Things are rarely as good or as bad as they seem after Round 1.
Fremantle and Collingwood fans have a right to be concerned after dismal first-up showings on the road, but they need look back only 12 months to see that a Round 1 hiding doesn’t necessarily spell disaster.
North Melbourne were given a 77-point belting by the Crows at Adelaide Oval last season. In the long campaign that followed, the Roos qualified for finals and made it to their second successive preliminary final.
So for the Dockers and Pies, it’s back to the drawing board for a chance to redeem themselves in Round 2.
What of the big winners though? Western Bulldogs, Sydney and Gold Coast all have mighty percentages thanks to comprehensive season-opening victories.
In the past ten seasons, 16 teams have ended Round 1 with a percentage of greater than 190 – 13 of those teams have gone on to play finals.
The Bulldogs and Swans gave the doubters reason to doubt themselves with powerful performances against opponents with finals aspirations, while the Suns made light work of an Essendon outfit that looked more like a VFL team than an AFL one.
Lance Franklin, Luke Parker and Kieren Jack reminded the football world just how significant their absences were in last year’s finals series and – in classic Sydney fashion – debutants Callum Mills, Tom Papley and George Hewett all looked immediately at home at the highest level. In his 15th game, the highly rated Isaac Heeney looked like a player of ten-times that experience.
Sydney had 43 scoring shots from 76 inside-50s. Had they kicked straight, the result could have been much uglier than the final 80-point margin, which flattered the Magpies.
For those of us who thought the Swans were in for a transition year as they regenerated their list with young talent, early signs suggest that young talent is already good enough to make a meaningful contribution.
At Etihad Stadium, the Dogs out-Fremantled Fremantle, beating the reigning minor premiers at every contest as they squeezed the life out of them with relentless pressure before burning them off with exhilarating ball movement.
The Bulldogs mauled the Dockers, winning contested possessions 157-113, clearances 35-24 and, despite having 158 more disposals, they even out-tackled Fremantle 62-55.
“They were out for a street fight, really, and we were out for a nice Sunday stroll … we got what we deserved,” Ross Lyon said after suffering his first Round 1 loss as coach of the Dockers.
The Dogs had meaningful contributions from all 22 players in a performance that would suggest their best footy will be even better than what they produced on the way to a finals campaign in 2015.
***
A new season means the chance reshape reputations, and few players could do with an image makeover more than Melbourne’s Jack Watts.
The 2008 number one pick has been one of the game’s most maligned players. On Saturday, when the Demons needed someone to stand up, Watts answered the call.
Melbourne trailed the Giants by 21 points at three-quarter time. Just 20 seconds into the final term, Watts marked strongly 25 metres out and kicked truly to start the comeback.
A few minutes later it was Watts again who marked on the lead at centre-half forward, turned quickly and pinpointed a 40-metre pass to a leading Jesse Hogan, who converted to cut the GWS lead to three points.
In all, Watts had eight of his 18 disposals after the final break, in what was a ten out of ten fourth-quarter performance.
peter chrisp
Guest
Tricky as a Pies supporter i have to agree the side looks good on paper and expectations were pretty high and everyone has their ideas & thoughts on where we will end up this year after the last couple of years dismal performances, the first game was a shocker and the Swans hammered us and deservedly so, we have some good new recruits and young kids but i would imagine it would take at least 3-4 years or longer for those players to become "good" players. Most likely will need at least 100 games? It's a long way to the top, and next Friday against The Tigers hmmm if i was a betting man.
Tricky
Guest
Personally - even before this 80 point loss I could not take Solace or have a positive view. TBH everyone is talking about Collingwood potentially moving up the ladder but that's just it potential. These are the key points why I don't see my beloved Pies contend for that 8th position and will probably stay in 12th or slide. Most importantly - this team has had many recruits over the last 3- 4 years with some additions just over the summer, that means that this team needs time to gel and know each other. Successful teams have that core group that have spent at least 4-5 years together, we don't yet The amount of traffic fighting for the 8, they're are teams more likely than us like Cats, GWS Adelaide, Port - we're probably on par with the Dees if anything Luck, can't make it without it - already this season it could be career ending for Swannie, fingers crossed but even a good result will see him out for a minimum half a season. Varcoe before season start for a month, Sides out for 2 (not luck really). And of course the illicit drugs debacle, If that is luck by definition then it can only be bad. You could take this as a negative however these facts cannot be denied, I see us 0-2 by next Friday and that my friend I cannot take solace from.
Adrian Polykandrites
Expert
He's almost the perfect modern half forward. Hogan's eyes would light up every time Watts sends it in his direction. Just need to see him stand up in a game of higher intensity though.
Ryan Buckland
Expert
Great stuff Adrian; a very level-headed take on the round. I absolutely agree on Watts and I said it on the day: its amazing what happens when you play a talented dude in a role that makes the most of his talents. Let's hope he stays forward.