At the conclusion of each round, we will dissect the five key issues that eventuated from the weekend’s games of footy.
Here is what we learned from Round 2...
Doomsday is already looming for some coaches
It may seem irrational to declare coaching jobs are already on the line just two weeks into the year, but you can’t ignore the pressure that is rapidly mounting on Rodney Eade, Ross Lyon and Nathan Buckley. Of course, Lyon’s circumstances are different due to his contract terminating in 2020, but in this day and age, a signed document is fools gold and doesn’t make you immune to scrutiny.
The Dockers are supposedly in a rebuilding phase, but Lyon is in no rush to expedite the process. In their abysmal 89-point defeat to Port Adelaide, Fremantle fielded six players in their 30s, including Aaron Sandilands (34), Michael Johnson (32), David Mundy, Jon Griffin, Zac Dawson (31) and Danyle Pearce (30). While some of those players are required, at what point does Lyon let go and expose some of his younger cattle to invaluable AFL experience? Additionally, the Dockers’ defensive mechanisms look completely broken and their long-running scoring woes still exist. Unless Fremantle starts to make incremental improvements, Lyon’s job as a developmental coach will come under even more fire.
Buckley has been let down by poor skill execution in the first two rounds, but the more games Collingwood lose, the more intense the spotlight will get. While it may be unfair, as the Pies have a list that is littered with gaps and have a rising core of players in their early 20s, Buckley has already declared finals as a pass-mark, and will be judged accordingly. Starting 0-2 isn’t ideal.
The Suns were witches hats against the Giants, and for the second week in a row, they were obliterated in the game’s opening stanza. GWS booted seven goals in the first quarter on Saturday, after Eade’s men conceded the same amount in the same period to Brisbane the week prior. The lack of response from the Suns is a major concern, and you have to wonder if Eade’s message is getting through to his players.
Picken his moments
“He’s bloody everywhere!”
That was Anthony Hudson’s description of Liam Picken’s game on Friday night, and it couldn’t be closer to the truth.
Picken was inspirational against Sydney. He has carried all the momentum from his stellar 2016 finals campaign into the new season, and is now one of the Bulldogs’ fabric players. The stats are telling – 21 touches, 398 metres, 76 percent efficiency, 15 pressure acts and eight score involvements – but Picken’s game is built on so much more than numbers.
‘Workrate’ is a buzz term thrown around in the footy world, and if there was ever a solo definition of it, Picken provided it. With 8:33 remaining in the final term, Picken intercepted a Luke Parker kick deep inside the Swans’ forward 50. From there, the Bulldog sprinted down the middle of Etihad Stadium, bypassing numerous Swans on his way to marking a Lachie Hunter kick inside 50 just 20 seconds later. Picken would finish the job with a pinpoint pass to Marcus Bontempelli, who kicked the easiest of goals.
It was a play that represented everything Picken is about. An unrelenting effort, backed up by crisp skills, makes him one of Luke Beveridge’s most valued soldiers.
Mike Sheahan and Mark Robinson were lauded for putting Picken in their respective ‘Top 50s’ at the start of the season, and the 31-year-old solidified that ranking on Friday night.
New Swans swimming
In recent years, no club has done a better job at preparing their youngsters for senior footy than Sydney. The likes of Callum Mills Isaac Heeney, Aliir Aliir, Tom Papley and George Hewett are just some recent examples of Swans that have repaid the club with instant impacts.
On Friday night, Sydney did it again, with a trio of debutants holding their own in a ferocious Grand Final rematch against the Bulldogs. Will Hayward, Nic Newman and Robbie Fox all influenced the contest at opportune moments, while second-gamer Oliver Florent also showed glimpses of excellence.
Hayward was composed with the ball in hand, collecting 16 disposals, gaining 458 metres at 75 percent efficiency. Additionally, Hayward’s 22 pressure acts and six tackles were evidence of his defensive thirst, one that was actually bettered by Florent. Applying 29 pressure acts, including a stellar chase-down tackle on Jason Johannisen, Florent wasn’t overwhelmed by the big stage and his effort was unquestioned.
Newman’s overhead marking was a feature, as was his effectiveness, going at 94 percent with his 16 possessions. While Fox ran out of legs, as he had just three second-half disposals, he showed enough x-factor ability to be a weapon in John Longmire’s squad.
The Swans need more production from their elite midfielders to climb out of the 0-2 hole they’ve dug. However, the capability of their kids to positively contribute is a silver lining in the two losses, and will install added confidence and belief in Sydney’s developmental system.
Higgins may be the most underrated player in the competition
It’s easy to forget how good Shaun Higgins is. He missed a large chunk of 2016 with a bum knee, an injury that had a telling effect on North’s slide down the ladder. The Roos desperately missed his creativity forward of centre, but after putting on a sensational performance in the heartbreaking loss to Geelong, the footy world was reminded how dangerous Higgins is.
Playing predominantly in the middle of the ground, Higgins was able to provide an offensive spark with the ball, while also putting the Cats’ midfielders under duress. When he got the footy, the 29-year-old was able to burst through the packs, aggressively taking the Roos forward, on his way to gaining 784 metres and nine inside 50s.
On the flipside, Higgins was tasked with playing on the likes of Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood on numerous occasions, doing enough to make it difficult for the dynamic duo at times. The 25 pressure acts and seven tackles the Roo provided represent his ferocious application of defensive principles in tight.
Not many players boast Higgins’ unique blend of speed, precision and toughness. If he gets an uninterrupted injury run this season, North Melbourne has a player that many teams will struggle to contain.
Josh Gibson may be another Hawk victim
Alastair Clarkson has already shown he isn’t afraid to swing the axe in regards to his elder statesmen. However, the impending decision on Josh Gibson’s future may not receive as much public backfire that the Sam Mitchell and Jordan Lewis ones did.
Gibson has been a model of consistency for the Hawks during their era of dominance, patrolling the halfback line. The 33-year-old has been off the pace early in the season, though, and he was mightily exposed against the pacey Crows on Saturday. Gibson failed to read the play efficiently and he was consistently mistiming his endeavours, finishing with just two intercept possessions.
Hawthorn is discovering the line between contention and regeneration is a delicate one. As the Hawks’ makeover continues, Clarkson will need to make a call on more of his over 30-year-olds come seasons end, but at the moment, Gibson’s performances are speaking for themselves.