AFL 2022

[Zzzptm]

Pre-season, yes, but the lads are on the pitch now.

Carlton had a strong Q1, a great Q2, a fairly decent Q3, and managed to hold on in the 4th to win over the Dees.

[Jack the Stripper]

Seasons starts in 2 weeks. It seems the AFL is cracking down on umpire dissent which wasn’t out of control to begin with. Just another classic overreach by the AFL and as usual the umps will over officiate it which will only create more angst from supporters towards the umpires. Apparently there’s is a big shortfall on umpires at community level which they’re blaming on crowd behaviour at local football so the AFL is determined to make an example at AFL level in the hope it filters down to junior football. But as I said most of the bad behaviour towards umpires is from spectators at both AFL and community level which you can’t stop. Maybe you can reign it in at community level but not at professional AFL level. People pay their money and are entitled to vent, as long as it’s not over the top swearing etc in front of families and kids. 7 x 50 penalties were payed in last nights game against players just for throwing their hands in the air or asking what the free kick was for. The players are expected to be emotionless robots now. Ridiculous! 

[Zzzptm]

Aw, man, I hate it when natural expressions like that are clamped down on. I did not like one bit the NFL rule on "excessive celebrations in the endzone" that made anything more than a thumbs-up practically a penalty.

[Zzzptm]

Collingwood  loses big to GWS in the first preseason game and folks are already touting them to get the wooden spoon this year, lolz. Wee bit early for that, I would think.

[Zzzptm]

I see the Dees have had their match vs the Bulldogs, the season is opened! Bulldogs did a great job in the 2nd quarter. Dees climbed their hill in 3rd quarter, took the lead back. Dogs got close in the 4th, but Dees weren't having it and defended their lead convincingly. Great starter for the season, Dees looking to be in great form, Bulldogs not too shabby, but obviously not good enough to get past the Dees.

[Jack the Stripper]

The game played near a carbon copy of last years GF barring the big blowout in the margin.

And wasn’t Beveridge prickly after the game unleashing on a journo

https://www.afl.com.au/news/719314/-gutter-journalism-bevo-storms-out-after-extraordinary-outburst

[Zzzptm]

Well, looks like one coach has got his knickys in a twisty-twist!

[Zzzptm]

Planning to watch the Geelong-Essendon match in full later today or tomorrow. Found where the full matches are kept at afl.com.au, so I plan to watch Geelong this year. I started on this one, and it's great being able to see the midfield action and defensive stops that don't make the highlights reels.

[Zzzptm]

Great match, Geelong - never didn't have it. Watching the Brisbane-Port battle right now. I'm midway in the second quarter, both teams trying to find a way to exert themselves, very close match thus far.

[Jack the Stripper]

The Cats were awesome!  Would’ve won by a lot more had Cameron not got subbed out in the first qtr after that bone jarring collision. He was looking ominous early in that game. Also liking the new quicker ball movement game plan and the fact they never eased up the pressure they applied to Essendon all day, even when they were 10 goals up. It’s only Rd 1 so not getting too carried away but if they play with that attacking flare and relentless pressure mindset every week they’re gonna win a lot of games this year. Big game against Sydney next who also looked impressive against GWS.

[Zzzptm]

Indeed. Essendon got touted big time by that one columnist to win the premiership. Maybe they have a better season this year, but premiership? Yeah nah. I'm expecting the top teams from last year to remain competitive and there are, of course, going to be the new entrants to the top tier coupled with the teams making their exits. Richmond losing to Carlton is possibly an early sign of some changes in the air. Collingwood started with a bang over St. Kilda, but the Roos... the Roos...

[Jack the Stripper]

A little discussion on the Cats new game plan

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/tv-shows/on-the-couch/on-the-couch-the-stark-change-to-geelongs-game-plan-that-took-courage-and-could-solve-their-finals-woes/news-story/75654357c9fcb99206dec64c45efd6ee?fbclid=IwAR3_VKVLJor9U9coEzqDZsofSGF6PK78j_FI_4GBQc5R3f2SDiOZcjTi4-c

[Zzzptm]

Getting more forward with the ball means their opponents have to be ready with closer man-to-man coverage of stars like Hawkins. Not every defense is going to be up to the task - they'll have to be right up on them, not 5-6 meters away like most play it, zone style. Swans are going to be a key early test for their aggressive style, I'm excited for that match.

For other teams, I really liked Brisbane's performance against Port Adelaide. Port wasn't bad, either, with the run-up they had in the mid-game. But the Lions were better, and climbed the hill to the top and held on. Brisbane's against Essendon next week, be interesting to see if they can run it up on them like Geelong did or if Essendon finds some answers.

[Zzzptm]

Carlton picked up a second win vs. Bulldogs, they are looking strong coming out of the gate. Carlton deffo a team to keep an eye on this season.

[Zzzptm]

Geelong took a loss as Franklin got his 1000th goal and the Swans crowd went nucking futs.