How good was that? Round 1 of the AFL season has just been completed and as a footy fan I could not be happier.
To see high-scoring matches come to the fore again is fantastic for our great game. Here are five talking points to come out of Round 1.
1. The Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs were brilliant against the reigning minor premiers. This, for me, was the surprise of the round. I expected the Dogs to get up in this game but only by a couple of goals.
The way Fremantle were dismantled has me questioning whether or not the Dockers will be as good as all the ‘experts’ have claimed they will be. Ross Lyon has some work to do.
2. Collingwood
Sydney played outstanding football on Saturday night while the Magpies were poor. With a potentially career-ending injury to Dane Swan, Steele Sidebottom suspended for two weeks and the drug controversy surrounding the club, this is definitely not the start to the season Buckley had in mind.
I feel this was a game that the Pies will forget quickly; expect them to bounce back against Richmond on Friday night.
3. Buddy’s back
Lance Franklin is back and it was a sight for sore eyes. Four goals in the first half, and the back end of last season is naught but a distant memory.
4. Charlie Dixon
As a Port Adelaide fan, it was fantastic to see Charlie Dixon play his first game for the Power. He finished with three goals and his attack on the ball was critical in setting up a number of others.
If Dixon stays injury free and plays 20 games for the year, pencil him in for 60 or more goals and Port to finish in the top four.
5. Deliberate out of bounds
I love how strict the umpires have become on deliberate out of bounds calls. It’s great to see players trying to keep the ball in instead of just walking it straight out. This is definitely one of the AFL’s better rule changes in the last few years.
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