Hawthorn shocked the the football world with a stunning demolition job on serious flag contenders Port Adelaide. We need to take serious notice of Sam Mitchell’s men.
Carlton look like genuine finals contenders with a smashing win over the Bulldogs, Sydney gave Geelong a reality check after they demolished Essendon last week, Collingwood have found a new direction with a convincing annihilation of the Crows, St. Kilda reacted to Brett Ratten’s third quarter spray to overrun Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs look shaky and punch drunk after round two to remain winless.
Anyone with a bulletproof forecast on this year’s finalists after this must be lauded for sheer gumption with the unfolding uncertainty which fashions this season as a fascinating rollercoaster that will certainly throw up some huge surprises.
Melbourne will discover that their flag success will not be as easy to replicate as last year with the gap closing to a level unprecedented for many years.
The reigning Premiers found it hard going against Gold Coast before squeezing a 13-point win.
Essendon made the expected recovery from a horror start against the Cats but succumbed to the Brisbane Lions after a fiercely contested early half. Essendon had themselves to blame for not making a mark on their season due to inaccuracy in front of goal.
There’s plenty to do to turn their season around but what was glaringly evident was the return of Jake Stringer who made them look a different team with his impact through the midfield.
Apart from Sydney, there’s little to suggest a forerunner for the flag at this stage as it seems like a season that will be determined by injury and Covid-19 restrictions which turned out to be North Melbourne’s friend against the stricken West Coast Eagles who went down narrowly despite a heavy toll on their list.
Buddy Franklin’s memorable 1000 goal milestone gives Sydney the rare double of two players from this great club achieving a rare piece of history. Tony Lockett was the last Sydney hero to create similar scenes that puts the club in an exclusive place in the games history.
Both did stints at other clubs, Franklin at Hawthorn and Lockett at St. Kilda before completing the rare honour.
Franklin sits sixth on the 1000 goal record from320 games making the Swans bookends in this incredible achievement. Lockett is the all-time record holder with 1360 goals from 281 games.
In between lies Gordon Coventry 1299 goals from 306 games, Jason Dunstable 1254 from 269 games, Doug Wade 1057 from 267, and Gary Albert Sr, 1031 from 248.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Yes watched him today. KD couldn't pull off his 3 pointer buzzer breaker. That push by the Nets player could have cost them a spot in the finals. The big feller was even shooting his free throws. That probably got them over the line.
Maxy
Roar Rookie
Is there anything the greek freak can't do Yattz.Go to Philly dump 40 on Embid and Harden and blocks his attempted game winning shot,then go's to Brooklyn dumps 40 on Durant and Irving ties it with a 3 and wins it in overtime at the free throw line...and he goes ok in defence also,one of the favs for dpoy.....MVP
Fairsuckofthesav
Roar Rookie
Ken Farmer and Tim Evans kicked a 1000 goals in the Sanfl. About time they were acknowledged in these conversations.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
He has deleted one. Yeah very happy winning the first 2 games against good sides. Will be looking forward to this weeks game against Hawthorn as they are looking a lot better than was predicted. Can’t wait to see Cerra back to see how much better a very good midfield will be. Cripps, Walsh, Cerra, Kennedy & Hewitt are playing A- grade football at the moment and Pittonet & TDK have been very good rucks. It was great to see Harry & Charlie combine with 9 goals last week and I am sure the more games they play together we will see them become a great tall forward duo. Down back we have some pretty good players too - Weitering, Docherty, Saad & Williams. Losing Jones wasn’t good but Mc Govern has played his best 2 games for the Blues now he has moved down-back and McDonald hasn’t been too bad either. The reserves have played a couple of good games too which makes our depth so much better and finally we have a much better coaching group led by Vossy.
ElDiablo14
Guest
I am not particularly knowledgeable about Richmond to know if they actually came from nowhere in 2017. Certainly there were some writings on the wall for Melbourne, just a couple of missed years in 2019 and 2020. If anything 2019 actually helped to put us definitely in the right path to the premiership ( still can't believe the huge draft class we got that year).
Cozzy
Roar Rookie
Blues will do well with Vossy..... is it too late to swap? you have Hinkley and we'll have Voss back lol.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Melbourne are scary good when they get going
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Just sniffed a little Hubris, El D. All the Tiger’s supporters telling Carlton and Freo supporters, you can’t come from nowhere. Not like our champions, not like Scraggers and not like Melbourne.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
The hole is deep for Port and westerns. Both should make the eight but…. Brisbane in the mix along with Melbourne. Sydney maybe next year. Blues the year after. Cats still a chance. As you said, round two so a lot of water to go under the bridge. On my disappointment list; insipid orange midgets, soft insecure saints. On my same as it ever was list; Freo.
George Apps
Roar Rookie
I tipped the Swans to go all the way last year, but they shot themselves in the foot against GWS unfortunately. I'm not making the same mistake this year!
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
end of round 2 Yatz what are your teams that can win the flag?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
yeah I noticed that Col. You must be so pleased with the Blues start to the year.
ElDiablo14
Guest
What I was trying to say Yatz is that you can't go from zero to hero in just one year. Melbourne 2021 was the result of the improvements in game style and the list from 2015-2017. Then 2018 we finally put everything together but obviously wasn't enough to compete in the big leagues. 2019 was an 'odd' year, 2020 we actually finished the season strong and, had it been a normal season (23 rounds), I could see Melbourne playing finals on that year. 2021 was just the culmination of all the above.
Chris M
Guest
True, but what they both have in common is that they and achieved their milestones at Sydney and both will likely finish their careers there. The most recent memories are the most vivid. You can also say that both players matured as people at Sydney even if they were possibly more productive players during their younger years at their previous clubs. I’d like to think both players would have no regrets about move from a personal perspective. At least, I hope that is the outcome. Plugger did get to play in a grand final with the Swans, though unfortunately a losing one. Although Buddy missed out on winning two premierships with Hawthorn, if he could win at least one of them back with the Swans before he retires, it may become the most meaningful premiership for him.
Yattuzzi
Roar Rookie
Maybe they are Melbourne from 2021.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Funny, 2 comments very similar from 2 different name ‘guests’.
Brian
Guest
Its quite a stretch on the full forward thing given both Plugger & Buddy kicked more goals for their Melbourne clubs then they did for Sydney.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Not saying the Blues will win it as I dont think they will. Im saying I had them for the bottom half of the top 8 but they may even get to a prelim. Melbourne still the stand out for me. Swans are amazing with their reinvention.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Reef McInnes pressing too for debut...The Browns need to perform this year with all this youth coming up under them
ElDiablo14
Guest
Not sure about Carlton. I can't see a team going from perennial 11-13th on the ladder and becoming top 4, let alone premiership contender. They could be like Melbourne in 2018, but that's about the most they can achieve.