Though fans weren’t allowed in and broadcasts were tough to access, the men’s footy season got underway last week with each team having their first practice match hit out of 2021.
Unless you were there or sitting through a fuzzy livestream, information was tough to come by.
We’ve combed over every game and picked out one positive note for all 18 clubs heading into the AAMI Community Series this week.
Read our thoughts below:
DAVID KING’S BROWNLOW AND RISING STAR PREDICTION
Developing tall forwards impress
The Crows may have been easily beaten by Port Adelaide at Alberton, but Billy Frampton’s performance was promising.
The 200-centimetre 24-year-old kicked three goals, including two in the opening term when the Crows were up and about.
Frampton played five games last season for a career total of eight and is pushing for Round 1 selection.
Another positive for Adelaide was the showing of no.2 draft pick Riley Thilthorpe who kicked four goals in the SANFL game and is expected to play in this Sunday’s AAMI Community Series clash with the Power at Noarlunga.
Andrew Slevison
Daniher's dominant display
Joe Daniher’s impressive four-goal performance in the scratch match against the Suns looms as an ominous warning for opposition defences in 2021.
Despite playing on second string defenders, all reports indicate Daniher could be set for a bumper season if his body allows.
The 26-year-old presented well against Gold Coast, proved his fitness and hauled in marks both contested and on the lead.
Not only does Daniher provide another star target in the Lions’ front six, but fellow forward Eric Hipwood should see his game flourish with opposition defences stretched even further.
Lachlan Geleit
MATTHEW RICHARDSON’S FINALS LOCKS FOR 2021
The midfield is starting to take shape
The big question for the Blues this year was how they would adjust on-ball with the addition of Zac Williams and with Sam Walsh’s move inside.
Williams was as advertised in the win over Essendon, starting in the middle and looking effective both on the inside and with his spread and kicking penetration on the outside.
Behind him, it was Paddy Dow who shined with greater opportunity on-ball, showing the explosive dash that made him such a highly touted junior.
Jack Martin also spent additional time in the middle, while Ed Curnow and Will Setterfield were pushed forward and through the wings to make room for all the changes.
Expect the Blues to do everything possible to win the ball out of the middle and get the it in Adam Saad’s hands dashing off half-back. If there’s a handball receive record, he may break it.
Nic Negrepontis
DAVID KING'S SURPRISE WOODEN SPOON TIP FOR 2021
Gun draftee set for early debut
Oliver Henry did no harm in his pursuit to make a Round 1 debut, impressing in the Magpies’ hit out against Geelong.
The 18-year-old had some eye-catching moments in front of the ball, slotting a goal and competing well aerially.
Henry plays taller than his listed height of 187cm, due to his springy jump and strong hands - and could comfortably play as Collingwood’s third or fourth tall option up forward.
Nathan Buckley’s side also appeared to move the ball through the corridor with higher frequency and speed than last season, which should benefit Henry and other Magpie attacking targets.
Lachlan Geleit
The future is now for young Bombers
Essendon isn’t being tipped by many to play finals this year, but on the basis of their scratch match against Carlton last week, they’ll at least be giving plenty of early opportunities to their talented youngsters.
Top 10 draft pick duo Archie Perkins and Nik Cox and Essendon’s first pick in last year’s draft, Harrison Jones, are all “legitimate chances” to make their Round 1 debuts against Hawthorn after impressing in the scratch match, football boss Josh Mahoney revealed in an interview on Sportsday last week.
Essendon fans will be hoping to see plenty of positive signs from the club’s next generation of players, as they look to move on from a tumultuous few years.
Laurence Rosen
A full strength backline will cause some headaches
The best possible news for Fremantle is that both Alex Pearce and Joel Hamling got through their practice match win over West Coast unscathed.
The question now is – who plays Round 1? Luke Ryan was sent for scans on his back, but is expected to be fine, while Brennan Cox continued on his good form from 2020.
Griffin Logue missed the game with a hamstring issue, but fitting Pearce, Hamling, Cox and Ryan into the same backline may prove difficult.
First-year defender Heath Chapman was also impressive, while Hayden Young will have every chance to establish himself across half-back this year.
