The Kangaroos put their feet up
What promised to be a must-watch clash between Richmond and North Melbourne became anything but when the Kangaroos announced on Thursday afternoon that they’d be sending in the North Ballarat side instead. They made a whopping nine changes, three players (Todd Goldstein, Nick Dal Santo and Jarrad Waite) officially “managed” and the other six carrying mysterious one-week injuries that will no doubt have completely healed by the club’s first final on Sunday. It spawned a spirited debate about “the integrity of the game” and an angry response by the Crows, who lost the chance to potentially host a final by the Kangaroos all but conceding defeat (and then shot themselves in the foot by losing to Geelong anyway).
It spoke volumes that one of the most reasonable responses to the drama came from a guy who’s never played a single game of AFL. “Are people really firing up about resting players?” tweeted NBA star Andrew Bogut. “Do your work early (win), you have that luxury.”
He’s exactly right. If the Kangaroos feel that they will get just a little more from a rested Goldstein, Andrew Swallow or Shaun Higgins next week, all power to them. And of course, Fremantle had already flagged their intention to do the same thing which barely made headlines given the Dockers had already secured the minor premiership and their opponents Port Adelaide were out of the finals race.
In the end, Richmond were made to work a little harder than they may have anticipated but ran out comfortable 41-point winners. There were positives for both teams. The Tigers’ stars got through unscathed while forgotten Kangaroo Majak Daw showed glimpses of his potential, and second-year player Kayne Turner starred with three goals before his night ended early after a sickening collision.
As North Melbourne’s spirited fight for almost three quarters proved, in no way, shape or form did they set out to lose this match. The 22 that took to the field each had their own motivation to win – playing for a spot in the finals team; auditioning for a new club in 2016; playing to stay on the Kangaroos’ list.
They earned the right to play finals, and they earned the right to ensure their players are best placed to perform in the finals. No more needs to be said.
The Dangerfield circus rolls into town
It was an emotional Saturday afternoon at Simonds Stadium as Geelong supporters said goodbye to three of their premiership heroes, but most of the headlines revolved around Patrick Dangerfield. The Crows star, out of contract at the end of the season, has been linked to a free agency move back to his hometown all year. Both Geelong and Adelaide supporters are confident of their team securing his signature, and the man himself has repeatedly stated he’ll only make a decision after the club’s campaign is done (those in the “he’s going” camp will point out the similarity to the way Gary Ablett and Lance Franklin handled their contract negotiations before departing).
With Geelong’s local newspaper having produced bumper stickers and posters emblazoned with the slogan #comehomepaddy, and banners in the Crows cheersquad trying to assure their star that “there’s no flag at the Cattery”, the Dangerfield drama was a sideshow all afternoon.
When the Brownlow fancy kicked out from full back in the first quarter, directly to Geelong’s Tom Lonergan, the wits on ABC radio reminded him “it’s not next year’s pre-season yet, Paddy”. When he earned any of his 25 possessions, there were audible cheers from the pro-Geelong crowd. When he marked at 50m and had a shot after the final siren, the Cats already comfortable winners, the applause was deafening.
Depending on your viewpoint, Dangerfield may have a week or two left as a Crow or may yet turn his back of the lure of home to stay in Adelaide. One thing both sets of supporters can agree on is that they’re looking forward to his decision either way so the circus can finally end.
Brisbane salvage something from the wreckage
When a football club embarks on yet another pre-season, it desperately needs to sell hope to its supporters. Hope that its players will be bigger, stronger and better next season. Hope that the gameplan will have been tweaked, that injured players are fit again, that draftees will make an immediate impact.
After a wretched year, Brisbane finally gave their supporters hope, beating the Western Bulldogs in an exciting Saturday afternoon encounter and relegating Carlton to the wooden spoon in the process.
It was only six months ago that the Lions, having nabbed Dayne Beams and Allen Christensen, were talked about as boasting one of the league’s best midfields. On Saturday, a lot of those big names stood up. Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley and Dayne Zorko racked up 30-plus touches, as did ruckman Stef Martin, and Lewis Taylor reminded everyone why he won last year’s Rising Star trophy with 28 and three goals.
