PJ’s Point 2014 R.1 Greater Western Sydney v Sydney I could say that this was the upset of the round’ 144 times, but it would be an exercise in gross understatement. Whether it ends up being the upset of the year remains to be seen, although Ive got $50 coupled with generous odds that says it will. Indeed it might not be hyperbolic to place this result in the greatest upsets of all time category. Ive been a fan of Aussie rules football since I arrived here from Kackiwaifronti in 1972 and a Swans man since the day ten years later when the Swans straggled north from South Melbourne but as one whose love for the game sits just slightly above the love of my team I always opined that footy will not have truly settled into the psyche of the city of Sydney until a. the Swans had won a premiership, and b. there was a second team in Sydney, to solidify support for the code and eventually provide a team that Swans supporters could loathe. So I was chuffed when the Giants were established but I found it impossible to loathe them - au Cointreau, I wanted them to do well, even if only in that patronising pat-on the head manner that one offers to those of no apparent threat. Well let me tell yiz - that bleeding heart cafe-latte swilling greater good of the game bullshit can go take a running leap at itself. Its game on, let the loathing begin. Making this even worse for me – and yes, since you ask, it IS all about me cos I’m the one writing the frickin’ column, numb-nuts - I had to desert the TV broadcast just before half-time, recording it for relaxed viewing on Sunday. And although I’d watched the Jaffas showing real cajones in taking the contest right up to Sydney through a scrappy first term, I was not concerned. Dan ‘Huckleberry Hound’ Hannebery had time for think music before accepting a mark 45 metres out but even when his shot dropped slightly short to be punched through by a GWS defender, I was not concerned. And following a Ben ‘Dover’ McGlynn goal two minutes later, Josh ‘Gunshy’ Kennedy’s near-miss, then two quick goals from Harry ‘Richie’ Cunningham and Gary ‘The Boat’ Rohan then, after a skilful Giants goal via the brilliant Jonathon ‘McGroin’ Patton, another from Craig ‘Dicky’ Bird after grabbing a loose ball and bombing it home from about 45 metres out, my ‘What? Me worry?’ demeanor seemed even more reasonable. By the end of the term it was absolutely bucketing down, in itself of no concern but lightning of biblical proportions caused an extremely rare extension to the break. Upon resumption Ben McGlynn goaled, albeit the result of a dubious umpiring call, and the Swans mojo appeared to be emerging, the natural order – as viewed by those of the red-and-white persuasion – apparently returning to the game, five scoring shots in five minutes giving credence to the claim. Unfortunately all were one-pointers:- first a rushed behind, then Lewis ‘Jetstar’ Jetta unlucky to clip the post after a spectacular banana-kick effort from 40 out, Lance ‘B-3’ Franklin bombing it long only to have it touched before going through, Ben ‘Dover’ McGlynn swooping on the loose ball and belting it from 50 out only to see it fade to the right, then B3 ran back with the flight of the ball but dropped a reasonable chance and saw it shoved through for a defensive point. Five chances to goal, with so little effect on the scoreboard – but on the upside Sydney had all the momentum and led by 24, so all was well in the order of things so despite the lost chances I was a veritable Alfred E Neuman. But complacency in football is folly, as evidenced by two Giants goals which slashed Sydney’s half-time lead back to just seven points and – as a result of my apparently unwarranted bravado - causing me to ask myself the question: ‘What’s the difference between ignorance and complacency?’ The answer came to me immediately: ‘I don’t know and I don’t care.’ Of course, after this result, and Lance ‘B3’ Franklin’s less than auspicious debut, the snipers and cynics are coming out to crow their bilious I-told-you-so’s about Bad Boy Buddy’s mega-deal move to Sydney. Most of them spewed it all out last year when the deal was revealed, but this loss to GWS and the admittedly quiet game from B3 has emboldened the less brave of them to poke their heads over the parapet to throw in their sixpence worth, viz Matthew Lloyd in the Monday Age, stating that B3’s best years are behind him. Time will be the judge of that, and not just the time it takes to play one game in round one - especially in unforeseen storm conditions that were hardly conducive to tall full forwards. I found myself nodding in agreement with former Demons champ Garry ‘It’s Garry – not Gary’ Lyon who thought that Sydney players maybe should have given a bit more support to Franklin, opining I reckon they tried to ram home the whole Bloods culture, Lets not make a big deal out of one player, but sometimes youve got to go and support your mate. And, look, he was copping it from Toby Greene, he was copping it from everyone out there. But enough of what went wrong for