FEARLESS 2022: Rounds 1 and 2 reviewed
Hi all, season 2022 is now underway and I’m looking forward to attending games again…
On the eve of round 6, I’ve attended a few and after the last 2 Covid-interrupted seasons, I’m sure most are relieved to be able to attend again. Even those that are currently travelling..and it doesn’t matter what sport it is…the sheer joy of being able to attend live sport has to be the simple pleasure that many have missed the most over the Covid-era. Right up there with visiting interstate family and friends..
Hope your team goes well and that the umpires get the respect they deserve. The AFL’s edict that umpires aren’t getting enough respect is spot on. How that plays out is up to the AFL ultimately, but when recruitment of umpires through the lower leagues is severely impacted by the behaviour of crowds and players…well then something has to be done. This is not an overnight problem, mind you, this is a problem that has gone on for decades and it’s not just AFL that’s affected. All sports are, simple. The line of demarcation between respect and hostility seems to have veered out of control. I watched with interest the post match scenes at the last World Cup where one team openly abused the umpires, as did its officials…to the point where I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Probably not shocking in hindsight, but nonetheless, a true indication of the times.
See what unfolds…
2022 FEARLESS Rd 1: We’re baaacck! And to quote Donna Summer: This time I know it’s for real!
Melbourne hosting the Western Bulldogs at the MCG to kick off the season…woohoo! A Grand Final rematch that effectively followed the same patterns of the Grand Final. Dees got off to a great start, Dogs reeled them in and looked like they had the Dees measure and then the Dees go bang and put the game beyond the Dogs. This time by 26pts. Naughton 4, Brown 3, Petracca 38, Macrae 39 – usual suspects!
After the 10th attempt Carlton finally managed to bury Richmond and the related hoodoo. Voss the Boss had an immediate impact on his playing charges as the game headed into familiar territory into the last qtr. Except this time the Blues fired in the last, banging on 7.5 to 1.1 and winning by 25pts. Enter Cerra and Hewett to help Cripps in Carlton’s mids, along with Matt Kennedy. Dusty back to his best after kidney op.
For 2 unknown quantities in season 2022, the Pies showed the upper hand. Whilst the lead got out to 36pts in the 3rd qtr, for most the fly’s pies had led by @2goals. Mihocek and Membrey led scoring and ex-Dog Lipinski leading the Pie stats count, alongside debutant Mr Whispering Nick Daicos with 27..shades of figjam! Collingwood kick off 2022 with a win and a great showing by JDeG, whose summer was unusual.
Obviously Mick Malthouse’s preseason tip about Essendon winning the flag in 2022 never got printed in the Geelong Addy! The Cats did as they pleased at the G on Saturday and the Bombers looked off. Amazing! A 7.5 opening qtr and Cats were never headed. Yet the Bombers had the best debut of the round with Nic Martin kicking 5 and getting 27 touches. Parfitt, Stengle Selwood, old and new Cats with the party tricks!
Inane marketing should be outlawed…the battle of the bridge is the AFL equivalent of drumming up hype in NSW for the clash aka the easties v westies cup….you know almond lattes v felafels…prius’ v Monaros…that sort of jargon fitting…as for the game, GWS got the mango and charcoal army up for the first half, before the Swans, led by evergreens Parker and Heeney went into hyperdrive and won by 20pts.
BrisVegas v PortTopTopTop was a quality game from the outset as to be expected from 2 of 2021’s prelim finalists. Port went up a cog in the 2nd to take the game away from the Lions on their own dungheap. Houston, no problem, 36 stats, Wines, Boak 30+… a Power surge across the ground. Enter Joe Daniher, he of the laconic nature and dopey smile, bang! 2 last qtr goals. McCarthy at his feet. Lions home by 11pts.
Not much was expected both in 2022. To open the season at the MCG was something of a fixturing bonus before 38000. North did well to 1/2 time, led by Simpkin, Lukey Mc’and draftee JHF, but both sides were rusty. After the half, the Hawks went up a cog with Mitch Lewis a big forward presence. Hawks’ momentum into the last when the invisible Wingard (hard with a bleach blonde rinse) kicked 2 goals. Hawks 20pts.
Fremantle started their overdue finals quest in Adelaide against the Crows. The Dockers mostly had the Crows measure, but like recent Freo teams, couldn’t put them away. If you give the locals a sniff? Crows got momentum and looked like winning, until Freo kicked the last 3 goals. Docker Heath Chapman’s goal line punching the ball back into play within the dying seconds was just pure footyIQ. Dockers by 1pt.
