Round 1 had some surprising results, standout performances, and arguably confirmation the league is indeed trending towards a more offensive-based product.
For the last edition of 2022’s Notebook before shifting to finals mode, a look at Max King’s goalkicking (again), and the final two minutes of a MCG thriller.
Today’s Notebook touches on the possession game in Fremantle v Sydney, Richmond’s stoppage defence, and finishes with quick hits on Melbourne, Hawthorn, and Gold Coast.
While Richmond’s collapse in a hail of errors took the headlines over the weekend, today’s Notebook also covers Adelaide’s style and wonders what to take out of Geelong v Melbourne and Brisbane v Essendon.
We’re building to a period where there could be several breakout topics in quick succession. Until then though, it’s a trusty regulation format for the Notebook this week.
Of all the times for a strength to turn in to a weakness, a fortnight out from finals is no-one’s choice and out of nowhere that’s where the Western Bulldogs find themselves.
For how the round looked on paper leading in, it turned out to be quite entertaining in reality. A draw, two more games decided by a kick, Nathan Buckley’s Collingwood farewell and a ripper in Adelaide which kicked things all off.
As promised last week, it’s an all-positive edition of the Notebook, featuring Richmond and Liam Baker, the Suns and Izak Rankine, along with Brisbane’s favourable matchup against Port Adelaide.
Six weeks into the season, we’re at the stage where trends we see are more likely to be legitimate. Today it’s all about West Coast, set shots, Carlton’s defence and St Kilda’s form.
How Daniel Rich found so much space is on the agenda, along with what Sydney’s win over Richmond means and a few mini-thoughts about Melbourne, Geelong and West Coast.
A fortnight in to 2021 and we’ve already been gifted a contender for match of the season, Sunday afternoon’s clash between the Western Bulldogs and West Coast a pulsating encounter.
Unbelievably, we now have to endure three whole days without football, which is disgraceful. But at the end of 20 consecutive days with football, we may be starting to see some ladder separation.
Another two excellent matches in Round 11, even with the compressed schedule, leads us into a handful of vital clashes in Round 12. But before then, what caught the eye over the last few days.