And we are back! 2017 is here, my friends, and if you’re anything like me you are already brimming with excitement for a new AFL season.
Just in case you enjoyed a few too many beverages over the holiday period, here to refresh your memory on what’s happening the game right now are my six big questions for the AFL in 2017.
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1. Are we in any danger of signing a new CBA?
Given Gillon McLachlan’s usually prodigious ability to dot the Is and cross the Ts well ahead of schedule, the fact that we are two weeks into 2017 already and still don’t have a new Collective Bargaining Agreement to govern the game this year and in the future is truly baffling.
In fact, probably the only thing more surprising is how little coverage in the mainstream media this has inspired – while the AFL often leaks stories like a sieve, the particulars of this one have been kept well suppressed, and it has been little more than radio silence from the league.
The league and its players are quibbling over money, we know that much, but there must surely be more to it, otherwise it would’ve been resolved by now. So what is really going on here, and what does it mean for season 2017? Watch this space.
2. Just how big can AFLW be?
In years to come when we look back on season 2017, what will we remember it for? Well, no one knows for certain just yet of course, but the leading contender at this early stage has to be the establishment of AFL Women’s.
Let me make my feelings on this very clear: Women’s AFL, and women’s sport as a whole, is inevitably going to be a success. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, maybe not even ten or twenty years from now, but in time, I am as certain as I am on anything that it will be big. Those who deride it now will only find themselves on the wrong side of history.
In the shorter term, however, the success of the AFLW depends on how much the AFL is willing to invest – not just in terms of the bottom line, but also the quality of the people they employ towards making it happen. I for one can’t wait to see it get started.
3. Nat Fyfe – will he stay or will he go?
If he goes there will be trouble… and if he stays it will be double. While Fyfe came out last year and said in a presser that he intends to strike a new deal with the Dockers in 2017, I’m not believing a word until he signs the dotted line.
Rumours continue to abound about Fyfe’s popularity, or lack thereof, at Fremantle – just ask Shane Yarran (or whoever was behind that rant). It’s the kind of lie that everyone wants to believe so I’m not giving it much credence personally, but one can only see so much smoke before it becomes necessary to infer the presence of fire.
We do seem to be living in a time where the majority of truly stellar players eventually get made an offer too good to refuse – Chris Judd, Gary Ablett junior, Lance Franklin, Patrick Dangerfield. Of course, there are those like Joel Selwood and Scott Pendlebury who have stayed loyal, but they’ve both a) won a flag or three and b) become captain of the club.
Where does that leave Fyfe? He is neither a flag player nor captain, and my early tip is that he will not be wearing purple come season 2018.
4. Can Jaeger O’Meara repay Hawthorn’s faith?
For the next few years, the fate of the Hawthorn football club rests heavily upon Jaeger O’Meara’s shoulders – or, perhaps it would be more accurate to say it rests upon his knees.
The deal that got O’Meara – once the most exciting young player in the competition – to Hawthorn is already one that will make the history books. The trade period saw the Hawks and the Suns in a media war, while Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis moved to new clubs, and the deal only got done when the AFL bent the rules just enough for it to fit through.
The Hawks are certainly in a position where they can afford to take risks, given their recent success. Even if Jaeger never plays a game, no one is taking away the four flags they’ve won in the last decade. But there’s no doubt that he is the lynchpin of their future – if this roll of the dice proves an unfortunate one, there’ll be hell to pay.
5. How far can Essendon’s comeback story go?
You’d be hard pressed to find a club more confounding to footy fans in 2017 than the Essendon Bombers. Some have them pegged as a bottom team regardless of the personnel available, others – like myself – are much more optimistic.
Something that didn’t get said enough in 2016 is how impressive John Worsfold’s coaching was. He took a list that had no business being competitive and kept them regularly so throughout the year. More importantly, they were never mentally broken, which was last year’s biggest risk.
Maybe it will take the team some time to gel. Maybe it will take the banned players some time to get to back to their best form. Or maybe things will just fall into place nicely, that does happen sometimes and I really feel like it could here. If they do, the sky is the limit.
