It was a long day on Anzac Day. Some attended the dawn services, some watched the marches, and then some headed to the local for a game or two of two-up.
It was a long day, and you could be excused for feeling like your eyes had dumbbells on them by dinner time. However, if you were like me, what happened soon after was enough to blast anyone out of their slumber.
Two remarkable games of footy were played by the four teams which I believe are clearly the best four teams in the competition. Both matches were played with incredible similarities, and both, while providing clear winners, left the losers with plenty to take home.
The back button on my Foxtel remote control was smoking by the end of the night, and those weary eyes, in need of match sticks just three hours earlier, were now wide open.
Port Adelaide were brilliant. It was stunning the way they started. It was like watching men playing against boys, and everything they did worked. And when the margin got out to almost ten goals in the second quarter, you were almost waiting for the umpire to stop the fight.
It was party time in Adelaide, and everyone wanted to join in.
But a ten goal to three second half not only had a few of the partygoers getting a little anxious and nervous, but showed the quality of the Hawks.
A loss is a loss and four competition points missed, but I reckon Alastair Clarkson – despite all the post-match drama – would have managed a smile when reflecting on the effort of his team.
To have gone under by eight points, coming back from where they were, in front of a hostile and fanatical crowd, I actually think that while Port got the points, the game does more for Hawthorn than it does their rivals.
Across in Perth, cue similar scenario.
While it was virtually unbelievable to watch what was happening in Adelaide, when you flicked over to the Fremantle-Sydney game it was like you were watching a replay, except with the teams in different colours.
Just like the Power, the Dockers were brilliant, and made quality opposition look like amateurs early on.
The scoreboard was not as brutal as it was in Adelaide, but the domination was mirrored. Freo were all over the Swans, and at the main break, it was also party time in Perth as the visitors trailed by just three point less than the Hawthorn half-time deficit – 48 points.
But again, the vanquished rallied, and the Swans while losing, cut the margin to just 14 points. Like Clarkson, John Longmire wouldn’t have been looking to jump out of the plane on the flight home from Perth.
Some might say that in both games it would have simply been a case of the leaders relaxing and the chasers getting some cheap catch up goals, but anyone who watched the games will quickly tell you it wasn’t the case.
And, play both of those games at the opposite venues, and who know what he results might have been.
As both Port and Freo showed, the value of a fast start in front of a home crowd is enormous. Both Hawthorn and Sydney were blown apart before they had time to warm up, and it will be a major lesson to both.
I wouldn’t expect it to happen again.
It’s only Round 4 and a lot will change over the next four months, but if these four teams are thereabouts come September I wouldn’t be disappointed at all.
At the moment they sit first (Dockers), fourth (Swans), seventh (Hawks) and 13th (Port) – but they’ll be battling for top four come August I think.
Some may have thought Adelaide was another contender after their first three matches, but after yesterday’s late game, I think they are still a way off the other quartet.
I guess we will see when they meet Port next weekend, just like we will find out a little more about their Sunday arvo conquerors, the Bulldogs, when they come to Sydney to play the Swans on Saturday
And some might suggest North are also a candidate after their tough win against Geelong yesterday and a strong performance against Port last weekend.
Well, we’ll see what happens against Hawthorn next weekend.
13th man
Guest
These are two of the best teams in the AFL. they should not be playing in regional Tasmania! It is too much of an advantage to the Hawks by forcing the Dockers into two flights. I reckon Freo need to be allowed to do a charter flight!
Balthazar
Guest
Ben: Whereabouts in my post did you read that I had "guaranteed" anything? I am a Freo fan ergo I am beset with doubt every time they take to the field. For the hell of it, if I had to answer your questions now, I would say (a) Port - yes (b) Hawks - not in Tasmania, yes at Domain, maybe at the MCG However, people who are trying to rewrite the Swans and Port games as moral victories for those teams need a quick trip to OPSM. I have in all my posts acknowledged how terrific the Swans were in the third and I highly rate all of the Swans, Hawks and Ports as competitors
Ben
Guest
Tim - definitely Hawks deserve to back themselves anyone and anywhere. Port's midfield could get better with Robbie Gray and Ollie Wines though so I don't think the midfield injuries will be the answer. Controlling the run on which Hawks have always be good at is key as Port can get the biggest run on's I've ever seen, almost kill a team in a quarter. Don't forget 3 goals in 3 minutes in the second quarter too. Have to play 4 quarters against Port. But as you said anyone, anywhere.... will be good to see them play again.
Ben
Guest
Balthazar - Freo are the best team right now and if the finals were this week I would say they are the favourites to win the flag but not a guarantee. However the finals are not for a long time and you don't know where Freo will end up on the ladder... You only beat Port by 7 points in a round one game at home... what if you need to play them at home first round of the finals? Confident? Do Freo have the fitness to continue their attacking game plan? How do they match up with Hawthorn? They haven't played them yet, what if they play them first round of the finals? Everyone is a chance when they get to the GF, but getting there is the hardest thing.
deccas
Guest
I don't think you will have any trouble with North. I know they pushed Port Adelaide all the way, but they looked softer in the first 5 minutes, worried about getting hurt, and I never doubted for a second that Port would win that game. Against the Hawks North will show that they are just a little too soft to really stick it with the big boys.
