I don’t know how many games we will see this season, nor how long it will take to get through them all, if we even do.
But I will cherish every single game of 2020.
After weeks of fighting each other over toilet paper and rice, it will be great that the game we love so greatly will unite us and ignite a bit of fire and passion back into AFL fans around the country.
This may not the best move from a health perspective, I acknowledge that and I understand that my happiness comes from a selfish place.
But a little bit of light in the dark will be a small cure for many.
The season kicked off last night with Carlton and Richmond. And tonight the Pies and the Dogs will take to the stage.
There will be no crowd watching on at Marvel Stadium, but I hope for fans watching on at home that this is a more entertaining game of football than both encounters between these two sides last season.
Collingwood and the Bulldogs met twice in 2019 – in Rounds 4 and 14. While both were close encounters, they were incredibly defensive and quite tedious to get through.
Let’s focus on Round 14, the last time these two clubs met.
It was the Brodie Grundy show, with the All Australian ruckman having a day out against Western Bulldogs rookie Tim English.
(Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
He dominated in the air (50 hit-outs), around the ground (25 touches, eight marks and four tackles) and in front of goal (two goals). It was a complete performance, and a completely sensational one at that.
His efforts however shouldn’t overshadow the work of Bulldog Jack Macrae, who was one of my favourite players to watch last season and will hopefully be again in 2020. He had a game-high 42 possessions, to go along with his 13 tackles and four clearances.
It seems we have come a long way since that day. Tonight’s clash looks to be one of the matches of the round.
Both sides, the Bulldogs in particular, look sharper. Both sides are expected to soar in 2020 (for however long the season goes on), so hopefully this will be a sign of things to come. They both had similar pre-seasons, winning one game apiece in the Marsh Community Series. So the stage is set for an exciting encounter.
Surely all eyes will be on Bulldog Aaron Naughton.
He played all 23 games last year in what was a breakout year for the 20-year-old.
At the end of the 2019 home-and-away season, he ranked first in the league for contested marks and finished with 32 goals (including two in the elimination final). He is a confirmed starter tonight after making a full recovery from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee earlier and if the Dogs can get the ball in his hands, he could be unstoppable.
(Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos/Getty Images)
He will also have the assistance of new teammate Josh Bruce, who will be making his Dogs debut tonight. The two, combining with small forward Sam Lloyd, could prove a dangerous trio.
Former Crow Alex Keath will also play his first game for the club tonight.
While the Western Bulldogs are looking good, my tip is with Collingwood.
They were just four points away from a second successive grand final appearance in 2019 and I have no doubt they’ll be seeking redemption this time around.
Their midfield is quite a force. And they’ll likely receive first-class treatment out of the ruck from Grundy. He could be the difference as he has been so many times before.
The Pies announced earlier in the week that their captain Scott Pendlebury had been cleared of Coronavirus and will line up tonight, while Tyler Brown, son of premiership Pie Gavin, will make his AFL debut.
And for your dose of wholesome content this week, mature-aged recruit Ben Cavarra will finally make his AFL debut. The club announced the news yesterday morning and it was celebrated by footy fans around the country.
Tonight, the two teams will play for the Robert Rose Cup, in honour of former player Robert Rose and his contribution to the sport, as well as raising awareness for people living with a spinal-cord injury. In addition to the cup, a foundation was set up by the Rose family in his honour in 1999. Click here to learn more about the Robert Rose Foundation.
That’s my Friday forecast. How about yours?
EaglesMan
Roar Rookie
Naughton & Bruce the most overrated forward and you call Jack Darling a spud haha. What happen to your much vaunted midfield?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I’ll still take a flag in a 11 round season if it’s on offer. Still a flag in the history books.
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Lol.
joebloggs
Guest
I'm finding it really hard to care. Nobody wants to win a premiership under these circumstances. I think the season should be canceled honestly, play games but not for points. Treat the whole season like an exhibition series.
berrlins
Roar Pro
Have to agree on Cordy, he's our weakest link by a long shot in the back 6. Young has speed and has a good mark on him
DTM
Guest
Clearly, this is a compromised season and we are not even guaranteed 17 rounds. If the season stretches to 40 weeks, it could become quite tedious. Why then don't the coaches and players adopt a more entertaining style of play? Given the challenges of the recent past and those forecast for the next few months, can they throw caution to the wind and just entertain? Personally, I don't really care who wins the flag in 2020 if we get some spectacular footy. On the other hand, if we have a season of low scores and negative football, I'm likely to switch off pretty early in the year.
DTM
Guest
Agree, I think English is getting better and this will be a good test. Grundy will beat him but I expect English to win a few more contests than last time.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
I agree. The last time they were consistently hard to play against was 2016. Wallis and Libba will definitely help that, but they seem to have too many players who go missing at times.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
I don't get that at all; he's a very limited player. I'd play Lewis Young at full back for sure; he has much more upside.
another paul
Roar Rookie
I'm not so confident on the dogs. They do start the year quite well normally but a decent half season hasn't got me sold that they've got their socks pulled up and are ready to mix it at the top. I don't doubt they're getting there in terms of player skill, but mental fortitude seems to be a weakness. Maybe Bont as captain and a bit of mongrel from Dunks, Libba and Wallace will push them up the ladder this year but if they don't find that killer edge they're going to end as also rans.
another paul
Roar Rookie
Yeah did not expect that either. And man Bevo must like Cordy for him to get a game, I reckon Cordy must deliver Bevo's coffee every morning, It's a disgrace.
Nick
Roar Guru
Let's just hope they put up the nets behind the goals tonight. It was a bit silly having people having to search for the ball between the seats.
6x6 perkele
Roar Rookie
No Treloar will see Bulldogs win
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
At least this game will likely be competitive and may be a genuine pointer to potential finalists. Would have been a much more appropriate season opener!
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Me too. I'm keen to seen Naughty and Bruce in the same forward line; those two can take a grab so it's going to put back lines under a lot of pressure. What do you think of Gardner getting a run? Was a complete surprise to me; must be training the house down.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I have an inkling that Grundy might find Tim English to be a bit more of a handful than last time...especially around the ground. I'd like the Wobbly Ones to win but I suspect the Bullies will take this one.
berrlins
Roar Pro
Grundy is the difference, so good challenge to see if English has improved over the summer and can provide abit of a challenge. My heart is with the dogs, for the first time in awhile they’ve got a dangerous forward line and the midfield to kick it to them. Can’t wait!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Finals preview? If we make it to finals. If Sam Mitchell was playing this round he’d be coughing on the opposition.