6. Who’s going to win the thing?
The most important question of all, and one that can’t be answered without much more time than I will give it right now, but it’s hard to argue with the popular pick, and that is the GWS Giants.
The Giants played finals for just the first time last season, but they blew the Swans away in their first September appearance and then came within heartbreaking inches of a grand final appearance. Add into the mix another year of experience, the hunger that only comes from the pain of loss, and a handy new recruit named Brett Deledio, and there can be no doubt they deserve favouritism.
But, well, the thing I love more than anything else about footy is that it never ceases to amaze. To paraphrase Tolkien, you can learn all there is to know about the game in a month, and yet after a lifetime of following the sport, it can still surprise you. Right now all I will tell you is that the Giants, currently, are not my tip to win the flag…
But more on that next week.
Penster
Roar Guru
Valid points Arky, but it's heading in the right direction. Netball had a huge win last year with FTE broadcast rights and excellent attendance. The rewards (money, benefits, adulation, media exposure, opportunities) are huge for men at the top of their game, even the middlings at a professional level can make a living out of it. This has not been so for women anywhere near the extent, and it will take time to evolve to the point where girls in the necessary numbers choose to pursue sport as a viable career option. I see it happening in my own daughters, and their friends. One of mine is a talented sportswoman who competes successfully at a national level, and there are now more options than ever so it's entered her mindset and conversation and we are GWS foundation members - gotta put your money where your mouth is! You are so right in saying it'll require a ton of work, but the framework is there to give girls access and opportunity.
mdso
Guest
Bevo has four or five players who didn't play last year. The doggies have become the bench mark whether they like it or not. There will be no flying under the radar this year and the hunter becomes the hunted. However I still believe they will be super competitive and Bevo will come up with a few surprises. Glad to see you back Stewie.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Given his name at least he won't be watching the season opener at the Westpac Centre, so he can continue to mindlessly assert the grounds are empty in good conscience http://www.smh.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-season-opener-between-collingwood-and-carlton-likely-to-be-standing-room-only-20170116-gtsa1d.html
Penster
Roar Guru
"From every game that’s televised; the stands are always empty." Phew, for a moment I thought I Hate Pies/I Hate Womens Football was relying on flaky, unsubstantiated data to make a point.
Dan
Guest
Josh, when it comes to the Hawks everyone is talking about Jaeger but I think there are a couple of x factors to think about. Number 1 has to be J. Roughead! How is he going to play on return to AFL after a year out fughting Cancer?? 2. Has to be Liam Shiels and our new Mitchell. I'm expecting big things from these 2 players. 3. Gunston, Sicily, Rioli reach the same heights of last year? I.e. the fate of the Hawks are not resting on just 1 player.
Milo
Roar Rookie
So Jack you don't agree with the recruitment of Dion Prestia from GCS at pick 6, to boost the very area RFC has been targeting - midfield depth and the area you are critical of. So they swapped their 'drop' (sic) draft pick again did they? When was the last time they did that? Yarran was picked up for pick 19 but the Tigers had pick 15 and took Rioli. Personally I don't think their top picks have been too bad, but what disappoints is the lack of coaching and development these young kids appear to be missing, compared to other clubs. 2015-RIoli - looks ok from last season, too early to call but lacks physical development 2014 -C Ellis - classy but not consistently played, needs physical development and increased work ethic 2013 - Lennon - Clearly has talent, lambasted for not working hard enough but also comms from senior coach (or lack thereof) not helping 2012 - Vlastuin -started well but without development and specialist skills coaching slipped back in late 2015 and 2016 2011- B Ellis - elite runner was automatically picked for few years but without development appears to have plateaued in 2015 and 2016. Kicking skills need serious work. So in other words Hardwick has a lot to answer for. You speak about Bucks losing his job but in reality its Hardwick who faces the chop first. He's been given a lot over the offseason in terms of resources and the draft picks look good at least on paper. But six or seven rounds into 2017 with only one or two wins on the board, he's in serious trouble don't worry about that.
Jack
Guest
I really think Richmond and collingwoods recruitment was very poor. Richmond - Failed to address biggest issue which is depth. They still have 4-5 gun players then no quality and they swapped drop draft pick again. Collingwood Buckleys last year after a possible last place finish my prediction
I hate pies
Guest
AdelaideDocker, I provided evidence. In fact, I have decade of evidence to support my position; it's you blokes who choose to ignore that evidence.