Nic Negrepontis
MATT RENDELL'S 2020 DRAFT CROP CONCERN
First glimpse at Hawkins-Cameron partnership
Geelong would be encouraged by Tom Hawkins and Jeremy Cameron’s first game together as a forward pairing.
Cameron started at centre half-forward and booted an early goal in the scratch match against Collingwood.
The former Giant found Hawkins with a bullet-like pass and worked up the ground before he was rested for the second half.
Winners of the last two Coleman Medals, Cats fans got their first glimpse at the Hawkins-Cameron combination working in tandem.
The two will get the chance to build on their partnership against Essendon in the AAMI Community Series on March 6.
Alex Zaia
WHY FORMER CATS STAR COULDN'T WATCH BOMBER THOMPSON INTERVIEW
Young Suns, recruit impress
Gold Coast were well beaten by Brisbane but can take positives from the pre-season hit out.
Noah Anderson played more minutes as an inside midfielder while Izak Rankine kicked two goals – including a stunning finish from the pocket.
Recruit Oleg Markov provided plenty of dash off half-back and looks a nice addition to the Suns’ back six.
The former Tiger was a clear standout with his run and neat ball use a highlight against the Lions.
Gold Coast meet Brisbane again in the AAMI Community Series on March 7.
Alex Zaia
First-round pick puts his name forward
GWS could blood a number of youngsters early in 2021, namely the club’s first selection at last year’s draft, Tanner Bruhn.
The Geelong Falcons product was a standout performer in the scratch match draw with Sydney at Giants Stadium, putting forward his case for Round 1 selection.
Bruhn, the no.12 pick, operated primarily off the half-forward flank and used his quality to pick up a number of touches and kick a classy goal.
Developing ruckman Matthew Flynn played well and could also land a debut early in the year after recruit Braydon Preuss underwent shoulder surgery.
Andrew Slevison
PHIL DAVIS' PHONE CALL WITH JEREMY CAMERON AFTER THE TRADE PERIOD
NGA midfielder puts hand up for Round 1
Connor Downie, NGA graduate and Hawthorn’s fourth selection at the national draft, put on a promising display in the win over the Western Bulldogs
The 18-year-old added much needed run and carry for the Hawks, enjoyed the contest and would seem a likely starter in Alastair Clarkson’s engine room come Round 1.
They’d also be pleased with key defender Kyle Hartigan, who in his first game since crossing from Adelaide at the end of last season halved many contests with his spoiling and other defensive acts.
The 29-year-old comes into the side as a ready-made replacement for James Frawley.
Ashley Browne
Forward line dangerous without two key figures
Melbourne entered its meeting with Richmond with some questions surrounding the forward line.
Prized recruit Ben Brown and developing tall Sam Weideman are both out for the foreseeable future and with that, doubt was cast over the current attacking personnel.
But Simon Goodwin would have come away from the 11-point win over the reigning premiers full of hope after seeing cohesion inside forward 50.
The most prolific on the day was small forward Kade Chandler, who helped himself to three goals, while captain Max Gawn was effective with two goals (and one on the full) from multiple marks in attack.
Bayley Fritsch also booted three majors and Tom McDonald played a pivotal role as a lead-up centre half-forward who took some strong contested grabs, which no doubt would have pleased Demons fans.
Andrew Slevison
THE PLAYERS MATTHEW LLOYD IS TIPPING FOR BREAKOUT 2021 SEASONS
There’s no need to panic
The Kangaroos are expected to be cellar dwellers in 2021 and many used their 91-point thrashing at the hands of St Kilda as affirmation of that.
Looking a bit deeper, however, and it’s clear North Melbourne was using this game to get some run into younger players, while their opponent ran out near full strength.
Without Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Trent Dumont, Jared Polec, Jed Anderson or top draftee Will Phillips, the Roos had a very makeshift midfield, led by star youngster Jy Simpkin.
Dom Tyson got his first real chance to impress in quite a long time, while draftees Tom Powell and Charlie Lazzaro had their first crack at senior footy.
Despite missing their starting midfield, the Roos left captain Jack Ziebell across half-back, his first hit out in the new role.
Nic Negrepontis
YOUR CLUB'S BEST 22 HEADING INTO ROUND 1
Fantasia lively as youngster pushes Round 1 case
Port Adelaide overcame a slow start to overpower rivals Adelaide by 52 points in a pre-season game at Alberton.
