Harsh, I know, yet the excitement I felt when Round 1 was confirmed to go ahead is nowhere to be seen now.
Gill McLachlan has announced that footy is back on June 11. I anticipated ticker tape being launched from windows of isolation and socially distant fireworks to be deployed, but there was merely a ripple of celebration.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m in no way against the beautiful game returning and I’ll still be tuning in with wife-annoying regularity to watch these titans clash.
But I feel like it’s likely to be out of tradition and obligation rather than any thrill-seeking blood lust.
Any way you cut it, this year will be forever asterisked and it will be tough to get behind the already watered-down version of a season.
Whoever salutes on grand final day will know that it won’t count as much. It likely will to them, but to the rest of us they will be the pretenders. Something I never thought I’d hear myself say is that I really hope my team don’t win this year.
(Mark Metcalfe/AFL Photos/via Getty Images )
I do understand the need for it to come back and that it is an economy within itself. Beyond the entertainment value, many, many people rely on the AFL as a livelihood and the quicker we can head toward normal, the better it will be for a lot of folk. Not least Kane Cornes, who is running out of people to disparage.
It’s definitely worth checking out the positives of this new set-up and I’m happy to admit there are quite a few. The shorter game time means that the frenetic pace we clamour for will be on show from the first siren to the last and the reduced tally of matches should keep teams from having that late-season dip, so the quality will be on show right up to the end.
Speaking of the smaller season, each game will now have been dipped in gold. Every premiership point will see its value skyrocket faster than Uber Eats share prices. A dropped game could have devastating consequences because there aren’t enough furlongs to catch the pack if you fall behind.
The biggest win that will come from this season is the forced derailment of the coaching arms race. In a previous article I wrote about AFL club spending. I suggested that a greater focus be placed on the ever-increasing heads in the coaching boxes. Clubs inventing titles to gain as much IP over the enemy as possible was a becoming an untethered monster.
The soft cap has done a little to alleviate it, but I’m not for financial restrictions if you can afford to splash cash – I was more against snatching the top two or three in their field and hoarding them rather than allow that knowledge to filter across the league.
But this new financial world of post-COVID-19 has forced all clubs into this realm of thought. Now it has to be quality of the person in the chair rather than the number of chairs you can fill.
So I will be watching this season as little more than an implementation of sporting theories and morbid curiosity, but we can all come together knowing that this is, without a doubt, the death knell of AFLX.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
There will no doubt be a logjam of sides looking around 5-12. Personally, I think Cats and the Eagles the Pies biggest threats, then Richmond. Port could well even make a surprise Preliminary final. Giants may be mentally stuffed by the worst performance in AFL Grand Final history.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
yattuzzi and pete im thinking collingwood Richmond gws westcoast Brisbane doggies hawks geelong Melbourne port north bombers then the rest, will be a log jam from about 6 down to about 12 I reckon could possibly have any order there,usually have a couple sides each year surprise everyone,perhaps Brisbane fall Melbourne rise perhaps,or cats fall port rise
Maxy
Roar Rookie
they are consistently very good at being inconsistent over a very consistent amount of time :laughing: :laughing: I agree, do a lot of things right,think they are on the right path [going to draft last couple years] but need time I feel key forward stocks very young apart from Dixon who cant stay on park very often,first year player won the goal kicking last year [28],so kicking a decent score each week is my main concern,have them hovering around 8-10 but I hope you correct
Maxy
Roar Rookie
quite ironic isn't it port v Norwood such hatred [but with respect] and history between them and we [port] would not exist without keith Thomas ,but just pure hatred towards Glenelg :laughing: :laughing:
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I’m very bullish on Port. Yes, they are incredibly inconsistent but have had the capacity for some time to beat the best too. I feel 2020 is the year they line everything up. Top 6 and threatening top 4, barring heavy injuries.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
pete you must see something in port I don't?think they finished 10th last year
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Thanks Col. I’ve got bored trying to keep up
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
It’s the AFL rules Pete not the Governments. The AFL are obviously trying to prevent players from any contact outside their training and immediate family.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
My valid reason is that their coaching staff where always lean but with the Pies and the Tigers, the reduction will affect them more. WCE never rated them. With the hub away from home, no chance.
Mooty
Roar Rookie
You would need very valid reasons to rate Footscray above Richmond West Coast and Collingwood. I agree with you that the GWS will slide, but I’m not sure by that much. As for Port they are anyone’s guess from year to year, I’d hate to follow them.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
If they get to play in Adelaide, watch out.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
I think the hubs will change everything. The Vics have the advantage. The team who can adjust, focus and apply will do it. I hope it’s not the Hawks. They will need to be really lucky with no injuries. I always picked the Eagles as fifth, same as last year but dropped them down due to the Away from home distraction.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I thought Vics could play golf now Col and picnic in groups less than ten ? Go for long day trip drives too.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I would say stuff it and walk the golf course then. Say it’s for exercise. It’s ridiculous if they are staying at a golf resort and aren’t allowed to play. Get the Gold Coast boys to caddie and disinfect the clubs each round.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
The ban on surfing is ambiguous at best. You can swim for exercise, how about surfing for exercise, paddling, on knees...I get it, public toilets and all, driving into areas you don’t live in..surfing in your own area...swimming...paddling...snorkeling...differentiations. Blah.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
He tells me his preference is for Blue-eyed Scorpio Brunettes.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Which bolter though Yattz? The Dogs?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I know some FIFO families who do it tough. I think it is a tough ask and will impact fringe clubs like Freo. Port and WCE will be strong enough to cope.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Sure Rowdy...” a friend”?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Interesting we both rate Port.