Why oh why do you play Carlton on the opening night of the AFL season year after year?
Yes last year was tightly contested up until about a third of the way through the fourth quarter, but still, it doesn’t take away from the fact that opening night should be reserved for two of the most followed and successful teams from the previous season.
Take Collingwood vs Richmond, two of the most popular teams in Victoria, who brought in over 88,000 fans in Round 19.
Granted, the season opener brought in over 91,000 last season, but it must be assumed that the crowds would be larger if two highly popular teams were to play.
I cannot understand why the AFL would want to showcase a team like Carlton in their current state, but tradition is tradition and sometimes we must conform to decisions based on tradition.
It would be much more of a spectacle to watch two teams like Collingwood and Richmond or Hawthorn and Essendon, which are teams that are very popular throughout the AFL community and are generally successful, which can provide for a much more entertaining and tighter game.
I believe that most people will agree with me and assume that Richmond takes the cake with this game by a fair margin, but only time will tell.
Mason Cox of the Magpies celebrates a goal (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Looking at other games in the round, on Friday night we will be fortunate enough to see two powerhouse teams play each other at the G on a Friday night, with Collingwood and Geelong squaring off.
It will more than likely be Dayne Beams return game to the Pies and a must-watch game for a footy die hard. Furthermore, seeing the Big 3 of Geelong’s midfield clash with Collingwood’s reconstructed midfield will be an intense matchup which hopes to bring high scoring from both teams.
It will be crucial for Collingwood to bounce back after a heart breaking loss in the 2018 Grand Final, and I expect them to fight until the final siren and have a solid win against a Cats outfit with new recruits Luke Dahlhaus and Gary Rohan.
Melbourne will be looking to start strong against Port Adelaide and their potential top SA talent that they may pick up in the draft. Melbourne will also want to show that they have the talent in their list to take on a team like Port Adelaide, who lost three key pieces in their list in Jasper Pittard, Jared Polec and Chad Wingard.
Personally, I would have rather liked to see Port Adelaide take on Hawthorn due to the drama with Chad Wingard but we can only wait until Chad makes his return game against the Power.
Melbourne should look to take the win in front of a home crowd who is ready for them to return for a deep finals push. Both sides will be revealing star recruits, with Power showing off new premiership ruckman from West Coast, Scott Lycett, and Melbourne bringing in former Gold Coast captain Stephen May to a strong Melbourne defence.
Adelaide will be playing host to Hawthorn at the Adelaide Oval. It will be interesting to see Chad Wingard make his Hawthorn debut at Adelaide Oval, however, not against the Power.
Chad Wingard poses during a Hawthorn Hawks AFL media opportunity (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Hawthorn will also be unveiling star recruit Tom Scully, who adds depth to a midfield which already boasts the talents of Brownlow medalist, Tom Mitchell, and stars Jaeger O’Meara and Isaac Smith.
For the Crows, a win here would quiet the critics for at least another week, and prove to those who don’t believe, that they are ready to return to the finals. I believe that Hawthorn’s midfield will prove too much for the Crows and I see Hawthorn winning by a decent margin.
The Bulldogs will debut at the newly renamed Marvel Stadium on Saturday night against the Swans. For the Doggies, it will be a chance for them to prove themselves against a strong Sydney side whom they beat in the 2016 grand final.
However, Sydney’s experience and depth will more than likely be too strong for the Bulldogs, who have been struggling over the last two years, but it wouldn’t come as a shock if the hungry Dogs manage to cause an upset (by my standards).
Lions and Eagles will be a game that will fly under the radar. The Gabba was a place where the Lions were exceptionally tough to beat at this ground, and it will be a fierce contest between a strong Brisbane outfit and the premier Eagles.
Lachie Neale will be making his Lions debut with Tom Hickey more than likely making his Eagles debut in the ruck. However, the Eagles are the premiers for a reason, and that is why I see them squeezing out a tight win versus the Lions.
Marcus Adams and Lachie Neale pose during a Brisbane Lions AFL media opportunity (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Saint Kilda and Gold Coast. Two teams looking to start the season 1-0, and it will probably be the only time in the year one of the teams has more wins than losses.
I have been proven wrong before, but these two teams look to be cellar dwellers come 2019, but who knows, maybe either team can surprise us all next year? St Kilda has the better list in my opinion, so based off of that, I believe they can pull off the win at home on the Sunday afternoon.
Essendon were able to knock off GWS at Spotless last year in Round 10, and the game should be a hot contest considering that it is Dylan Shiel’s return game after leaving the Giants in the trade period.
GWS will be coming out strong and showing Shiel that he should have thought twice before moving to Essendon. Another game that looks too tight to predict, (yes all these games are 50/50 chances at this point, but let me have some fun) but I believe that Essendon will come out guns blazing with their new look midfield and win in tight conditions.
The final game of the round is Fremantle vs North Melbourne, and there are star recruits on both teams who will be looking to line up for their teams come Sunday Round 1. Aaron Hall, Jasper Pittard and Jared Polec will be making their North debuts, while Jesse Hogan will be making his much anticipated Dockers debut.
Personally, I believe that North’s midfield is looking amazing on paper and I think they will dictate the flow of the game, which will result in the win.
Paul Ahern of the Kangaroos celebrates a goal (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Obviously, this is nothing serious, just some fun predictions that I came up with while reacting to the release of the fixture. Do you agree with my statement about opening night? Or do you think that the tradition should remain the same? Let me know your thoughts!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
A lot of people lose sight of that fact. The Eagles needed to knock us off on our home deack where we play 14-16 games a year.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I think thats why we traded picks with the Cats recently...it gave us 25 extra points. Not a lot in the scheme of things but it seems we need every point we can get or will go into deficit next year.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Jusy quietly reuster I'm glad they don't anymore. Don't fancy facing the Eagles in Perth in round one with the flag unfurled...
alan
Guest
Heard a rumour that u might struggle with Kelly as Adelaide will offer up pick 15....Thats a first round pick which Collingwood dont hold in this or next years draft....Ie; Collingwood need to offer up a same for same draft pick...Round 1 for round 1....Or have enough points available....Will be interesting on trade night as Teams can change order at will...Quaynor maybe but not a lock as well as North are looking at him as well....
