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Since round one kicks off tonight, I thought that I should start a thread where we can discuss the games other than our own.
The first game is Richmond v Carlton: a game that the AFL tends to claim is the traditional start to the season. Even if the most recent incarnation of that tradition started in 2015, and as far as I know, the only other time that it was a thing, was between 2008 and 2011. Anyway, there's a fair chance that it'll be a decent game. With all the young talent that Carlton have been amassing over the years, they really should be a serious finals contender. Although a quick glance at their already lengthy injury list, suggests that their long suffering fans, may have to suffer a little bit longer.
Though the result of the game is almost irrelevant to many people. What's more important is that top flight football is back in Melbourne, and that fans can once again flock to the MCG. Not that I've spent much time in Victoria, but I suspect that many Victorians have felt that they've been missing an important part of their identity, and that finally, things are almost back to normality.
Friday's Collingwood v Bulldogs game is also that the MCG. Which I guess will give some sort of early indication, of just how much Collingwood's problematic off-season will effect them. Maybe the player exodus will be balanced by the McGuire exodus?
Prior to our match against Brisbane on Saturday night, there's Melbourne v Fremantle, Adelaide v Geelong and Hawthorn v Essendon. I'm sure that Hawks and Bomber fans are enthused by that game, but I'm certainly not. The Demons and Dockers game might be interesting, though. Both teams have the potential to play some attractive football and rise up the ladder, but past history suggests that it won't be both. It's more likely that over the course of the season, one team will look like genuine contenders and the other will descend into a basket case, and at the moment, it would be folly to predict who will be playing which role.
On Sunday, it's North v Port. I think the general consensus is that this could get ugly: most people's tip for the wooden spoon playing many people's premiers. Then it's GWS v St Kilda, where surprisingly GWS are clear favourites; although the Saints have got a bit of an injury list. Then to finish the round, it's West Coast v Gold Coast. The Eagles are strong favourites in this, but I reckon there's a pretty good chance of an upset. The Suns are now a bit like GWS were about five seasons ago, with a huge number of high draft picks. So, if a majority them click, they're capable of beating anyone on their day.
Let the games begin.
The first game is Richmond v Carlton: a game that the AFL tends to claim is the traditional start to the season. Even if the most recent incarnation of that tradition started in 2015, and as far as I know, the only other time that it was a thing, was between 2008 and 2011. Anyway, there's a fair chance that it'll be a decent game. With all the young talent that Carlton have been amassing over the years, they really should be a serious finals contender. Although a quick glance at their already lengthy injury list, suggests that their long suffering fans, may have to suffer a little bit longer.
Though the result of the game is almost irrelevant to many people. What's more important is that top flight football is back in Melbourne, and that fans can once again flock to the MCG. Not that I've spent much time in Victoria, but I suspect that many Victorians have felt that they've been missing an important part of their identity, and that finally, things are almost back to normality.
Friday's Collingwood v Bulldogs game is also that the MCG. Which I guess will give some sort of early indication, of just how much Collingwood's problematic off-season will effect them. Maybe the player exodus will be balanced by the McGuire exodus?
Prior to our match against Brisbane on Saturday night, there's Melbourne v Fremantle, Adelaide v Geelong and Hawthorn v Essendon. I'm sure that Hawks and Bomber fans are enthused by that game, but I'm certainly not. The Demons and Dockers game might be interesting, though. Both teams have the potential to play some attractive football and rise up the ladder, but past history suggests that it won't be both. It's more likely that over the course of the season, one team will look like genuine contenders and the other will descend into a basket case, and at the moment, it would be folly to predict who will be playing which role.
On Sunday, it's North v Port. I think the general consensus is that this could get ugly: most people's tip for the wooden spoon playing many people's premiers. Then it's GWS v St Kilda, where surprisingly GWS are clear favourites; although the Saints have got a bit of an injury list. Then to finish the round, it's West Coast v Gold Coast. The Eagles are strong favourites in this, but I reckon there's a pretty good chance of an upset. The Suns are now a bit like GWS were about five seasons ago, with a huge number of high draft picks. So, if a majority them click, they're capable of beating anyone on their day.
Let the games begin.
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