Welcome back footy, and maybe it’s because you’ve been away so long, but Round 1 certainly seemed to throw up a hatful of highlights.
And we’ve still got a game which could – if history is any indication – top all of what we have already seen in Round 1.
I don’t have enough space to individually list all the magical moments, but there were a few specific things which have already stood out.
It started with Richmond, who are showing significant positive signs which were missing in 2014.
There was the magnificent, gutsy effort from the Bombers, who despite a lack of pre-season workouts, did everything but get the four competition points against last season’s grand finalists. And we can’t forget the merit of the Swans to fight back from a seemingly unwinnable position.
Then there was the Magpies firstly blitzing the Lions, then having to withstanding a barnstorming finish.
Luke Beveridge got the perfect coaching start as the Bulldogs beat the Eagles, the Giants got their season off to a winning start for a second successive season, and of course the Round 1-ladder leaders Adelaide were awesome against North Melbourne.
And how about last night’s cracker in Perth? Finals’ footy in April from the Dockers and Port.
But for me the highlight was at the MGC on Saturday afternoon, when the Dees ended their 10-year drought and won for the first time in Round 1 since 2005.
Let’s be honest, the Suns were poor. But credit where it’s due, the Dees were great.
New recruits Heritier Lumumba and Jeff Garlett slotted seamlessly into the team and added some oomph.
Nathan Jones toiled as usual and finally got some reward for all his efforts, Tom McDonald was tough in defence, Jack Viney’s job on Gary Ablett Jr was exceptional and debutantes Jesse Hogan, Aaron Vandenberg and Angus Brayshaw all impressed. Jack Watts even looked like a top-10 draft pick for the first time since he was at the draft camp.
Let’s be honest, the Dees aren’t going to be playing in late September – they won’t be playing in early September – but what they showed on Saturday afternoon is evidence that what Paul Roos is trying to instil in his young group is finally getting through.
When he finished coaching at the Swans at the end of the 2010 season, Roos said he wasn’t a career coach and couldn’t see himself ever coaching again. He changed that at the end of 2013 when he signed with the Dees, but throughout 2014 he must have wished several times he had stood by his original decision to not coach again.
But the premiership-winning coach could not hide his joy on Saturday, declaring: “It was certainly a good day for the club …” and no doubt for the coach too.
The Demons will get a handful of wins, will probably still suffer some substantial losses against the competition’s elite, but purely judging on what I saw on Saturday, they are going to be far more competitive, and far less embarrassing.
And look, again only going on what the weekend produced, they would have to give themselves a realistic hope of matching it with the GWS Giants next Saturday in Canberra.
But maybe more importantly, come September, their long suffering fans will be feeling a whole lot better about the following season than they have for a long time.
Mitcher
Guest
1, 2, 3, 4 - I declare a code war!!!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Don Freo - uncalled for. The NRL had a very healthy attendance average of 18,844 over the weekend.
Don Freo
Guest
Or you could go to the Rugby and watch a tiny crowd throw things at referees. That should grow their game.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
yep - things are looking good this year. GO THE CATS!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
360,354 total attendance for the round. The 7th best round of all time (and the 3rd or 4th best opening round of all time).
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Rick with one very important qualifier: you cannot place your hands on the back or shoulder of your opponent (which is quite similar to soccer rules as well). So as long as you are getting up off the ground initially off your own steam, then your opponents head becomes fair game to be kneed - and that's fair enough as far as I'm concerned!
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
This is an interesting one Jack, and one not easily explained to even an experienced AFL follower. About 20 years ago this argument was brought forward and is constantly monitored each year. The main issue is this: The Laws of the Game Committee deemed the 'mark' one of the Five Pillars that make AFL unique. As such they do not necessarily want to deter players from taking marks, whether it be fair or unfair play. Now I know what you are thinking, what the hell does that mean? Well they decided that if a player goes for a high flying mark and uses an opponents back illegally as a spring board AND takes the mark - it's legal. If, however, they do the same thing and DON'T take the mark, then it is considered an infringement and a free is awarded against them. Confusing hey - welcome to AFL!
Kaks
Roar Guru
A major difference between the AFL and NRL is the commentary. In NRL you will hear a lengthy conversation between the commentators about certain decisions. You may get the odd comment about a blatantly bad call by the AFL commentators, but no one carries on about it and every moves on very quickly
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Great start to the season. I just heard a total attendance of 360000 for round one. Gill will be a happy man indeed and is certainly earning his money.
Don Freo
Guest
Apart from the side that last beat them.
Kaks
Roar Guru
It may be close from 2nd place to about 10th place, but watching the Hawks this week just proved how they are a step ahead of everyone else
Jack
Guest
I started watching AFL last year and one thing concerned me and was apparent again this week. How come if a player pushes an opposition player in the back he is penalised but if a player trying to catch a high ball knees another player (from either side) in the back (spine) and causes an injury he gets to kick a goal and is applauded. I think that when players are trying to catch a high ball they should be penalised if they come into contact with another player's back.
Martin
Guest
Yes thank goodness football is back. Although some people think there are one or two things in life more important than footy but I have not found out what they are yet.
scouser4life
Roar Rookie
compare this with the rubbish at the end of the nrl match between the bulldogs and souths the other day with refs running for cover. afl has them covered easy.
Ac
Guest
That's what I like about AFL supporters try never bag the game ! It doesn't matter what happens thru always are positive
Don Freo
Guest
Pre season, I suggested Melbourne as the big improvers and that they'll be in contention for the eight. I think the CAN play in early September. I tipped Gold Coast for second with the only rider being that Eade might destroy all of Bluey's work. Rocket was already abusing everyone in the first quarter. This could be the worst coaching appointment since Damien Drum.
Gecko
Guest
When you look at the performance of all those recruits - Garlett, Lumumba, Hogan, Brayshaw and Vandenberg - it's the first time this century that Melbourne has got its recruiting right. It really was a good day for the club.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
It has been a good opening round, providing a further indication that this could be one of the most even seasons of the past 20 years.
Handles
Roar Guru
I turned the last quarter of the Freo Port game on last night. My wife (who doesn't really like footy, and especially these two teams) walked past. I looked up 10 minutes later and she was still standing watching the game. It was absolutely gripping. Amazing intensity and skill. I still shed a tear when I see Ollie Wines play like that. (HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A DEMON!) I think Port, despite losing, will play the Grand Final this year, if they can keep the guns on the paddock. The Dees were great, it was really exciting, but even as an optimistic fan I can't see us being better than 2-5 come round 7! (3-4 if we beat Richmond is the absolute upside.) I was really excited by Hogan's debut, but I think he was outshone by Brayshaw. Brayshaw topped the tackle count, won his own ball, and just seemed to have time with it in his hands. Delivery was really good too. I think he only had 9 or 10 possessions, but it was as impressive a debut as I have seen for a long time. I wish we had Petracca to line up along side him. Watts had a good game, but still managed two or three absolute clangers. He must have a tiny concentration span. Welcome back footy! I can't wait for the Geelong - Hawks game this afternoon.