Preview: Hawthorn Geelong
Melbourne vs. Gold Coast, Saturday 1.40pm (all times EDT), MCG
For the love of all things holy, there is really a single objective for Melbourne - don’t get flogged. That’s it. Season (and larger project) comes under serious heat if they rock up on Saturday and are rolled by Eade’s army of manchildren in a brutal way. Notorious SEN caller Chris from Camberwell is under police surveillance if this newly repaired boat capsizes in the early spring sunshine.
Gold Coast by 28.
Sydney vs. Essendon, Saturday 4:35pm, ANZ Stadium
So it’s over. Or maybe isn’t. Who knows really, but for now Essendon can breathe for the first time in two years. There’s really only one thing left, and that’s James Hird after his numerous failures needs to win back the trust of a fractured supporter base and football community. It’ll take more than winning a game of football, but it’s an okay start.
Sydney by 40.
Brisbane vs. Collingwood, Saturday 7:20pm, GABBA
A colliding of worlds. Brisbane have lived in utter anonymity for the last decade, with a man on a train recently remarking within earshot he was “impressed” with Michael Voss’ (!?) off-season recruiting. Collingwood as usual are completely overexposed in ways many cash strapped clubs dare to dream of. Nothing moves at the Westpac Centre without the press and other muck rackers jumping on top of it, this week no different.
Interesting game with a lot on the line for both teams looking to climb out of mid-table.
Brisbane by 20.
Western Bulldogs v West Coast, Saturday 7:20pm, Etihad Stadium
Round 1 always comes with its pitfalls of acting as a true guide to the season ahead. Teams haven’t clicked, most players are yet to have peaked physically and pre-season form can fly out the window as quickly as it originated.
Which is why the Dogs might be able to carry on and get a result here. Luke Beveridge’s brand is a bit a kamikaze, but it’s a team with nothing left to lose.
Bulldogs by 5.
St.Kilda vs. Greater Western Sydney, Sunday 1.10pm, Etihad Stadium
Some teams open the season with an earth-shattering roar, a huge crowd hungry after six months of footy gone. St. Kilda get dumped in an awkward Easter Sunday timeslot, oddly enough in a ground that has roughly the same atmosphere of a tomb when empty.
Suppose there’s not much to see at the moment, but it’s still important experience to try to win this early on in a rebuild.
Giants by 14.
Adelaide v North Melbourne, Sunday 3:10pm, Adelaide Oval
North Melbourne aren’t challenging. Lid’s on, no one speak of the coming storm, loose lips sink ships. They bought two free agents and according to Brad Scott, aren’t mounting a flag challenge. Footy is funny like that, It’s easier to white lie than give a perfectly acceptable answer to a question everyone has already answered for you.
It won’t be so funny if they kick off their ‘flag assault’ with an Eddie Betts masterclass though.
North by 9.
Fremantle v Port Adelaide, Sunday 4:40, Domain Stadium
Outside of the Vic centric blockbusters, pick of the round. Played an extremely entertaining semi-final last season, arguably showing the best of both teams – Fremantle’s slow python squeeze in the first half; Port Adelaide’s frantic helter-skelter brand in the second.
Losing tagger Ryan Crowley is a huge blow to any chance of a flag, and it might get dangerous if the Dockers can’t stem the tide of Port’s pacey ball users.
Power by 21.