They were the two closest sides to last year’s premiership behind Hawthorn: Port Adelaide and Sydney. Now the hot take from Round 1 suggests the Hawks have gone to another level.
So where does that leave Port Adelaide and the Sydney Swans?
Tonight, we get some insight. The two sides meet at Adelaide Oval after somewhat sluggish starts to the season last week.
The Power fell to Fremantle in Perth – by no means a terrible result but a reversal of last year’s semi final – and the Swans looked done before their heroic comeback in the win over Essendon.
This was followed by Hawthorn’s emphatic win over Geelong on Easter Monday, which rightly led to a wave of praise for the Hawks.
Without a dominant display from any other side to finish in last year’s top six, the Hawks were always going to stand out, but it’s hard to argue with the “another level” line – everything seems to be ticking along nicely out at Waverley.
That leaves neutral observers in the position of waiting for a challenger to emerge.
Tonight, if one of these two clubs can assert themselves over the other, we could get one.
My gut feel heading into 2015 was that the top six cluster of last year will be reduced to four – Hawthorn, Sydney, Port Adelaide and Fremantle will be battling it out at the top come September, while Geelong and North Melbourne will drop to the next tier down.
Round 1 backed up such thoughts about the Cats and Roos, who each have tougher draws relative to last year and obvious issues – be that the need for support underneath the top tier in Geelong’s case or the worrying trend of allowing opposition key forwards to dominate at North – that weren’t really addressed over the break.
When you look at list changes, both clubs lost established young midfielders in Allen Christensen and Levi Greenwood but added upside-heavy key forwards (Mitch Clark and Jarrad Waite) during the off-season. There’s a chance of breaking even, sure, but those obvious issues weren’t really tackled.
So when it comes to taking the limelight away from Hawthorn, for me – at the moment – it really comes down to three clubs.
Adelaide may have provided a “watch this space” message last week and Essendon might look a bit dangerous after getting over their interrupted pre-season, but right now it’s down to three.
Of those, Fremantle’s start to the season couldn’t have gone any better.
Port Adelaide and Sydney, though, will be itching to make a statement.
Port are interesting in that they have one of the toughest draws this year, playing Hawthorn, Sydney, Fremantle and a potentially much more competitive Adelaide twice.
That could hurt, but they didn’t lose any major pieces over the break. Indeed, the addition of Patrick Ryder ensured they most certainly came out ahead list-wise. The injury list doesn’t pose any serious concerns yet, either.
The Swans head into this season with the motivation and focus losing a grand final provides, plus as we saw last week they have a number of match-winners to turn to when the going gets tough.
Losing Nick Malceski was a big blow however, comfortably the biggest loss personnel-wise among those top four contenders. That the club had its hands tied in the trade period didn’t help.
Overall, both clubs are positioned to be there or thereabouts. Port’s path to success will require it to take big scalps, while the Swans will need to overcome the loss of a key piece.
The dream was all too close last year.
Port were three points short of the eventual premiers in the preliminary final. Sydney won the minor premiership, advanced to the grand final as favourites and just couldn’t fire on the big day.
The signs are that both will be firmly in the mix again this year, but whether that translates into going one further remains to be seen.
There’s one big obstacle in the way and it’s wearing brown and gold.
Don Freo
Guest
See The Bombers fly up...up....
Don Freo
Guest
Who is 'we'? Hawthorn? Do you think you're ready to break your losing streak against The Purple People?
Big Dallo
Guest
Freo are the hawks. What a classic comment. The only thing similar between the two teams is the number of players on the field at the same time. As far as the swans struggling for top 8 that is another Don Classic one liner. Dons half cocked comments give me a great laugh during footy season keep up the great work my friend.
Mark
Guest
Will you still feel this way if we beat you in a couple of weeks?
Don Freo
Guest
Freo this year are the Hawks. Sydney will be in the struggle for the eight. Don't be seduced...although you may already be.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
I still remain steadfast in my view that it should have been Port in instead of us given what happened on GF day. Although, would anyone have got close? Good question. I think this is a genuine top 3 battle this year like around 2010/2011 where it was Geelong/St Kilda/ Collingwood at their own zenith, then daylight, then Bulldogs. Don't get me wrong, all three sides can lose to the lesser rates. Fremantle are the Bulldogs in this case. But we wait and see. They have the talent, do they have the edge? What Swans did tonight to Power, while all guns blazing, was just one team showing up and battering another team. It happens. And it can be recovered from.
Mitcher
Guest
No doubt mate. Your commitment is unquestioned. I know we both enjoyed tonight's win!
