finally! we're back, and it's wall to wall footy here in the Sunburned country from thursday to sunday every single weekend until October. New competition format too with a "wildcard" round to let 9th and 10th play finals. booooo
AFL kicks off with "Opening Round" that was originally set up to take advantage of the NRL world looking at Vegas. Now it's a week later, coinciding with the rest of the NRL kicking off, it makes less sense. Also there is a game in Melbourne because the Victorians did what they always do when something happens in footy that doesn't revolve around them, packed the shits and stamped their feet until Collingwood got their way. Flogs.
Anyway, this is how the Lions supporters are entering the season:
when you go back-to-back there isn't much to worry about. As long as Carlton or Nick Daicos don't win, i don't give a shit.
That said, we are overwhelming favourites for the three-peat. Our list profile is ridiculously young for the success we have had. We have lost clutch finals player Cal Ah-Chee, ruck warrior Big-O and annoyingly a really good defender in Brandon Starcevich. But, being good means you get good free agents, picking up a good forward in Oscar Allen, and a good ruck in Sam Draper. We also have an elite back line all coming back from injury. It looks for all money like run off half back will be the key metric this year, and we have like 12 elite guys at that. If Lachie Neale can focus his anger at getting busted rooting his missus's mate in to footy, and the rest of our elite midfield continue their progression then just maybe you will hear the mighty roar again in September.
Geelong lost the GF, badly. That usually means you fall to about 10th. But this is Geelong, like the Melbourne Storm they never die. For once they didn't just get handed a big inter-state free agent. Scott is an elite coach, they are, as usual, a solid bet for top 4.
Collingwood have all sorts of advantages. Nick Daicos is annoyingly good, if overrated by the Vic-centric punditry. The knock on them last year was their age profile, and they definitely ran out of puff at the end of the year. A couple of stalwarts like Mihocek are gone, the hit the draft, and will try to re-tool. Too many melbourne games means the probably still play finals..
Hawthorn flew home last year before being overwhelmed in the prelim. Mitchell looks like a gun coach. They have abundant young talent, but already injury concerns. No huge list moves, so if their last couple of months was sustainable, should push on.
The Sunnies played finals last year, and won one in an absolute belter. Hardwick added steel to their obvious talent. They picked up Christian Pretracca who is still really fucking good, and Ugle-Hagan who has obvious talent if they can keep his head right. Their midfield is ridiculously good. Should make the 8 again. All Qld GF would have Melbourne in flames.
GWS keep making finals but lost their most important member to Tassie (their social media guy was elite). You know what, they've been up for years and keep finding new and interesting ways to crach out, and i am picking them to be a play-in team at best.
Freo lost a heartbreaker of a final and Nat Fyfe last year. Don't worry Dockers fans, they picked up Mason Cox as a replacement. With West Coast essentially a WAFL team, they are the Wests only hope. But Freo never win, so don't back them in.
Adelaide made big strides last year as they were expected to do. They eventually got Ah Chee but he's hurt his knee. No big list moves so improvement has to be internal. Showed a bit last year but how long can Tex keep kicking goals?
Ah the Dogs. Constantly get their list talked up so the pundits can take shots at Bevo. Bont is still the best player in the game IMO, they do have talent, the play in was made for them. Can they push on this year? who knows, but probably not because Bevo can't seem to get them to win close games.
The Swannies had the traditional "pumped in the GF fall down the ladder" year but they got smoked by injuries. They desperately need goals from somewhere other then their midfield so Curnow is great for them (fitness pending). Serong isn't a bad pick up either. Too much talent at the coal face to not get back to finals, could come top 4.
My favourite quote of the year so far is "there is no drug quite like a Carlton preseason". As usual, for some reason, expectations are high at the Blues. Unbeaten preseason, got rid of the locker room cancer Curnow (ignore he was one of the games best players a year ago), Vossy, against all odds, has learned to coach. Baggers are Flaggers! Curnow and De Konig are actually big outs, Silvagni as well. Spoon.
St Kilda have spent coin on the list this offseason, bringing in established first graders to help a talented but young list. Ross the Boss will have some of the funniest press conferences this year as always. Haven't won a flag on colour TV, won't change this year, play in.
Port Adelaide? who cares. Fired Ken who kept getting them to finals. Won't progress.
Melbourne? Who knows. Stephen May had to retire because he is not right in the head. Clayton Oliver wasn't right in the head (but differenty) and is now at GWS. Petracca wanted out and got it. That's a lot of premiership experience gone (though only May really played last year). Probably not good enough to contend even for the play-in, but i really don't know.
Essendon! The play in was designed to try and get Essendon to break their finals win duck that is now stretched out to about 50 years. Sadly i think the other Scott is a shit coach, there isn't much to rave about on their list. That drought is going to stretch
Richmond have young talent and will develop, but still bottom 4.
North are North, things don't seem to be improving, the game may have moved on from Clarko.
West Coast will get the spoon