It was largely bruise-free football, the final score of 130 to 122 resembling a basketball game than an AFL match. But the Lions, securing just their fourth win of the year and desperate to send Jed Adcock out on a high, couldn’t care less how the game was won. To hear that song for just the second time since round seven was reward for effort.
Brisbane are at least a couple of key position players away from real improvement next season, and seems set to miss out on the chase for Charlie Dixon. But Justin Leppitsch will point to Saturday’s win – the Lions’ only against a top eight team in 2015 – as proof that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. And there’s no greater hope than that.
A cruel blow for the Swans
The Swans entered Saturday night’s clash with the Suns as dark horses. The way they’re flying under the radar as they enter this campaign couldn’t be in more stark contrast to 12 months ago, when Sydney were an almost unbackable flag favourite.
But one moment in the first quarter Sydney’s win over Gold Coast may have changed everything. The Suns’ Danny Stanley and Swans’ co-captain Kieren Jack collided in the centre of the SCG, Jack’s knee twisting with the impact of Stanley’s body. The industrious premiership player hobbled from the field in an enormous amount of pain, with coach John Longmire later assessing it as a two to three week injury, which may see him back for a grand final should the Swans make it.
Jack isn’t the only star player with injury concerns ahead of the finals – Isaac Smith, Chris Masten, Brodie Smith and Stewart Crameri will also be under scrutiny this week as they attempt to prove their fitness.
But Sydney, remember, are already without one of the game’s most brilliant young players in Luke Parker who cracked his fibula last month. The loss of two of their stars decimates their midfield, and will likely mean the bulk of the heavy lifting will fall to Josh Kennedy.
With Buddy’s back clearly not 100%, and speedster Gary Rohan again limping from the field, Sydney has a number of headaches as they prepare to head west. If there was ever a time for that fabled Bloods spirit to rise to the fore, this is it.
Let the trading places commence
Season 2015 drew to a close for 10 clubs over the weekend; more than 400 listed players now free to organise their Mad Monday outfits. It means that round 23 was likely the last opportunity for fans to see a host of players in their team’s colours ahead of what promises to be a huge free agency and trade period.
A couple of pieces of the puzzle fell into place in recent days with livewire Steven Motlop re-committing to Geelong and Charlie Dixon officially quitting the Suns to seek a trade to Port Adelaide.
But the likes of Carlton’s Matthew Kreuzer, Brisbane’s Matthew Leuenberger, GWS’s Adam Treloar, Melbourne’s Jeremy Howe, Port Adelaide’s Jay Schulz and Essendon’s Jake Carlisle all remain unsigned for 2016, and you can bank on at least a handful of them moving on.
Don’t forget Lachie Henderson, who has already parted ways with Carlton, injured Lions James Aish and Jack Redden who are expected to seek trades, and contracted Blue Chris Yarran who is heavily linked with a move to Punt Road.
There’s no doubt the trade period will throw up a surprise big fish or two, as well – who will be this year’s Ryan Griffen or Tom Boyd?
The two ruckmen, Kreuzer and Leuenberger, are among the most interesting propositions. Both are restricted free agents, and could potentially net their current clubs top five compensation picks in the same way Melbourne landed pick three for James Frawley, should they depart for lucrative contracts elsewhere.
The trade window begins on 12 October, but the informal conversations are already well underway. For the supporters of 10 clubs, it’s the most exciting thing on the horizon.
AFL finals week one
Qualifying final: Friday 11 September
West Coast v Hawthorn, Subiaco (6.20pm WST)
Qualifying final: Saturday 12 September
Fremantle v Sydney, Subiaco (1.20pm WST)
SATURDAY NIGHT
Elimination final: Saturday 12 September
Western Bulldogs v Adelaide, MCG (7.20pm EST)
Elimination final: Sunday 13 September
Richmond v North Melbourne, MCG 3.20pm (EST)
