That’s the way to start a season!
The concept for Round 1 was genius and the pay-off was enormous. Everything but the crowd record was achieved. How did you find reconnecting with the game?
The action was exhilarating. If the legacy of last year’s Grand Final is the clean breaks out the front of centre bounces as the true impact of 6-6-6 manifests then this is going to be the most thrilling aspect of footy.
There was only one wire to wire winner. The other eight were ruled by the modern god of momentum and his wild swings.
The moments were genuinely moving, from Sam Docherty to Paddy McCartin.
The next generation made one hell of an impression. Given the billing no one could’ve imagined Nick Daicos and Jason Horne-Francis being outshone.
Enter Nic Martin and Josh Rachele to steal the limelight.
There was a renaissance or three that might prove season shaping. The two Paddys – Cripps and Dangerfield – recaptured their explosiveness. And that’s the Matt Rowell we swooned over.
All had been downgraded prematurely. You could throw Jack Gunston in there as well.
Who amongst us could hand on heart say we knew anything about Heath Chapman? He’s an opening round household name.
And Phil Davis again did such a great job on Lance Franklin it might have delayed the thousand goal milestone longer than we really wanted.
And the new coaches got the instant reward. Michael Voss hailed the savior in navy blue, Craig McRae high fiving the Magpie fans and Sam Mitchell signaling to his kids in the stands. Images that will last.
Hell, even holding the ball seemed to make sense.
Mondays are for snap judgments. The stuff you feel most intensely in the immediate aftermath. The emotions that might settle as the week goes on but are raw right now and this is a safe space for overreactions. They’re to be encouraged.
I might indulge in a few myself. How can you wait six months for the first taste of the action and then be told not to draw any conclusions?
Word association for the winners:
Melbourne – The standard will rise – Christian Petracca embodies that.
Carlton – Genuinely uplifting – the sound of the Carlton fans in the last 10 minutes was the symphony of the weekend.
Collingwood – Ran into the fire – the stodginess had disappeared.
Geelong – Eye popping – it was as if the Blight years had returned to Kardinia Park.
Sydney – They’re ready – that was the best win in the highest quality match of the round for mine.
Brisbane – The Gabba flex – as their opponent wilted the Lions harnessed the environment.
Hawthorn – Expressionism – the Mitchell mantra express yourself.
Fremantle – Saved by the save – hello Heath Chapman.
Gold Coast – There’s the platform - let loose in the last with an eight goal burst to take what was on offer.
And the losers:
Western Bulldogs – Familiar fault lines.
Richmond – Old and undisciplined.
St Kilda – Very plain indeed.
Essendon – Woeful.
Giants – Nearly.
Port Adelaide – Crippled.
North Melbourne – Poor skills.
Adelaide – Kick yourself from here to next Monday.
West Coast – Hands tied.