The opening round of any season, in any competition, often brings an air of excitement and unpredictability. We hear all pre-season about teams, and certain individuals, that have been tearing up the track and are set for rapid improvement. This season is no different and we preview with intrigue what should be a magnificent first round of AFL action.
Richmond ($1.21) will enter its traditional season opener against Carlton as hot favourites ($4.30). The Tigers are a side that have taken great strides forward in the previous three seasons. However, after a trio of disappointing, and somewhat premature exits from the finals it is time for another step forward. The Tigers had yet another quiet recruiting period opting for more of a “Moneyball” approach by securing discarded talent from other clubs. However the big inclusion for this season will ironically be former Blue Chris Yarran, however he faces a race against time to be fit during the early rounds. The Blues have a renewed optimism under new coach Brendan Bolton, but they will find it tough to win this one.
Gold Coast ($1.21) should be too strong for a depleted Essendon ($4.30) at Metricon Stadium. It should be a similar story with Port Adelaide ($1.21) who will look to rebound from a disappointing 2015 by recording a win over St Kilda (4.30) at home. Over in the West, the Eagles ($1.05) should be far too strong for Brisbane ($10).
Melbourne Demons ($2.20) have been the big improver throughout the NAB Challenge but face a tough task against Greater Western Sydney ($1.67). The Giants are tipped by many to strongly challenge for a finals spot with an exciting young side and the recruitment of former Geelong superstar Steve Johnson.
Sydney ($1.57) start as favourites against Collingwood ($2.40) at the much smaller SCG. The Magpies have been somewhat of a bogey side for the Swans in recent years in the Harbour City but those wins have occurred at the much wider ANZ Stadium.
North Melbourne ($1.48) will go in confident against Adelaide ($2.64), but we cannot forget the Roos’ poor starts to the season in previous years. They will need to quell the influence of Crows skipper Taylor Walker, who absolutely dominated in this corresponding fixture last year.
The Western Bulldogs ($2.08) and Fremantle ($1.74) clash at Etihad Stadium should be a beauty between two sides with contrasting styles. The Dogs are a super-exciting side that play a great brand of attacking football. 2015 showed us that they certainly no how to play at Etihad Stadium and pose a threat for any side at this venue. The Dockers are firmly in its premiership window and have added the brilliant Harley Bennell to its squad.
Arguably the best has been saved for last with one of the greatest rivalries of the modern history in Geelong ($2.30) and Hawthorn ($1.60) set to battle it out. The Hawks are a juggernaut with three consecutive premierships and no immediate sign of slowing down. While the Cats are rejuvenated with a host of impressive recruits, none bigger than one of the game’s most exciting players in former Crow Paddy Dangerfield.
