The first of the bye rounds in the 2023 AFL season are done and dusted.
What did we learn?
Did we learn anything?
Of course we did, that’s why we write this column FIVE LESSONS LEARNED.
(1) The Crows can’t play away
If you’re backing the Adelaide Crows to win, make sure they are playing at home.
The Crows have been great improvers this season, but once they live in the city of churches, they are rather ordinary.
Dare I say it, Adelaide is becoming flat-track bullies.
Granted, their past three away games have been in Geelong, Ballarat and Darwin but if the Crows are to progress into the top eight and beyond, winning away from Adelaide Oval is a handy skill to have.
Adelaide has two byes coming up, West Coast at home followed by the actual bye, which gives them plenty of time to get ready for their next trip on the road – Collingwood at the MCG.
(2) Buddy good occasion
It’ll be a very special night at the SCG on Thursday when Buddy Franklin plays his 350th game against the Saints.
There’s been plenty said and written about Franklin’s career, a walkup start to the Hall of fame and into legend status is a given.
But how does the big fella go in the milestone occasions?
His 100th, 200th, 300th and 350th games have all been against St Kilda.
He kicked four in his 300th and nine in his 200th way back in 2014.
Is it worth getting on the sentimental bets for Thursday night?
Buddy is $11 for first goal, $1.75 for 2+ goals, $3.30 for 3+ , or if you’re really keen for an epic night for his 350th you can get $67 for Buddy to kick 6+
Now that would be something!
(3) Bring Back the Five-Minute Warning
While Friday night’s Melbourne v Carlton game was a snooze-fest, it was the off-broadway action on Sunday with the GWS v Richmond and Essendon v North games finishing in thrilling final quarters.
Those who settled in for the Sunday double-header were treated to an absolute treat along with the blood pressure of the supporters for the respective teams playing being at extreme levels.
However, one thing was lacking.
Forget the 4K, war rooms, and special graphics.
If Channel 10 were still doing the footy, this iconic piece of television genius would still be in action.
Yes, the five-minute warning, where the countdown clock would be switched off for the last five minutes of the game and no one bar the timekeepers would have any idea how long is left in the match.
How good would that have been?
(4) Dees Pies King’s Birthday will be BIG
Not just the big freeze at the G, but the clash between Collingwood and Melbourne on the holiday formerly known as the Queens Birthday will be the biggest match between these two old rivals in decades.
The Pies sit on top of the ladder, Melbourne third, some may even suggest it’s a preview to a Grand Final which would be a throwback to the Norm Smith days.
At the time of publishing, Collingwood opens as $1.78 favourites with the Dees at $2.02
The Magpies are currently on a nine-game winning streak against the Demons, and are certainly playing a far more convincing and entertaining brand of football.
Either way, it should be a beauty!
(5) Bottom Teams Showed Some Fight
Scorelines are one thing, effort is another.
In round 12 the cellar dwellers – Hawthorn, North Melbourne and West Coast showed some fight.
While Port was home and hosed midway into the first quarter and on track for a 100 point + win, the Hawks won back some respect by booting six of the last eight goals, and avoiding a 10-goal loss.
That’s a great result when you’re a club at the stage Hawthorn is.
West Coast didn’t get demolished by Collingwood and were competitive for most of the day, after some abysmal performances you’d give the Eagles a pass mark.
Meanwhile, poor old North Melbourne is always in the contest, with heartbreaking losses to Sydney and Essendon with a respectable effort against the Magpies in between.
One of these sides will win a game soon, and it’ll be North over the Giants in Hobart ($2.75)
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