Pope Paul vii
Guest
Will be fascinating. Northies will get in the top 4 but I'm a tad biased.
penguin
Guest
I love that top four. An advertisement for everything that is good about AFL! What a wonderful combination of skill, toughness, courage and indomitableness. And they are all brilliant teams to watch who give so much to their supporters. Nothing but respect for the Hawks who have the best coach and selection panel and some of the best looking and most marketable footballers going around, adventurous and they spread the word wherever they go. They are a brand! Freo are fantastic under Ross Lyon - just fast and skilled, but with super defence. Their forwards defence won them the game against the Swans with at least 3 holding the balls paid in their forward 50. And they have the best player in the comp in Fyfe. A real success story and nobody deserves to be captain of a premiership team more then Pav. From where they were Port are a standout. The bravest of the top 4 in terms of play on footy with an experienced older coach who just oozes success and confidence. The best of the top teams to watch. How Richmond, Qld teams, and most of the lower Melbourne teams would love to have Hinkley as their coach! Swannies are the most traditional in set up and game plan, with a talented squad but with a pure working class defence. Commitment and honesty is their credo. The team you want by your side as you go over the parapet. Can beat anyone on their day but also most likely to lose to a more flexible, beautiful kicking team. A great team to support! For mine, it is still Hawthorns to lose, and my heart is with the Swannies, but nobody could begrudge Port, Ken, Freo, Ross or Pav a premiership! Great season so far!
Me Too
Guest
Lot of people talking up Freo. They are playing well - but struggled to beat Port and Sydney at home - nothing I saw suggested Freo would be favoured to win either game away. If they finish top two and stay injury free (and don't meet the Hawks in a final) they ahould play in the grannie. But i'd have them at fourth favourite. Hawks, Swans, Port, Freo. Hawks the only team I'd back to make it from outside the top two.
andrew
Guest
macca - i was at the game yesterday, it was a very strong breeze. hardly the conditions for pin-point footy, let along aethetically pleasing footy docklands style. north did well to prove they can play in the outdoor elements that arise from time to time, and we all know they play well at etihad under the roof. whilst the cats had a few out yesterday. north had more out. mc donald, mc millan, grima, wells, dal santo and hansen are in their best 18. they will get 4 of them back this week.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Too early to call I reckon. Should be many ups and downs this season as all sides have been vincilble, even young Freo, though admittedly they are mostly playing to Don's lofty standards. North lost narrowly to Port, could have easily gone their way. Plus they've got the easybeats ( Hawthorn, not the band ) this weekend so they'll be right up there.
Macca
Guest
Look forward to it Ryan!
Ryan Buckland
Expert
You're right on Essendon. I've had a deep look at them for tomorrow's column and the answers to their issues are both quite obvious, but also less obvious. It's a season where one side that looked down and out last year could make a run for the eight, but yes they will be roadkill for the top four.
Macca
Guest
You might be right on the next 3 slots but none of them are overly impressive - Essendon are the second lowest scoring side (weather might play a part in this) and while they took it up to Sydney and beat the Hawks they were underwhelming against the blues and Pies, I have only watched the Roos against Adelaide and Geelong and neither time did the impress me and Adelaide looked great round 1 but must have been terrible yesterday. From 5 down is still anyones guess but none are going to impact the finals seriously.
Ryan Buckland
Expert
I'll save my substantive (very substantive...you have been warned) comments on this for tomorrow's column. But I agree that the top four played each other on Saturday night, with perhaps the only wrinkle that Hawthorn played Port Adelaide away from home. I've got Essendon, the Roos, and probably Adelaide in next three slots, while eighth spot is very open and up for the taking.
Brian
Guest
will let that go through to the keeper.
Balthazar
Guest
No they haven't. watch both games again. Sure the Swans were steam roling them in the third but Freo ended the 4th stronger. It's even less true about the Port game - Port was ahead at the end of every quarter. Freo pulled away strongly in the 4th.
13th Man
Guest
I disagree about Freos mental issues. I think they will learn from 2013 GF and will be better for it. last year they just copped injuries to key players at the wrong time (similar to Swans in 2013) so its a bit of an aberration to be honest. I think come september Freo will be right up there and if they can get a home QF by finishing top 2 I would back them to go all the way!
Macca
Guest
Good comment TomC.
TomC
Roar Guru
Not sure Melbourne deserve to be in that company, but Western and GWS are intriguing prospects. Both of them might find it harder to keep their form going over the course of the season as they lose players to injury - very young squads, lacking a bit of depth. Frankly, I think both Western and GWS have outperformed Geelong by quite a bit. The Giants pantsed the same Gold Coast team that pushed the Cats for four quarters the previous week.
Balthazar
Guest
No they just want to give the Hawks their usual leg up by making us play in Tasmania.