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Opinion
Here are seven talking points from Round 3 of the AFL.
1. We’re not out of this yet
Reports on Saturday raised the positive COVID-19 test of Conor McKenna and the nature of his exposure. As an international player who was forced to self-isolate and quarantine for two weeks before he returned to Essendon, he uniquely exposed the sensitive and tenuous situation the AFL currently finds itself in.
There has been a belief that we are returning to normal, however, McKenna has exposed how flawed the best-laid plans are in the pandemic context. As a result of this, and through no fault of his own (the AFL does allow players to move house in the isolation context), McKenna has shown the system designed to protect players to be extremely flawed.
It is only with extreme caution and awareness of the risks that players and coaches can continue their seasons, hopefully to their conclusion, but player safety is paramount.
(AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)
2. Suns ravage Crows
On Sunday, the Suns showed that last week was not just a fluke. They comprehensively dominated the hapless Crows in every statistical category from marks (+31) and possessions (+66) to tackles (+19).
Their pressure was a sight to behold as the irrepressible Suns rolled on to win their first match against the Crows in ten years. Matt Rowell continues to cement his name as the Rising Star favourite, and may even poll well in the Brownlow Medal should his performances continue. The Suns will face a sterner test next week as they face a hungry Fremantle outfit at Metricon Stadium.
3. What is going on at Richmond?
In this year’s weird fixture, it is difficult to draw any conclusions from any single match but the normally energetic Tigers looked lethargic and tired as they were surgically dissected by a hungry Hawks outfit.
The Tigers were suffocated in their attacks and found no relief from a Hawks outfit eager to prove last week a fading memory. They moved the ball with relative ease through the Tigers’ zone.
It was a victorious return to form for Jaeger O’Meara as he achieved 23 disposals and two goals. He showed his importance to the Hawks’ midfield with his silky skills. But this loss raises questions of a Richmond outfit where percentage and points will be extremely important in this abridged season.
Are we seeing a return to the yips hoodoo and Richmond finishing ninth?
(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
4. There’s some bite in the Bulldogs-Giants rivalry
If we needed a reminder, the melee occurring at three-quarter time on Friday showed plenty of feeling between the Giants and Bulldogs.
Sadly, the game itself was characterised by poor skill and basic errors as the Dogs ground out an important win in the context of a previously embarrassing season for a side thought to be a smokey for the premiership.
To the Giants, it raises awkward questions of their premiership credentials, a question they do not have the ability to answer.
5. Fast-starting Carlton get an almighty fright
The Blues showed they can start games well, before fading out and nearly losing in heartbreaking fashion. Thankfully, some Eddie Betts heroics and Geelong’s ineptitude kept Geelong from taking the points from the hungry Blues.
Of particular note was the blanketing of Tom Hawkins by the in-form Jacob Weitering, who showed his value as the first draft pick of the 2015 national draft. Furthermore, Marc Pittonet is proving to be a very shrewd acquisition from the Blues’ list management team as he continues to fill in for the injured Matthew Kreuzer.
6. The Eagles don’t like Queensland
The team that was thought of as the favourite for the premiership as recently as two months ago has not impressed in their time on the Gold Coast.
They went down in the pressure cooker of Metricon to the Suns last week and then were exposed by a Brisbane outfit surging up the ladder. Despite naming a comparatively full-strength outfit for both weeks, they’ve looked slow and panicked against the faster and younger sides of Brisbane and Gold Coast.
In this shortened season they need to bank wins and percentage early so they can coast home in the relative confidence that they’re due to round out the season with a series of home games.
(Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
7. Saints have a bit to go before they can call themselves a genuine threat
Collingwood showed what it takes to be a premiership threat as they cast aside their rivals in a convincing manner. The Pies showed the power of the high press and suffocated the Saints up the ground to score repeatedly.
The Saints, on the other hand, despite the many positives that could be taken from the previous week, could not carry it over and showed the gap between the upper echelons of the competition and where the Saints are currently located.
The Saints are an outfit in transition as the new players from last year’s trade period work with one another to build the chemistry and abilities integral to winning a premiership.
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