Round 1: Brisbane v Swans @ the Gabba

[Swanny40519]

Wow - what a great start to the season. I was hoping we would be competitive against a more experienced side, but the way we moved the ball, our kicking and marking skills were the best I have seen for a few seasons.

The coaches, support staff and players should be extremely happy with that effort. It has been a long time since we kicked 19 goals in game. Our 3rd qtr effort was brilliant and that helped calm my nerves going into the last qtr.

Hopefully Rowbotham will be ok for next week as he had a great game - along with most of the team.

[barry]

I find it incredible that not one journalist asked Longmire what his thinking was to play a short backline against such a tall forward line. Or why McLean came in for Melican. And that goes for the 4 'distinguished' Fox commentators as well.

The water is very shallow outside the virtual pond of RWO.

I think the answer is as simple as melican is a fringe player and form
or conditions meant his spot was taken by someone else. It's not like he's a star being dropped.

[Captain]

Lloyd: if you take out his free touches from kick ins, his stats aren't that impressive. Really think Ling will soon be a better defensive option

I don't understand your constant criticism of Lloyd. Absolutely crazy.

As for Ling, he is fighting to survive on our list, let alone sending our reigning B&F winner to play in the VFL.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Kudos to the coaches on the selection of McLean, and how he played his role.

It meant Harris was occupied and couldn’t float free to pluck off our entries, it meant McDonald wasn’t left to do all the work when Reid went into the ruck, and it meant McDonald could almost play as the third tall against a less experienced opponent.

And McLean is clearly a footballer with a desperation to do what’s right and the ability to compete every time he gets near the ball.

[707]

Great win, but we also won our first game against Adelaide last year and thought the rebuild was over.

But, it does maker the season look fun!

JUST won our first game last year against the Wooden Spooner, this was a solid win against an in contention team on their home ground.

This feels a whole lot different and this time last year we had little depth, look who didn't make the cut for this game, serious talent in the wings.

[Legs Akimbo]

The game definitely had breakthrough characteristics. It wasnt that we won, it was how we won.

- 3 debutants. What does this say about our coaching philosophy?
- skill, real skill. Check the effective disposal stats.
- speed of ball movement often through the corridor
- a ruckman who won the tapouts
- tenacity. They hit back on and we hit back twice as hard in the third quarter. Literally floored the lions
- passion and belief. This for me is the best. They really smashed out the team song. You can see and feel the bomds forming in this group.
- a grade players in the making. You need 3 or 4 to win the flag in most years. They aren't there yet but you can see the potential is there.

They'll have plenty of down days this year but we are on a steep upwards curve

[Ludwig]

I think the answer is as simple as melican is a fringe player and form
or conditions meant his spot was taken by someone else. It's not like he's a star being dropped.

I don't think it's quite so simple. We played both preseason games with 2 tall defenders and 2 tall forwards, but without trying it out in either preseason game, we opted to go with 1 tall defender and 3 tall forwards against the tallest forward line in the comp. It wasn't so much as Melican was dropped, but rather we decided to change our structure. I would like to know why we decided to make this change.

Did we bring in McLean specifically to play a negating role on Andrews? Or is it going to be a 'permanent' change in our structure in the games to come?

[Thunder Shaker]

Just waiting for the calls to shut the academy from Victoria.

Gulden was available to be drafted in the open draft pool and he wasn't picked until the second round. Every Victorian club had the opportunity to draft him, traded picks notwithstanding. If they chose not to do so, that's their problem.

[KTigers]

Gulden was available to be drafted in the open draft pool and he wasn't picked until the second round. Every Victorian club had the opportunity to draft him, traded picks notwithstanding. If they chose not to do so, that's their problem.

Maybe they were worried about the "go home" factor. Seriously though, 8 out of the 22 last night were NSW products.
That is just awesome.

[baskin]

Steve Hocking has copped a fair bit of flack pre-season for his man on the mark rule change but kudos to him. All games this week have been really enjoyable to watch and it really has suited our new style of play.

I won't be sold on this rule until someone can explain why Braeden Campbell's goal wasn't allowed and how that is good for the game. The commentators said it was because he went inside the protected area. Does that mean the end of all the long range goals from the likes of Buddy and Dawson from hand offs? I don't think that is such a great thing.
Can anyone enlighten me please?

[Melbourne_Blood]

Not above admitting i was wrong. Thank christ i didnt have any $ on this game. In my defense faith has to be earned and Brisbane earned that faith by reaching a prelim while we finished bottom 4. I will not apologise for thinking we would get smashed.

Gulden is a special talent. So is Mcdonald. These kids are the future. Showing it from day 1. This is what i want to see and when credit is due i pay it. Liked Wicks game but would think he makes way for Mcinerney. Wherever is Stephens these days ??

Reid was a monster. I eat my words about Hickey. Awful in preseason game, superb last night. Liked what i saw. Tap work surprised the hell out of me.

Mills BOG. Heeney close. Nice to see him getting involved. Warner a bull. Papley is a star. Lots to like but it was only 1 game. We looked great vs GWS last year and stunk the week after. But good start

No way slick wicks gets dropped after that game.


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[mcs]

Steve Hocking has copped a fair bit of flack pre-season for his man on the mark rule change but kudos to him. All games this week have been really enjoyable to watch and it really has suited our new style of play.

I'm not quite fully convinced yet - but certainly like how the game has opened up. The fatigue element is interesting - the last quarter last night was imho pretty awful quality football overall (noting the rain didn't help), because everyone on both sides was absolutely gassed. Part of it I'm sure it's round 1 but I wonder how many really poor quality last quarters we will see this year more broadly.

[mcs]

No way slick wicks gets dropped after that game.


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Nope - can't see it either.


But it has been previously claimed he doesn't have the 'class' to make it at AFL level...... Gotta be consistent when you don't think someone is good enough I guess

[Blood Fever]

Not above admitting i was wrong. Thank christ i didnt have any $ on this game. In my defense faith has to be earned and Brisbane earned that faith by reaching a prelim while we finished bottom 4. I will not apologise for thinking we would get smashed.

Gulden is a special talent. So is Mcdonald. These kids are the future. Showing it from day 1. This is what i want to see and when credit is due i pay it. Liked Wicks game but would think he makes way for Mcinerney. Wherever is Stephens these days ??

Reid was a monster. I eat my words about Hickey. Awful in preseason game, superb last night. Liked what i saw. Tap work surprised the hell out of me.

Mills BOG. Heeney close. Nice to see him getting involved. Warner a bull. Papley is a star. Lots to like but it was only 1 game. We looked great vs GWS last year and stunk the week after. But good start

Rowbottom outstanding with his hands. Playing on one leg as well. Great character.

[Roadrunner]

The best start to a season I can remember since we last played 3 debutants in round 1 - 1990 - I was there.

AFL Today Round 1 1990 - YouTube

Fast forward to 1 hour 2 minutes and 10 seconds.

Thanks FL-what a finish! Whatever happened to Shane Fell # 23?
Cheers for tonight guys- what a team we have now!