AFL starts with a whimper as fans turn on Swans vs Demons

Everything was in place for the AFL to start with a bang, but fans have quickly turned on the new concept for the season-opener.

It was an arm-wrestle for both teams for most of the night. Photos: Getty Images/News Corporation

After a huge build-up, the SCG was packed and in pristine condition, we got a heartwarming pre-match tribute and the anticipation was bursting for the opening AFL clash of season 2024.

The only thing missing was a good game of footy.

Among all the talk of the NRL stealing a march with its Las Vegas extravaganza, and AFL hoping to play catch-up with a unique “Opening Round” in Sydney and Queensland, the game itself left plenty to be desired.

The only place to watch every game of AFL’s Opening Round is Fox Footy, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

Most of the criticism came in the first half, when the Swans took a 4.3 (27) to 2.8 (20) lead after a dour affair littered with mistakes and poor kicking at goal.

To be fair it did improve from there, with the home side kicking eight goals to seven after the long break to seal a 12.14 (86) to 9.10 (64) triumph as the Swans got the first four points on offer.

The crowd was packed in for the season opener. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

But the response on social media to the AFL’s experimental opening game, replacing the traditional Richmond vs Carlton MCG blockbuster that will take place next week, was that new chief executive Andrew Dillon and his team had missed a trick.

“Yeah heaps of NRL fans will be making the switch after this ripper game,” was one comment.

“A lesson - if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” wrote another.

“You would think you try to showcase the 1st game of the season, now we know why its called round zero,” was another sharp assessment.

“How many rugby league fans have been converted by this snooze fest,” added a fourth.

And in a short summary, another suggested: “The AFL have completely stuffed this up.”

Picking the two most boring teams in the league to play against each other in the first game of the season on the worst ground for TV viewing in the country probably wasn’t a great choice

— poultergeist (@Daicosian) March 7, 2024

It’s 2024 and the SCG is still the shittest stadium for footy in Australia.

Teams are forced to play this contested scrappy boring long down the line game.

Fans are forced to watch through terrible camera angles.

— Bobby (@PiesWrldd) March 7, 2024

Almost died today.

A robber came into my house with a loaded gun and aimed at me.

Luckily, the season opener between Sydney and Melbourne was playing on the TV.

He suddenly started watching and fell asleep. Thank God#AFLSwansDees

— dylan (@PrimeWalsh) March 7, 2024

The night started well, with the Swans walking from their new home base through the crowd to the stadium, a move that was part of the club’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

There was also an emotional and respectful tribute to former AFL umpire Jesse Baird and his partner and Swans fan Luke Davies.

The couple was allegedly murdered by police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon last month in a high-profile and awful story that captivated the whole country, with a moment of silence followed by warm applause right before the opening bounce.

People acting like Richmond vs Carlton was a banger every year. The only problem with Opening Round is that the AFL have done it half-heartedly. Should be a full round and the weekend after should be called Round 2. I know, radical. #AFLSwansDees

— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) March 7, 2024

the important thing is these teams get their skill level right for Round 1. #AFLSwansDees

— Brett Sprigg (@BrettSprigg) March 7, 2024

All the excitement and enthusiasm was then sucked out of the ground by the poor display by two teams aiming directly for finals footy in 2024.

A controversial advantage rule that led to a Bayley Fritsch goal and a dreadful set shot miss from the goalsquare from Sydney’s Hayden McLean were among the main talking points.

“Opening Night is living up to the excitement,” the Swans’ X account said in a comment that may or may not have been sarcastic. “Just seven points in it at halftime.”

The eight goals kicked in total in the third term nearly matched the nine from the opening half as proceedings did improve in greasy conditions in Sydney.

HOW!?!? 🤔

An incredible accident from Jacob van Rooyen! 🤯

📺 Watch #AFLSwansDees LIVE on ch. 504 or stream on Kayo: https://t.co/c5VwhmeFbG
✍️ BLOG https://t.co/6sKDghxW9I
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/pCDbDWM5udpic.twitter.com/iAKe7DzCKH

— Fox Footy (@FOXFOOTY) March 7, 2024

The northern states getting a real classic pic.twitter.com/M8XLkVka5m

— Darren (@TheDazMail) March 7, 2024

Great to see the goal kicking much improved over the summer

— Eamon Johnson (@johno_35) March 7, 2024

“That’s more like it,” the AFL Nation account tweeted after the third quarter. “Entertaining term of footy.”

Jacob van Rooyen added to the calamities on display when he knew nothing about a goal he managed to kick off his knee while doing a reverse cartwheel in the goalsquare.

The Swans then kicked away down the stretch, kicking five more final-term goals to ultimately march to a comfortable 22-point win.

Most believe the AFL hasn’t got its opening rounds quite right, with three more matches scheduled in Opening Round, followed by a full nine matches in round one.

The crowd certainly turned out in Sydney, with a very healthy 40,012 fans packing the SCG.

But it seems there is still some tinkering to do to keep the fans happy.