Mitcher
Guest
Yeah but yeah, but no. Forgive me my indulgence :) What a dominant win. Can we make the 8?
Jerome
Guest
The SWANS are vulnerable in the early stages of a new season.A good result may well be an honourable loss.Assess them after round 5.
Mark
Guest
I know exactly how you feel.
Mark
Guest
Tom Mitchell can't even get a game when McVeigh and McGlynn are out injured. I know it's your opinion but jeez, where did you pull that one from?
AB
Guest
Michael, you've obviously taken the 2014 Grand Final loss pretty hard. I remember that you were very fair-minded in your comments leading into the game and certainly weren't one of those Sydney fans who underestimated Hawthorn. For what it's worth, I think Sydney will be one of the top four sides again this year; and probably top two. They have too much depth and talent to drop very far. And having watched the Grand Final replay more times than is healthy for a grown man, I can tell you that Hawthorn really did approach football perfection that day. It's easy to focus on the Hawks' physical pressure, but their decision-making and disposal was just freakish at times. I've been watching Hawthorn for 40 years and have never seen them play better (and given some of the great Hawthorn teams over that era, I don't make that statement lightly). Sure, Sydney could've applied more pressure, but no-one was getting close to Hawthorn that day.
Mitcher
Guest
What exactly is the frequency of travel required before travel, in fact, becomes travel? As determined in the lab by ... you?
Michael huston
Guest
I was completely fine with Sydney's mental collapses until it cost us our whole 2014 season. Now, instead of being remembered as the dominant team we were, we are now the guys who resembled a first-year side. But that's not also why. I genuinely just find it frustrating that Sydney seem to struggle to get their mojo when I know they can in most cases, do so much better. And I don't think it's being a poor fan. Criticising them on their efforts is something I'm sure the coaches and players do themselves, so why can't a fan? I'm red and white until the day I die but under-performing is under-performing.
Don Freo
Guest
That's not travel. What Freo and West Coast do every fortnight is travel. I think we'll see today how good Freo was last week. Sydney's midfield seems very shallow. Port by 4 to 6 goals.
Adam3000
Guest
It's round 2, a lot of football, injuries suspensions etc to happen between now and the finals
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
It does seem Michael has got himself a big block on struggle street and is building a double story with just the one window, heavily tinted.
Mitcher
Guest
Cheer up mate. Why so glum always. You're allowed to enjoy footy. "Singin' don't worry, about a thing. Coz every little thing is gonna be alright' (Marley, Bob).
Michael huston
Guest
I think it's curious that the Hawks beat Geelong - a supposed threat - by 63 points, and are suddenly slated to be country miles ahead of everyone, when Sydney beat that same team by 110. I think it says more about where Geelong are than where the Hawks are. As for this week, Sydney need to prove they aren't weak as piss. Quite frankly, I'm tired of seeing them switch between cruise-control against bottom sides and lazy efforts against other, with the occasional brilliant performance. I know we're just as good as Hawthorn when both teams are switched on, but full credit to the Hawks, they give 100% 9/10 times. Sydney? I'd say they give 100% about 4/10 times. It's seriously frustrating. I don't know if Horse isn't bringing out the best in them, but then how do you explain the underdog resilience of their 2012 and 2013 seasons, and their dominant 2014? Maybe it's their health! Oh wait! They're in great shape compared to most others. Or maybe they're an old list? But then how do you justify the times when the likes of Jetta, Hannebery, Reid, Rohan - the younger guys - are virtually nowhere to be seen? I'm baffled. It's not a huge disaster yet. It's only been two bad games, but they were very, very, very bad. If it was a team that finished 10th, I'd excuse them. If it was a team that finished sixth, I'd excuse them. But we were grand finalists, and based on six games (R1, R2, R4, R23, GF and last week) where the whole team seems to just collapse, i'm concerned. And just look at the opponents of those games: GWS, Collingwood, North Melbourne, Richmond and an unprepared Essendon. It shows they go in with a crappy arrogant attitude that is frankly unacceptable. Truthfully, taking my red-and-white coloured glasses off, if we go in with a lack of respect for our opponent this week, I hope Port dish us everything we deserve.
Mitcher
Guest
Interesting draw for swans. Two absolute smash up road trips to Adelaide and Perth in first four rounds. Later a trip to Geelong and another trio to Perth for the eagles. If they win one of port or freo away early I find it hard to out them outside the eight. But the psychological damage of the GF will be interesting in terms of confidence. Even without the structurally vital malceski I think there's enough cattle for top four. Either way, I will NEVER again swing down to Melbourne for a GF thinking we have it in the bag. What was I thinking! Love footy!!!