AFL Round 1 2003

[CyberKev]

Here we go again. Seems to me as if the build-up to this season has been significantly quieter than previous years, but this is more than likely just because I'm living in Canberra now. Tips in bold type...

Richmond (15pts) vs Collingwood (MCG)

I usually fancy the Tigers to beat the Magpies as they seem to man them up well. Tigers will sorely miss Ottens, but Collingwood has its own problems with five regulars missing.

Sydney (21 pts) vs Carlton (Stadium Australia)

Both of these teams appeal as likely bottom four finishers and it is this closeness in (lack of) ability that should make the game interesting. Home ground advantage should be enough to swing it the Swans way.

Brisbane (40 pts) vs Essendon (Gabba)

Almost impossible to see the Lions getting rolled here. Too good for Essendon in every facet, with the home ground advanatge merely icing the cake. Would tip them by more, but they'll probably just be ambling at this stage of the season.

West Coast (16 pts) vs Port Adelaide (Subiaco)

Port is easily the better side, but it does tend to struggle in the early games and West Coast was super impressive at home last season. Worsfold will want a first-up win for confidence and I expect the Eagles to sneak over the line for him.

Melbourne (9 pts) vs Hawthorn (MCG)

I'd tip the Hawks if both sides were at full strength, but the Hawks are missing several key players and look to be significantly down on forward power. The Demon runners should be champing at the bit to get on the paddock and will most likely do enough to get the side home.

Adelaide (32 pts) vs Fremantle (AAMI Stadium)

Not much you can say about this one. Adelaide will have too much class and too many guns for a Freo side that invariably struggles on the road.

Kangaroos (12 pts) vs St Kilda (MCG)

The Saints have a lot more talent, but I still have doubts over their ability to channel it effectively. The Kangaroos need a flyer or the season will quickly degenerate into misery as confidence ebbs. Could really go either way, but I'm with the Roos on gut instinct.

Western Bulldogs (18 pts) vs Geelong (Telstra Dome)

I expect the Cats to get away early, but I still doubt the maturity of the side. Both sides are in for tough seasons, but the Hounds look better placed to nail this one due to greater experience. The youthful exuberance of the Cats will trouble them, but Western should have just enough poise to get over the line.

CyberKev

 

[Cronulla_Mania]

Collingwood by 20
Carlton by 10
Brisbane by 15
Port by 20
Hawthorn by 18
Adelaide by the length of the flemington straight 50
Saints by 8
Geelong by 25

Cheers,
Moffo

 

[Ramit54]

<span>Collingwood v Richmond - Richmond by 12
Kangaroos v St Kilda - Kangaroos by 24
West Coast v Port Adelaide - West Coast by 6
Brisbane Lions v Essendon - Brisbane Lions by 40
Sydney v Carlton - Sydney by 14
Adelaide v Fremantle - Adelaide by 30
Melbourne v Hawthorn - Melbourne by 10
Western Bulldogs v Geelong - Western Bulldogs by 4
</span>

 

[CyberKev]

The Good...

Adelaide (56 pts over Freo) &amp; West Coast (48 pts over Port) were clearly the big winners coming out of Round 1. Port normally starts the season proper sluggishly, but the ease with which West Coast shrugged them aside will be of genuine concern. They'll get better, but they'll be hard pressed keeping pace with their hated neighbours, who had Carey returning in style with four goals in what was a very comfortable win over the struggling Dockers.

Sydney (74 pts over Carlton)will also be well pleased to get away with a big first-up win (albeit against poor opposition) and Collingwood (28 pts over Richmond) did enough to suggest that another top four finish may yet be on the cards. Reigning champs Brisbane (43 pts over Essendon) ignited fresh controversy over salary cap inequities, and again look set for a big season. The Kangaroos (26 pts over St Kilda) got the points in a tougher than the scoreboard suggests opener, while Melbourne (6 pts over Hawthorn) fell across the line against a depleted but fast finishing Hawks outfit to round out the weekend.

The Bad

Fingertips would ultimately cost the Hawks the points at the MCG, but the coaching staff would be rightfully asking questions about how the team could have allowed the Demons to surge 38 points clear during the final term. Fremantle were flattered by the result out at AAMI stadium , which is worrying for them and frightening for the rest of the competition. Carlton were little short of pathetic after quarter time in their match, however, and on that display will be hot favourites for a second successive spoon.

The Ugly

As if the poor old Hounds aren't already doing it hard enough, with memberships floundering and the club books millions in the red. They got the four points comfortably in the end, but it was a hollow victory with captain Chris Grant now almost certain to miss the rest of the season with a particularly nasty knee injury.

As a Hawk man I'm suitably pissed-off right now, but from a broader perspective its bloody good to have the game back.

CyberKev

 

[imported_eels fan...]

Damn post didnt arrive here I <u>now</u> see. Wasnt perfect so doesn't matter. Same ol' story again this year; paid up to the Dogs, backing the power, abusing the Tigers!
Adelaide are now quite the enigma for mine. I think Mcleod is far &amp; away the highlight of any AFL weekend &amp; any time I can go for a S.A team I will but with the"Once Was King"now on the park part of meis always looking for a reason for anyone to flog them. The guy just ruins them for me.

The Good...
Dog's win. Nathan Brown is all class.
The Bad...
Port lose.
The Fan'bloody'tastic...
Those skirt wearing Tigers having their rectal passages handed to them on a syphaletic plate.