Joe
Guest
Fair go Arky. 'Hot and lucky' ? Really. Week 1 Destroyed a red hot in form Eagles on their own dung heap. Week 2. Humiliated 3 time reigning Premiers on their home ground. Week 3. Got the chocolates against the league's most draft talent stacked team in history at their own fortress. The big dance. Comfortably accounted the might of the Swans to take the flag. Red Hot maybe, but where does luck come into it with that sort of run ? The most deserving Premiers I can ever remember.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Luckily the dogs buffet only offers salad and healthy snacks :)
Mister Football
Roar Guru
There's no doubt that the dogs have a good forward set-up to profit from someone who can consistently bring the ball to ground. I'd rather see Stringer roving crumbs off the pack than trying to take a speckie five deep.
dave
Guest
In the majority of other teams I think he would be a stinker but the Bulldogs and Bevo could be a perfect fit. Even If he's not kicking goals he could be great asset,just kick it to him and when he brings it to the ground watch the pack of dogs swarm on the ball and then keep it locked in the forward line until the inevitable goal is scored. Surely you can carry one big target in the forward line who isn't capable of applying defensive pressure. The dogs have enough players i.e. the whole team to play this role,anyway what If he's matched up on someone like Zac Dawson? would his forward defensive really be that much of an issue. Finally I love how i can call your team a pack of dogs and its not considered an insult.
Gecko
Guest
And the fact that the game has changed so much that actually he's a net negative. Can't apply chasing pressure; can't recover when the ball hits the ground; can't even get to as many contests as most big men. Sorry Clokey. It's not your fault.
Andrew Blake
Guest
I always thought the idea of a Key forward was to kick goals. Cloke got paid a lot money to do so but very rarely did - career average of 1.8 per game. That is at least why I'm negative on him.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I don't know, seems more a perception thing to me. He's got the reputation as a hard taskmaster, I'm guessing that's real enough, but whether he's cultivating it, or whether it's just what he does...I'd think the latter is more likely. Are you saying he's not a hard taskmaster in reality, or that he does it but just for developing an Oz-like facade? Either way, there aren't that many ex-players of his who come out and bag him, what's more prominent are those who have a lot of good things to say about him. Fyfe's been one of those voices advocating the role Lyon has had on his career. Perhaps that's because he gets on well with the better players who have greater media access, who's to say? But the fact that last year was a very rare down year for teams coached by him, suggests he has a reasonable relationship with his players. Lyon will still have a bit of leeway, even with a mediocre year. Somewhat as Martyn50 says, he has a long way to go on his contract and this means the board has invested a lot in him. But also the admin have said a few times they're in a "rebuild" and iit'll take a few years. That leeway could disappear pretty quickly, should they have another year like last year of course.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Yeah, I'm counting the points twice - the 8 that the Saints would get (assuming it remains steady as she goes regards history) and the 8 Melbourne don't get in what is likely to be a head to head race. It is only 8 though. But anyways, unless the Dees can beat the Saints at least once I think that will be the difference between them come september
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Got it. Learn something new everyday, I guess.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
IHP, he's just backing up his argument with evidence. Something which I haven't seen you do on this thread. Btw, are we ignoring the fact that the Bulldogs-Melbourne all-star's game last September had the HIGHEST average Melbourne audience out of any H&A game of last season? http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-09-04/womens-allstars-game-a-ratings-smash
Paul D
Roar Guru
I just know how to search within a website on google. It’s not rocket science. No stalking necessary. You’re entitled to say whatever you like about me. This is an opinion site after all. My opinion is that you don’t like women’s sport and resent its presence, and you hide your chauvinism behind a veneer of “I’m a realist” Feel free to disagree. I’m only citing your own words as evidence. Arky says he hopes it succeeds, you're saying it'll never happen. I don't think he'd appreciate being linked to your knuckle dragging argument but I'll let him talk for himself.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I think you mean an *eight point head start*. But yeah, your sentiment remains the same. They've got to start winning those games.