The Good:
1. Adelaide Crows: The Crows were supreme in their defeat of Hawthorn. This game was brilliant, with Adelaide starting slow and behind by 6 goals in the first half, only to leverage strong fitness and brilliant ball movement to overrun the Hawks. What's even more impressive is Adelaide lost over 1200 games of experience in retirements last year, primarily from their midfield which did not miss a beat. Patrick Dangerfield is ready for a break-out year
2. Essendon Bombers: The James Hird revolution came to the party for Round 1. Essendon not only defeated a Top Four candidate but a team where most experts have been bullish about being Collingwood's number 1 challenger. The Bombers on Sunday had 71 inside 50's, the most since their 2000 Grand Final demolition of Melbourne. This was complemented by their strong defense, pressure and hound mentality of the Bulldogs ball carriers, which restricted them to 8 goals. With this blend of defence and attack, could the coaching panel have instilled a knowledge on how to play the game?
3. Collingwood...again: The Pies looked in scintillating form. They did what they had to do against Port, being challenged once, yet still won by 75 points. What was more impressive for Collingwood is their midfield brigade rested forward and kicked goals. Dane Swan repaid the faith to his contract renewal by picking up 30 plus possessions and kicking 3 goals resting forward.
4. Jack Riewoldt: The big full forward on the opening night was brilliant kicking six goals from rubbish forward line delivery and taking strong contested marks and finishing accurately unlike his cousin. This forward is a star of our game, and deserves the accolades as he plays in a mediocre team.
The Bad:
1. St. Kilda: The game plan over summer was preached to be more attacking, provide Riewoldt help up forward, spread the goal kickers, and improve the run and carry. None of this was evident on Friday night. At every win of the ball, St. Kilda held the ball up. They went side-ways and kicked long down the ground to huge packs where Riewoldt was outnumbered and battered. The midfield refused to drop their eyes and kick to open men and run the ball against a slow Geelong outfit. Ross Lyon needs to shake-up this team. The bottom 6 players are not capable of winning a premiership and need to be turned over. Raphael Clarke and Sam Fisher need to play forward if Sam Gilbert is reluctant. Jamie Cripps, Nick Heyne, Jack Steven need to be played just like Mitch Duncan, Daniel Menzel, Taylor Hunt, Cam Guthrie all delivered value for Geelong. Young players can step into today's game and add value. Ross Lyon take heed and move forward.
2. Western Bulldogs: A ferocious contested ball winner last year, was humbled on Sunday. This team was out-muscled and did not want to run both ways. This was lazy football from a team that thought it would all happen for them. What makes things worse, is the only player delivering strong value in the first half in new recruit Djerrkura was subbed off in the third term. A little bit baffling.
3. The Sub-Rule: Coaches were extremely timid in using this hoping to hang on to it until an injury occurred. Coaches need to use this tactic for playing a 4th player, not keeping the player in the hope an injury occurs. Strategically coaches should take a look at basketball and use the sub player as an impact player that has all round skills. A goal kicking utility type should always be the sub and they should be used midway through the 2nd or 3rd terms to provide something to the game that is not evident until then.
The Ugly
1. Geelong vs. St.Kilda
In recent memory this game was horrible of many games Sports Analytics has seen, with supporters booing religiously and the atmosphere being dead throughout the MCG. St. Kilda played it's typical game plan and seduced Geelong into doing the same. This led to a dour contest with two teams that have dysfunctional forward lines. Many mistakes and poor decision making would have had Collingwood laughing that these are their closest rivals to the Premiership Cup
2. Jarrad Waite: Waite was cleared of serious concussion damage, but one might have thought he got it before the big bump trying to kick Luke McGuane in the 'aggots' behind play. He should have been rubbed out and should be severely reprimanded. He obviously has the intellect of a pea, the way he plays the game. He is fast becoming a liability in a game where cowardly acts are not required.
3. Jonathan Brown's face: Brown after surgery looks like a car crash victim. The courageousness of Brown can never be understated. Poor Brown will now miss up to 10 weeks and the Lions will sorely miss their captain.
That's all folks, stay tuned for next week.
