Round 1 of the AFLW season is behind us and already we have seen four high-quality contests and an overall improvement in consistently entertaining spectacles.
There are many little stories and strong performances coming out of the five games and many more will fly under the radar. Here are a few key points that became evident in Round 1.
The Dockers change the game
This goes beyond the fact Fremantle pulled off an enormous upset and has already turned this season on its head with a first-round win over Melbourne. Trent Cooper has taken over at the Dockers and earmarked a more attacking and positively minded team in the third season of AFLW. What we saw against the Demons was a hungry team focused on moving the ball forward, hoping that would get the job done over a pure defensive focus.
It’s a little basketball-like in terms of the mindset but it’s something that sets Fremantle well apart from the rest of the clubs. The key move was to play Ebony Antonio forward despite being a star defender for the first couple of seasons. She was one of the best three players on the ground in the victory against the Demons, giving Fremantle a strong target in attack, which was the one knock on the team. Add in Kiara Bowers’s successful debut and key moments in the final quarter and it gives the Dockers some confidence for the season ahead.
Hannah Scott is the best rebounding defender in the competition
Scott was instrumental in the Bulldogs’ victory in Adelaide on Saturday night, finishing with 19 disposals at 79 per cent efficiency, five marks and six rebound 50s. The 28-year-old has been crucial for the Dogs in each of the first two seasons with her desire to always go long and direct with her kicking allowing her to be the competition’s best player in metres gained in her position.
A key reason as to why Scott is the best player in her position is the fact she is both classy and tough. Her disposal efficiency has improved to the point where she was brilliant against the Crows while also being the team’s leading ball-winner, while her ability to read the play and intercept has always been above the league’s average. Add in her three-plus tackles a game and love of the contested ball and you have one of the most well-rounded players in the competition.
Is North Melbourne’s hot start a mirage?
The Kangaroos were absolutely dominant in their six-goal victory over Carlton, with many people feeling as though this team would have an immediate finals impact due to their recruiting spree. Jessica Duffin, Jasmine Garner, Kate Gillespie-Jones, Emma Kearney and Elisha King, among others, were all fantastic, and the team was excellent in asserting its authority over the weaker opposition.
It’s important to note that the opposition were simply not good enough and that the Blues were tactically poor in Round 1. Bri Davey should’ve featured more in the midfield, which would’ve allowed Tayla Harris and Darcy Vescio more space to work with, and the Kangaroos took full advantage.
High emotions and a point to prove saw this attacking, ruthless mindset adopted, but it’s hard to imagine this will be the case in every match. The main concern with North Melbourne was whether all these players from different clubs would be able to gel together immediately, and the true test will come over the next fortnight against GWS and the Bulldogs, both teams are expected to be premiership contenders and will pounce on insecurities.
It was a great start by the Kangaroos, no doubt, but their efficiency and relative unaccountability is unsustainable against the better teams in the competition. There may be a need to temper expectations.
Sabrina Frederick-Traub could be the best player going around
Brisbane haven’t been able to win a flag yet despite two extremely good seasons. Much like in the AFL, the Lions and their players don’t get much airtime in Victoria and a number of the players fly under the radar. Ally Anderson, Emily Bates and Kate Lutkins started off well in Round 1, but it was Sabrina Frederick-Traub who looked like she could dominate every game this season. The 22-year-old has been the focal point of the Lions attack in every game they’ve played, but somehow she looked on a different level against the Giants.
As the season goes on, we can expect to see Frederick-Traub play more in the ruck, but there’s every chance she averages 15-plus disposals, four-plus marks, seven-plus hitouts and well over a goal a game with the way she plays. Her contested marking ability gets Brisbane out of so many difficult situations and she often attracts multiple defenders, which has been a key factor in the Lions’ successes.
Frederick-Traub is the most important player to her team in the competition, and in her third season she may establish herself as the best player in AFLW.
Bevo loves playing VFL players in the AFL and in many ways, he is this era's Kevin Sheedy, except a poor man’s version of him.
Round 5 of the AFL provided plenty of action, from big scorelines to upset wins and pressure starting to build on some clubs and coaches already.
Charlie Cameron's one-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Melbourne's Jake Lever has been overturned by the AFL Tribunal, successfully clearing the star Brisbane…
Brisbane star Josh Dunkley says players are exaggerating head contact in tackles to win free kicks, with the results often seeing the tacklers suspended.
Sean Lemmens was given a four-match ban for this crunching tackle - is it a fair whack?
Collingwood premiership defender Nathan Murphy has been forced into a premature and immediate AFL retirement through concussion to prioritise a "full and healthy life"…