When a game starts at 7.40 AEST, it’s almost hot Milo and electric blanket time…as when the West Coasters took on the East Gold Coasters at Optus. Suns had not beaten the Eagles in Perth before and that drought was broken. Rowell 33, ably assisted by returning ruck/captain Witts and Touk Touk in the engine room.Gatorade’s own Willie Rioli nearly KO’d Rowell. 8 goal last qtr by Suns took them to a 27pt win.
2022 FEARLESS Rd 2: You Buddy Beauty! 1000 goals for the Swans’ A-grade rock star
Were Carlton the real deal in season 2022? A win over the Bulldogs would create momentum and belief. The fact that Blues led from midway through the 1st qtr, says much for both teams. That Blues lead got out to 6 goals before the Hannan goal on 1/2 time. Despite the best efforts of the Dogs, Carlton was never reeled in. 12pt win a statement of intent under Voss the boss. Cripps, Macrae 35 stats. C Curnow 5, McKay 4.
Sydney hosted Geelong in a match that was really all about Buddy. Could he kick the goals required to pass 1000 career goals. By the 4th qtr, the answer was yes. The fact that the game stopped for 40 minutes said it all. Pitch invaders, engagements, picnics, players leaving the ground to get back to the change rooms…these images will last a lifetime. By the way, Swans won it by 30pts. Heeney 5, Brad Close great for the Cats 4.
The Red Crows came to the G to tackle the Pies and left empty handed. A warm day and a 7 goal loss didn’t sit well with the Adelaide hierarchy! More uncontested possessions, more kicks, more disposals, more uncontested marks, more hitouts, more clearances, more hitouts, more tackles inside 50, more interchanges. Crows won those stat counts. Shows you what’s important doesn’t it! 25-18 Pies had more shots at goal.
A Lachie Neale masterclass separated Brisbane from Essendon at Marvel on Saturday twilight. Neale finished with 41 stats and 2.2. The difference. Other great performers were Parish 35 stats, Zorko 33, Merrett 31. Arguably Brisbane showed the difference between the deep September finalists and the early September exits. Lions by 22pts. Perkins, Wright and McCluggage 3 each. Lions forward 50 68% to 40%
In the season’s first major upset, the Hawks unplugged the Power on their own dungheap…and how! 64pts a serious eye-opener for Ken Hinkley and Port’s coaching staff! Mitch Lewis 5, Gunston 3, Breust 3 and for Port SPP 3. Boak, Wines and Amon 35+…but what do possessions count for, when the opposition is all over you like a rash? Port never led and looked a mere shadow of its 2021 self, due to the Hawks pressure.
A mark of Gold Coast’s improvement was its performance against the reigning Premiers Melbourne at Metricon on Saturday Night. The fact that the lead never blew out beyond 24pts was a big tick to the Suns maturity. Having led in the 1st qtr, the Dees took control in the 2nd qtr and never lost control. The margin was Melbourne by 13pts. Petracca 40, many kicked 2. Touk took 38. Stewart Dew has some good signs.
North hosted an Eagles side replicating the Cottesloe Amateurs, such was the impact of Covid in WA. Even Ted Lasso and ex-Roo Declan Mountford were given a game. The sights of Coach Simpson handing out the jumpers’ pre-game was a sight to remember, as was Ted Lasso’s goal (Lasso well played by Sandover Medallist Aaron Black). North won by 15pts, despite the Foxtel team cheering for the Cottesloe upset.
Richmond hosted the GWS at the MCG on Sunday and apart from small periods of the game, the Tigers had control, led by Jayden Short with 33 and Tom Green 34, leading the respective stats counts. An impromptu heist by Noah Balta, 4 goals, helped the Tigers cover the absence of Jack Riewoldt, ably assisted by Tom Lynch 3 and Bolton and Soldo 2 each. GWS’ form is fluctuating at times, Tigers more certain.
Fremantle hosted the Saints at Optus on Sunday twilight and speaking of fluctuations, both teams had this trait in 2021. The challenge, by virtue, was consistency. So when the Dockers kicked 3.0 in the 1st qtr to 0.4, Freo looked more improved and same went for the 2nd. Enter Max King and Jack Snags Higgins to change the story. The Saints came alive in the 3rd with 6.3 and managed to hold on in the last by 10pts.
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