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Richmond got a home game first up in 2018,Bullies didn't the previous year,Hawks did in 2016 and 2015. No Grand Final replays in any of those games
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Makes perfect sense.After all,the Eagles had to play at the Pies' home ground in the GF
reuster75
Roar Rookie
I liked it when they had the GF replay as the opening match played at the premier's home ground, but then of course that ran the risk of it not being at the MCG so the AFL scrapped it. It was a nice piece of symmetry to close off the circle of the previous season's premiership win whilst starting a new circle of the premiership defence.
reuster75
Roar Rookie
It was also entertaining for the comment Richo made halfway through the first quarter that Carlton were going to have a good year.
Sndon
Roar Rookie
For mine the season should open with the premiers at home playing the defeated Grand Finalists so the flag can be unfurled. A fitting start to the new season.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
The interesting thing with the Tigers is they had unused depth past two years thanks to a pretty good run with injuries and as such lost those depth players who weren't getting a run. In 2019 they have lost a lot of that depth and it would be a big ask to go three years in a row without an average at best injury count. Their depth may be tested.
Rob
Guest
I'm picking a yarra park Derby for the GF - Melbourne v Richmond
Rob
Guest
Carlton should get the same treatment Brisbane did last year - no games on free to air TV and hidden away in the dead time slits. It isn't "tradition" they and Richmond open the season, just something the AFL has manufactured, like Halloween in Australia. Opening night should be Coll v Melb, followed by Rich v WCE Friday night. Last years top 4 to open the season would be awesome. Having Carlton open the season is a bit like it pissing rain on show day.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
The First Round. A showcase position, unique in the year, a huge buildup, hmm what to showcase? Tradition? (The Fiddler on the Roof)...Who do we let our daughters marry? In the faith or who they love? There is a strong case for tradition but it does have drawbacks. The fixed nature of the Blues V Tiges can be repetitive. It gets a bit samey, but I guess that is the nature of tradition. So that brings us to love which is to reward an aspect of the game that is loved by all. Grand Final replay has great continuity and picks up where we left off. Maybe salute the individual with a Brownlow V Coleman. If they are one and the same then runner ups could come into play. But this love thing? Hmmm.... What is the greatest love of all in the game of Aussie Rules? Who storms the ground when an achievement make sitting in your seat impossible? Where do we see love unbridled and joy unbounded. You could say winning and you'd be right but that's in every game including tiddlywinks. What is it in Aussie Rules that we most Love? Hmmm ... would it be something to do with goals and scoring? Are our goal kickers not our most loved players? Of all the great names peppered through the annals of Aussie Rules history are not the goal kickers the longest and best remembered? It's true we all love midfielders but we love them a lot more when they hit the scoreboard. We all love defenders but a punch to the boundary doesn't quite make you want to dance a jig. We even use the phrase 'Kicking Goals' to describe the wins of our lives. Soooo.... What about the two highest scoring teams of the previous year? You know they've earned it and it promotes the potential for enormous scoring. Melbourne were a standout in this department last year and it earned them a special place in many fans hearts. The AFL boffins don't rate love that highly as scoring was not part of the motives for rule changes. They'd rather have money...lower scores closer contests and less people turning off TV's when a blowout means that the four points are safe and home in bed. We all need money and I get the business angle but don't let the donkey lead the carrot or the flea scratch the dog or whatever those metaphors are. Thanks for listening now go and kick some goals.
User
Roar Rookie
Still want a chance at Richmond in a gf, would it be arrogant to call a wce v rich 2019 gf now? :)
Fairsuckofthesav
Roar Rookie
You forget that Crows will have a fit Brad Crouch and Brodie Smith virtually new recruits. Hawks to win by plenty at AO? You're dreaming. Crows by 2 to 3 goals.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
B2B, hey? Careful. The squibs'll start calling you arrogant.
User
Roar Rookie
Two key fwds who will only have one pre season to gel and create that innate awareness the dominant ff and CHF combinations have won't deliver your desires So sorry big four but the Kennedy/darling combination will lead a B2B no one saw coming. 2019 is wce year and as the mighty iron maiden says " fly on your way like an eagle, fly as high as the sun, on your way like an eagle fly touch the sun"
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Oh,are you playing two big forwards,how novel. Carlton's midfield stacks up pretty well against the Tigers. Don't see it as 100 points. Richmond and Martin were both fading to grey at the back end of the season.They might struggle to put the Blues away till late in the game. Tigers are endangered,you know,best looked after in zoos and museums,book them in now
big four sticks
Guest
It will be good to get our season off with a bang. A 100 point victory will make the rest of the AFL sit up and take notice. The twin towers will kick a bag each, Caddy and Martin will carve up them up in the middle, while Rance will hold Carlton to under 10 goals. 2019 is the year of the Tiger.
User
Roar Rookie
If Brissy can turn 3 or 4 of the close losses into wins that'll be a successful season next year, the aim should be to win at the very least 2/3 of the games at the Gabba and no blowout losses, also I'd imagine beating the teams similar to themselves would be highest priority. Personally I can only see Essendon and Adelaide getting in the eight next year, I have Geelong and Sydney dropping, don't know what to think of North as the players they have brought in are good but not game changers, have a sneaky feeling that saints may surprise and finish between 9-11.