The most surprising, imposing and exciting wins: this week on the Real Footy podcast, Michael Gleeson, Caroline Wilson and Jake Niall discuss a bump(er) round of football.
It’s a small sample size of games, but how worried should we be about Brisbane’s performance in an upset loss to Port Adelaide? Melbourne’s win was ominous, but should there be more heat on the Bulldogs for their effort? With the ball ricocheting out of their very tall forward line, should they consider changing things up at selection?
All four clubs with new coaches this season got a win. St Kilda got four unexpected points with an upset over Fremantle – a “classic Ross Lyon win” and arguably the best of the round. But GWS’ victory – a come-from-behind effort in extreme heat and with a few players hobbled by injury mid-match – was also impressive.
We also take a look at the bump, the punishments handed out for to Kysaiah Pickett and Lance Franklin in round one, and how the match review system might need to be changed going forward. Should the AFL start with a one-match ban for bumping and go from there? How will the impact be felt at grassroots level?
Richmond and Carlton couldn’t be split to open the season, and there were concerns – and cause for optimism – on both sides. Does Dustin Martin have his hunger back, and will we see the best of him in 2023? At the death, there were some worrying signs for the Blues. Their fans will be wondering if they learnt anything from the heartbreaking way they finished off in 2022. But there was some solace in the fact they drew the game despite not getting the ball forward much and had several stars missing or kept quiet.
Essendon had a big win over Hawthorn in round one, but off the field, things are far from settled at the club. One thing that appears to have changed for the Bombers is a clarity for players, and better defence on the field. But there is still a battle between the old and new guard at Tullamarine. Who at the Bombers has the power? What off-field moves might be made by the end of the season?
Plus, our experts look at whether the Hawks have cut too deep as they attempt their rebuild, the state of the MCG turf and whether the draw should be outlawed.
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