Sydney. Full credit to GWS. This mighty win over their far-more fancied cross-town rival was a huge fillip for the Giants and for Aussie rules footy in NSW - indeed, dare I say, a princely fillip. And notwithstanding the shock-horror at my teams’ loss, I could not help but be swept up in the Giants exhilaration. So – returning to my earlier statement about my love for the game sitting just slightly above my love for my team, I turn to my customary sign-off line -‘c’arn footy in general’ – to summarize my feelings about this result. Oh, and one last thing – game on, Giants… See you in round 15 at the SCG. Collingwood V Fremantle The opening game of season 2014 was an absolute belting, with Fremantle apparently still seething at their unceremonious ousting from the 2013 Grand Final at the hands of Hawthorn, determined to state their case for this years ultimate prize. The first term - tighter than Tony Abbotts spandex, the margin just one point – seemed to indicate an arm-wrestle result but thereafter the Dockers were in devastating form, meritoriously so given that this was just round one. The Dockers heaved all over the Collingwood hos, kicking a full twelve goals on the trot to lead by 62 points before the Monochromes managed to finally eke out their third goal in the dying moments of the third quarter. The final score of 116-46 was the Magpies lowest score ever against Freo and their lowest in any match since 2010, so with the split round creating a two week gap until their next encounter coach Nathan Nun Buckley might need to travel around in the garb of his nickname to avoid the wrath of pissed-off supporters – it might be a difficult fortnight but the Pies were far two week. At least hed still be in club colours. Collingwoods hierarchy may well be scratching their heads over the decision to give the Nun an extension to his contract before the season had even started. Now the Magpies will face an even more pissed off Sydney Swans - dont start me here, read on - while Fremantle will play at home against Gold Coast. Gold Coast v Richmond In a full-on robot chubby day for the AFL, Gold Coast - the second of the two ‘so-called’ expansion teams - also won their game, although one could not compare the meaning of the wins, given that Gold Coast have already proved their means and their mettle in prior years. Indeed this tough win was the Suns O’Beaches third win over Richmond in as many outings, the win more meritorious by losing debutant Jack ‘Fartin’ Martin in the first term, then man-mountain Charlie ‘Wille’ Dixon to concussion before half-time. This was a terrific effort from Gold Coast who kicked four goals straight in the first term then withstood everything that a determined Richmond could throw at them. The Tigers were only 7 points in arrears at the half-time break, 12 behind at the last break, then scratched and clawed their way to gain the lead early in the final term after a beautiful left foot snap at goal by Dustin ‘Tinman’ Martin. But the home side were not to be denied, kicking five goals to ice the game. Gold Coast were terrific, showing a real maturity in the face of the Tigers challenge Once again, what can one say about Gary ‘Yeshua’ Ablett…? He was apparently tireless in the humid Gold Coast conditions, and his wonderful stats - 41 disposals, six clearances and two goals – do not fully explain his contribution. Ablett is one of those footballers that footy fans will look back on and consider themselves fortunate to have seen him play. The man is a freak, and I mean this in the best possible way. Carlton v Port Adelaide Port were pretty damn good last year and have begun season 2014 with aplomb. Indeed, like Little Jack Horner, they stuck in their thomb and pulled out a plomb, particularly in the final term. Carlton had been dominant in the opening quarter, but Port woke up and stood up thereafter to be just nine points adrift at half-time, and only six points at the last break. Then a 4th term seven-goal blitz from Port smashed the Blues who were able to add just one major score. Port had a pretty damn good year in 2013, rising from 14th on the 2012 ladder to 5th last season. On the strength of this performance their supporters have reason to be optimistic. Welcome to newcomers in our footy tipping comp. I will message everyone via the FootyTips website re payment of the $25.00 entry fee. It’s not too late for people to join – entry will be open until R.3 and they will be awarded an average score. C’arn footy in general (a statement that takes on real meaning this week, dunnit…?) PJ COLL 2.4 2.8 3.13 5.16 (46) FRE 2.3 8.7 14.10 17.14 (116) GWS 4.1 7.1 9.5 15.9 (99) SYD 6.2 7.8 9.8 9.13 (67) GC 5.4 6.5 7.13 12.15 (87) RICH 3.1 5.6 6.7 10.9 (69) CAR 4.4 8.8 11.13 12.15 (87) PORT 1.0 7.5 11.7 18.12 (120) PHOTO:- Justin ‘The Wall’ Westhoff uses his chin to ruthlessly attack the elbow of Carlton’s Andrew ‘The Phantom’ Walker during Port’s win over Carlton.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 07:56:09 +0000
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