Round 1 in the AFL: A gratifying start, and a high hurdle to clear

What a thoroughly satisfying, gratifying, exciting long weekend of football we were treated to in Round 1. And if we look hard enough, there’s some signal among the noise.

It’s too soon to draw too many conclusions, of course. But you knew that already. The games went largely as expected, with most market fancies getting up in every game across the weekend – the exceptions were Gold Coast in the slop, and Melbourne on the siren.

Greater Western Sydney sit atop the ladder, banking a hefty 82 points of margin that’ll do their top four chances no harm whatsoever. At the other end of the spectrum, the Western Bulldogs start the final 21 games with that many points to make up.

This was perhaps the most surprising turn of events of the opening weekend. It was only 547 days ago that the pair faced off in one of the best games of this decade, a preliminary final that looked to be the coming of age of two new contenders. On this day, the Giants ran rampant and the Dogs rolled over.

It was not for want of trying, although the effort was uneven. The Bulldogs landed just 45 effective tackles per 50 minutes of GWS possession, a pitiful mark that would have been one of the worst individual games last season. By contrast, the Giants 67. The result was +78 uncontested possessions, 111 uncontested marks, and 22 marks inside 50 to the home team.

Easton Wood could’ve been the most effective forward in the competition and it wouldn’t have mattered. As it was, the experiment becomes a black mark to be judged with additional scrutiny.

A likely ACL tear to Tom Liberatore was like the icing on a terrible tasting cake. For neutrals, we’re robbed of the prospect of ‘Contract Year Libba’ as his 2018 had been coined by some after social media superstar Rodney Eade spilled the beans in the preseason.

Fortunately for all concerned it is Round 1, and the Dogs were beaten by a premiership contender on a ground they have turned into a fortress. A loss was always more likely than not; the method can be fixed in time. Although one may ponder how it could’ve got this bad in the first place.

The league’s other coaches spent plenty of time tinkering in the offseason, too. One trend in particular was so hot right now: the counterattack. Every club ripped the pacey counterattack right from the Richmond playbook, with players sprinting between the arcs like they were doing Wednesday morning shuttle runs.

(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

This was enabled by a league more comfortable with keeping some structure forward of the ball. Not everyone held a man inside 50 when the ball was down the other end, but plenty did, and those who didn’t had their players screaming forward once the opportunity arose.

Even Carlton, the most dour team in the league last year, showed what a little bit of poise under pressure can deliver when matched with attacking intent.

The Blues looked like a completely different team in the first half of opening night, splitting reigning premier Richmond’s defensive zone in half, then quarters, and infinitesimally smaller fractions with direct ball movement and daring overlap run. Some overzealous umpiring helped create an early lead, and it felt like the Tigers had to pull something out to reel it in.

In the end the weight of numbers (or one number: Richmond +24 inside 50s) proved too much for Carlton to carry, and Richmond’s premiership defence began as most everyone thought it would.

Ultimately it was young minds and bodies making a few too many mistakes. That was what cost the Brisbane Lions in the end, after they looked likely to pull something of an upset against St Kilda on Saturday afternoon.

Under the Etihad roof, both teams had a want to play with extreme pace and little regard to the consequences. Right up until midway through the third quarter, it looked as though the Lions would win and win comfortably. Their forward half humming, powered by a tuned up and fully functioning midfield, Brisbane made good on the flashy signs of February – but just ran out of juice.

It should have sent a scare through the St Kilda coaches box: the Saints cannot afford to be dominated between the arcs because their whole system breaks down. It is something to watch as the next few rounds unfold, particularly given St Kilda has a frightful time of it opponent wise from rounds three through eight.

What more can we glean? Well, Hawthorn might have rediscovered their beautiful ball controlling ways, with an added sprinkle of core midfield dominance to iron out that weak spot in their game. Then again, Collingwood might have made it easier for them than some other teams will. For the Pies, it was the same story as it has been for two seasons and a game: breaking down between the arcs with bad skill errors, and a dysfunctional forward line exacerbating the problem.

Adelaide looked like the Adelaide we know, but ran out of legs when it counted and their opponent was able to take full toll. Attending a Seinfeld themed quiz night – some people know an awful lot about a show about nothing – I had no contact with the game from three-quarter time through the halfway point of the evening, and I was shocked to learn the Bombers pulled it out. On replay they looked a powerful unit, which may not need to rely so much on speed to get into their groove.

(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Adelaide’s compatriots looked every bit as powerful up forward as they did on paper. Port Adelaide will be a tough out all year so long as their three-headed hydra can breathe fire on opposition defenders.

And to cap off a stellar round of football we were treated to the token first-up close game. Yes, Max Gawn missed a relative sitter that would have sealed it, but a minute before Daniel Menzel missed a shot few should ever miss.

It looked every bit the heavyweight bout we expected it would be, but it still surprised us, thrilled us, and captivated us right until the end. The hurdle has been set high for season 2018.

The small things
Tom Mitchell’s record-breaking 54 disposal effort was nice, but Dougal Howard’s record-breaking 22 spoils was even better. Just think about it: the ball is coming in the air, there are always other players around, the… yeah okay you’re right, Mitchell wins.

The AFL conducted its official match review for the Thursday and Friday night games within 12-odd hours of the final siren.

Remind me again why we didn’t do this before? And why we currently don’t for Saturday’s games on Sunday?

Lance Franklin’s eight-goal effort was a fitting way to christen Optus Stadium. After all, he’s a Western Australian by birth. While we’re at it, let’s name an end after him.

He might have only had 14 touches in his return to the league, but Cyril Rioli certainly had his usual impact on proceedings. Rioli and Shaun Burgoyne shouldn’t be allowed to play half forward at the same time.