Grim forecasts about AFL in 2020 after one match were premature
In the lead-up to Geelong’s clash against Hawthorn, the game’s grave was being dug — most notably by a Richmond great. But a fast start proved that many doomsayers had jumped the gun, with Geelong ‘saving’ the game.
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For 24 hours the grave was being dug.
Leading the shovelling was one of the game’s greatest but he had plenty of others offering assistance.
Richmond legend Kevin Bartlett was that fed up after watching his former team play out a draw against Collingwood that within an hour of the final siren he vented on Twitter:
“Richmond and Collingwood arguably the 2 best sides in the competition showed tonight that Australian rules football as a spectacle is in serious trouble and has been for a number of years, it’s time to take our heads out of the sand and stop kidding ourselves. Kb”
Richmond and Collingwood arguably the 2 best sides in the competition showed tonight that Australian rules football as a spectacle is in serious trouble and has been for a number of years ,itâs time to take our heads out of the sand and stop kidding ourselves. Kb
— Kevin Bartlett (@KevinBartlett29) June 11, 2020
The sentiment from KB and many others was clear, the game was dead and AFL boss Gillon McLachlan should call in a priest to deliver the last rites.
There’s no doubt the first game back from the coronavirus break was a stinker. Five goals each for an entire game from two of the premiership favourites was definitely smelly.
But there were factors for those going for the glass half full approach.
It was the first game for three months played in slippery conditions by teams who are very good at bringing pressure which is a recipe for mistakes and they came by the bucket full.
The natural reaction by commentators and fans was to flood the airwaves with predictions of doom and gloom.
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This just added even more pressure and expectation to what was going to take place at GMHBA Stadium.
If you believe some people, Geelong and Hawthorn had the fate of the game in their hands. Another stinker and who knows what would happen?
Luckily for Gill, the Cats understood the severity of the situation and acted accordingly from the opening bounce.
A Rhys Stanley clearance followed by some Brandan Parfitt brilliance ended in the hands of Luke Dahlhaus who snapped truly to register the first goal after just 19 seconds.
Hang on, this isn’t in the doomsday script.
Shortly after the best player of the modern era, Gary Ablett, receives the ball pinned against the boundary line and delivers a kick that not many could execute, centering the ball 40 metres into the hands of Stanley.
The much maligned ruckman goes back and kicks the game’s second goal after five minutes.
Three minutes later Stanley is the man again, grabbing the ball out of the ruck with his quick kick landing in the arms of teammate Tom Atkins who drills the set shot.
If he keeps this up the AFL will give Stanley a knighthood as he’s single-handedly making it his mission to save the game.
He gets some helpers for the rest of the quarter with Hawthorn superstar Shaun Burgoyne - courtesy of a freaky mid-air karate kick goal - and Ablett providing some memorable moments.
Then the class of Jack Gunston rose to the top with two goals in as many minutes and suddenly the game had nine goals before the end of the first quarter.
This fact didn’t go unnoticed by Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor who went into overdrive comparing what was happening in front of his eyes to 24 hours earlier.
The game’s 11th goal, which was significant given the previous night’s troubles, came courtesy of Ablett with a trademark snap at the 17-minute mark of the second quarter.
That game with a collective sigh of relief at AFL headquarters and after that it was good times at KP for Gill and Co.
Hawthorn managed to smother the game a bit more in the second quarter and they did well to get the deficit back to six points at the main break.
But that was the end of the goodness for their first visit to the Cattery in 14 years.
The Cats delivered five unanswered goals in the first 15 minutes of the third quarter to show that they’re still capable of putting the foot down when required.
It was impressive to watch and there’s no doubt they’re going to milk the advantage of having three games at home over the first stage of the resumption.
But more importantly, the Cats just might have convinced KB to put the spade away . . . for the time being at least.
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