All-Australian forward Charlie Dixon and youngster Xavier Duursma kicked three goals each as the Power fine-tuned their preparations for a premiership tilt.
Recruit Orazio Fantasia booted two goals and looked sharp during Saturday’s hit out.
Fantasia appears to have slotted in seamlessly and provides Ken Hinkley with another goalkicking option inside attacking 50.
Academy pick Lachie Jones also impressed off half-back as he targets a Round 1 debut.
Alex Zaia
JOE DANIHER REVEALS FULL 2019 TRADE PERIOD STORY
Reigning premiers find further depth
In recent times, the Tigers have made a habit of bringing through fringe and depth players and turning them into regular senior contributors. It has been enormously helpful towards their recent success.
That appeared to be the case yet again with several players performing well in the defeat to Melbourne.
The standouts were 2019 draft pair Will Martyn and Hugo Ralphsmith who both looked comfortable at the level.
Martyn played up around the ball and did not look out of place, particularly with his attack on the contest. Ralphsmith operated off half-back and was busy, providing rebound by using his pace out of defence. He also snuck forward for a late shot on goal.
Jake Aarts was also heavily involved, kicking three goals and attacking the contest with vigour, as he pushed his case for Round 1 selection.
Andrew Slevison
RICHMOND CEO RESPONDS TO DUSTY SYDNEY REPORT
Recruits shine in Roos thrashing
Jack Higgins and Mason Wood hit the ground running in their first outing in St Kilda colours.
Higgins, who joined the Saints from Richmond, booted two goals playing across half-forward, while Wood staked his claim for a Round 1 debut with four majors against former club North Melbourne.
Higgins and Wood combined nicely in a new-look St Kilda forward line that kicked 22 goals in a 91-point thumping of the Kangaroos.
Former Roo Wood is looking to make every post a winner with Max King and Tim Membrey ahead in the key forward pecking order.
Alex Zaia
Young guns star and a big role change coming
Sydney fans could see three players make their debut in their season opener against Brisbane after a young trio impressed in a scratch match against the Giants.
According to Russell Barwick on SEN Breakfast, the Swans could debut Errol Gulden, Braeden Campbell and Logan McDonald in Round 1. The trio were all picked up in last year’s draft and pressed their claims for an early-season appearance.
Also look out for Callum Mills’ positional change which was on full display over the weekend, with John Longmire set to use him as an on-baller in 2021 after training with the midfield group over the off-season.
Laurence Ronse
SWANS DRAFTEE TIPPED TO DOMINATE DEBUT SEASON
Eagles at each end to take flight
With West Coast missing key players in Nic Naitanui, Tim Kelly, Elliot Yeo and Josh Kennedy, Eagle eyes zeroed in on youth in Saturday’s scratch match against local rivals Fremantle.
Signed last year as a supplemental selection, Jamaine Jones has been pinpointed as a summer standout at Lathlain Park after just two appearances in 2020. The former Cat, four kilos lighter than in 2020, played a versatile high half-forward role against the Dockers and is in pole position to claim the third and final small spot in the Eagles’ attacking mix.
Josh Rotham played 10 games in his fourth season, often as an undersized key defender with Jeremy McGovern missing. Looming as a replacement for 29-year-old Brad Sheppard, he will fight for minutes with Jackson Nelson and Tom Cole in the interim, however, his experience on taller opponents will hold him in good stead at selection.
Nathan John
Patrick Lipinski isn't giving up his spot without a fight
With Adam Treloar arriving from Collingwood and Josh Dunkley left stranded in the departure lounge last November, the Dogs' midfield is awfully cosy.
Lipinski has appeared the likeliest to make way; back in December, he was our fringe Bulldog most in need of a breakout season. After an encouraging back half of 2019, his disposal numbers and physicality fell away in 2020.
Last Wednesday's scratch match against Hawthorn suggested the 22-year-old has rediscovered his groove. Playing a role reminiscent of absent fulcrum Jack Macrae, Lipinski won the ball at the source and ran purposefully at angles, searching for the outlet kick.
The squeeze will be on when Treloar and Macrae are cherry ripe, but the lifelong Dogs fan is giving himself every chance to snaffle a rotation or wing spot for the opening round.
Nathan John