Round 1 of the AFL season was all about speed, and not the kind that West Coast players indulged in during the mid-2000s.
Carlton had beaten Richmond often enough off the back of the speedy trio Eddie Betts, Jeff Garlett and Chris Yarran going back some years to when the Blues used to have a functioning forward-line, but the season opener kicked off with Richmond’s three quick small forwards playing key roles.
Daniel Rioli, Jason Castagna and debutant Dan Butler, with 23 games experience between them, combined for 49 disposals and six goals for the Tigers, and while their tackle count was a seemingly minimal nine, the pressure they exerted was worth triple that.
Richmond has made a lot of noise about a new gameplan that can see them rise up the ladder, and speed in the forward line is clearly a key plank of it.
Jason Johannisen continued on his Norm Smith Medal-winning form, with 30 disposals and two goals, once again breaking the game open for his Dogs with his pace, angles and ability to run the lines. His rebound was critical given how dominated the Bulldogs were at stoppages.
Scott Pendlebury, who uses speed of mind as his main asset, was best-on-ground in a losing side, but Johannisen was next behind him. Marcus Bontempelli is the Bulldogs biggest weapon, yes, but Johannisen is the BrahMos missile.
Orazio Fantasia is arguably Essendon’s quickest player, and opened the clash against Hawthorn with a goal in the opening two minutes. He was to add three more goals across the night, and was a winning difference in a match where his opposite number for Hawthorn, Cyril Rioli, had no impact on proceedings.
Anyone thinking the game might be going passed an older and slower Hawthorn was certainly vindicated on Saturday night, as the youthful vitality of Fantasia, Zac Merrett, Darcy Parish, Andrew McGrath, and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti ran rings around their counterparts, complementing the more seasoned Dyson Heppell, Jobe Watson and Brendon Goddard.
Adelaide gazumped GWS with their blitzkrieg running and swarming through the middle, effectively beating the Giants at their own game.
Charlie Cameron had a career game with 23 touches, six tackles and a couple of goals among five scoring shots. His speed was evident not just in open space where he has made his name, but also inside the contest where he dominated with eight clearances and 14 contested possessions.
One of the things that made Chris Judd such a champion of the game was his ability to either hit a stoppage at pace, or explode away at speed from a stationary position, all the while getting his timing right to be where the ball was. Cameron has those attributes, and may just be ready to display them regularly now in his fourth year, turning 23 later on this season.
Round 1 is always exciting. Everything is fresh. We get to see new teams, new players, new styles. There are so many storylines going in, and even more coming out.
This year, we saw higher scores than usual. Eight of the winning sides topped 100 points. Brisbane, the other, finished on 98. The nine losing teams still averaged over 12 goals per game. The footy was fast and flying. Run was the order of the day on fast decks the unseasonably warm weather had produced.
Maverick and Goose had it right, all those years ago.
Seano
Guest
Correct it is that good!
Birdman
Guest
great post.
Col
Guest
The Hawks defence has never been overwhelmingly strong, their midfield has covered that for the last few years due to the ball always going forward. Bulldogs won last year with a no-name defence protected by such a strong midfield. Ultimately each line relies on the next to be successful, eg. forwards don't get the ball if the midfield can't win it etc.
dave
Guest
Freo will make the 8 and Geelong will finish on top.
me too
Roar Rookie
Round One throws up more upsets than any other round, Of interest is that from 2011 to 2016 the number of top 8 teams at the end of the year that won in round one averages exactly 5! Once one more, once one less. So statistically 4 winners won't be playing finals this year, and 3 losers will be. I'd take a shot and say of the latter - Sydney, GWS, and Hawthorn. Of the winners you can lay easy money on the Dogs, Crows, Cats, and Eagles. Toss of the coin which of Melbourne, Port, or Essendon get that last spot. Perhaps Hawks will also fall and two of those will make it. So pretty much what we all thought before the season with the exception of Melbourne, Port and Essendon sparking extra interest, and the Saints and Hawks losing some fans.
Birdman
Guest
Hmmmm....but Tom Boyd virtually carried the Dogs to a flag so maybe that theory is a 1 round wonder?
Craig Delaney
Guest
It will be interesting to assess the Crows after round 4. How will their game have changed, because they are still an improving side? They broke even on clearances against the Giants, including centre clearances ( of which Sloane had a 'quiet' 7). A number of attacks originated in those clearances. Even breaking even is a step forward for them as you know. That increases the number of forward entries for the forwards to work on, and decreases the number they have to defend.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
You people need to get some culture.
Alchemist
Guest
Seconded
Craig Delaney
Guest
Looks like he can't help himself :))
Raimond
Roar Guru
I thought the Hawthorn era was over as I watched them get pummelled by GWS last season.
Raimond
Roar Guru
Cockatoo's goal is also worth a mention here.
Birdman
Guest
wow Cam that's going a bit early off the back of one game.
Birdman
Guest
I might be swimming against the tide of popular opinion but I wouldn't bother if I were you unless you enjoy American jock culture amped to the max. Truly awful.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
I think I've just discovered a new way to annoy Roarers. In all seriousness, I really do need to watch it sometime.
Lamby
Roar Rookie
I think 5th is about right Cam. Crows are still susceptible to a good defense with pressure from the midfield (Cats, Dogs, WC & Swans) and also from a team that does not turn over the ball (Hawks). The Crows are the master of scoring from turn overs, in the last couple of years the Hawks don't turn over the ball so we can't score. Saturday against the Hawks should be interesting.
Brian
Guest
About half the competition feels it owes Hawthorn after years of batterings. Wouldn't drop Hartung we are slow as is. Hodge for Schoenmakers and Burton for Sicily
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Yay, pessimism!
Wilson
Roar Guru
I think Hartung comes out Hodge. Agree schoemaker out for brand and I would also go burton in and Gibson out Gibo had been to slow since round 22 last year and has no look right over pre season games and round 1
Tommygun
Guest
We will still be getting the final 8 wrong in August I think. Although now have Adelaide top 2, their draw is superb and snagging GWS and Hawks (away) against pencilled-in predictions will go a long way to push up from 5th to top 4.