didn't know what to do with the ball, I would think, "give the ball to Derickx/Laidler because they'll just give it straight back to us." Btw, I am a Swans supporter, so I'm not just saying all this to diss the team.
Cat
Roar Guru
playing bad teams and doing what you are supposed to and winning them all >>>>>>>>>>>> playing bad teams and only managing a single win.
Cat
Roar Guru
master tactician? is that what you are calling his obfuscation and spin doctoring now? lol
Cat
Roar Guru
nah even if St kilda hit a goal in dying seconds they still lose by 6 ... they lost by 12.
macca
Guest
No I suggested they "could be" 0-4 given the draw they had - big difference. And if the selectors would pick the correct team the blues would be much improved - Cripps, Graham, Casboult all should be brought in this week - Docherty and Judd will come in soon.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Finally someone else realise's Geelong haven't really beaten anyone significant yet. Nor have Swans but most people acknowledge that
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
I would suggest Thompson is behind most of Hird's good coaching
Michael huston
Guest
But Dave, the difference is he doesn't have the forward pressure required to win a flag, and unless he builds his team into an attacking machine very quickly, his talented list will be wasted. Sydney were very defensive, but they could also gather momentum and pile on goals through Hall, O'Loughlin etc. Fremantle have Pavlich, an aging tall forward struggling to adapt to the changing game where forwards are more agile, Mayne who is admittedly great at applying pressure yet fails to stand up when needed, Walters, a small forward who is great when he's on, but non-existent when he's off. And Ballantyne, the forward too busy getting into off ball disputes and thinking about his own ego to actually play the game. There may be games when he kicks a lot of goals, but is that in the games when he's not suspended or the games when he's too greedy to pass the ball to someone with a better opportunity? As for St Kilda, he did a good job with them, though I don't think there was ever a time that team was good as Collingwood and Geelong in 2009 and 2010. Everybody is saying Fremantle's defensive style is great if they can just get two more goals a game. That won't cut it. Last year, the Hawks ripped teams apart in a quarter of football with dominance all over the field, piling on goals, as did the Swans in 2012. Fremantle have only ever dominated a game against bottom sides. Don't get me wrong, they're one of the best sides, but they aren't THE best side (that title belongs to Hawthorn and, when at their best, Sydney). I also think Ross Lyon is sure to continue developing a more flexible style since he can't keep losing against sides that just attack like savages. However, it needs to happen now. They aren't that young a side, and their recruiting has always been average. He needs to do something with THIS team because it won't be long before new threats in the Suns, Essendon etc. emerge whilst older threats like Sydney and Hawthorn continue to dominate. They're at the best they've ever been so action needs to be taken to improve further. Don't be surprised if Fremantle are on top of the ladder all season, or if they make it to the GF, but that will be as far as it goes since their style of play simply will not defeat Hawthorn. Teams that are more flexible such as Geelong and Sydney have experience in beating Hawthorn and have the game plan and talent that could do it (if they are at their best, both teams appear shaky so far). I'm putting a Freo vs Hawthorn grand final, with Sydney's bad start costing them a few spots on the ladder. Hawks may even win by a greater margin than last year given their form so far.
dave
Guest
Goals win fans Defence wins flags. Have you heard that before? Unfortunately Ross may have taken it a bit too far.Although.... He did learn that approach at Sydney with Paul Roos and they didnt do too bad.He then took it to Saints and they didnt do too bad.He then took it to Freo and they're going not to bad. He will win a flag. BTW there is huge similarities between his start at Saints and Dockers .Im pretty sure both made the GF in his second season. The year after Saints made GF i think they won 19 or so games and just come up short in the next GF. IMO He's got a better team to work with this time around.
Jakarta Jeff
Guest
Hird is an inspirational coach and master tactician. Unfairly vilified by the media and anti-Essendon mob. Bomber is also a master tactician and trainer. Bomber has the track record at Geelong and Essendon is fortunate to have him. I hope we keep him. I'd love to see them co-coach and use both their strengths. A 2-1 record in 2014 doesn't compare with the 9-0 record under Hird in 2013. Which teams were played etc etc? Has a big impact. Hird's team in 2013 beat Freo in Perth so let's wait and see if Bomber's team in 2014 can repeat the performance.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Not Tippet's fault had got injured. Deal was also in motion before the suspension. Who was our best goalkicker last season and considering he played less than half the games that showed who how poor we were. Winston have you seen Reid this year? He has played well competitively and taken numerous top marks already. He is improving immensely. Laidler is a fill-in position and Derickx probably could be considered that also until Naismith improves. Grundy needs to go. Hasn't had a good game since at least 2012 I would say. Jack is getting tagged out of games? He is a tagging tagger. He is tagged and does tagging. Goodes I am unsure of but we will see.